First United Methodist Church News
February 16, 2020
  
     Ash Wednesday will be remembered in our fellowship hall this year.  Everyone is invited to participate in this ancient custom.  It will be come and go from 5 till 7 p.m.      
     Community Table is next Wednesday.  Please come to volunteer and eat with us.      
     I visited with Debbie Hammonds, Virginia Stephen, and Elizabeth Young in their nursing homes.  I took them a Valentine card and gift from the church.   They are all pleasant to talk to.  However, Debbie has had surgery on her left arm, and she is experiencing a lot of pain.  Keep these wonderful ladies in your prayers and do go and visit with them.      
     Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Roy Mayfield.
     Kathy Logan is back in her home in Midland.  She traveled to Houston for surgery on her arm.
     February birthdays were Jill Moore, Larry Stanford, and Lee Lusk.
     I served as Worship Leader this past Sunday and read the scripture lesson from Matthew 5:21-37.
     Alford Havens and Larry Stanford are our current ushers.    
     “Let Your Yes Mean Yes and Your No Mean No” was the title of Rev Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
      Sometimes when we read the Bible, it feels like we’re walking into the middle of a conversation.   We can’t understand certain passages unless we understand their context. Throughout history too much evil has been done in the name of God by those who took a passage out of context. 
      Jesus had already spoke about the “Beatitudes.”  But then He seems to go in another direction. He tells the crowd that He didn’t come to abolish the laws of the Jewish faith, but to fulfill every single word.
     Jesus says anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.  Jesus says do not call people idiot or fool or they will be in danger of the fire of hell.  Then He adds that if you even look at a woman lustfully you have already committed adultery with her in your heart.  Now they realized they were all guilty in the sight of God. Sin doesn’t start with an action; it starts with a decision.
     So, we should fill ourselves with the presence of God so that we do not give in to our sinful thoughts.  To do that we must spend more time in worship, in prayer, in repentance, in obedience, and in acts of service.
    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
February 9, 2020
  
     During a recent service Robert and Irene Sohm became members of our congregation, they moved their membership from Greens Creek United Methodist Church.  We welcome them, but Robert and Irene have already been helping and participating in our activities for some time.   
     Crystal Whitefield has been attending Confirmation Class for several months and she was recently confirmed by Pastor Ken.  We are so thankful for these three people who worship among us.
     Kevin Stone was joined by his daughter, Rachel Stephens, and his granddaughter Kinsley Ann Stephens last Sunday.
     The Ash Wednesday service will be a modified version held in the fellowship hall on 2/26.  It will be come and go anytime from 5 till 7 p.m. 
     Dr. Harlan Raley is home from the hospital and going to rehab class.  Harlan is progressing well and should soon be back in his office.  This congregation along everyone in town is thankful for this outcome.  Praise God, all praise His holy name.
     We have been asked to keep Shelly Sanders in our prayers and we will.
     We were joined by three members Scout Pack 30 and two scouts posted the colors at the altar rail.  Then they led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. 
     This church and congregation have provided a meeting place, free of charge, for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for decades.  We have a long and gratified history with the Boy Scouts.  On meeting days, we see a fellowship hall full of scouts, their leaders, and parents.
      Many of the men from this congregation have been involved in scouting and gone on to become Eagle Scouts, some are scout leaders.  This said, we wish there could have been a larger showing on Scout Sunday of the families and the boys, we continue to care for.  But we understand the crowded calendars filled with activities.
     This past Sunday our Worship Leader was DJ Klutts.  She read our scripture from Matthew 5:13-20.
     Jesus continues to preach from the mountain side to the crowd that followed Him and His disciples.  He tells them they are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and to not put their light under a basket.  He tells them to let their light shine before people so they can see the good things you do and praise and glorify your Father in heaven.  Jesus says He has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.
     The Law was given to bring us into a relationship with God.  The Law was not created for itself, but for a harmonious relationship with God.   The religious leaders with whom Jesus clashed replaced this relationship with a list of rules!  They worshiped the Law and not God.  These leaders turned the Law into an act of external obedience.
     Jesus fulfilled the Law for us by giving us His righteousness so we could enter His Kingdom.  That is the meaning of grace.
     We believe the Holy Spirt is God’s presence with us. Call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com
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First United Methodist Church News
February 2, 2020
  
