​First United Methodist Church News
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.
 

First United Methodist Church News
May 26, 2019
 
     Community Table was a ripping success!  300 beef patties were grilled, and they were all eaten, some folks ate more than one, but we know about 290 people were fed.  My goodness what an accomplishment and that is due to the grace of God and the help of many people in our area.
     Pat Leatherwood told that he and Lisa’s son, Lee, is going to graduate school at SMU this summer.  Also, Pat and Lisa’s granddaughter, Landry Cisneros, has celebrated her first birthday.
     We also learned that a group from Plano will be in Dublin this Saturday finalizing the plans to bring a mission team of young people to Dublin. They are coming the last week in June. The youngsters and their leaders will work on homes in Dublin that need exterior repairs or wheelchair ramps. 
    Pastor Ken was privileged to Baptize Crystal Whitefield into the family of Christ!  Then Crystal and Larry Stanfield took the vows of membership into the United Methodist Church.  The congregation is happy to welcome them into our fellowship.  Crystal and Larry attend the Elks Lodge in Stephenville with Alford Havens and we are so glad Alford talks about our church.
     Recently, Rev. Ken Lunsford, I, and Alford Havens attended a gathering of the churches in the West District, Central Conference, of the United Methodist Church.  The meeting was at Oakdale United Methodist church in Stephenville.  The Rev. Dr. Lisa Neslony conducted the meeting.
     The churches in our conference have been raising money for water wells for remote villages in Africa.  Rev. Neslony gave a firsthand account of seeing a well drilled in the country of Kenya on the African continent.  She said the workmen brought in a very big, tall rig for drilling, because there is thick bedrock in that area. But they soon had clear, clean smelling, water coming out of the ground.  The villagers are thrilled and thankful they won’t have to walk to the river for drinking or bathing water. So, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
    “Peace of Christ in a Messed-Up World” was the titled of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon and the scripture message was from John 14:23-29.
     Pastor Ken told us our lesson from John tells us that Christ said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
     St, Francis said, “Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ grants to his friends, is the grace of overcoming oneself, and accepting willingly, out of love for Christ, all suffering, injury, discomfort and contempt; for in all other gifts of God we cannot glory, seeing they proceed not from ourselves but from God.”
     We will do well if we remember that one day Jesus will return to take us to the Father’s house. So, don’t be troubled or afraid.
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