June 2 & 9, 2019
We recognized Ascension Day on 6-2 with this message that while we hold onto things that divide us, Jesus’ prayer is that we may all be one with each other and in Him also.
Nancy Wooldridge was our Worship Leader and she read the scripture lesson from John 17:20-26. Nancy was pleased to have she and Cliff’s grandson, Gage, and Gage’s girlfriend Courtney, as guests in church.
Larry Stanford and Crystal Whitefield from the Stephenville Chapter #2834 of the International Order of Elks presented the church with a generous donation of $2,500 to the Community Table. Three members of the Elks Lodge are also members of our own congregation. We thank the Elks on behalf of the people who benefit from the meals cooked in our kitchen.
I have said it is not just a Dublin First Methodist project. Many volunteers are from outside this church and many donations come from outside sources.
Pat Beaty was thrilled to tell us about her new granddaughter, Madison Leigh Copeland. Madison and her parents live in Burleson.
Sammy Moore asks us to pray for Rayce Jackson. We learned that Ricky Rowe needs our special prayers also.
Pastor Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, “Discerning Our Call!”
If you knew that the prayers you offered up today would be your last, what would you pray for? Wouldn’t you focus on your truest priorities? That is what Jesus did in the last major prayer before His arrest and crucifixion. He prayed for us. Jesus said, “My prayer is not for them alone (His disciples). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” That is us!
There is more work to be done and you and I are an integral part of that work. We have been entrusted with the work of the Savior; and God will give us what we need to succeed in His service.
Pentecost was this past Sunday and our sanctuary was adorned in red. Several members of the congregation wore red also. We were a bright bunch to greet the Holy Spirit!
Laura Leatherwood served as Worship Leader and read the scripture from Acts 2:1-21. Joshua and Jordan Cardoza were our acolytes.
Our congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to Tesha Shafer, Jennifer Caviness, Kevin Stone, and Mary Haley. Next, we honored June anniversaries. Ken and Judy Lunsford, Cliff and Nancy Wooldridge, Ike Wade and Patty Hirst, and Micah and Stephen Cardoza.
Laura Leatherwood delivered the children’s lesson. She asked them about what the wind can do. Laura told them even though we cannot see the wind we can feel it, we can hear it, and we can see how it moves things. She said the Holy Spirit can do those things in our lives also. Laura told how the Holy Spirit came down to the disciples like a rushing wind and that flames of fire danced on the disciple’s head.
Rev. Ken Lunsford preached about the Holy Spirit being our advocate. Pentecost is when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Forty days after the resurrection and Jesus’ ascension into heaven, His followers were together praying and waiting for the gift of power that He had promised them. The Holy Spirit came roaring down and filled the whole house and flames of fire appeared above the heads of those present. Suddenly, these uneducated, un-traveled men were able to speak in multiple languages. They told the wonders of God to the diverse crowd of people around them. The Spirit also resulted in great courage, love, unity, and selflessness among the disciples.
They created a special kind of gathering, one of all types of people, every race, class, and gender worshipped side-by-side. They shared radical love. They were really communicating.
Jesus has not left the building. An advocate has been sent who will defend us, renew us, and unite us. I urge us all to reclaim the Holy Spirit in our religious life.