     Pastor Ken and I have a weakness for Girl Scout cookies. Even though Ken came home last week with a shopping bag full of boxes of cookies, we are nearly out!  I guess we will drain our bank account and hock our possessions next.  The peanut butter sandwich is my favorite.
     Valentine’s Day is next week, so don’t forget your loved ones.  Whether or not you send flowers or candy, be sure to send your love.
     Neva Smith got a visit from Kathy Logan.  Kathy and her daughters stopped by Neva’s home on their way to Houston.  Kathy is scheduled to have surgery on her arm at a hospital there.
    We included Kathy Logan in our prayers for a healing of her arm.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Ricky Rowe.  Ricky is Carolyn Belew’s brother.
     It is time to start planning for Ash Wednesday services on February 26.   That is Community Table night so please come to eat with us and receive a reminder of who you are and whose you are.
     I missed going to Community Table in January.  I was having another sick day.  The kitchen crew sent me a wonderful food package that night.  The “Hopping John” put me on the road to recovery.
     The church still has calendars to give away.  The calendars have our church name, address, and other contact information.  It has scenes of the holy land, Bible verses, and recognizes national holidays and religious days.
     Our Worship Leader this past Sunday was Lisa Leatherwood.  Joe and Jaxson Salinas served as acolytes.
     Lisa read the scriptures from Matthew 5:1-12.  This is the “Beatitudes” taught by Jesus as He sat on the side of a mountain and spoke to His disciples. 
     We all know what it is to stand on the outside looking in.  There are some groups that just won’t accept us. There are some doors we won’t ever pass through because we don’t have the right connections or status.
     In Jesus’ day most people thought of the kingdom of God like that.  That only certain people had the connections to get in.  Such as family heritage, if you were a member of the nation of Israel you were one of the “chosen.”  Or you could keep the laws of Moses, which grew to 613 rules.  Jesus and St. Paul said that nobody could keep all the rules and said, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
     Jesus envisioned a club to which everyone on earth could belong.  And in Matthew 5 He lists the qualifications, He called the members blessed. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” 
     Let’s study all nine of the beatitudes and see where we fit in. Jesus invites us into an extraordinary fellowship, He’s already paid the admission in full, and for all.  
   We believe God’s infinite love is available to all, call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com.
 
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​First United Methodist Church News
January 26, 2020
  
      Pastor Ken spent most of Saturday in Eastland at the First Baptist Church getting organized for a Walk to Emmaus. This will be Men’s Walk number 449 and held from April 30 through May 3, it will be at Solid Rock Camp in Eastland. The Spiritual Director is Rev. Howard Martin from First United Methodist Church in Stephenville. Pastor Ken will serve as Assistant Director.
      The congregation was glad to see Robert and Irene Sohm able to be in church last Sunday.  We have missed their smiling faces. We had two guests with us, they were a mother and son.    
     As soon as some people get well, someone else feels ill.  Dr. Harlan Raley is in the hospital in Fort Worth and I seem to be relapsing with upper respiratory troubles.
     Laura Leatherwood was our Worship Leader and Joe Salinas was the acolyte.
     The scripture lesson was given by Laura.  She read from Matthew 4: 12-23
     We learn from this part of Matthew when and how Jesus began to call His disciples to follow Him.
It starts after John the Baptist is arrested and Jesus goes to Galilee.  From that time on Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”  As Jesus walked along the water’s edge of the Galilee Sea, He saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew. They were fishing with their net.  Jesus called out to them, “Come follow me and I’ll show you how to fish for people.”  Right away they left their nets.  As they walked on Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John who were sons of Zebedee.  Jesus called to them and they also followed. Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching and healing the people of disease.
      “Truly Seeing God” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
      When Jesus set out to build His team of a few good disciples where did He look?  In the synagogue to find the most learned scholars in Capernaum.  No, He finds fishermen by the Sea of Galilee.  Fishermen who left what they were doing and went to Jesus right away. Now that is enthusiasm and loyalty.
       Our preaching series is titled: “Seeing God More Clearly in 2020 and this sermon was titled “Seeing God More Clearly!”   One thing today’s lesson teaches is, in order to see God more clearly, you’ve got to get up and go where God calls you.  Because inaction means you value something else more than serving the God who created you.
     All throughout the Bible God uses the people who get up and go where He leads.  Even if it leads to unknown territory.
     If you want to see God more clearly, you’ve got to focus on the opportunity to serve God right now, than focusing on what you leave behind. That is not easy.
     To see God more clearly, you will find Him in serving others.
     What’s standing in your way?  What is between where you are and where God wants you to be, that can be called idolatry.
You must know that God uses small gifts just as surely as He does large ones. Ask Him, ask God to give you a new vision in 2020.    To contact the church, email the office at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com,or call 445-2157.  We would like to hear from you. 
 

