​First United Methodist Church News
June 21, 2020
 
     The super fun and tasty chili dogs we prepared for Community Table have been delivered.  DJ Klutts and Mary Haley got a ‘jump” on July 4th with a meal like that.
     The kitchen crew is still taking precautions against the Covid-19 virus. They have always been careful to be sanitary, but now they take it to another level.
     Our congregation was thrilled to receive a new member into Dublin First Methodist, he is Kevin Stone.  Kevin is the produce manager at Dublin’s local supermarket.  Kevin has been attending church with us for quite a while. 
     So far, the live streaming to Facebook is going without a problem and I pray that continues.  There are still recordings of the service made for anyone who wants one and has a CD player.
      Pat Beaty, our talented pianist and song leader, will be retiring after Sunday June 28th service.  If you never heard Pat sing and play, this Sunday is your last chance.
      This Sunday is Rev. Ken Lunsford last time to preach as our pastor.  He will officially retire as a Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church on the last day of this month.
      Ken and I both feel humbled to have served this congregation for ten years.
      Ken has experienced joy and tragedy.  He saw a lot of changes during that tenure. The congregation began the “Community Table”, we had a pool party and picnic with DeLeon First United Methodist here at the city pool, and we partnered with Primaria Iglesias Bautista Church and had a summer Bible School; we took off from our church property, and went to Perry Hall.  The destructive hailstorm that hit Dublin a few years ago did over a $150,000.00 in damages to our church. Now all the damages are repaired, or the items replaced. Pastor Ken credits our recovery to good insurance and to a great Board of Trustees.
      Last Sunday DJ Klutts served as Worship Leader, Pat Beaty played the piano and led us in song, Pat Leatherwood was on the camera, and Pastor Ken Lunsford preached.
      All the men present on Father’s Day received a ball point pen and cased note pad from Pastor Ken and Frank Stone received a COMMON ENGLISH study Bible because he came the greatest distance to church, over two hours.
     The Scripture reading, Matthew 10:24-39, was given by DJ Klutts.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “Daddy’s Love.”
     Jesus said that God knows how many hairs are on our head. He is telling us that God knows us completely.  Jesus also said, “Not a sparrow will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows.” God’s love is reflected in His Son and Jesus loved in a way no other human being has ever loved.  Let us wrap ourselves in our Heavenly Father’s love that we can walk through every difficulty in life.
     Look for our church service at First UMC Dublin TX on Facebook.  The phone number is 254-445-2157.

First United Methodist Church News
June 14, 2020
 
     We hope everyone who could, enjoyed the Dublin Reunion activities last Saturday.   I know many people did not come this year because of the Covid19 Virus and I understand their decision.
     Dublin First and Laurel St. United Methodist Churches met again in person.  Pastor Ken preached to both congregations. 
      At First Methodist, Laura Leatherwood served as Worship Leader, Pat Beaty played the piano and led us in song, I ran the Power Point, and Pat Leatherwood was operating the new camera.
     We hear our young friend, Tyler Harrell, is recovering nicely from his accident.  His father, Andy, says it is a miracle and many others agree with him.
     June birthdays are Tesha Shafer, 6-1, Jennifer Caviness, 6-6, Kevin Stone, 6-24 and Mary Haley,6-29.
      Keeping with tradition, we have a few anniversaries this month.  June anniversaries are, mine and Ken Lunsford, 6-5, Cliff and Nancy Wooldridge, 6-9 and Ike Wade and Patty Hirst, 6-23.
     Community Table is next week on 24th.   We need more drivers and other volunteers.  Pray for this ministry, it touches many people in the Dublin area. 
      The scripture reading was Matthew 9:35-10:8. In this lesson Jesus is traveling among many cities, He is healing every sickness and teaching in their synagogues.  Jesus called His disciples together and gave them authority over unclean spirits and power to heal every disease and every sickness.  
 
     The twelve apostles are named in this reading.  Jesus tells them to announce, “The kingdom of heaven has come near, and to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons.”
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, “Where are the Workers?’  His message focused on the evangelistic task of the church.
      The one commandment that Jesus gave to His church besides “love one another” was to go out and make disciples of all people.  Our failure to take that commandment seriously has resulted in a church that is no longer reaching people.  In fact, the church is rapidly going out of style and out of business.  But helping someone find new life in Jesus gives our own life a huge spiritual lift. 
     Jesus had compassion on the crowds He was seeing on His travels.  We need that feeling for the people we meet in life. We should tell them Christ can help them put their lives in order. Christ can bring them joy, peace, and salvation.  We are not merely trying to build up our church rolls.     
      People around us link up to false gods – power, wealth, good looks, and approval of their peers. Sooner or later these false gods betray them.  So many people today feel unloved, undervalued, lonely, and that they do not fit in with this world.  They must be told that Christ cares as well as we!  There is an eternal God and He loves His people.    
      Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”  Where are the workers?  Can our Lord count on you?
   
