​First United Methodist Church News
July 28, 2019
    
       Pastor Ken and I attended the Pecan Valley Emmaus meeting on 7-25 at Comanche First United Methodist Church.  We enjoyed a covered dish supper and a lot of fellowship.  That was followed by a service in the sanctuary with congregational singing led by the “Son-Risers” praise band.  We had a fine sermon by the brand-new Comanche Methodist minister, Rick Mang.  The evening ended with holy communion.
       If you would like to know more about the “Walk to Emmaus” experience, please call our church office at 254-445-2157 or email us at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com. 
     We had three guests with us Sunday and we were grateful to see them and hope they come back.
     D.J. Klutts served as Worship Leader and did an outstanding job. She read the scripture lesson from Luke 11:1-13. D.J. gave the welcome, the announcements, and the opening and closing prayers.  
     Juanita Duncan has had some health issues and she is on our prayer list.  Juanita missed church Sunday, so you know she was feeling bad.
     Laura Leatherwood asked for prayers for Rocky Ford, Rocky is a friend of Jimmy Leatherwood.  Patty Hirst ask that we include Brad Gray in our prayers.  Then Larry Stanford asked that we pray for his mother who is now doing radiation treatments.
     Ray La Baume is feeling better and stronger.  We hope that continues.
     I spoke with Debra Swanson, who attends Graham Street Church of Christ, Debra asked for prayers for their “Basic Needs” ministries.  The untimely death of Sandy Steele has led to difficulties for that program.  Keep them in your prayers.
     Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Lewis Smith.  Lewis was a neighbor to Neva Smith, and we know she will miss him.       
     Bob and Irene Sohm have donated some lovely chairs to go with the conference table on the south side of our foyer. They have donated a table to be used for desserts to go in fellowship hall. Much thanks and sincere blessings go to Bob and Irene.
       Coming soon!  Work will start right away on repairing our parking lot.  But we can’t use it for a while so everyone will be parking on the grass.  It should be available for parking on Sunday.
      “Lord Teach Us to Pray,” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
     Some people get discouraged give up on their faith because they feel a sense of failure in their prayer life.
     Many, question how do you pray, when do you pray, or why pray at all?  Even the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
     Now don’t expect me to answer why some prayers are answered and others are not!   That is above my paygrade!  But I can tell you to trust God and that God loves you and is working to make all things work to your good.  Pray, knowing that God loves you, and leave the results to God.
     Learn to find comfort and wisdom in accepting whatever answer God sends you.  That is a wise philosophy of life.
     Jesus told His followers to say, “Our Father.”  Never had they referred to God in such a familiar form.  It was like saying, “Our Daddy.”  We say “your kingdom come” because we know our heavenly Daddy’s kingdom is something wonderful to anticipate.  Thanks for reading, we subscribe to Open Hearts, Open minds and Open Doors!

​First United Methodist Church News
July 21, 2019
 
     The West District of the Central Texas Conference have two exciting mission trip opportunities coming up. Graham First United Methodist is going to Costa Rica to participate in a fresh water well drilling program.  They plan to work in an eye clinic or help with VBS.  The dates are 10-26 to 11-02.  The cost of lodging and food is $800, and the airfare is $500.
      There is a Kenya trip coming on 01-9 to 01-22-2020. There will be opportunities to participate in medical, construction, and worship programs.  This trip to Africa will cost $2820 to $2960.
      See what connected churches can accomplish.  All the “old time” denominations have built hospitals, universities, children’s homes and sent missionaries all over the earth.
       This past Sunday I served as Worship Leader and Jorden Cardoza was our acolyte.  Jorden’s dad, Steven, operated the power point for us.  We appreciate everyone who “steps up” to help out at church.  Many of the routine helpers were out on vacation or wrangling grandchildren so their kids could get a break.
      Pastor Ken and I fed the cattle last week for our grown kids.  It was more fun than a chore, but we could get back in our air-conditioned truck and go home.
      Betty Lusk shared a wonderful celebration with us, her nephew, Colonel Craig Le Flore, was the Commander in Chief of the US Marine Base at San Diego, Cal. Col. Le Flore recently retired after 26 of service to his country.  Through his service Col. Le Flore was able to travel extensively around the world.
     Neva Smith told us her neighbor is in the hospital and not doing well. This gentleman is on our prayer list.
     We continue to pray for Ray La Baume and Ola Mae also.
     Julia Broussard blessed us with a powerful solo presentation of “Amazing Grace.”  Leta Sage accompanied Julia on the piano.  Oh, how thankful we were to hear this special.  I will add this, attending church is not a chore or a duty, but a wonderful privilege, when we worship the Lord as we did this past Sunday! 
     Our Scripture reading was Colossians 1:15-28.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford took his lesson from the words of Paul in Colossians.
     Paul tells us that Jesus is the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created.  Paul says, He Himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
     Jesus has rescued us, and many of us were headed down the wrong road - with bad habits, bad attitudes, or maybe a bad marriage.  Christ came into our lives and transformed us. He saved us from the darkness!  He took us into the Kingdom of God where we have redemption.
     Is there a more blessed word than “Forgiven?”  You can hurt the people you love, but out of their love for you they forgive you.  You hurt God, but there is a cross on Calvary that says you are forgiven.  Are you still walking in darkness?  Christ says, “turn around,” come into the light.  Come into Christ’s Kingdom, begin living like Jesus.  Seek redemption and salvation.
     Our atrium garden is a quite a place to pray.  The street-side gate is unlocked. Come, be welcome.
OPEN HEARTS, OPEN DOORS, OPEN MINDS