First United Methodist Church News
January 19, 2020
  
     Many thanks were offered for the much-needed rain.  How did we get so fortunate here in the Dublin area, we have not had a flood, or devastating fires, we aren’t digging out from two feet of snow, and no earthquakes?  Praise the Lord, praise His holy name!
     Last Sunday was “Human Relations Day’ in the United Methodist Church.  This day honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
     The Rev. Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”    
     Several of our members are dealing with a cough and chest congestion. They are in our thoughts and prayers.
     Two newcomers to our community visited with us Sunday.  We were pleased to meet them and hope they come back soon.  Neva Smith’s son, Mike Hancock, visited with us again.
      DJ Klutts says that “Hopping John” with cornbread will be served at the Community Table next week.   For those who aren’t current on great southern food, Hopping John is black-eyed peas with chunks of ham, usually served over rice.  I eat my serving with a splash of pepper sauce.
     Volunteers are always needed for Community Table and we need pies, cobblers, and cakes to serve to the “in house” crowd. 
     Speaking of volunteers, several members of our congregation are also members of the Rotarian Club which grilled five-hundred hamburger patties last Saturday. The patties were for the students in town attending the Power Lifting event at Dublin High School.  I admire these volunteers for the good they do.    
     The Worship Leader was Nancy Wooldridge and Joe and Jaxson Salinas were acolytes.
     Nancy read the scripture lesson from John 1:29-42.
     Sammy Moore requested prayers for his stepmother.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “Aha, I See It Now!”
    John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from Heaven like a dove, and it rested on Him.”
     When was the last time you had an “Aha! Moment? A revelation? An epiphany? WE have all had a moment of truth, a sudden insight that changed our life.
     What is God trying to say to you and me about our lives?  What could God be doing in this world through you and me?  There are three stages to this great moment. 
     First the realization, the awakening.  The second stage is when we are honest with ourselves and take responsibility.  In the third stage we decide to take action and fully live out the truth God is trying to show us.
     Are we going to make our objective the obedience to God’s will?  There is a world outside these church doors that is separated from God and they are dying in sin.  You, and I can point them to the source of new life and salvation.  Let’s take action!
     Our website is http://fumcdublintx.com .
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​First United Methodist Church News
January 12, 2020
  
