Blog Archives

May 17, 2015

5/20/2015

     Our church office will be closed on Monday, 5-25 for Memorial Day.

     Community Table will be on Wednesday, 5-29 starting at 5:00 p.m. Those wanting to help prepare the food or deliver to the home bound please come at 3:30 p.m.

     5-31 is Fifth Sunday Singing and Luncheon. We will be singing our favorite hymns and “calling them out” to the music team.   Then we join together for a covered dish meal. If you go to an early service at your church come on over to sing and eat with us.

     We are very thankful to still have a nice place to cook and gather to eat. The winds and heavy hail damaged many things at First United Methodist and we have some leaky ceilings but our spirits are not dampened! Praise God from whom all blessings originate.

     Laura Leatherwood brought the Children’s Lesson. Laura talked about the Gideon’s organization and the Bibles they put in hotels and hospitals so people can have a Bible near to read. Laura said the Gideon’s give many Bibles away to children and grownups.

     Laura sked Cole Moore to stand and face the south wall, then Laura stood beside him facing backwards and they both walked across the dais.   Laura pointed out how much faster Cole could walk because he was looking out in front. She said when we worry about looking at the past we can’t progress as good. She said “Keep your eye on your goal, keep your eye on Jesus and you will get where you need to be.

     Prayers were offered for baby Aleta, who is the great-grandchild of Pastor Ken’s sister, Arlene Brown.

     Thanks was given for the rain and because Proctor Lake is full.

     Joseph Cisneros, Pat and Lisa Leatherwood’s son-in-law, preached at Deleon First United Methodist Church last Sunday.

     Don Carsten of the Gideon’s International Organization, gave our congregation an update on the work of the Gideon’s all over the world. Millions of Bibles and New Testaments have brought salvation to people who had never heard or read God’s word.

     Don gave a wonderful testimony of his awakening to the Lord as his personal savior and touched all our hearts.

     We have most of what we need at First Methodist, but a full sanctuary. Come and join us or come back to see us, it will be a blessing to our congregation to have you worship with us.

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May 10, 2015

5/12/2015

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     The Ladies Bible Study is winding down, but they are still meeting on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

     The Finance Committee meets on 5-20 at 6:00 p.m.

     More birthdays are coming up, Buddy Wooldridge’s is 5-21, and Jim Leatherwood and James Sage both celebrate on 5-29.   Let’s tell these civic minded, helpful fellows how much we think of them.

     Jo Ann Pate will soon be going back to Senior Care in Stephenville for therapy, then she will go home to a clean house. We know that because her faithful daughter, Jill Moore, has been getting Jo Ann’s home ready.

     Laura Leatherwood brought an emery board to the Children’s Lesson.   What could she tell the children about that?

    Laura said the little emery board is for smoothing the rough spots on your finger nail edge. Just like sandpaper smooth’s a rough board when you build something.

     Mothers smooth things out for their children, they comb your hair or fix your shirt or listen to your story when someone has hurt you.

     God smooth’s things out also, He shapes us into what we should be.

     The youngsters gave out an emery board to all the ladies in the congregation. After that chore, they gave long stemmed roses to all the mothers present.

     Mother’s Day afternoon Pastor Ken and Judy took the remaining roses to Golden Age Home and gave roses to our members and friends.

     Rev. Ken Lunsford took his sermon from the scripture reading of 5-10 which was Acts 10: 44-48

     The Hebrew people believed that God is the solid base, the rock, the support, the “Amen,” upon which life must be raised. The Bible says we are to live by faith, we read this in several books of the Bible.

     Faith is an active term, it is a distinct way of acting not merely a state of mind.

     The true victory for Joshua was not when the walls came down but when he believed God would do something great that day. The miracle of Peter’s walking on water was not how far he got without sinking, but when Peter lifted his leg over the side of the boat and stepped out!

     Faith is obedience, it is trust and trusteeship in God’s power. The Bible in Acts and in 1st John link the forgiveness of sins with faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is healing and faith is inclusive.

     Pastor Ken followed his sermon with a letter written by the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church who were meeting in Berlin, Germany.   Our Bishop had much to tell us and he closed with this, “We affirm that all lives are sacred and that a world free of racism is not only conceivable, but worthy of our pursuit.”   Remember this commandment we have from Christ: “Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also.” 1 John 4:21

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May 3, 2015

5/6/2015

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     Our congregation is very thankful that no one was killed or injured in last week’s storm. The west side of town had severe damage especially the First United Methodist Church. The vent pipes on the roof were damaged, the roof will be replaced, windows were cracked, water blew into the narthex from outside doors and ruined much of the parquet floor, and there were roof leaks. Whew!

     We soldier on and the building will soon be repaired.

     Our Trustees will meet as the Citizen goes to print. The Administrative Council will meet on Wednesday, 5-13 at 6:00 p.m. in the annex and the Finance Committee will meet on 5-20 at 6:00 p.m.

     Our congregation extends profound sympathy to the family and friends of Hilda Allen Swindle. Hilda fought the good fight, her race is run, and we will miss her.

     Wish Amy Leatherwood Cisneroz a Happy Birthday today, 5-7 and then her brother, Lee Leatherwood on 5-10. Wanda Patterson’s birthday is 5-18. Send a card to Wanda at Three Oaks Assisted Living.

     Doris Morton’s great-grandson Blu Ary, who is 18 mos. old, is suffering from digestive problems and needs our prayers. We are also praying for Mandy Horton, the daughter-in-law of Pastor Ronnie and Judy Horton.

     Laura Leatherwood brought a great Children’s Lesson this past Sunday.

     Laura showed the children an old dead stick. She asked, “Why is it dead?” The young ones said because it broke off the tree. Laura agreed, she said the stick has withered leaves and no roots because it broke from the tree. She told the children when we break from God we get in bad shape. God is the support for our soul and we need to stay connected to Him and ask Him to use us for His purpose.

     “No Fruit without Him” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon, it was taken from John 15: 1-8.

     Throughout Jesus’ ministry he used parables to illustrate his lesson. They were tailored to suit his audience and he used things which were familiar to the people.

      Vineyards were plentiful in Palestine, so Jesus tells the audience, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes (cleans) so that it will be even more fruitful.”

     Jesus is the vine, God is the gardener and we are the branches! He says we are clean because of the word he has spoken to us. We are to bear fruit. Listen carefully, Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

     Prayer keeps the lines of communication open between us and God. It is allowing God in Christ to give us spiritual nourishment for the fruit we should bear. And what is this fruit? St. Paul gives us a partial list that he calls the fruit of the spirit. These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Keep or make a connection with Christ.

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May 17, 2015

May 10, 2015

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