wallpaper has been stripped away and the walls textured. Painting will soon
begin. It is so much brighter in that area.
First Methodist Church has a new project in our community; we are wearing stretch bracelets that say “Our God Is Big Enough.” When we come in contact with someone who is going through a rough time we will give them the bracelet and tell them our God can handle it.
Whether you pray to God about your troubles, praise Him or curse and blame Him; our God is big enough to deal with it. Be sure to ask a member about our bracelet.
A committee met recently and decided our church would again provide school
supplies for those who need them. The supplies will go to the school directly
and be administered by the teachers.
Brady and Cole Moore served as acolytes and assisted with the offering this past Sunday.
Alford Havens, David Cleveland and Jaxon Salinas took up the offering. Jaxon was carried in his grandfather, David’s, arms but he insisted on participating and no one wanted to discourage him.
“How Long has it Been” was sung by Leta Sage as an Offertory Special. It was to be sure a beautiful experience.
Sammy Moore was our Worship Leader and he gave the children’s lesson. Sammy talked about knocking on doors. He said when someone comes to your house they knock on the door and someone goes to see who is there.
Jesus said whoever knocks on my door I will answer. You can “knock” by praying. When we seek God, we find Him. He will be ready to listen.
Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family of Maxine Mitchell. Maxine was the mother-in-law of Mike Lowry, the Bishop of the Central Texas Conference.
Jolynn Lowry would appreciate any expression of sympathy in the loss of her
mother.
It was announced that David Mayfield has been moved from the hospital in Oklahoma to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. Pastor Ken continues to pray for David and his family by name.
Jack Parks reminded us that 7-27 is the 60th anniversary of the cease fire between North Korea and the United States. Jack drove a Sherman tank, he said it had the number 33 and an armadillo painted on it. So look closely in the old newsreels for his tank.
“Lord Teach Me to Pray” was the title of Rev Ken Lunsford’s sermon on the
28th. It was taken from Luke 11:1-13. It is in this part of Luke that Jesus teaches His disciples “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus also tells them “Knock and the door will be opened for you.”
The “Lord’s Prayer” is more precisely the “Disciples’ Prayer.” It is given
directly to us from Jesus and the identifying marker for those who follow
Jesus.
For the first disciples, their prayer, their first focus was unwavering. The
straightforward direction toward a prayer life that Jesus taught was offered to the Father. Prayer was not offered to some distant deity, it was submitted to Our Father!
Jesus encouraged His followers to pray diligently and often. He taught them to pray to One who loved them, not ruled them; pray to One who pardoned them, to a Father who expected reciprocal acceptance. We are to forgive everyone indebted to us as we are forgiven.
This leads us to ask “How do you pray?” “When do you pray and why pray at all?” Prayer must be more than an emergency magic lamp rubbed in a crisis. Much that passes for prayer is irrational, superstitious, and self-centered.
Jesus prayed regularly, sensibly, and confidently. Jesus promised that those
who pray to God the Father as His disciple will receive the “Holy Spirit.”