December 1, 2019
    
    It is time to get those nut-free and peanut butter free cookies baked for the troops and put one dozen cookies in a zip lock bag. The church will box for transport.  Sunday, December 15 is the cutoff date for the cookies. Don’t forget our military as we rush to get things done.
     Community Table is moved up to December 18!  Please come, but, show up on the 18th. 
    We are decorated and ready to shine with plenty of green swags and red bows.
     Our Worship team met after church this past Sunday to plan the Christmas Eve services.  Special solos and Bible reading along with Christmas carols will be enjoyed.  The time was set for the Christmas Eve Service is 7:00 p.m.   
    Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader and read the scripture lesson from Isaiah 2:1-15.
    The Advent reading and lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath was done by Dr. Harlan and Eddie Raley.
   A prayer rail offering was taken for the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco.  This program serves more than 1,400 children and youth daily through residential programs at the Waco campus, the Boys Ranch, foster homes, transition services and a variety of additional services throughout Texas and New Mexico.
     The Dublin Goodfellows and Transformation Pathways (formerly Christian Women’s Job Core) could sure use your donations this Christmas.  And the local library and Transformation Pathways have “angel trees’ with families names and information who could use a helping hand this season. 
    Paul and Pat Beaty have an anniversary on the 23rd then Gene and DJ Klutts celebrate on the 26th.   Ben Pate has a birthday on the 26th.   Congratulations to all.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford’s message was titled “A Vision of Hope.”
     The Prophet Isaiah is called by God to pronounce God’s coming judgment on the people of Jerusalem and Judah.  Isaiah also is given a vision of hope, of God’s plan to restore God’s chosen people someday.  Isaiah can see a day when God’s Messiah rules the nations of the world with peace and justice.  Isaiah has a vivid picture of what life will be like someday, in the last days, when God’s people finally turn back to their Lord.  Isiah had this vision 700 years before Christ’s birth.
      This is a good Bible passage to start off the Advent season, when we prepare for Jesus’ coming. For Emmanuel means; God with us.  Jesus is our second chance to undo the damage of our sin and restore us.  Jesus is our view from the mountaintop.  Don’t miss this opportunity.
 
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​First United Methodist Church News
November 24, 2019
    
      Remember to bake nut-free cookies for the troops and put one dozen cookies in a zip lock bag.  The church has the boxes for transport, two bags will be put in each box.  December 15 is the cutoff date to accept cookies.
     Please get the word out that Community Table is moved up to December 18 because of Christmas falling on the last Wednesday in December. 
    This coming Tuesday, First United Methodist Church will be “Hanging the Greens” at 1:00 p.m.  Helping with this project is a sure way to get in the Christmas spirit.
    Nancy Wooldridge served as Worship Leader while Cole Moore, Joe and Jaxon Salinas were our acolytes.
     Pastor Ken Lunsford made a presentation of a $300 check to Sammy Moore, Finance Chair,  from the West District Wildly Important Goals Program that we received at the Annual Charge Conference held at Hico, Texas.  The check was awarded to our congregation from the West District because of the number of Professions Of Faith membership and increased attendance.
     Neva Smith asked for continued prayers for her son, Mike Hancock.  Nancy Wooldridge spoke about her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Stine, who is fighting a terrible disease. 
     Rev. Ken Lunsford dedicated his sermon, “Counting Our Spiritual Blessings,” to Mary Jane. 
     Our scripture reading was John 6:25-59.  It is in this lesson that Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
     Jesus is speaking to a crowd who followed Him after seeing five small loaves of bread and two fish feed five thousand people.  But Jesus isn’t impressed with their interest. He says they are looking for Him because they ate their fill.  Then He warns them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
     The thing that matters in life is relationships; relationships with other people and with God.  People who feel loved can be happy in any situation.  People who focus on other things are guaranteed to experience heartache someday, because everything else is temporary.
     Be thankful this Thanksgiving for the people you love and for those who love you. Be thankful that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son for our salvation. 
     Sunday evening Pastor Ken and I attended the Dublin Ministerial Alliance “Community Thanksgiving” Service held this year at the First Baptist Church.  Rev. Weldon Branham led the congregation in singing up-lifting music and Vickey Stone was the pianist.  Mike Simpson delivered a beautiful invocation and Rev. Ken Lunsford delivered the offertory prayer and read the scripture lesson.  Rev. Mike Hannah preached on overcoming fear and to remember that perfect love casts out all fear. And, Then Rev. Gerald Freeman gave a meaningful benediction.  The offering raised will be divided between Transformation Pathways and Dublin Goodfellows.
     The First Baptist had a marvelous array of cookies, muffins, and sponge cake waiting for us in fellowship hall.  We appreciate their efforts and fine cooking.
     Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
 

