​First United Methodist Church News
February 23, 2020
  
     We have observed Ash Wednesday, which is the honoring of Christ’s sacrifice and remembering of our own mortality.  When the ashes are applied to our forehead or the back of our hand the pastor will say “From dust you were made and to dust you will return.”  Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent.
     Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter, it lasts from Ash Wednesday for 40 days not counting Sundays.  The Lenten season is a time when many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. 
     Pastor Ken tells us we can observe Lent by adding to our lives instead of taking away.  He says to help a friend or neighbor with a project.  Or take them a big casserole. Or a pie. Allow someone to go ahead of you in a line, pay for someone’s meals in a restaurant, etc.
     The church has a booklet of daily devotions for Lent, it is titled “Renewed by Living Water,” and it’s first lesson is called Even the Cows are Thirsty! 
     Many thanks go to Brookshire Brother’s Super Market for the food donations they brought to the Food Pantry.  They brought eleven large sacks of miscellaneous groceries.  We also extend appreciation to the Dublin Bottling Works for donating boxes to distribute the food in.  Help us to thank these businesses by shopping with them.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Weldon Hall of Comanche.
     Kevin Stone was joined by his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in church.  Kevin told us his father, Frank Stone, would have surgery and asked for our healing prayers.
     We were pleased to have another guest with us, and we hope he returns to see us.
     Nancy Wooldridge served as Worship Leader this past Sunday and read the scripture lesson from Matthew 17:1-13.  Joe and Jaxson Salinas were the acolytes.
     Nancy spoke of the passing of her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Stine.  Mary passed with dignity and peace and left a “high bar” for the rest of her family to emulate. 
     This was Transfiguration Sunday and Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “This is My Son, Listen to Him.”  
     The Transfiguration of Jesus took place on a high mountain with Peter, James, and John along to witness it.  On the mountain Jesus’ face shone like the sun, his clothes became white as light!  Moses and Elijah appeared to them. A voice from a cloud overshadowing them spoke, it was the voice of God.  He said,” This is my Son whom I dearly love, I am very pleased with Him. Listen to Him!”
  Jesus commanded them, “Do not to tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.” 
     In this moment, the three disciples see who Christ really is.  John would later write: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4)         

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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