​First United Methodist Church News
April 26, 2020
 
     Lisa Leatherwood again served as our Worship Leader Sunday and we thank her so much.
     Sheran Weible sang another special and we do appreciate her talent.
     Pat Beaty, our pianist, is faithful to be here rain or shine.
     Meanwhile Pastor Ken Lunsford is like the Energizer Bunny and keeps on going and going.
I have asked for someone to steal his batteries.
     Pat Leatherwood checks out the camera and starts and stops the live streaming of the service.
If we had known the services would ever need to be live streamed or recorded, we could have raised money to buy a better camera or video-recorder. But I think our team has done well with what they had to work with.
     I visited on the phone with Pat Outlaw today.  They have truly “sheltered in place.”  Their son has run errands and shopped for them and is careful when he enters their home.  He is adding “stars to his crown” with such good care.   
     Pat’s says her joints are stiff and painful with arthritis and I can sympathize with her.  Pat’s husband, Lawrence Outlaw, still feels like riding a bicycle in the neighborhood.  I must find out what vitamins he is taking!
     The scripture reading was Luke 24:13-35.  This lesson begins on the day of the resurrection.  Two followers of Jesus were leaving Jerusalem and walking to the village of Emmaus which was about seven miles away. While they were walking and talking of the events in Jerusalem in the past week, Jesus came near them and asked, “What are you discussing with each other?”  They told Him of Jesus of Nazareth, “who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”
They told how the chief priests and leaders gave Jesus over to the Romans to be condemned and crucified.  They also told the story circulating that angels were seen at the tomb and they said Jesus was alive. They sat down that evening to eat supper with the stranger who was really Jesus.  When He took the bread, blessed it, and broke it their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus and He vanished before their sight.
     Did you know that people in extreme stress, such as mountain climbers or survivors of the World Trade Towers destruction have reported a presence helping them or encouraging them to keep going to safety? This is called the “Third Man” syndrome and it is being taken seriously by some in the scientific field. We Christians have an explanation for that. “Just when I need Him,” wrote the poet, “Jesus is near.”
      The greatest blessing God can give us is the knowledge that He is with us in all our challenges and struggles.
     Come see us on Facebook at First UMC Dublin TX. The service is live streamed at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday or you can find past services that are recorded. 
     Our church maintains a food pantry for the Dublin community, we are open Mon. through Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m.
     Our post office box is 248, Dublin, TX 76446. Phone number is 254-445-2157.

​First United Methodist Church News
April 19, 2020
 
      My news will be short and sweet this week as I have getting swollen feet from setting at the computer too much. My desktop computer is my window to the world and a great connection to my friends and family, but too much of anything can be unhealthy.
      I recommend those with Facebook checkout how other denominations and religions are doing their religious services online. 
      Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader this past Sunday and did a fine job. Pat Beaty, our pianist, was in wonderful form and her singing and playing sounded great. It is too bad the camera must be set up so distant from the piano.
      Community Table is scheduled for 4/29. provided DJ Klutts is able to get the large quantity of food that we need for this ministry to our community, I plan to go and volunteer.  I have a good mask to wear and all volunteers should wear one. My fervent prayer is that by May 27, we can all be in fellowship again, but the future is in God’s hands.
      Juanita Duncan ask that we remember her granddaughter, Kelli Duncan, in your prayers. Kelli is the daughter of Terry Duncan who grew up here in Dublin. Kelli is a nurse who is on the front lines of the Covid-19 out-break in the metro-plex.
      Pastor Ken Lunsford sang a special last Sunday and he sounded like he did 30 years ago.
      The scripture reading was John 20:19-31. These verses tell of Jesus appearing to His disciples while they were in hiding. They were filled with joy at seeing Him.  Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” One of the twelve, Thomas, was not with them that day and when told of Jesus’ visit, Thomas did not believe it. Eight days later Jesus again stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  He told Thomas to put his fingers in the holes in His hands and His side.  Jesus said, “No more disbelief. Believe!”  Thomas responded with, “My Lord and my God!” 
     You can see Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon, “No More Disbelief!” on First United Methodist Church’s Facebook page at First UMC Dublin TX.
     Our post office box is 248, Dublin, TX 76446. Phone number is 254-445-2157 and email for prayer concerns or other information is:  fumcdublin630@gmail.com .
     God be with you till we meet again!
 