First United Methodist Church News
November 17, 2019
    
      Hello friends, I have missed writing my news. I have been ill with this and that and then I added the stomach virus to my list.  Next, I passed the virus along to Pastor Ken.   It was a humbling experience for both of us.  I put washing my soiled bed sheets right up there with foot washing. 
      I missed going to the Annual Charge Conference which was held at Hico First United Methodist Church.  On Sunday afternoon, November 10th, Rev. Ken Lunsford and eight local members along with most all of the West District representatives, came together to report on the life of their church and plans for the coming year.
      Dublin First and Laurel St. United Methodist Church were recognized for growth in attendance and added members.  Each received a check for $300.00 to help with continued growth.
     The attendees heard a motivating sermon by our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Lisa Neslony.
    Prayers were offered for me, Dr. Harlan Raley, Judy Beckham, Dr. Rodney Snyder, and Neva Smith’s son, Mike Hancock.
     Lisa Leatherwood is going for a regular check-up and Conner Moore is going to be interviewed for medical school.  We pray for a successful outcome for them.
     The Community Thanksgiving Service is at Dublin First Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m.  Rev. Michael Hannah of Greens Creek United Methodist will bring the sermon.  Refreshments will follow the service in the fellowship hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to worship the Lord with many friends and neighbors.
      Community Table was early this month, we had it this Wednesday.  The ham, macaroni and cheese supper was great!  There are no meal deliveries on 11-27.
      We are scheduled to decorate the church for Christmas on 12-3 at 1:00 p.m. This can be a joyous event if you have enough help.
     When Jesus was asked by a scribe which commandment is the first of all, He answered, “The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  The scribe replied to Jesus, “Well said teacher, you are right.”  When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
    That’s where I want to live, don’t you, near to the kingdom of God? 
    In His answer to this question, Jesus boils all the Law, the Commandments and all the teachings of the prophets down into one word; Love.
    It’s easy to be a Christian if that means keeping the “thou shall nots” of the law. And it is easy to come to worship from time to time and put some money in the offering plate.  We can wait for the hurting people to come to us and we can apply a few Band-Aids………... But friends, that is not love.
    Every time we perform an act of love, we glorify Christ.
 
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First United Methodist Church News
October 27, 2019
    
     Pastor Ken asks that our members plan to attend the Charge Conference to be held on Sunday, 11-10 at 3:30 p.m. at Hico First United Methodist Church. Committee chairs are especially asked to attend, and dinner will be provided. Call Leta Sage at our church to reserve your meal.  Mark the calendar now so you do not forget.
     The November/December Upper Room booklets are here and on the table in the narthex.
      Dublin United Methodist along with all the United Methodist in this area will be baking cookies for our military service people for Christmas.  You are encouraged to begin early and freeze your cookies.  Have a cookie night with your children or grandchildren, it will be a meaningful lesson for the youngsters and a blessing for the troops.
      I was relieved to be back in church last Sunday.  I am still getting my strength back after having the flu. 
      DJ Klutts served as Worship Leader and read the scripture lesson from Luke 18:9-14.  This scripture tells a parable about two people who went to the temple to pray.  One, a Pharisee, stood and prayed aloud about what a good man he was.   The other person stood some distance away, he was a tax collector.  He prayed with his eyes looking down, he struck his own chest and said, “God, show mercy to me a sinner.”  Jesus said that the lowly tax collector was justified rather than the Pharisee.
“All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
      “God, Show Mercy to Me, A Sinner” was the title of Rev Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
      This Bible passage starts with the words, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.”  I think that Jesus wanted His audience to know, that when we compare ourselves to others, we turn religion into a competition.  And self-righteousness is not the same thing as holiness.  Our identity is based on who God is and the Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy!  You cannot know who God is and still hold on to your pride and smugness.
     In today’s parable Jesus says, “he went home justified.”  What does that mean? It means his sins were forgiven. He got the mercy he prayed for.
     So, that is why God sent His perfect, sinless Son, Jesus, to take away the penalty of our sins and make us holy in His eyes.
    We believe God’s infinite love is available to all, call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com , our website is http://fumcdublintx.com .
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First United Methodist Church News
October 20, 2019
    
