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April 27, 2014

4/29/2014

     Wow what a glorious Easter we had. We sincerely hope you all had a happy one also.

     Pastor Ken Lunsford went to three Easter services and preached at two of them. Then he went home to eat a big Sunday dinner with his children and grandchildren. When they all went home, Pastor Ken took a long nap.

     May 7 is Administrative Council meeting at 6:00 pm.

     I apologize for getting the time wrong for Community Table last week, it is 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This is to accommodate the people who want to eat early and get chores around the house done while there is still daylight.

     The congregation extends sympathy to the family of Lonnie Jones.

     The children’s lesson was given by Laura Leatherwood. Laura talked about Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” and how people used to read about in the newspaper. Mr. Ripley made a book about the strange and amazing things happening in the world. It was such a successful book that radio programs and TV shows were made about it.

      Laura then told the children about a disciple called Thomas, “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas would not believe Jesus really was alive and had risen from the grave unless he could see Jesus for himself and put his fingers in the nail holes in Jesus’ hands!   Latter on Thomas did see Jesus and Jesus told Thomas to put his fingers on His nail pierced hands. Then Thomas believed. Jesus said “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

       “Love and Believe from the Heart” was the title Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. It was gleaned from 1 Peter 1:1-12.

     Why do good, compassionate people have tragedies in their lives?

     We can turn in the Bible to that little epistle known as I Peter. It was written to Christians who were suffering during a time of intense persecution and intended to give counsel and comfort. It is a letter brimming with hope and confidence in God. St. Peter reminds the readers they were not redeemed “with perishable things like silver or gold but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”   We were not saved by our own hand, but by the loved poured out on Calvary. It was love that brought Christ into the world.

It is the love of others in our church family that helps us keep going in our darkest hours.

     Here is where hope is to be found; at the center of this universe is a heart of love. So the letter from Peter says, “Fervently love one another from the heart.”

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April 20, 2014

4/23/2014

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Community Table will be on Wednesday, 4-30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   This meal is for anyone and everyone in our Dublin community. So load up the neighbors and come eat supper in fellowship hall.   If you spent your pay check on Easter suits and dresses and chocolate eggs you could use a good meal.

     We thank Adrian Salinas and Laura leatherwood for organizing our congregation’s Easter Egg donation to Golden Age Nursing Home. Golden Age does a tremendous job holding a huge Easter Egg hunt on Good Friday.

     The Dublin Ministerial Alliance was ready for a Sunrise Service in the Prayer Garden, but the threat of rain put us in the sanctuary. It was a joyous service anyway.

     Clay Cooper, the Youth Minister at First Baptist Church, brought the sunrise sermon. Clay gave a “fire cracker” message of encouragement. He told us church membership is down all across the US, the majority of people are not going to church anymore and we must reverse that. We are all disciples, speak up! Get committed and win souls for Christ.

     A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk, and juice was served to the early risers in the Clay Annex.

A big ole thank you goes to Kathy Logan and David Cleveland for cooking and to Stormy Armstrong for the cleanup.

     At the 11 o’clock service Cole Moore and Joe Salinas served as acolytes. We appreciate both these young fellows.

     We learned that Cole Moore had competed at the state level at UIL in future problem solving. We are very proud of Cole and hopeful young men such as him will one day solve some of the world’s problems.

     Laura Leatherwood told the youth during their lesson about the word ascending. She brought a helium filled balloon to show the children. Laura said when you turn a balloon loose to rise in the air you watch it go for as long as you can. Laura told about the disciples being on the mountain side with Jesus as He ascended to heaven. Jesus told His followers to go out into the world and tell His story, tell the good news of Jesus Christ.

     Then Laura and all the little ones went out to the Prayer Garden to turn the balloon loose.

     Leta Sage did a wonderful rendition of “Halleluiah” using her own rewritten words. It was stunning to say the least, many of us, man and woman, young or old had tears in our eyes. I wish I had a recording of Leta’s version.

     “The Rest of the Message” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. He based it on John 20: 1-18.

     Like Mary Magdalene we can stand at the mouth of the open tomb and still cannot see. We hear the words of angels and let our lives be untouched by the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

The good news of Easter is that God knows how hard it is for us to believe. He knows how tightly our sinful human nature clings to this world. And because of that God sends us another message, for Easter proclaims, “Jesus defeated death.” Because He lives we shall live also. That is the rest of the message. His victory is our victory. His rising to new life is a new life for us as well.