​First United Methodist Church News
April 12, 2020
 
      Pastor Ken wanted to do a sunrise service in the Atrium Prayer Garden on Easter, but the weather did not cooperate. He said it was raining and cold, so he moved the service indoors. It was just him and the Holy Spirit, but that is enough.
      The 11 o’clock service was fun, and I enjoyed it. There was Pat Beaty on the piano, Leta Sage on the keyboard sounding like an organ, Sheran Weible on her keyboard singing a special, Pastor Ken Lunsford gave a wonderful message, I was the Worship leader, and Pat Leatherwood worked the camera and logistics.   Everybody stayed six feet apart except Pastor Ken and me.
      I must say the music was outstanding. Sheran Weibel is always a polished singer and Pat Beaty and Leta Sage can still harmonize even though they had not practiced or sung together in months.
      I received a phone call from Betty Lusk, she and Lee are well and being taken care of by their son Dwight. He sees after the livestock and grocery shops for them.
      Betty said a granddaughter, Heather Navasoda, of Oklahoma, watched our 11:00 a.m. Easter service. Kenneth’s sister, Arlene Brown, saw the service. Our children in Fort Worth watched also.
     The second half of our April birthdays are, Betty Lusk, 4/20, Laura Leatherwood, and Lawrence Outlaw both on 4/22, Ray LaBaume, 4/24, Annett Cleveland, 4/25, Irene Sohm, 4/26, and Lisa Leatherwood, 4/28. Happy birthday and best wishes.
     On behalf of our congregation I extend sympathy to the family and friends of Patsy Fine Harrell.
The Dublin community can not properly show their mourning for Patsy during this time of pandemic, but we feel it, we assure you.
    Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon was titled “Breath of God!” 
     The scripture reading was from John 20:1-18 from the Common English Bible. John begins in the first verse of chapter 20 with Mary Magdalene going to the tomb of the crucified Jesus very early on Sunday morning. She sees the stone that sealed the entrance was rolled away.
     Easter should be more than just another holiday on the calendar. To a Christian it is the Sunday to recognize the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter is not the Easter bunny, bright colored eggs, and dressing up in our best outfit and going to church.
     This year, Easter falls during the Covid-19 pandemic. WE wrap our faces in cloth and rarely leave our homes. We are hiding from an invisible beast. All around us we see signs of hope, signs of spring, signs of resurrection! But for now, we wait.
     I wonder what it must have felt like for Jesus those days in the tomb, knowing resurrection was coming, yet waiting for dawn to come. Waiting on that magnificent morning when the stone was rolled away, the sun streamed through, when an angel removed the funeral cloth from Jesus’ face. And the Holy Spirit breathed into His stricken body and made it rise to a new restored, resurrected life.
      We all are waiting also to live again; we are shut away from each other. As followers of Christ we know that God’s resurrecting breath will raise us up. A new day will dawn. Change is coming.
      May we be wiser, more appreciative, more joyful about life. Celebrate the Lord who gives life.
      Watch First United Methodist Church service live on Facebook at First UMC Dublin TX and it is recorded there also.  If you will click on comment and let us know how many are watching, we can count you being present.  Thank you.
     Our web site is http://fumcdublintx.com and Facebook is First UMC Dublin TX, the email is fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com
      We believe the Holy Spirt is God’s presence with us. Call us at 254-445-2157
 

​First United Methodist Church News
April 5, 2020
      
     Dublin First United Methodist Church will do a Maundy Thursday Service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening!  Have some juice or water handy and some bread or crackers with the liquid.  We won’t have Communion together, but we are doing a “Love Feast.”  It should be very meaningful during these trying times.  Watch the service live on Facebook at First UMC Dublin TX
      Pastor Ken Lunsford will do a Sunrise Service devotional in our prayer garden at 7:00a.m. Easter Sunday morning, weather permitting.  Next there will be the usual 11:00 a.m. service from the sanctuary.
      This past Sunday I was serving again as Worship Leader.  I managed to get to church on time.  I ran my fingers through my hair and put on some very red lipstick, I said, “I’m ready for my close-up Mr. Demille!”  It is a blessing the camera is several feet away. 
     Pat Beaty came again to play the piano and sing.  It makes for a joyous service to have great music. 
     Lisa and Pat Leatherwood were present to help with logistics and get the live stream out on time. 
     The first half of our April birthdays are Dr. Harlan Raley, 4/4, Mike Haley, 4/8, and Adrian Salinas, 4/12.  Happy Birthday and best wishes.
     The scripture passage I read was Matthew 21:1-11.  This tells of Jesus sending two disciples to get a donkey and a colt for Him to ride.  Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was triumphant!  The crowd put their cloaks down on the road and they cut the branches from the trees and laid them in the street.   The people shouted, “Hosanna in the highest!” 
      Hosanna is an old Hebrew phrase that means “Please save us!”  It is a cry for help even though the crowd was shouting it joyfully. Many of the people had seen His miracles or had heard of them.  They had heard of Jesus’ teachings.  They thought He was the right man to challenge the power of Rome and restore the throne of David.
      By the end of the week the crowd changed to a mood of hate and hostility. 
      Even His own disciples either betrayed Him, denied Him, or fled from Him.  But Jesus never turned His back on any of them.  Jesus came to save, whether it was the thief on the cross or Judas Iscariot.  Jesus embodies Amazing Grace.
      The story does not end with Good Friday, there is a great victory coming.      
      Tune in to us next Sunday and we will celebrate.
      Remember our web site is http://fumcdublintx.com and Facebook is First UMC Dublin TX,  the  email is fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com
      We believe the Holy Spirt is God’s presence with us. Call us at 254-445-2157