     We hope everyone had a Happy and safe new year.  And I hope everyone is finally getting well from the flu, stomach virus, and respiratory problems.  I’ve had all three and I am ready for sunshine and to start walking all over town.
      There are January and February Upper Room booklets on the table in the narthex.  This publication is uplifting to read for anyone.  Take one to a shut-in for their enjoyment.  
     David and Annette Cleveland enjoyed another Happy Anniversary on the second of this month.
     Those celebrating birthdays this month are, Cole Moore, Virginia Stephen, Raymond Salinas, Brady Moore, Sammy Moore, Robert Sohm, and Ike Wade.
     Cole Moore and Jaden Harrell are in our prayers, let’s hope these youngsters are back to being “fit as a fiddle “ very soon.
     Robert Sohm has been ill, and Irene is on the mend.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family, friends and the people of Dublin in the passing of Mary Yantis.
      DJ Klutts served as Worship Leader last Sunday, Raymond Salinas was acolyte, and I ran the Power Point.
     DJ gave the scripture reading, it was from Matthew 3:13-17.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “An Invitation That Went Astray.”
     In our Bible lesson, John the Baptist is giving an invitation to the people of Jerusalem and Judea to repent, confess their sins and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  John directed his most demanding preaching at the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious elites.  He was telling them, “Don’t think you’re too good for this!  You better get over here now and get baptized and begin living a life that shows you have repented and turned back to God!”  Now that may not be exactly what John said, but it’s the gist of his message.
     It’s different when Jesus comes to be baptized by John. He tries to deter Him. John says, “I need to be baptized by you.”  Was this invitation for everyone but Jesus?  Was this a case of an invitation gone astray?  But Jesus answers with the words. “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”  Jesus needed to give us an example of a life that is aligned with God’s will.  He also identified Himself with those He came to save, namely you and I.  This is an important time in Jesus’ life, up until now He was a nice fellow who did carpentry.  After His baptism the glory of God shown down on Him, His old life was left behind, and His ministry began. 
     When we are baptized, we are leaving our old life behind, because now we belong to God. New life in Jesus is not an add-on, like an app. It is an exchange; you give up your old life for a new one in Jesus.  Is your life as a follower of Jesus, any different than those friends or relatives that do not know Christ?

​First United Methodist Church News
December 25 & 29, 2019
  
     Our Christmas Eve service was wonderful, and the congregation wants to thank everyone who worked to make it a success.
     The lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ candle was done by the Salinas family, Raymond, Adrienne, Joe and Jaxon.    
     The Christmas story from Luke was read by Tyler Harrell, Ally Leatherwood, Jaden Harrell, Noah Harrell, Joe Salinas, and Silas Leatherwood read from the Book of John.
     Leta Sage sang “Heaven Rejoices” and Julia Broussard sang “O Holy Night.”
     Rev. Ken Lunsford preached a short sermon titled “Joy!” Then we departed the sanctuary with a lighted candle while singing “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
      The refreshment table contained the largest “spread” we have ever served.  The refreshment ladies did their usual great job, but other members brought extra food.   Attendees stayed and visited and remarked how nice everything was.
      The left-over cookies were packed for January Community Table and while Patty Hirst was straitening up the kitchen, she found a big box full of cookies already in plastic bags.  It was a blessing
that made us laugh.  Patty and I stored many cookies in the deep freeze.
      Last Sunday, Jeanne Wendt served as our Worship Leader, she read the scripture lesson from Matthew 2:13-23. 
     Pat Beaty was well enough to play the piano for us.  Pat was too ill to sing for us on Christmas Eve.
     It seemed everyone at church, including Pastor Ken, had a cough or stuffy nose.  There was much coughing and clearing of the head before each hymn was sung.  Pastor Ken said we had a chorus going!
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Wanda Weible and Joe Hallmark.
     “Back to the Real World” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
     Pastor Jon Walton said, “Nothing is as over as Christmas when it’s over.”  Life has come back to normal, whatever that is.  Whenever all the pretty lights and decorations are packed away, what is left?  Still war and unrest in Iraq and Afghanistan, problems with homeless people, influenza, and terrible weather in parts of our nation.
     There is an inevitable letdown. But Mary and Joseph and the baby weren’t allowed to reside permanently in Bethlehem, and neither can we.  It’s back to the real world for us. But our world does not compare to the world the Holy Family lived in. They dealt with a time where a cruel tyrant could order all infants and toddlers to be put to death.  There were no jets to take them to Egypt, the back of a donkey or possibly on foot, would have to do.  Joseph did as the Lord told him to do, he trusted God.
Why did Jesus come down to us?   For one reason and one reason only!  We read in John 3:16, that God so Loved the World!!  Love came down at Christmas!
     The manger was just the beginning of God’s plan, there is much to be done. The baby must become a man, He must teach us His ways, then we must teach the world.  We must trust God.  We must Love the Lord our God with all our Heart, Mind, Strength and Soul and Love our neighbor as our self!  We need to take care of those we love, and we should love our neighbor, All our neighbors!  Let us remember the world to whom Christ came and for which He died. 
Thanks for reading!
 

