Blog Archives

May 26, 2013

5/28/2013

Rubber mats have been ordered for the kitchen floor. They will go next to the sinks to help prevent slipping on a wet floor. There have been some close calls when it comes to accidents and the mats will be a safety measure.

Sunday, 5-26 was a busy day for the Lunsfords. Rev. Ken Lunsford did his usual preaching at Laurel St. United Methodist and then First United Methodist Church in Dublin. Judy Lunsford preached at Greens Creek United Methodist, she filled in for Pastor Mike Hannah who was out of town.

This past Sunday was Trinity Sunday and Peace and Justice Sunday for United Methodist all over the United States.

Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader she read a thank you card from the Sage family. Lisa also read the scripture from Matthew 5: 14-26.

The congregation was shown a Memorial slide program at the start of the service honoring those who have served in the military. Photos of members, deceased members, and relatives of members who served our country were part of the program. Pat Beaty softly played “America” during the program.

Prayer were requested for graduates as they face the end of their school year.

Rev. Ken Lunsford has started a new series of “Go Light Your World” sermons. The sermon for last Sunday was “Let My Light Shine.”

On the first day of Creation, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that that the light was good and He separated the light from darkness.

In a heated discussion with the religious authorities, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” We are not self-ignited; we do not shine on our own.

The Church through the centuries has had a love affair with light. We light candles even when it is not dark. The United Methodist logo is the cross and the flame.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before people that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.” You are called by Christ to “go light your world.” Will you let the Holy Spirit light your fire?

Remember Annual Conference for Central Texas United Methodists will be held in Fort Worth 6- 9 through 6-12. Pastor Ken will be attending this important gathering.

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May 19, 2013

5/23/2013

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We need to thank Stormy Armstrong and Effie Leatherwood for the donations they gave to the rummage sale and they both purchased a truckload of items. The congregation appreciates their generosity.

Pastor Ken Lunsford attended a Memorial Service at Stephenville First United Methodist for members in the Methodist West District who passed away since March of 2012.

The memorial was led by Rev. Howard Martin, Pastor of Stephenville First United Methodist. Those whose names were read from Dublin were; Bob Crouch, Sadie Ethetton, Sybil Hodges, Dannis Lozano, Cecil Rasberry, and Willie Williams. A candle was lit in their memory.

The annual Revival held by the Greens Creek Baptist and United Methodist Churches was held this week. They hold this under the tabernacle at Greens Creek Methodist if weather permits. The first night after services we were all treated to ice cream, cookies and pastries. There was a good crowd present, the pews filled and chairs needed to be set up. Rev. Ben McClerry from the Baptist church brought a great message as did Rev. Mike Hannah, the Methodist Pastor. The music was superb, and surely the presence of the Lord was in that service.

Prayers were offered Sunday for the people of Granbury who were affected by the tornado. Pastor Ken once again reminded us to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief, called UMCOR.

As I write this article, news of the terrible devastation in Moore, Oklahoma is being reported on the TV. Friends first and foremost they need your fervent prayers, and then they need your dimes and dollars. The Baptist Men, Catholic Charities Org., the Salvation Army, UMCOR, and the Red Cross all need support as they go into Moore to aid the victims.

Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader last Sunday. Lisa read the scripture lesson from Acts 2:1-21. These verses tell of the rush of a violent wind filling the entire house and tongues of fire appearing above the disciples head. This was the presence of the Holy Spirit who gave the followers of Christ the ability to speak in foreign languages.

Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “Pentecost” or Fire from Heaven”

The Holy Spirit poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost and transformed them. They were not “super heroes” who could climb buildings or shoot webs out of their wrists. Their gift was the ongoing presence of the Spirit in their lives. Pentecost is the birthday of the church.

The disciples received the gift of communication so that the whole world could hear the salvation story in their own tongue. The first twelve disciples were actual witnesses of the mission, ministry, and message of Jesus the Christ. They had seen for themselves the life, death, resurrection and the ascension of Jesus.

Let us welcome His Spirit into our lives; this is the day that we fan the flames. Halleluiah!

Pastor Ken had brought a ‘Pentecost” cake to church, it read in red icing “Happy Birthday to Jesus’ universal church.” The members were given plates and foil covering to take a piece of cake home with them. It was a Judy Horton cake and delicious. See the cake online at http://fumcdublintx.weebly.com

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May 12, 2013

5/17/2013

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Thank goodness the rummage sale is over and it was a success! Many folks in the Dublin area benefitted from the two day sale. They found bargains on furniture and appliances and other necessary items for the home.

