The First United Methodist Church
First Methodist Church Dublin, Texas
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September 20, 2015

9/24/2015

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      Today, Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. we will meet at the First United Methodist Church parking lot to load up our trailers for the big rummage sale on Saturday September 26.  Anyone able to help load would be welcome to join us. We start the rummage sale bright and early at 7:00 a.m. in front of Armstrong Automotive on N. Patrick. 

      Saturday, September 19, Laura Leatherwood and Pastor Ken Lunsford traveled to Waco for an in depth seminar on safety in church. We all appreciate Laura’s resolve for making the drive to Waco and staying all day so soon after her surgery.

     The Ladies Bible Study continues on Mondays at 10:00 a.m.

     Lee and Betty Lusk were pleased to have their lovely granddaughter, Candace, attend church with them.

     Our congregation extends our sincere sympathy to the family of Marjorie Bone. 

     Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, “Pride, the Destroyer.”  Our scripture lesson was from Mark 9: 30-37.

     The disciples had been arguing among themselves on their way to Capernaum. Jesus was walking with them.  When they had come into a house Jesus asked them what they were debating.  They did not want to answer since they were discussing who among them was the greatest.  Jesus already knew what the discussion was, so He sat down and called the Twelve together. Notice Jesus did not stand and lecture or chastise them, Jesus explained that, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  He is not condemning their ambition, it is an impulse given to us by God to help us better our lives. But Jesus is telling us if you want to be first with God then get in the habit of stooping low.  Reach down to give a hand to someone in need. Sacrifice your wants for the needs of another. Practice the art of humility.  To illustrate this, Jesus embraces a small child and says, “Whoever welcomes one of these little ones in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

     Pride by its very nature sets itself up in competition with God who made us. It supplants who God is and what He has done to redeem us on Christ’s cross and replaces it with a “me-first” mentality. God alone created us and anything good about us.

     Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”  God will exalt all who surrender their pride at the foot of Jesus’ cross.

    Email Pastor Ken at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com or contact our office at secretaryoffice@embarqmail.com , or call 254-445-2157.

      

 

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September 13, 2015

9/18/2015

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      I failed to mention last week that the two beautiful fresh cut flower arrangements beside the altar were loaned to the congregation by Laura Jones.  They were from James Fritts’ funeral.

     Judy Lunsford served as Worship Leader and read “Thank You” cards from Laura Jones, Ola Mae LaBaume, and Laura Leatherwood.  These ladies were thankful for the love, support, and visits from Pastor Ken and members of the congregation.

     Jacob McCarley operated the power point for us, he is Pastor Ken and Judy Lunsford’s grandson. Jacob is not a member, but he will be a regular visitor at First United Methodist while attending Tarleton University.

     We were pleased to have at least seven visitors with us last Sunday!  Doris Morton brought two great-granddaughters who were such little ladies.

     Laura Jones was joined in church by her daughter Janna, and a prettier pair of bookends would be hard to find. But then a few rows behind them sat Melba Rasberry and her daughter Brenda, and Norma Sharp was seated with her daughter Donna, so it was impossible to pick a winner!  And we had two guests who were just “testing the water” to see what we are all about.

     We sang “Happy Birthday” to our September babies and then wished “Happy Anniversary” to James and Leta Sage.

     After the service there was a reception in the foyer for Norma Sharp to honor her birthday.  We enjoyed cupcakes and punch.  Norma later had a big family dinner at her home given by her children.

     Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon carried the theme of “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me.”

     Pastor Ken asked us “Why must we carry a cross?”  Well first we must be reminded we are not the center of the Universe.  Our suffering is part of our discipleship as Christians. Jesus said, “So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has; cannot be my disciple.” 

     We carry a cross to remind us that there are others who suffer and that we must fight for justice in the lives of others. It is a sad episode in the life of the church that it has perpetrated horrific crimes against humanity. And we carry a cross to remind us that we are in part, responsible for Jesus’ cross.

We identify with Christ on the cross, rather than the people below, the ones that crucified Him.

     The old spiritual gives the refrain “were you there when they crucified my Lord?’  If we answer honestly then, yes, I was there.  And sometimes it does cause me to tremble. You can lay down the cross you have been given to bear and live with no challenges or take it up and be transformed.  The choice is yours.  But I encourage you to take it up and follow Him!

     The new Bible study titled “Fire on the Mountain” started on Monday, September 14.  Juanita Duncan did a great job leading us.  We will meet on Tuesday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. then revert back to Mondays for the rest of the series.