     I have some good news!  Wednesday, 10/30, is Community Table and Chicken Spaghetti is being served.  Chicken Spaghetti is one of my favorites that DJ Klutts cooks up for us.  The side dishes will be delicious also.  Helpers are needed for preparing the take-outs.
     DJ says we need more cookies baked because we send out at least 300 cookies a month.  Let’s do some yummy fall desserts for those dinning at the fellowship hall.  I may bake my Pumpkin Pie Crunch again since it turned out well for the Garden Club. 
     I have had the flu and that is tough to deal with, but I am much improved.  I appreciated my husband’s time and care.  He brought in chicken and dumplings from town, and that is the safest way for him to cook.
     I missed church last Sunday, so I am following Pastor Ken’s notes and the lovely bulletin prepared by Leta Sage. 
    Prayers were offered for Pat and Lisa Leatherwood, Dr. Rodney Schneider, and me. 
    Nancy Wooldridge served as Worship Leader. Nancy read the scripture lesson from Luke 18:1-18.
    Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, “What Will He Find When He Returns?”
    Jesus told a parable about a judge that neither feared God nor respected people.  There was a widow who kept coming to the judge asking for justice in the case against her adversary.  For a while he refused but said if I don’t give this widow justice, she will keep on coming here and embarrassing me.  The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will He be slow to help them? I tell you; He will give them justice quickly. But when the human one comes; will He find faithfulness on earth?”
     You see the widow had hope, she thought her continued pestering of the unjust judge was working, and eventually it did!
     A lively and excited hope is a necessary ingredient in the Christian Life. Hope is crucial to the church’s faithful discipleship and the stewardship of the gospel.  It is holding to the promises of God, by our belief in the integrity of God.
     God’s faithfulness will last. The only question is whether human beings will be faithful to the end.  When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
 
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​First United Methodist Church News
October 13, 2019
    
     Please drive by our church to view our decorated hay bale, it is wearing a halo!
     The church received a short letter form Carl B. Sanders and he included a donation to go towards repairing the north door to fellowship hall.  We thank Carl B. and the Sander’s family.
     The Hesters continue to recover from their auto accident; Darwin has been discharged from the hospital.
     I served as the Worship Leader last Sunday.  Jordan and Jackson Cardoza were our acolytes.
It is encouraging to see children serving at church.     
     I read this past Sunday’s scripture lesson from Luke 17:11-19 in the Common English Bible.
     Luke tells us that Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. He entered a village where ten men with leprosy (skin diseases) approached Him.  They called to Jesus and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!”   Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests.  As they left, they were healed.  One man returned to thank Jesus and praised God. He was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked the man, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner.”   Jesus told the Samaritan that his faith healed him.
     “Giving Thanks to God” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon
     We all know and appreciate the importance of gratitude.  It can radically change relationships.  One of the first things we are taught is to say, “Thank you.”  We teach our children the same thing, to be polite and say thank you.  Yet when it comes to giving thanks to our heavenly father, we so often miss the mark.
     Jesus’ healing of the ten lepers is timelessly appropriate.  These men walked the earth, they could breathe and eat and had hopes and fears just like you and me.  But with leprosy they were like walking dead. Their disease ate away at their body and there was no known cure. It was believed that leprosy was highly contagious.  Today, we know that is not true.
     Some of you today are dealing with problems that seem overwhelming and feel there is little to be grateful for. And that may be your reality.  But friends, no one here today has had it worse than these ten men. They had a hellish, impossible, situation and yet they were healed!  But only one returned to give thanks.  Are we different from them? I wonder.  A recent poll reports that nine out of ten families will not even say a prayer at their Thanksgiving dinner.
     The Samaritan, who was an outcast, considered unholy, showed how holy his heart really was. He gave his gratitude to Christ.
     Let us remember the words of the apostle Paul:  Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything: for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you.  I can imagine some of us are long, long overdue in expressing our thanks to God.
     We need to remember our shut-ins and give them a visit.