The televisions that did not sell, but which were working were delivered to Golden Age Nursing Home for residents who did not have one. David Cleveland thought of this and it was a great idea.

Children, adult clothes and bedding were delivered to the First Baptist Church Clothes Closet. Thank you goes to Wilma Earies for meeting Pastor Ken Lunsford and Judy on Saturday afternoon and taking the items we brought.

Other electronics were given away and I will have more information on that next week.

Many thanks go to our “Rummage Queens” who are Kathy Logan and Neva Smith. They work so very hard and long to make this project a success.

Sunday was Mother’s Day and we hope all the mothers in our community had a wonderful day. Pastor Ken honored all the ladies present at Sunday’s service with a book mark that had detachable pin on it shaped like an angel. The children passed the gifts out to the ladies.

Pastor Ken then asked the mothers to call out a number to win a prize. Two mothers got new Bibles for correct guesses.

Our Pastor and congregation have been praying for the families who have lost loved ones in the recent automobile wreaks in our area. Our hearts go out to these people stricken by these tragedies

We extend our sympathy to James and Leta Sage on the passing of James’ mother in Kermit, Texas.

The family of Rev. Bob Perrin has the sympathy of the members of our church. Rev. Perrin was Pastor of the First Baptist Church many years ago. “Bro Bob” is well remembered and was held in high esteem by the community.

Rev. Ken Lunsford took his sermon from 2 Kings 4:8 -26. This story in the Bible concerns the Old Testament Prophet, Elisha. The Sermon was titled “Is It Well with Your Family?”

There are many things in this life that cause stress and I know that the demands are great. But remember, children will live the life they see reflected in their mother’s eyes; they will live out the life they feel in the touch of their mother’s hand and they will live the life described in the words of their mother’s lips. Teaching them the love of God in Christ and helping them grow in that knowledge is a tall order.

Mother is it well with you? Is it well with your husband and child?

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April 28, 2013

5/1/2013

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Pastor Ken Lunsford attended a seminar/meeting in Acton, Texas on Saturday morning on 4-27. The meeting was led by the Bishop of the Central Texas Conference, Michael Lowery.

The main speaker gave new ideas on ways the church can appeal to modern families and approach the un-churched.

Our church was the scene of the wedding of Joseph Cisneroz and Amy Leatherwood on Saturday evening, 4-27-13. And it was a beautiful, religious ceremony, not just a repeating of vows.

The Methodist church was decorated from the foyer to the back wall of the sanctuary. A large grapevine wreath hanging high at the back held a lovely old lace wedding veil cascading down the wall. I don’t know who it belonged to, but I bet we find out in a later article.

Our church was filled to over flowing; extra chairs were set up at the front and along the outer wall of the sanctuary. My goodness; Gus and Oma T. Martine were escorted to the choir loft to find a seat!

We hope and pray for the young couple to have a long and joy filled life together.

The mundane problems of life must also be taken care of. It was discovered that the commodes in the men’s and woman’s restrooms in the Clay Annex were cracked and leaking. Ray LaBaume made an executive decision to do a telephone confab with the Trustee Committee members who could be reached. A quorum was reached and votes taken to purchase two new commodes.

New floor covering is being installed in the Clay Annex entry and restrooms and the old commode fixtures were removed for the installation and that is how the leaks were found.

A rummage sale is scheduled for May 10 and 11. That is a busy week-end, a local election will be held on the 11th and Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day. We will work hard, pray a lot and hope for a success. Our storage barn is crowded with wonderful things and we need to have a sale. Already a sofa, recliner and TV have been sold to a gentleman who was moving and needed the furniture.

The children’s lesson on 4-28 concerned saying harmful things. Laura Leatherwood brought a jar of glitter to show the youngsters. She said if you pour some out on a table or in your hand it is impossible to get every bit back in the jar. A little bit of glitter will stick to your hands or clothes. That is what happens when we say something unkind or thoughtless to someone. We can say oh I did not mean it or I was only kidding, but we can’t really take it back. So we should think before we speak and not say hurtful things in the first place.

Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “God’s Vision For His Church!” The scripture was from Acts 11: 1-18. This scripture tells of St. Peter eating with the Gentiles. He was soundly criticized for this by the Jewish believers in Christ. Then Peter explained a vision he had experienced where a large sheet came down from heaven. This sheet held all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles; it held the clean and unclean all together. A voice from heaven proclaimed “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” Peter asked, “Who was I that I could hinder God?” This changed the minds of Peter’s critics and they believed that God had given to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.

