The First United Methodist Church
Dublin, Texas
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June 23, 2013

6/26/2013

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We are having a Fifth Sunday Singing on 6-30 instead of preaching. There will be a covered dish luncheon to follow. If you have a favorite song you want to sing, please call the church office as soon as possible so the music team can be prepared. Let’s all pull together and make this a success.

Remember if you borrow tables, chairs or any equipment from the church to clear it with the Pastor. You can call or come by the office and talk to Wanda Myers the Administrative Assistant.

Only members of our congregation or the Boy Scout Leaders should have a key to the building. Those who are renting the building or have a “special need” such as the Goodfellows receive a key which should be returned promptly.

The Administrative Council recently voted to give the Dublin Goodfellows $400.00 to assist them in helping the community. The Goodfellows is a benevolent organization of both men and women who do wonderfull deeds for those in need or who have suffered a “set back” in their lives.

Congratulations to Lee Leatherwood who was elected President of the Dublin Rotary Club. Rotary is another compassionate organization that helps folks and promotes Dublin all at the same time.

Kudos go to many of our friends at Laurel St., Greens Creek and First United Methodist Churches who do not cloister in, but go outward into the community and world to practice the tenants of their Christian faith.

New venetian blinds have been purchased by the trustees for six windows in the church. Now we just need to find the time to get them installed!

Pastor Ken and Judy Lunsford told of attending a birthday celebration in Hamilton for Rev. Matt Hall who pastors First Methodist Church there. Matt’s lovely wife, Denise, organized a great 50th birthday garden party complete with black table cloths and black balloons. The Lunsfords along with Tom and Rita Wilson sang and played guitars for their supper.

Rev. Ken Lunsford reports that the little “cross pins” that were given out to the all men on Father’s Day Sunday have been getting lots of compliments. Whether worn at work or in the coffee shop the pins are being noticed. That is a good opening to tell people about the One that cross stands for.

Prayers were offered during the service for Red Pendleton and others.

1st John 1:1-10 and 2:2-27 were the scripture read on 6-23. Pastor Ken Lunsford named his sermon “Help Me Lord, Show Me the Way!”

The scripture tells us we have an advocate with God, He is Jesus Christ the righteous one. It also says the one who claims to remain in Him ought to live in the same way as He lived. The holy word teaches us do not love the world or the things in the world. The arrogant pride in one’s possessions is not of the Father but of the world and this world and its cravings are passing away. But the person who does the will of God remains forever.

The biggest little word in the English language is “if.” Our Scripture this Sunday is full of “ifs.” If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and make God a liar. If we confess our sins; God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins. If we claim to have fellowship with God but walk in the dark, we lie.

Forgiveness is God’s remedy for a past that even He cannot change. Forgiveness does not erase the facts, ignore the wrong, or excuse the pain, it forges a new start. As far as the east is from the west, is how far does He remove our transgressions from us, said the Psalmist.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It is the gift of grace that restores us, cancels a debt, and sets us free. Forgiveness fits faulty people and Pastor Ken strongly recommends it.

When you need direction say, “Show me the way,” and be ready to follow. When you walk with the Lord be ready for action.

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June 16, 2013

6/19/2013

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The Lindy Raley Brogdon Memorial Scholarship was presented to graduating senior Cody Belew by Pastor Ken Lunsford during a program on graduation night. Our congregation is very proud of Cody. Cody has received many academic accolades this past school year especially in FFA.

Our Worship Leader this past Sunday was Nancy Wooldridge. We enjoyed a guest speaker, John Barnes, who was brought up in the Dublin area. John’s mother and grandmother were in the congregation to offer their support. John is a missionary to the island of Haiti and works with the “House of Moses” mission. John explained his work in Haiti and then preached a meaningful, heartfelt sermon on the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Prayers were requested for little Kaitlyn Gordon who is ill with meningitis. Madison Taylor is home from the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas and recuperating. These youngsters are on our hearts and in our prayers.

Lisa Leatherwood gave the children’s sermon and brought several different items in her “surprise bag.” Lisa had a little wrench to show the children. She said our earthly fathers use these to repair things, and also when something in our life is wrong or needs fixing we should pray and ask our heavenly Father for help because with God nothing is impossible. Next she showed a toy football and told the children when you are playing a sport or game and want to do good to pray for strength and assistance from God. A little truck came next with a lesson who keeps us safe as we travel about. A dollar bill was pulled out last. We all were reminded that our fathers work hard to earn money for our family but all good things come from God.

Rev. Ken Lunsford asked the children to hand out little cross pins to all men in the congregation. Pastor Ken said all men in the Christian faith are responsible for bringing up the children in the way they should go. All the men in our church play a part in forming the character of our youth.

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

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June 9, 2013

6/12/2013

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Pastor Ken Lunsford attended Annual Conference in Fort Worth from Sunday, 6-9 through Wednesday, 6-12. The meeting is being held at beautiful and modern Arborlawn United Methodist Church which is the congregation of Rev. Benn Disney. Rev. Disney is a well loved former pastor of Dublin United Methodist.

Judy Lunsford has been running errands for her Pastor. She has visited with Jo Ann Ragan who is recovering nicely from a broken leg and cracked ribs. Jo Ann says hello to her friends at church and square dancing; she will be more active when she gets the heavy protective brace off her leg. Next Judy visited Debbie Hammonds at Golden Age and delivered church bulletins, a recording of the 6-9 Sunday service and a box of donuts!

