The Lord’s Acre Fish Fry is quickly approaching, it will be on November 14 at 5:30 p.m.  We have some great silent auction items to offer.       Members with birthdays this month are Judy Lunsford, November 2, Alford Havens, the 6th, Kristi Gordon, the 11th, Jeanne Wendt, the 18th, Pastor Ken Lunsford, the 21st, and Juanita Duncan, the 22nd.
      Some Sunday guests have left our church donations to the Food Pantry and this was deeply appreciated.  This is a busy time of year for the Food Pantry and all other food banks. 
     Our congregation extends sympathy to the family and friends of JoAnn Conner Pate who passed away last week.  The Clay Annex was used for the dinner prepared for JoAnn’s family.  JoAnn was our friend and we love her and the family she and Joe Bob raised.
     Laura Leatherwood read a lengthy scripture lesson from Revelations 21:1-27.  This scripture gives an in-depth description of heaven and the New Jerusalem.
     It begins with, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”  And it ends with
“Its gates will never be shut by day, and there will be no night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is vile and deceitful, but only those who are registered in the Lamb’s scroll of life.”
     Pastor Ken said there is a quartet song with these words, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” 
     There will be wonders beyond description in heaven but one thing it will never be is a let-down.
     Paul tells us in First Corinthians “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
     When Jesus was born, He was called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” When we reach Heaven; by God’s mercy in Christ, we shall see Emmanuel face to face and spend eternity with His selfless love.

We served delicious baked potatoes and salad at Community Table on Wednesday and the yummy, gooey desserts were great!  It was truly a community effort because it took a dozen cooks and helpers to do what Stormy Armstrong accomplishes.  Stormy was working the early election, so the rest of us “filled in” for her.     Now we move on to plan and work for the Lord’s Acre on November 14 at 5:30 p.m.  We are having a fish fry and silent auction that evening.  Tickets are available for a donation of $10 for adults and $5.00 for children.  Ask someone who attended last year how good the fish were that Raymond Salinas cooked.
     November 4 is Administrative Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.  All members are welcome to attend and hear the church’s business as they “wrap up” 2015 and prepare for a new year.
     As the time of year for “Special” giving nears I am going to make a donation to the carpet fund. Our beautiful, new red carpet is paid for, but the “rainy day” account needs to be repaid.  I will make it in memory of my mother, Lois Noel Hoover, who was a member of our congregation for 62 years.  Do you have a loved one to honor or remember?   
     Our congregation is thankful that Brady Moore’s broken foot healed enough for him to return as quarterback for the high school team.  The Dublin Lions won an important game last week and we are proud of all the players.
     JoAnn Pate is out of the hospital and in Senior Care Nursing Home in Stephenville.  Let’s keep her in our prayers and go by for a visit.
     Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the families of Charles Brown and L. E. Malone.  Hamburger nights will not be the same without them.
     Kevin Caraway preached for us Sunday and his beautiful daughter, Courtney, operated the power point presentation.  Kevin titled his sermon “Words; Tearing Down or Building Up.” 
     Ephesians 4:29 was the inspiration for Kevin’s lesson. 
     The words we use have the capacity to wilt another human being or cause them to flourish.  We can crush or uplift.  “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”  These are the words of St. Paul and intended for several churches.  It emphasizes unity and harmony in Christ in the church and family. 
     Kevin read us a true story written by a man about his home town.  The man told about going to school with a boy named Henry who had learning disabilities and was made fun of by his classmates.  The writer was ashamed that he too had said unkind things to Henry.
     The Book of James says we use our tongue to bless the Lord and Father, and with it we also curse those who are made in the likeness of God.  James tells us, “My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”
     Kevin talked about “Kharis,” the Greek work for the type of grace that is undeserved.  If we want this kind of grace from our Lord then we should extend this grace to those around us.
           
 

Pastor Ken Lunsford is participating in a “Walk to Emmaus” this week-end in Glen Rose at Glen Lake Camp.  Pastor Ken enjoys working with the “Pilgrims” on theses retreats and always comes home with his “batteries recharged!”     Kevin Caraway, our good friend from Deleon First United Methodist Church will preach for Rev. Lunsford at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday.   Pat Leatherwood will give the lesson at Laurel St. United Methodist Church at 9:00 a.m. Sunday.
     Community Table for October falls on the 28th.  More and more people are coming by to have supper with us and we are glad to see them.
     In November Community Table has been moved up a week to the 18th due to Thanksgiving, so help us get the word out.    
     The Lord’s Acre is coming in November.  We will have a fish fry and Raymond Salinas will once again do the cooking.  Oh yum!
     Our scripture was from Mark 10: 35-45.  This story takes place in the last week of Jesus life and still His disciples do not fully understand Jesus’ purpose.
     James and John ask to sit at the right and left of Jesus when He enters His glory. Jesus replies to them, “You do not know what you are asking.”  He goes on to say that, “Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give His life to liberate many people.”
     Jesus in service to all mankind offered His life as ransom for the captivity to sin we are held in. Position, power, and prestige won’t free us. Can we humble ourselves and give our lives to God?  Then our Lord can do great things through us and for us.
     Go back to church this Sunday, swallow your pride, settle your differences, and worship in fellowship where ever your membership is.
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     The Ladies Bible Study group had fun and got a Bible drill this past Monday.  Juanita Duncan had us jumping from the Old Testament and tying it into the New and vice-versa. We are learning about the challenges the Hebrews faced while wandering in the desert.  God was teaching them to live together as He intends.  The section we are currently on is titled “The Mountain of God” and explains when Moses received The Ten Commandments.  These are on DVD and Ray Vander Laan guides us into the actual places much of this history happened!  We meet on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and guests are welcome, bring your favorite Bible or we have a stack of them for ladies who forget, such as me.
     Jim Denn had a birthday on the 10th and Elise Leatherwood Hall has hers on the 31st.
     Michael Haley brought his two young grandsons with him to services.  They had been out early bow-hunting white tailed deer, but missed their shot.  Bow season starts before gun season.
     Lisa Leatherwood read the scripture lesson Sunday from Mark 10: 17-31.
     Rev. Ken Lunsford said that this message from the Book of Mark comes both to a rich young ruler and to the disciples.  The young man ran up to Jesus, knelt before Him, and asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus told the young ruler, “You lack one thing. You should go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor.”  The fellow went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.  The disciples were amazed at hearing this and asked Jesus, “Then who can be saved?”   Jesus answered “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 
     Being excited about religion is not the same as trusting in Christ as Savior.  What is the one thing that keeps you from Jesus Christ?  We should divest ourselves of what hinders us from finding true security in Christ.  Invest in the kingdom of God, which is the only thing that will last.  
     Check out “The Starfish Throwers” Facebook page and remember Community Table on October 28 at our church.
 
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