​July 15, 2019
    
  This past Sunday the congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to our members with a July birthday.  Then they sang a “Happy Anniversary” to Pat and Lisa Leatherwood and to Mike and Mary Haley.  Best wishes to everyone!
      Laura Leatherwood served as our Worship Leader, she gave the opening prayer and read the scripture lesson from Luke 10: 25-37.
      We learned that our friend, Kathy Logan of Midland, fell and broke her arm.  Kathy received first aid in a hurry since the fire station is just a few houses down from her home. She was taken to the hospital for a while, but she is home now and going to therapy for her arm.  We are praying for Kathy and hope she is healing like new.
      Ray LaBaume continues to slowly get better at home.  I believe he and Ola Mae would like a nice casserole or dessert brought by their house.
      We welcome Ike Wade and Patty Hirst-Wade to our congregation.  They joined with us this past Sunday.  They have already been helping us with our projects. 
      Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the friends and family of Dan Leatherwood. 
    The Pastor’s confirmation class continues on Tuesday’s except the 3rd Tuesday, through July.
      “Can God Depend on You,” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.  He gleaned it from the wonderful, timeless parable of the “Good Samaritan.” Jesus started His story with this, “You must love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
      Then a legal expert asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Jesus then told the story of the man who went down to Jericho who was attacked by thieves and left to die by the side of the road. A priest passed by the injured man, a Levite saw the man, but did not stop to render aid. Then a Samaritan came by and had compassion for the bleeding man.  The Samaritans were not a race the Jews associated with. They were looked down on.  But it was the Samaritan who rescued the wounded fellow.  So, who was a neighbor to the beaten man?  The legal expert said, “the one who showed mercy to him.”  Jesus told him to go and do likewise.
     This story has become one of the World’s best- known acts of kindness.  And the question still haunts us, who is our neighbor.  Anyone who needs our help?  But that is a lot of people!  The hitchhiker by the road, the homeless derelict on the city street.  It is too dangerous to stop, we tell ourselves.  Deep in our hearts we wonder what would Jesus do?  We were a stranger lying in a ditch knowing that we were dying.  But a good man saved us, He gave us a second chance, that man was Jesus Christ, He paid the price for our life.