      Look for our church service at First UMC Dublin TX on Facebook.  Our post office box is 248, Dublin, TX 76446. Phone number is 254-445-2157.

​First United Methodist Church News
June 7, 2020
 
     Our sanctuary was open for services the past Sunday!  It was wonderful to see our brothers and sisters in Christ again.
      We wore masks and kept six feet apart from each other, but our eyes were smiling.  Everyone used hand sanitizer or wore gloves.  Pastor Ken did both when he blessed the bread and juice.  It was so special to take Communion again.
      Pat Leatherwood operated the camera for Facebook, and I did the power point projector.
     Our scripture reading was Genesis 1:1-2:4, this was the longest scripture lesson Lisa Leatherwood had read as Worship Leader.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon “God Spoke.”
     In Genesis God spoke and the world was created.  This is the first thing we should understand, God spoke!
     In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. “And God said, ‘let there be light”’ and there was light.  Here we see the nature of real power. God spoke and the entire world was created.
      Years later God spoke to a nomad named Abram and told him to go to a far-off land where he would become Abraham, the father of a great people.  That people would be the people of Israel, chosen by God to be a light to the nations of humankind.
     God continued to speak, He spoke to Moses, Elijah, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah and many others whose experiences with God are recorded in our Bible.
      That is why the Bible is so precious to us. It is a record of God speaking through the ages to men and women seeking to communicate His plan and His purpose. And we do ourselves a great disservice by our neglect of this magnificent document.
      God spoke again and humanity was redeemed. God spoke in a special way in Jesus, His Son.  He is the word of God, He is the truth, He is the way, He is life.
One more thing needs to be added, God speaks today, and we find help for the living of our lives.  Sometimes He speaks through nature’s beauty, reading of Scriptures, Sermons, Music, and/or Meditation.
      We lost our connection to Facebook when our WIFI dropped and the second half of Sunday service was lost!  So, the folks on their computers missed Rev. Ken Lunsford’s message.  He went back Monday and recorded his Sermon, so you can sign into Facebook and view and hear the message.  We will try again and hope for the best this next Sunday. Look for our church service at First UMC Dublin TX on Facebook.
      The food pantry for the Dublin community, is open Mon. through Thurs. from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. 

​First United Methodist Church News
May 31, 2020
 
     In person worship begins on June 7 at 11:00 a.m.  Everyone entering the building will be required to wear a mask. Everyone must use had sanitizer or wear disposable gloves.  Family groups may sit together, others must sit six feet apart from each other! 
     Do not jam up at the front door or the sanctuary door, keep six feet apart. Refrain from handshakes or hugging.  We know this going to be hard, these instructions come down from The Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, so let us comply cheerfully.
    Our church will continue to do a live service to First UMC Dublin TX on Facebook.
    The Community Table was another successful labor of several volunteers.  Under the direction of DJ Klutts and her faithful assistant, Mary Haley, the food was cooked, and the takeout containers filled.  Many other helpers worked the assembly line. All the food handlers wore masks and gloves. Then the containers were loaded into large boxes for delivery by a another set of volunteers. These delivery people come from several other denominations, so this is truly a community effort.
      We operate Community Table with funds from individuals in our area, special offerings, and the Stephenville Elks Lodge who secure a donation from their international organization.
     Anyone wishing to hear Rev. Ken Lunsford preach in person should attend either Laurel St. or Dublin First United Methodist Church Sunday service this June.  Pastor Ken will retire at the end of June.  I highly recommend him.
     This past Sunday was a combined service of Laurel St. and First United Methodist churches. Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader, Pat Beaty was pianist and Sheran Weible sang a wonderful special titled, “There’s a Wind a Blowing.”  Pat Leatherwood worked the camera and Pastor Ken’s message was titled “Pray to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit.”     
       Our scripture lesson was, “Acts 2:1-21. This explains the birth of the Church.
       When all the disciples were waiting in one house in Jerusalem, as they had been instructed to by Jesus, the Holy Spirit came.  A sound like a violent wind blowing filled the house and tongues of fire came and rested on each one.  They all began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.
      Pentecost is a hallowed day in the Christian year.  Now Christ’s birth and His resurrection are at the center of our faith.  But how would we know about these things without the church?  Who would have sent out evangelists to tell the Good News if not the church?  Who would have protected the Holy Scriptures through the ages with its very life, if not the Church of Jesus Christ?
     It is popular to say Jesus is wonderful, but no to the church. How will future generations know about Jesus and His message of love if His church is not around to give witness?  Now the church has its faults, there is much that needs to be corrected and cleansed, but this is still Christ’s body at work in the world! This is still Christ’s beloved bride.
      Jesus’ disciples were gathered with one accord. One of their strengths was their love for one another. We are Christ’s body, the light, the leaven, the salt of the earth, Christ’s own bride.  If we, His Church, cannot work together in peace and love for His glory, then God have mercy on the world.
     Our web site is http://fumcdublintx.com, the email is fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com and phone number is 254-445-2157.