Pastor Ken said we have our problems in the church; we have differences, fears and lack of trust. But we cannot completely restrict the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. Despite our personal agendas God’s purpose will be fulfilled in God’s church.

Who are we to stand in the way of God and His desires for His church? If God through Jesus Christ gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to those early Jewish and Gentile Christians can we not expect the Spirit to help us fulfill Peter’s vision and unify all people in the body of Christ?

See us online at http://fumcdublintx.weebly.com

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April 21, 2013

5/1/2013

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There will be a Trustees Meeting on Wednesday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the foyer of the church.

Pat Beaty played the piano and Leta Sage played the organ Sunday; they made beautiful music together!

Prayers were asked for Jack Parks on Sunday. Jack is recuperating from being kicked by a cow. Jack is a retired dairyman with a long history

of bovine battery, they have seriously hurt him in the past. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Jo Ann Regan fell and hurt her knee so keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Prayers were also asked for Mr. Dell Higgins who is in the hospital. Dell is a resident of Golden Age Home. We also remember the Clyce Ballard Family of Hico;

Clyce passed away on the 13th. He grew up in the Carlton area and has many relatives and friends in this area.

The Gideons were the guests of First Methodist and Laurel St. United Methodist on Sunday the 21. David Morgan and Don Carsten spoke about the important work the Gideons International do. They distribute Bibles worldwide to bring the salvation of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

We learned there are 280,000 Gideons and their Auxiliary members around the world. Every dollar donated to their cause goes to purchasing Bibles, their dues pay for any administrative cost. David said a Bible left in a hotel room reaches 2,300 people before it is worn out.

Don told us of his prison ministry and the need for personal Bibles for the inmates to study. God bless the Gideons and the work they accomplish.

The Worship Committee met and put forth the plan that on the 5th Sunday of the month we have gospel and hymn singing instead of preaching. After services will have a covered dish dinner. The next month with five Sundays is June.

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April 14, 2013

5/1/2013

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We acknowledge all our members with April birthdays last Sunday. Our pianist, Pat Beaty led the congregation in singing “Happy Birthday.”

Those with birthdays in the second half of April are; Laura Leatherwood 4-22, Ray La Baume 4-24, Annette Cleveland 4-25, Lisa Leatherwood 4-28, and Kathy Logan 4-30.

Laura leatherwood gave the children’s lesson to an attentive, lively group of kids. Laura spoke about holding grudges and staying angry at people who hurt our feelings. Laura wore a wadded piece of packing tape on her hand and compared it to the resentment we can carry around. She said we need to “blow that off” because it gets in the way of the things we want to do. We can also “blow off” the little thoughtless things our friends and family say and do.

God wants us to forgive and if we expect to be forgive then must practice forgiveness.

Our congregation extends sympathy to the family of J.C. Humphries. Mr. Humphries is the father of Stormy Armstrong; she would appreciate your prayers for herself, her mom Pat, and her brothers Chris and Sam.

Laura Leatherwood read the scripture lesson from John 21:1-19. The sermon delivered by Rev. Ken Lunsford was titled “Do You Love Me? – Follow Me!”

Jesus had continued to appear to his disciples. He calls to them from the bank while they are fishing on the Sea of Tiberius. Then the Lord builds a fire and prepares to cook breakfast for his followers. Jesus also asks Simon Peter “Do you love me?” Peter replies “Yes Lord, you know love you.” Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. He also asks Peter to feed His lambs and to take care of his sheep. Lastly Jesus says to Peter “Follow me.”

John writes of the details of the breakfast to underscore the reality of the resurrection. The resurrection was not a dream or a hoax. The Risen Lord has defeated death, He is in His earthly resurrected body cooking for His friends and eating with them.

We also see Jesus is saying to Simon Peter, “I believe in you, you are still the rock. You can do it, but you have to put your failure behind you. You are forgiven and the slate is wiped clean. You can start over.

The best way to love Christ is to love His sheep. He doesn’t want burnt offerings or pious expressions. He wants us to follow Him and imitate His loving ways.

Remember church is a hospital for sinners, not a country club for saints! So will we see you in church on Sunday?

If you have a prayer request call the office at 254-445-2157 or email us at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com

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May 26, 2013

May 19, 2013

May 12, 2013

April 28, 2013

April 21, 2013

April 14, 2013

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