First United Methodist Church News
October 6, 2019
    
           I would like to encourage Dublin folks to attend the surrounding towns Lord’s Acre festivals. The food is good, there are great items to bid on or buy, and they are fun!
            We were thrilled to see Jim Denn Sunday.  Jim is back in Dublin after living away for a year and a half.
      Harlan and Eddie Raley, continual sweethearts, had an anniversary last week.
      Pat Beaty and Jim Denn celebrated birthdays this week.  Elise Leatherwood Hall has a birthday on Halloween!
      Pastor Ken has been praying for Pat Leatherwood who is experiencing back pain. Then, Lisa Leatherwood asked for prayers for Pastor Ken and me because we have been busy and not feeling well.  DJ Klutts asked that we include her husband, Gene, in those prayers because he was at home and not feeling well.  Prayers were requested for Julia Broussard.
     Lisa Leatherwood served as the Worship Leader last Sunday and Cole Moore was our acolyte.
     Sunday was communion for Dublin Methodists and World Communion Sunday for all denominations.  The funds we left on the communion rail were to aid in the education of national, international, and ethnic students who desire to Serve Christ.
    Lisa Leatherwood read the scripture lesson from 2 Timothy 1:1-14 in the Common English Bible.
    1 and 2 Timothy are letters written by St. Paul to his friend and associate, Timothy.  Paul calls Timothy his dear child and says he constantly remembers him in his prayers.  Paul talks of the authentic faith that lives in Timothy and lived in Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.
    Paul writes to “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
    Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his lesson, “The Test of Faith.”
    Timothy was a young man who passed the test to become a minister of Jesus Christ. Timothy was attempting to “straighten out” the church in Corinth without much success.
    Timothy had a deep sense of calling and had given his life to the work of the ministry. 
    Many lay people associate the call of God with becoming a pastor or some other full-time Christian vocation. But every believer receives the call of God at their baptism.  God has a purpose for your life, you are called to ministry of some form. It may be visiting the sick and imparting God’s love to them. It may be as a teacher or a musician. 
     There is a difference between believing in God and trusting God for your future.  That is why Paul could write, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
     May you and I be special believers and disciples of Jesus Christ.
     We believe God’s infinite love is available to all, call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com , our website is http://fumcdublintx.com .
 
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First United Methodist Church News
September,29 2019
 
     We learned the number of people fed at Community Table last week was 298!  Someone should have filmed a video of the crowd forming an assembly line to make those big burritos!  They were wrapped in foil to protect them during carry out and delivery.  Those eating in-house could wrestle their large flour tortilla any way they chose.  The in-house desserts were outstanding.  I felt all I could do to add to the bounty was go buy a bucket of ice cream, so I did.
     Darwin and Carolyn Hester continue to heal from the horrific auto accident they were in. They have injuries, bumps, and bruises, but their car is a total burned up heap. They were rescued by passing motorists.  Darwin and Carolyn’s survival are a miracle.
    Jill and Sammy Moore announced the death of Gerry Kendall, the congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Gerry.
     Our congregation extends much sympathy to the family and friends of David Mote.
     The fellowship hall door, which faces the parking lot, is out of order.  Someone put too much pressure on the key lock mechanism, and it jumped a cog. That door gets a lot of use; deliveries of supplies to cook with, meals go out, cub scouts meet in our fellowship hall, and family reunions rent the hall.  Any donation to the door repair fund will be appreciated.
    The Worship Leader last Sunday was Jeanne Wendt.  Jeanne has some health problems, but she rises to the call when her church needs her. That makes for a caring friend and good neighbor.
    Pat Beaty was back at the piano and did a superb job Sunday.  Be sure and ask to see Pat’s granddaughter’s pictures. Pat will be glad to produce photos.
   The scripture reading was from Timothy 6:6-19. This writing from Paul contains much advice on successful living. It is as timely now as when it was written.
    Actually, Godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have. We didn’t bring anything into the world and so we can’t take anything out of it.  People who are trying to get rich fall into temptation.  The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.  Tell people who are rich at this time not to become egotistical and not to place their hope on their finances, which are uncertain.  Instead they need to place their hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.
     Paul says to tell these rich people to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, and to share with others.
    Rev Ken Lunsford preached about “it’s not striving; it’s what we are striving for.” 
    The absence of God speaks almost as loudly as does God’s presence. When you have been separated from the presence of God for too long, you either stop caring about it, or you hunger for God.  Maybe you have prayed that you might see any sign of God’s work in your life. And you wondered; is there any reason left to hope? The answer is, yes!  Because God made us, God can save us, there is still hope.
    Strive for eternal goals.  “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
These are the eternal qualities that will bring true contentment into your life and mine.
    So, the next time your bank account gets you down, remind yourself the only wealth that really matters, is in God’s love for you.
    John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
 
