Blog Archives

January 25, 2105

1/28/2015

     The Women’s Bible Study is going great regardless of the weather.   That says a lot for the study program or the grit of the ladies or both.

     Barbara Stevens announced at Bible Study that her grandson Nick Ware and his fiancé, Rosie, have married. They had their wedding in Barbara’s back yard one sunny day two weeks ago. Congratulations.

     Blu Ary, the great-grandson of Doris Morton, is back home from Cook’s Children’s Hospital. He had a tough time for a while but Doris says Blu is pulling the cat’s tail and giving the dog kisses so he is back to normal.

     Sunday, 2-1, is food pantry day so bring your non-perishable items to the foyer.

     The first Sunday service of the month is also Communion. If you have not had communion in a while, this is the day to attend church.

     Pat Leatherwood had a close call while operating some heavy equipment last week. He almost lost a foot. We thank our Father in heaven that the accident was not worse.

     Prayers were asked for Landon Salyer who is in the hospital in Fort Worth.

     Laura Leatherwood gave the children’s lesson to some rambunctious boys Sunday. Laura showed them how to play follow the leader. She stood and marched, patted her head, and waved her arm. Then she told about Jesus asking some fishermen to “Follow me,” and they put down their nets and went with Jesus.

     Laura said Jesus is a good leader, He will take you in the right path.

     “The Kingdom of God Is At Hand” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon and the scripture read was Mark 1: 14-20.

     Today’s scripture tells us after John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come, He said. The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” This is significant. John had done his job of preparing the people for the coming Messiah and Jesus’ work was beginning.

     Christianity is not a religion primarily concerned with life after death. Our faith is interested with life here and now. Its message is not about dying half so much as it is about living. It is not so much concerned with the Last Day as it is with this day, Today! “This is the day that the Lord hath made” (Psalm 118:24)

     Don’t put off your living your best until tomorrow, experience God’s love in your life right now.

     The Bible is clear; your soul is not big enough for God and sin, one or the other must go. It is time to repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ!

     The mission of the United Methodist Church is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

     Congratulations to our members who were honored at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce Banquet on 1-26.

     Michael Haley was named “Volunteer of the Year” and deservedly so. Nancy Wooldridge, David Leatherwood, and Jim Leatherwood were asked to stand and be recognized for their work with the city.

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January 18, 2015

1/20/2015

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     Community Table is one year old! Time does fly when you are having fun. The very first meal was on 1-29-14 and the menu was spaghetti and salad.

     You are all invited to our next meal on Wednesday, 1-28 starting at 5:00 p.m.   We can’t get the price any lower; it’s free.

    The Women’s Bible Study started off great, there were 13 ladies present, but we have room for many more. The meeting time is 10:00 a.m. on each Wednesday in the 20th Century Class room.

     Pastor Ken said he had a moving moment Sunday morning over at Laurel St. United Methodist Church when he heard a baby cry!

     Judy Lunsford served as Worship Leader last Sunday. She read a touching thank you letter from the family of Travis Rasberry.

     Barbara Stevens’ grandson Nick Ware and his lovely fiancé, Rosie, joined her in church.

     Mike and Mary Haley were happy to bring their grandson Kyler Gibson and his friend Triston, to services.

     Laura Leatherwood brought her grandchildren, Aly and Silas to church along with granddad Jim. Laura had some good things for Children’s Time.

     Laura said her daughter, Elise, shared some cookies with her last week. The cookies smelled like peanut butter and chocolate. Her daughter said they were a new kind of cookie made with little Reece’s Cups. Laura said we need to share with our friends and family but we need to share more than cookies. Then Laura told about Phillip meeting Jesus. Phillip believed Jesus was the person Moses wrote about, so he wanted his friend Nathanael to meet Jesus also. Laura said it would be good to tell more people about Jesus because we want our friends to share in His love.

     Then Laura gave all the children some of those new cookies.

     The congregation learned Margaret Cote’ is in the hospital and that she has been staying in Golden Age.

     Pastor Ken reminded us to visit those in the nursing homes.

     Doris Morton’s one year old great-grandson has been hospitalized in Fort Worth, but he is slowly getting better. His problems started with severe allergies.

     We were privileged to hear some beautiful harmonizing from Pat Beaty and Leta Sage singing “Here I Am.”

     Rev. Ken Lunsford composed his sermon from John 1: 35-51. In this text we learn when Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter met Jesus. Andrew then led Simon Peter to Jesus. Next Jesus met Philip and said “Follow me.” And Philip found Nathanael and told him “We have found the one Moses wrote about.”

      Philip comes to Nathanael and proclaims he has found the one whom Moses wrote about, and that he is Jesus of Nazareth. To which Nathanael replies “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

     Some of us may sit under a fig tree like Nathanael and ask, Can anything good come from Dublin First United Methodist, and can anything good from the Community Table?”

     Philip answered Nathanael’s question with “Come and see.” He wanted Nathanael to see the souls that were redeemed and the growing followers of Jesus. Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael would join eight others who would become the twelve apostles. This was the beginning, soon there would be 70 that comprised an outer circle. The net of redemption was cast out in a large circle. Hundreds were soon following and by the end of the 1st century it would be half a million.