     It was not until Jesus spoke Mary’s name that she believed. Faith is born when God speaks our name. Do you want to grow in faith? Then draw nearer to God’s people in worship and let God speak to you.   To experience the presence of Christ more fully stand closer to Him and listen to Him in prayer. Open the Bible and read it more faithfully, stretch your spiritual muscles. Reach out to others that are in need and forgive others for wrongdoing. Forgive yourself also. Mary heard Jesus speak her name and she fell at His feet in worship. And that is where we belong as well.

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April 13, 2014

4/16/2014

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04/13/14

     Golden Age Nursing Home will hold a huge Easter Egg hunt on Good Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. This is for little children and is fun to watch. They can usually use some volunteers for this project, so give them a call.

     Sunday is Easter and all the Christians of this earth will be celebrating our Lord’s resurrection from the tomb! From Jerusalem to Dublin, TX let us sing, pray and shout halleluiah.

     The Dublin Ministerial Alliance is gathering for a Sunrise Service at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday in the First United Methodist Church Prayer Garden. This service is meaningful as the sun rises and the birds start to sing. Come a little early to find a seat and stay for breakfast in the fellowship hall. The Dublin First Baptist Church Youth Director will bring the sermon.

     Our congregation will have a second service at 11:00 a.m. inside the First Methodist sanctuary.

     We have many birthdays in April to celebrate and a lot of people to be thankful for. We sang “Happy Birthday” to all of them last Sunday. Ricky Rowe had a birthday on 4-2, Travis Rasberry on 4-3, Dr. Harlan Raley on 4-4, Michael Haley on 4-8, and Adrian Salinas on 4-12. Betty Lusk will mark her big day on 4-20, Laura Leatherwood 4-22, Ray LaBaume 4-24, Annette Cleveland 4-25, Lisa Leatherwood 4-28, and Kathy Logan on 4-30.

      The church office will be closed on Friday. 4-18.

      The Women’s Group enjoyed an evening at Kathy Logan’s home on the 9th. We had finger foods for supper followed by some of Kathy’s fantastic homemade pies. We could choose between Coconut Cream or Chocolate Meringue pie. Some of us chose a little slice of both.

       Our entertainment was a DVD of a Christian comedian. We laughed till our sides ached and had a good time.

     David Cleveland, Ray LaBaume, and Pastor Ken Lunsford cleaned up the Prayer Garden for Easter Services.

They worked hard clipping, raking, mowing and hauling away.   We thank them very much.

     Mary Haley reports the Food Pantry has been busy for several weeks. The canned goods are holding out well but the pantry needs other supplies. Items needed are dried beans & peas, rice (boxed or bagged), peanut butter, pasta and crackers. Please donate to the Food Pantry.

     Eddie and Harlan Raley report there was a fire in the metro-plex at the condominium where their granddaughter lives. She is alright and the fire did not reach her home, but there is damage to her condo.

     Mike Haley announced that the Dublin Goodfellows have received monetary help from The United Way of Erath County. Mike was thankful for this donation because Dublin needs it. We praised the Lord for His mercy and love.

      “A Salvation Army Parade” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.

       Pastor Ken told a story about a church in Chicago where the worshipers wave palm branches and another group of worshipers play musical instruments and together they march around the city block. They sing and make music as they march on the way into the church. One year a young man living across the street opened his window and shouted, “What’s all this noise? You sound like the Salvation Army.” The pastor responded loudly, “Son, we are the salvation army. Come on down and join us!”

     That first Palm Sunday could be called a Salvation Army parade with Jesus as the Grand Marshall. But Jesus knew His purpose was not to be the city’s honoree. He knew he had a different calling. He came to serve, He came in humility. He rode on a donkey colt, a symbol of meekness and peace.

     The king is coming, the parade approaches and we must decide. The choice is ours to make. We can be flag-waving Christians who go home after the parade. We can throw our offering in the plate and feel good about ourselves and let the world move on. Or we can follow Him completely and stand with Him at the cross. If we follow the parade we must give Him our devotion, we must march to His destination. Jesus was on His way to bring us new life and salvation.

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April 6, 2014

4/8/2014

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     The Egg Hunt scheduled for 4-16 has been canceled! The meal for that night is also canceled. We will donate our eggs to the Golden Age Nursing Home Community Easter Egg Hunt instead.

     There was a meeting on Monday, 4-7 to discuss vacation Bible school. Several ladies attended along with Pastor Ken Lunsford. Laura Leatherwood served sandwiches and chips and we had a “working supper.”

     Laura is the coordinator for this effort and she was pleased with the initial response. When we check with other churches in our community for their school time, then our dates for our Bible school will be announced.

     Sunday, 4-13 is Palm Sunday and Holy Week is almost here.