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First United Methodist Church News
September,22 2019
 
     Juanita Duncan was looking well and back to her usual feisty self in church last Sunday.  Which was a great relief to us all.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Danny Prater.
     Darwin and Carolyn Hester were in an automobile accident last week and Pat and Lisa Leatherwood went to give the Hester’s their help and support.  Pastor Ken prayed for both couples.
     Re Holle was our pianist and we enjoyed her lively music.  Laura Leatherwood served as Worship Leader, and Joe and Jaxson Salinas performed as acolytes.
     The scripture reading was from 1 Timothy 2:1-7.   In this lesson we are instructed to pray for all people.  “Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity.”
     “Making Your Life Count” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
     Paul tells us in Timothy “There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free.”
     When we come to the end of our lives is there a way, we can know that our lives really do matter?
     St. Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles. He made contributions to human existence that continue to this day. He was one of the most influential men who ever lived.
     The secret to his purposeful life is in these words from Timothy, “There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free.  For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 
     Paul’s great cause was to glorify God.  Friends, that is your task and mine as well. To do everything we do, wherever we may be, to the glory of God.  We have a focal point in our lives that we can believe in without reservation and give it all we have. There is a source of power available to us that helps us to accomplish more than we ever dreamed possible.
     We believe the Holy Spirt is God’s presence with us. Call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com , our website is http://fumcdublintx.com .


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First United Methodist Church News
September,15 2019
 
     It was great to see Michael and Mary Haley in church last Sunday.  They have been on a wonderful vacation to Germany and France.  They visited old friends and areas where they once lived.     
     Neva Smith was happy to have her son, Mike Hancock, bring her to church.  We enjoyed visiting with Mike also. 
     September birthdays are David Cleveland and Kaitlyn Gordon and we want to say Happy Anniversary to James and Leta Sage.
      The Food Pantry needs dry spaghetti, canned tomato sauce, instant potatoes, canned fruit, canned vegetables, all types of canned beans, dried pinto beans, rice, canned chicken and tuna, peanut butter and jelly.  For a complete list please call our church office at 254-445-2157.
      Juanita Duncan is making good progress with her pacemaker and her physician has cleared her to drive! 
      Prayers and thoughts go to Jeanne Wendt for her upcoming medical tests.
      David Cleveland is once again assisting the Dublin Boy Scouts in collecting scrape metal, if you have an old water heater or washing machine, contact a scout or our office.
     It will be Community Table again on 9-25.  We need cookies and desserts.  I’m thinking of making Pumpkin Pie Crunch and a big ole pound cake. 
     D J Klutts served as our Worship Leader and read the scripture lesson from Luke 15:1-10.   
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, “Seeking the Lost!”
     Jesus told this parable: “Suppose someone among you had 100 sheep and lost one of them.  Wouldn’t he leave the other 99 in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders.  In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life”
     The Pharisees and scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow; welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  Tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus.  The Pharisees saw a danger of getting too close with the wrong crowd.  But Jesus reaches out and loves everyone, especially the most unloved.
    God does not want us to be ignored, neglected, or lost. God wants to bless us, all of us, He seek out everyone, even the most unlikely person. God rejoices when one of us is found.  Jesus wants us to understand that.
 
 


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