     If you won’t attend church because it is just full of hypocrites, then you and your friends need to go and pack the place!  Over run it, sit on boards, be part of a committee.  Take it over and run it like a good Christian church should operate. Oh yeah, you just do that.  Re think church.  

 

 

 

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September 6, 2015

9/8/2015

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First United Methodist Church News

September 06, 2015

 

     The rummage sale for September 5  was cancelled in respect for James Fritts. The sale is rescheduled for September 26, starting at 7:00 a.m. is  We will set up at Armstrong Automotive on N. Patrick St. We have something for everyone. I have already shopped the barn and bought shoes, sandals, and a pair of boots.

      We have windows installed in the door to the Pastors office and all the classroom doors.  The windows are part of a safety program to prevent the child abuse that has occurred in other churches and schools.  And we want to thank Lee Lusk for doing such a professional job.

     Juanita Duncan informed the congregation that a new Bible study titled “Fire on the Mountain” will begin on Monday, September 14.  Juanita is teaching the class which starts at 10:00 a.m.

     Ola Mae LaBaume is home from the hospital and feeling much better. Mary Haley had a good report from her doctor.  And Brady Moore is healing from a football injury. 

     Barbara Stevens told the congregation that after church she going to a big birthday party for Jaden Harrell who turns 11 years old! 

     David Cleveland’s birthday was September 7 and Norma Sharp’s will be on September 18.

     Our congregation extends their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of James Fritts.

     Kathy Logan thanked the ladies who made desserts for the luncheon for the Fritts family held at the First Baptist Church of Dublin. 

     Instead of passing the offering plate, baskets were set at the doors to the Sanctuary.  These are old garden baskets that were found in Pastor Ken’s barn.

     “No Mercy for Those that Have Not Shown Mercy” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. Our scripture lesson was from James 2:1-17.

     This section of James admonishes us to treat all people with kindness. It says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

     The author of James is writing to us in the church and he’s asking whether we pass judgement on people according to their economic status, a practice that is quite common. We assume that wealthy people deserve it and those living in poverty are the result of laziness, substance abuse, or poor management. 

     A few of you, particularly among our older members, come from the “working poor.”  Many people today have the same situation, they may be working two jobs trying their best to care for their families.  They deserve our admiration, not our scorn and where possible, even our help.

 

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August 09, 2015

9/8/2015

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This Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15 the First United Methodist Church in Stephenville is having a Garage Sale to benefit Tarleton Wesley.  Let’s support this good cause that ministers to Tarleton students.       August 19 there is an Administrative Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Clay Annex and all members are welcome to attend whether or not you are a committee chairperson.

     Our big rummage sale is set for Saturday, September 5 from 7:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. in front of Rodney Armstrong’s business on N. Patrick St.  We will need plenty of help with the sale, so save that date and be there or get someone to fill in for you.

     Stormy Armstrong was our Worship Leader last Sunday.  Stormy told the congregation about the wonderful family vacation she and Rodney took to Walt Disney World with their children and grandchildren. 

      We sang “Happy Birthday” to our members celebrating in August.  Neva Smith and Melba Rasberry shared a birthday on August 6.  Ola Mae LaBaume‘s is today, August 13.  Joe Salinas’ is the 22 and Barbara Stevens is the 25. 

      Jim and Laura Leatherwood had an anniversary on August 7 and Ray and Ola Mae LaBaume will celebrate on the 28.

      Our scripture lesson was from Ephesians 4:25-5:2, the Common English Version was used.  Rev. Ken Lunsford took his sermon from these verses and titled it “Imitate God or Be Nice!” 

      St Paul’s words sound like he has been watching our modern day news programs or a political debate. 

      Paul tells us, “Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor because we are parts of each other in the same body.  Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil.  Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need. Don’t let foul words come out of your mouth.  Only say what is helpful when needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear you say it.”

      Paul goes on to say that we should not make the Holy Spirit unhappy.  He says we need to put aside all bitterness, loss of temper, anger, shouting, and slander.  We should be kind, compassionate, and forgiving in the same way God forgave us in Christ!   Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children.  Pastor Ken thought this first part sounded like Congress.

      If we have any of these destructive emotions we need to pray for help to be rid of them.  Do you know that an angry person is far more likely to have a heart attack or stroke?  If you want to be better than you are right now, spend time with someone who embodies the virtues you want to acquire.  If you choose a spiritual role model, I suggest Jesus.  He is the best, most perfect role model you can find.

 

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