     Easter Sunrise Services are scheduled for 7:15 a.m. in the Prayer Garden of the First United Methodist Church. The Ministerial Alliance will be planning the service so mark your calendar and plan to come.

     The Bible study on the death and resurrection of Christ continues on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

     Stormy Armstrong served as Worship Leader and Laura leatherwood taught the children’s lesson.

     Laura spoke about the things you do as a child that are fun and that get you dirty. She said she read a list a while ago about the things a child should do before they turn ten years old. Laura said rolling down a hill and making mud pies were on the list.

     Then Laura told about Jesus making mud in His hand and putting it on a blind man eyes! Jesus told the man where to go to wash the mud away. When the man did as he was told he could see for the first time in his life.

Jesus could do great things for people and He still can.

      Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” Pastor Ken based his sermon on John 11:1-45. This lesson in the Bible tells about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

      You can see them every day all around us as people slip their way through life, hoarding all they can get for themselves, grabbing for more and looking for meaning in things. Each under the same fate. We are all under the same sentence of death.

       The Bible puts it this way: “All have sinned. All have fallen short of the glory of God.” “The wages of sin are death.”

       Listen to Jesus’ conversation with Martha who was Lazarus’ sister. She says. “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”   Jesus replies to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha thinks He is talking about the great resurrection on the last day. So Jesus has to clarify for her. He says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

     At Lazarus’ tomb Jesus cries out, “Lazarus, come out.” It only took one call. It only took one word and Lazarus heard his name. His eyes opened, his life returned, and rising from the grave, Lazarus came forth alive and well.   For death cannot triumph where Jesus is present. God has the last word.

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March 30, 2014

4/2/2014

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     The Fifth Sunday Luncheon was delicious! And the desserts were top notch. There was a bunch of recipe exchanges going on; especially for Bread pudding with Carmel Sauce.

     4-6 is communion Sunday and also Food Pantry Sunday. Remember to bring needed items such as rice, dried beans, peanut butter, jelly, and saltine crackers. Canned vegetables are always welcome.

     At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, 4-7 there is a vacation Bible school planning session in the Clay annex. Laura Leatherwood hopes to get enough interest to be able to have a successful bible school. So if you have been wondering where I can serve my church and community; here is your opportunity. This meeting is not limited to the women of our church, men and teenage boys and girls are welcome to participate.

     The Worship Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 4-9.

     An Easter egg hunt is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on 4-16 at First United Methodist Church so bring your little ones and a basket to collect the eggs.

     A free meal will follow the egg hunt, it is our Community Table, so bring the whole family and join us for fun and fellowship.

     Anyone wishing to donate candy eggs or small treats may bring them by the church office before noon each day of the week.

     Judy Lunsford announced that she had attended a 10 hour Advanced Lay Speaking class on Saturday, 3-29. The class was held in Cross Plains, Texas and led by Pastor Kevin Morton.

     The children’s lesson was taught by Laura leatherwood. Laura talked about spring time and spring cleaning. She said she sweeps the old dust and dirt out and makes everything fresh again. That is also what we can do with our lives, we can stop doing the wrong things and begin anew. Laura gave out small dust pans with little brushes to the children. Some of the ladies said “I need that for my car, it is the right size!”

      JoAnn Ragan’s daughter, Debbie Melton, has been very ill and in the hospital. Debbie has been added to our prayer list.

      Cliff Wooldridge served as our Worship Leader on 3-30 while his wife Nancy sat in the congregation with their tall handsome grandson Gage Wooldridge and Gage’s friend Regan. Cliff read the scriptures for the congregation, it was John 9: 1-41. This chapter tells of Jesus healing a blind man and all the controversy this

      Rev. Ken Lunsford has been preaching on the Lenten series, “Return to the Lord Your God.” He titled his sermon for last Sunday “A God Who Suffers with Us.”

      The Bible story goes as Jesus and the disciples were walking along they saw a man who was blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither, he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”

     What kind of God did those disciples believe in? Did they really think that God looks down from heaven and says, “All right fellow. I’ve seen you cheating on your taxes so I’ve decided to make your baby be born blind.”

     Many people view God in those terms.   When tragedy strikes or when suffering comes calling who hasn’t asked the question, “How come?” Why would God allow this to happen?   We want easy answers for everything.

     But life is not like that, bad things happen to good people. Misfortune happens. In a world that often confounds us with no answer we can turn to the One whose love we can trust. Draw near the cross and there we are comforted. For our God suffers with us.

     If we believe that God was present in the sufferings and death of Christ, then we must believe that God is present with you and me in our suffering as well.

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April 27, 2014

April 20, 2014

April 13, 2014

April 6, 2014

March 30, 2014

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