​First United Methodist Church News
December 22, 2019
    
     Brookshire Brothers supermarket, here in Dublin donated a large amount of food and some toys to the Food Pantry.  Our members, along with all the good folks who keep the Food Pantry active want to say a deep appreciation to Brookshire Brothers. 
     December’s Community Table was a big success.  DJ Klutts, Mary Haley, Neva Smith and the kitchen ladies had a large group of volunteers show up. Volunteers started getting the takeout boxes ready the day before so on Table night, things went smoothly.  There was a big crowd that came to eat in fellowship hall.  It is always like a party and everyone is having a nice time.
     Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation before 2019 is over, please think about Dublin First United Methodist Church.  We must keep the building up to provide a place for all these activities which help our community. 
     Our congregation received a wonderful letter from the President of the Council of Bishops, Ken Carter.  He writes, in these days many of us realize, even as we walk this road, we have not arrived at our destination.  Every year we light the candles of hope and peace, joy, love and light.  And yet every year we confess our desire for a greater sense of hope and not despair, light and not darkness.
     As we journey through Advent on to Christmas, we hear the prophet Isaiah’s invitation: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”  For many of us this culminates as we stand in a dark sanctuary on Christmas Eve, holding a candle, sharing the light of Christ. “The light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John1:5
     Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Gwen Brown and also the family and friends of Jimmy Whitehead, Bret Greenway and Bill Gilbreath.      
     I served as Worship Leader and read scripture from Matthew 1:18-25.
     Gene and DJ Klutts did the lighting of the Advent candle on the fourth Sunday of Advent.  DJ read a message that told us it is better to not go alone on our Advent journey.  We need companions to support us, strengthen us, and encourage us.  We learn to trust that someone has our back on this journey of faith.
     “God with Us,” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.  He preached on the first chapter of Matthew, he said it brings us home, home to the real meaning of Christmas.  Namely this, “GOD is with us!”  When we accept Christ into our lives, nothing, not even death, can separate us from God and His love.
     Matthew quotes from the Old Testament when the prophet foretold: Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel.” (God with us.)
     All of us get scared sometime.  Jesus knew we felt fearful, anxious, or troubled.  In His lessons Jesus often said, “Fear not,” “Don’t be anxious,” “Let not your hearts be troubled.”
     With Christmas comes the great promise that calms our fears and lets us celebrate life, it is Emmanuel “God is with us.”  That’s the Good News of our Christian faith. Love came down at Christmas. Merry Christmas!
 