    Today the church is growing in South America and Africa at ten times the rate of North America and Europe. The church’s work is not done yet.

    I know you believe God can redeem a soul so I ask you to go out and ask someone to come and see; live like Philip from this moment on. Something good can come from Nazareth!

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January 11, 2015

1/14/2015

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     A new Women’s Bible Study has begun. Our first meeting was Wednesday, 1-14 at 10:00 a.m. Come and join us in the 20th Century Sunday school class room just off the foyer.

     Community Table is on Wednesday, 1-28 so get your appetite in gear!

Last Sunday we sang “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Anniversary” to all our members celebrating in January.

     We need to wish a joyous birthday to those celebrating in the second half of this month. They are; Karen Leigh, on 1-16, Elizabeth Young, 1-21, Brady Moore, 1-21 and Sammy Moore on 1-28.

     I failed to welcome a new member who joined us last week, she is Karen Leigh. Karen is fairly new to Dublin.

     Prayers were said for Doris Morton’s great-grandson who is a year old. The little fellow has been quite ill.

     Our friend Travis Rasberry passed away and his funeral service was held at our church on Saturday, 1-10. Rev. Dean Bradly officiated with Rev. Ken Lunsford assisting. Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to Melba, the children, other family and friends.

      The First United Methodist Church held a dinner for the Rasberry Family. The kitchen was filled with fast working ladies plus one man, David Cleveland.

     “Baptism of Jesus” was the title of Pastor Ken’s sermon and he based it on Mark 1: 4-11.

     One of the most confusing doctrines of our faith is the Trinity, the belief that God comes to us in three persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost. Some within the church don’t agree with that idea. But the Trinity is an essential part of our denomination even if it is difficult to understand.

     This principle was on display in a beautiful way at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry on the day that He was baptized by John in the river Jordan.

     John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was Jesus’ cousin. John was preaching about the coming Messiah. John was celebrated in his own time and seemed to be popular with everybody except Herod. John stayed near the river to baptize those who were repentant, but he made it clear that he was not the Messiah.

     When Jesus came forward into the water John tried to deter Him, saying “I need to be baptized by you. What are you doing coming to me”?   Jesus was the blameless and spotless Lamb of God but He was setting an example for us to follow. We need to be baptized.

     In Marks’ Gospel it tells that just as Jesus was coming out of the water He saw the heavens open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. Then a voice from heaven said ”You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

     We see the love of the Father, the humility of the Son, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

     Remember that Oak Dale United Methodist Church in Stephenville is doing “Compassion Counseling.” This is a suicide prevention program.

     Email Pastor Ken at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com or contact our office secretaryoffice@embarqmail.com

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January 4, 2015

1/6/2015

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On Sunday, 1-4 Stormy Armstrong read a thank you card from our secretary, Wanda Myers, thanking the congregation for her Christmas gift. Wanda has a new granddaughter to enjoy. Stormy also read a Christmas card from Jennifer Miller and her sons.

     Laura Leatherwood was glad to announce she had another great niece born over the holidays.

     David and Annette Cleveland celebrated an anniversary on 1-2. Cole Moore has a birthday on 1-8, Virginia Stephen on 1-11, Raymond Salinas on 1-13 and Leta Sage on 1-17.

      Travis Rasberry is quite ill and he needs your prayers. Call Melba at home to see what you can do to help.

      There will be a Trustee Committee meeting on Tuesday, 1-13 at 6:00 p.m. On Wednesday, 1-14 an Administrative Council meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Don Pendleton, Belle Sharp, and Sammy Jones. Sammy was the daughter of the late Sam and Kathryn Self. Pastor Ken Lunsford officiated at the funeral for Sammy Jones held on 12-31.

      Laura Leatherwood told the youngsters at Children’s Time how busy she had been after Christmas. Laura said she had to clean house, put up wrapping paper, and take down her tree. She said we need to remember that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday but that Jesus is with us every day even after Christmas is over. We can receive Him into our hearts and He will be with us always. Then she gave each child a book of the Nativity story to take home and keep.

      We were happy to see Pat Beaty back with us and she and Leta Sage were making beautiful music.

      Rev. Ken Lunsford took his Sunday sermon from Ephesians 3: 1-13.

      The star of Bethlehem announced the birth of the Son of God to the world. The Magi followed the star to see where it led. Their journey covered hundreds of miles and took a large amount of time. The Magi were the first “outsiders” to respond by worshipping the newborn king.

        The apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds them of his commission of grace to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, those outside of Jewish circles. Paul’s epiphany came from divine revelation. Paul, who once persecuted believers, would spend the rest of his life sharing the gospel with all people.

        Paul says “the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” In previous ages this mystery was not revealed, but now the secret is out! Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has come to bring salvation to all people. This is amazing good news.

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January 25, 2105

January 18, 2015

January 11, 2015

January 4, 2015

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