​First United Methodist Church News
July 7, 2019
 
     Pastor Ken Lunsford and I have been on vacation.  As usual, we go to visit our children and this time we drove to Maryland to visit our son.  We saw all the rivers running full and the countryside is lush and green.
     We considered ourselves fortunate to be able to visit Mt. Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington.  We were blessed to get there and back home safely.
     The Sunday that Pastor Ken was away, Cliff Sims was a guest pastor, Cliff spoke about the Christian Women’s Job Corp and brought a sermon.  
      On 6-30 the Gideon Four, from Stephenville First Baptist Church, came to sing some great gospel music for our congregation.  Mac McKinnon talked about the ministry of the Gideons International fellowship.  He gave a firsthand witness to the changes Christ can make in people’s lives.
      Ray LaBaume has been in the hospital in Stephenville.  He had laparoscopic surgery and so far, everything is healing nicely.  Keep Ray and Ola Mae in your prayers.
      Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of Ed Larner.   We also are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Sandy Steele of Hico.  Our congregation extends sympathy to her husband, Al Steele, and her family and many friends.      
      There are several July birthdays to celebrate.  DJ Klutts, Conner Moore, Jack Parks, Judy Beckham. Crystal Whitefield, Eddie Raley, and Deborah Hammons. 
      Pat and Lisa Leatherwood celebrated their 39th anniversary on 7-5.  Others with July weddings are Jon and Roxey Volkmer and Mike and Mary Haley.  Congratulations and best wishes.   
     Lisa Leatherwood served as Worship Leader and read scripture from Luke 10: 1-20.  
     Rev. Ken Lunsford asked us, “What Superpower would we like to Have?”
     In our scripture lesson we learn that Jesus had more than twelve helpers.  He commissioned seventy-two others and sent them in pairs to go ahead to every city and place Jesus was about to visit.
      Jesus told those seventy-two that he was sending them out as lambs among wolves.   However, they returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.” Then Jesus said, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
     The church received a wonderful letter from an adult sponsor working with the teenagers who came to Dublin last week to make repairs or build wheelchair ramps on homes.  They were thankful for the warm welcome they received and the opportunity to bring a mission trip to Dublin.  They accomplished so much in so little time it was like they had “superpower!”
      Jesus sends us out today like He sent the Seventy-two.  We are to plant the kingdom of God in hearts and lives.  There is no power that can compare to the power of knowing God through Jesus Christ.

​First United Methodist Church News
June 16, 2019
 
      Wow, we had lively guests with us Sunday!  The youth group from Christ United Methodist Church in Plano came to worship with us.  They took up several rows of pews across the front of the sanctuary. Adult sponsors were in the crowd, but all the rest were “just graduated” seniors of high school. This group is in Dublin to help repair homes and build wheelchair ramps.      
     Leta Sage, our organist, took to the piano for an impromptu, rousing version of “Do Lord” and those teenagers let loose right along with her.
      Alford Havens came up to dais to give the congregation information on the Central Texas Conference gathering in Arlington on 6-10,11, and 12.  Alford was a voting delegate representing Dublin First United Methodist Church.  Pastor Ken Lunsford attended also, and he and Alford roomed together and split expenses.  Alford said he will always remember that B.I.B.L.E. means “Basic instructions before leaving earth,” and W.I.G. stands for “Wild, important goal.” 
     Alford announced that Rev. Ken Lunsford has been assigned to Dublin First United Methodist and to Laurel St. United Methodist Church for another year. 
      Pastor Ken gave a notebook and pen to all the fathers present Sunday and wished them “Happy Father’s Day.”
      Larry Standford asked for prayers for his mother, Betty Standford, who was to have extensive surgery in Abilene this week.
      Pat Leatherwood was thankful that Dublin I.S.D. is a Blue-Ribbon school in Texas. And Patty Hirst is thankful the Summer Reading Program at our library began with 100 children in attendance!
      Betty Lusk announced that the church yard sale brought in $1,400.  That is wonderful and the barn was cleaned out, so yippee!
      Community Table will be serving “Taco Salad” on Wednesday, 6-26.  Also, we are out of cookies: that is zero, zip, none, the freezer is bare of cookies!  Please bake more cookies and bring them by the church office before 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
      I served as Worship Leader and read the scriptures from Romans 5:1-11
      Rev. Ken Lunsford preached about wayward children on Father’s Day.
      Romans says, But God shows His love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.  So now that we have been made righteous by His blood, we can be even more certain that we will be saved from God’s wrath through Him.
      The picture that the New Testament gives us of God is as a loving parent.  The picture it gives of humanity is of a wayward child.  And the result of that waywardness and that love is the cross of Jesus Christ.
       It is tremendous heartbreak to have a wayward child.  You wait and you worry because that young person is the most important person in your life, more important than your own life.
      The God Jesus revealed to us is a God who waits for His wayward children to come back home.  God will patiently wait and forgive.  He does not disown us as some earthly fathers have.
      There is always hope in a home where forgiveness is present.  There is no love without forgiveness and no forgiveness without love.  They are the two sides of the same coin.
      Do your children know about amazing grace because they have experienced it in your family?
      To contact our church, email the office at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com ,   or call 445-2157.  We would like to hear from you.