​First United Methodist Church News
December 15, 2019
     Christmas Eve Services at First United Methodist Church will be at 7:00 p.m. on December 24, 2019 in our sanctuary.  All are invited and welcomed!
There will be the reading of the Christmas story by our children, carol singing by the congregation, specials will be sung, and a short sermon. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at 630 Highland Ave in Dublin.
     Area Methodist churches made cookies for the troops, they were tagged, boxed and almost four hundred boxes of two dozen each were taken to Dyess Air Base in Abilene.
     Lee and Betty Lusk gave the Advent reading and the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath.
      DJ Klutts was our Worship Leader and read the scripture lesson from Matthew 11:2-19.
    We were happy to see Donna Starkey’s smiling face with us Sunday.  She may be a guest, but it doesn’t seem like it.   
     Conner Moore was named the “Outstanding Bio-Medical Student” during his graduation this month from Tarleton University.  Now Conner moves forward on in his quest to become a physician.  God speed Conner.
     Juanita Duncan’s granddaughter, Kellie, graduated last Saturday From Texas Woman’s University Nursing School in Denton. Janita, along with other family members attended, and witnessed the “Pinning” ceremony.
     Lee and Betty Lusk’s granddaughter, Macy, has moved to San Antonio to continue her studies at University of Texas at San Antonio.  Macy is classified as a junior.
    Mine and Pastor Ken’s granddaughter, Amy McCarley, has graduated from Brewer High School this December. Amy is five months ahead of most of her classmates because she took extra courses and some college classes.  She starts in January to Tarrant County College.
    We are praying for Mary Yantis; she has had some setbacks and is in the hospital in Fort Worth.  We all need to see what we can do to help Mary.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to Jack Parks and the Parks family on the death of Jack’s brother, Harold Wayne Parks.
   Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “Are You the One Who Is to Come?” 
     Today’s scripture lesson tells us that when John the Baptist was in prison, he sent word to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”  Jesus told them “to report what they have seen: the blind now see; the deaf now hear; the people with skin diseases are cleansed; the dead are raised up; and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.  Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”  When they had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John.  He asked them about what they went out into the wilderness to see and hear.   Jesus says, yes, John is a prophet and more than that.  He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you.
     Centuries before John and Jesus, there was a prophet named Isaiah.  He prophesied about what would take place when the Messiah arrived.  Isaiah said, “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped: the lame shall leap like a deer.”  Those weren’t the kind of signs John was expecting.  He was looking for a grander, more dramatic, appearance.  That is not God’s way. God chooses to work in the little places of life. Like a manger, a carpenter’s shop, and a cross. Amen.
     Christmas is coming, it is nearly here.  You can grumble and fuss and refuse to participate, but you won’t impress Christmas. I suggest you laugh, sing, and put up as many lights as you can afford, no matter what terrible tragedy you experienced at this time of year.  You see- I promised, someone I loved, long ago that I would not let their passing ruin Christmas.  And I don’t, you can see me coming clear up the block, I’m the one wearing red and gaudy earrings, I’ll be laughing and waving to everyone!  Merry Christmas, Judy
 

​First United Methodist Church News
December 8, 2019
     Community table is this Wednesday. Lasagna, tossed salad, bread and dessert will be served.
     If I were you, I would be here to volunteer so I could be close to the kitchen. 
     Christmas Eve Services are coming together nicely.  It will be a beautiful, meaningful evening.
     We need the cookies for the military by this coming Sunday.  Let’s not disappoint these folks who sacrifice so much.
     Our faithful member, Julia Broussard, sang with the community choir that performed the “Messiah” at Tarleton last Saturday. They were accompanied by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.   
     Laura Leatherwood served as Worship Leader.  She read the scripture lesson from Matthew 3:1-12.
     Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Vic Jones.
     We added Janie and Lon Laquay to our prayer list.  Janie has a broken arm that did not behave itself and needed to be re-broken and set again. This is a bad time of the year to not have use of both hands.
     Juanita Duncan gave the Advent reading and Neva Smith did the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath.
     Pastor Ken gave a short program for the lighting of the Chrismon tree at the altar rail of our church.  He said as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, let us remember whenever you see a lighted Christmas tree, The One who brings light to our darkness, healing to our brokenness, and peace to all who receive Him. Amen.
    Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “Repent! Get the Garbage Out.”
     John the Baptist preached “Change your hearts and lives!   Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”
People from Jerusalem, all throughout Judea and the Jordan River came to John.  They confessed their sin and were baptized in the Jordan. When many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized, John called them children of snakes!   He told them to produce fruit that shows you have changed your heart and lives.  John also told them one is coming after me and I am not worthy to carry His sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
     God had chosen John to be the prophet who announces the arrival of the Messiah.  The world needed to know God’s plan for the salvation of the world was kicking into high gear.  John preached “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Christ is coming, Get the garbage out and repent!
     You almost never hear the word repent, in our modern society anymore. But repent was the first word of John the Baptist’s gospel, the first word of Jesus’ gospel, first word in the preaching ministry of the twelve disciples, and it is the first word in the preaching instructions Jesus gave to His disciples after His resurrection.  You need to change your mind and understanding to reflect God’s purposes. You need to get right with the Lord.  It is the first step.  Sin comes from turning away from the love of and reverence for God. But the fruit of repentance is joy and peace.
     Don’t just go through the motions this Christmas season. Get the garbage out and bear the fruit that comes from knowing you are restored to God. Amen.