We had a chili dog party followed by carol singing in the Clay Annex on 12-19. Those fire grilled wieners were tasty and the carols got us in the Christmas spirit. A big thanks to our pianist, Pat Beaty, for leading us in song.
On Sunday, 12-23, the congregation was blessed to hear Elise Hall sing “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Elise is the daughter of Laura and Jim Leatherwood.
Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon that day “Christ Born anew in Your Heart Today.”
The Candle Light Service on Christmas Eve was beautiful and well received. I believe we never tire of hearing the story of Christ’s birth as told in the Book of Luke. Whether it is little Linus from the Charlie Brown comic strip or a friend from our church reading the words, they are comforting and so dear.
Several members took part in presenting the Christmas program. Then there was finger foods and warm apple juice in the foyer. Thank you to all who worked on this event.
12-30 was a fifth Sunday and of course we had to eat again. There was a covered dish dinner after church.
Pastor Ken’s sermon was “Walking by Faith.” This message was gleaned from the second chapter of Luke. It tells “the rest of the story” of what happened after Jesus’ birth.
Pastor Ken said we who live in freedom and prosperity cannot understand the terror that was in Mary and Joseph’s heart as they fled King Herod. We don’t know what it is to be a refugee in a strange land. What is the message in this ancient story for our lives today?
First, we need to acknowledge that there is no promise in Scripture that things will always go our way just because we follow Jesus. There is no promise that God’s elect will have a smooth road. The “prosperity gospel” has become very popular. Just give your heart to Jesus and you will proper in every way. I suspect if you presented the prosperity gospel to Mary and Joseph, they would
laugh in your face. Mary and Joseph didn’t jet down to Cairo and take up residence at the Hilton Hotel. Life was unimaginably hard for them just as it has been hard for millions of believers in Christ over the centuries since.
We are promised though, that God will always be with us when we follow Jesus. Mary and Joseph were not alone in Egypt. God’s watchful eye was upon them, and God’s hand was beneath them. Mary and Joseph did see the promises of God fulfilled in their lives. They could lean on the Rock that would not fail.
God does not bribe us to be Christians, if He did that would not be walking by faith. No, God allows us to be tried, tested, and sometimes terrified.
I can’t tell you that 2013 will be your best year ever. But I can tell you this: We are never alone while walking by faith, the same God who provided for Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in Egypt is the God who watches over you and me. Happy New Year!
If you have a prayer request call the office at 254-445-2157 or email us at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com
On Sunday, 12-23, the congregation was blessed to hear Elise Hall sing “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Elise is the daughter of Laura and Jim Leatherwood.
Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon that day “Christ Born anew in Your Heart Today.”
The Candle Light Service on Christmas Eve was beautiful and well received. I believe we never tire of hearing the story of Christ’s birth as told in the Book of Luke. Whether it is little Linus from the Charlie Brown comic strip or a friend from our church reading the words, they are comforting and so dear.
Several members took part in presenting the Christmas program. Then there was finger foods and warm apple juice in the foyer. Thank you to all who worked on this event.
12-30 was a fifth Sunday and of course we had to eat again. There was a covered dish dinner after church.
Pastor Ken’s sermon was “Walking by Faith.” This message was gleaned from the second chapter of Luke. It tells “the rest of the story” of what happened after Jesus’ birth.
Pastor Ken said we who live in freedom and prosperity cannot understand the terror that was in Mary and Joseph’s heart as they fled King Herod. We don’t know what it is to be a refugee in a strange land. What is the message in this ancient story for our lives today?
First, we need to acknowledge that there is no promise in Scripture that things will always go our way just because we follow Jesus. There is no promise that God’s elect will have a smooth road. The “prosperity gospel” has become very popular. Just give your heart to Jesus and you will proper in every way. I suspect if you presented the prosperity gospel to Mary and Joseph, they would
laugh in your face. Mary and Joseph didn’t jet down to Cairo and take up residence at the Hilton Hotel. Life was unimaginably hard for them just as it has been hard for millions of believers in Christ over the centuries since.
We are promised though, that God will always be with us when we follow Jesus. Mary and Joseph were not alone in Egypt. God’s watchful eye was upon them, and God’s hand was beneath them. Mary and Joseph did see the promises of God fulfilled in their lives. They could lean on the Rock that would not fail.
God does not bribe us to be Christians, if He did that would not be walking by faith. No, God allows us to be tried, tested, and sometimes terrified.
I can’t tell you that 2013 will be your best year ever. But I can tell you this: We are never alone while walking by faith, the same God who provided for Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in Egypt is the God who watches over you and me. Happy New Year!
If you have a prayer request call the office at 254-445-2157 or email us at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com
RSS Feed