Judy is also “gearing up” for the Lunsford’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday 6-15. It will be a come and go reception from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the foyer of our church.

Please drop by to visit and have some cake.

The Keith Family is having a reunion in the Clay Annex also on the 15th so the church will be full. It will be interesting to see how many people go in the wrong door to the wrong celebration. Maybe a trade can be made; anniversary cake for potato salad. We hear Keith’s have good cooks.

Congratulations to Pat Leatherwood who was recently sworn in as a newly elected Dublin ISD School Board Trustee.

Speaking of school, congratulations go to a member of our congregation, Conner Moore, for Academic Awards in Social Studies, Agriculture, and 9th grade academic excellence. We are also recognizing Cameron Price who grew up in this church, before attending another denomination, for his awards in Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, other subjects and 10th grade excellence. These fine young men deserve a pat on the back.

Karen Rowe served as the Worship Leader on 6-9, Karen did the welcome and announcements, the opening prayer, led us in the Affirmation of Faith and gave the scripture reading from Ephesians 4: 7-16, 22-24.

Judy Gordon was added to our prayer list and we ask for prayers for 14 year old Madison Taylor who has extensive surgery today, 6-13, at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Madison is the daughter of Melissa Summers who is the principle of Dublin Elementary School and Chad Taylor of White Settlement. Chad is the son-in-law of Pastor Ken and Judy Lunsford.

Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Peggy Ann Rasberry. Peggy passed away 6-6 and was laid to rest on 6-9 in Lower Greens Creek Cemetery.

Pastor Ken did the children’s sermon and explained the importance of the family unit. He said some people say we need more strong moral leadership at the top of society’s rung. They think that is how America will become a righteous nation again. But Pastor Ken said I think that is up-side down thinking, we must begin with the family unit. If fathers, mothers and children are worshiping God, praying together and following Jesus’ teaching it will grow the nation righteous. We need a strong base to support the top of civilization.

“Fanning the Flames of Family” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.” Could the lyrics of that hymn be true for the American family? What happens in your house may be more important than what happens in the White House! Terrorist’s threats, storms from above; but our greatest threat may be the disintegration of the family we turn to in times of crisis.

St. Paul said “Love one another as Christ loves the Church.” That is wise instruction for husbands, wives, children, grandparents and anyone who claims any kin to one another.

Love is first hand devotion; love is an act of will that leads to service and love is grounded in mutual respect. Love one another and begin at home.

The Bible says “Live as children of the light, for the fruit of the light consists of goodness, righteous, and truth.” Spiritual transformation is a life-long process. Habits formed when we are young define us when we are older. But we can also say we never graduate from the school of discipleship. To be formed into the “likeness of Christ” is a life-long adventure. Ephesians says “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another just as Christ in God has forgiven you.”

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June 2, 2013

6/5/2013

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June is a very busy month! June 9-12 is Annual Conference in Fort Worth, June 16 is Father’s Day and June 30 will be Fifth Sunday Singing and covered dish luncheon.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is asking for funds to help Acton, Granbury, Cleburne and West disasters. There are many needs and we should be willing to make a sacrifice for our fellow human beings.

“Work for the Night Is Coming” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. The Scripture was John 9:1-5.

Why do bad things happen to good people? How could this happen in the U.S.A.?

Pastor Ken said It has been another unbelievable week of questions in the light of human tragedy. I picked the Scripture for today long before there was a storm in Granbury or the explosion that nearly wiped out West.

One day Jesus and the disciples met a man who had been blind from birth. Some of the group wanted to know who is to blame for this. Did this man sin or was it the sin of his parents that caused him to be born blind?

Some say that the people are to blame for the tragedy that has unfolded on our TV’s. Why didn’t they get out? They had ample warning. Some people say the systems failed. It’s the government’s fault; its FEMA’s fault; where is the Red Cross and why doesn’t the church do something?

One of the worst things we can do is get on TV and say to people sitting on their rooftop during a flood is “We understand how you feel!” We don’t know how they feel.

As a Game Warden, I have rescued people and families with babies off their rooftops because of a flood. It is heart wrenching to see the suffering.

Some groups claim that God is responsible for this storm or that disaster. It was the same as leveling Sodom and Gomorrah. Some atheists will cite the suffering of people as an excuse for unbelief.

What was Jesus’ answer about the blind man? He said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” “This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. Work while it is day. For the night is coming when no one can work.” In the Old Testament Book of Job, Job asks God why people suffer, God replied, “Your small mind could not comprehend it if I tried to explain it, oh mortal one.”

We have an opportunity to be the “helpers of the hurting.” We have collected health kits and flood buckets in the past for UMCOR and we could do it again. We can write a check to UMCOR. We can pray for God’s mercy, comfort and guidance for those affected and those on the front lines of relief. If you are able bodied, you could contact Lorraine Wahtal in Granbury to volunteer. She trains those who want to assist.

Send money and let the groups on the scene buy the goods in quantities that will not need sorting by volunteers. It is difficult to sort out a small donation of supplies and get them to the right place.

Relief is not about making us feel good. It is about getting the resources to the right place, in the right way, at the right time. United Methodists do not need to make a big scene about going, they are already there.

Let us ask the Lord to help those in need. Let us ask the Lord to help us live by faith when we cannot live by sight.

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