First United Methodist Church News
December 25 & 29, 2019
Our Christmas Eve service was wonderful, and the congregation wants to thank everyone who worked to make it a success.
The lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ candle was done by the Salinas family, Raymond, Adrienne, Joe and Jaxon.
The Christmas story from Luke was read by Tyler Harrell, Ally Leatherwood, Jaden Harrell, Noah Harrell, Joe Salinas, and Silas Leatherwood read from the Book of John.
Leta Sage sang “Heaven Rejoices” and Julia Broussard sang “O Holy Night.”
Rev. Ken Lunsford preached a short sermon titled “Joy!” Then we departed the sanctuary with a lighted candle while singing “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
The refreshment table contained the largest “spread” we have ever served. The refreshment ladies did their usual great job, but other members brought extra food. Attendees stayed and visited and remarked how nice everything was.
The left-over cookies were packed for January Community Table and while Patty Hirst was straitening up the kitchen, she found a big box full of cookies already in plastic bags. It was a blessing
that made us laugh. Patty and I stored many cookies in the deep freeze.
Last Sunday, Jeanne Wendt served as our Worship Leader, she read the scripture lesson from Matthew 2:13-23.
Pat Beaty was well enough to play the piano for us. Pat was too ill to sing for us on Christmas Eve.
It seemed everyone at church, including Pastor Ken, had a cough or stuffy nose. There was much coughing and clearing of the head before each hymn was sung. Pastor Ken said we had a chorus going!
Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Wanda Weible and Joe Hallmark.
“Back to the Real World” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
Pastor Jon Walton said, “Nothing is as over as Christmas when it’s over.” Life has come back to normal, whatever that is. Whenever all the pretty lights and decorations are packed away, what is left? Still war and unrest in Iraq and Afghanistan, problems with homeless people, influenza, and terrible weather in parts of our nation.
There is an inevitable letdown. But Mary and Joseph and the baby weren’t allowed to reside permanently in Bethlehem, and neither can we. It’s back to the real world for us. But our world does not compare to the world the Holy Family lived in. They dealt with a time where a cruel tyrant could order all infants and toddlers to be put to death. There were no jets to take them to Egypt, the back of a donkey or possibly on foot, would have to do. Joseph did as the Lord told him to do, he trusted God.
Why did Jesus come down to us? For one reason and one reason only! We read in John 3:16, that God so Loved the World!! Love came down at Christmas!
The manger was just the beginning of God’s plan, there is much to be done. The baby must become a man, He must teach us His ways, then we must teach the world. We must trust God. We must Love the Lord our God with all our Heart, Mind, Strength and Soul and Love our neighbor as our self! We need to take care of those we love, and we should love our neighbor, All our neighbors! Let us remember the world to whom Christ came and for which He died.
Thanks for reading!
December 25 & 29, 2019
Our Christmas Eve service was wonderful, and the congregation wants to thank everyone who worked to make it a success.
The lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christ candle was done by the Salinas family, Raymond, Adrienne, Joe and Jaxon.
The Christmas story from Luke was read by Tyler Harrell, Ally Leatherwood, Jaden Harrell, Noah Harrell, Joe Salinas, and Silas Leatherwood read from the Book of John.
Leta Sage sang “Heaven Rejoices” and Julia Broussard sang “O Holy Night.”
Rev. Ken Lunsford preached a short sermon titled “Joy!” Then we departed the sanctuary with a lighted candle while singing “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
The refreshment table contained the largest “spread” we have ever served. The refreshment ladies did their usual great job, but other members brought extra food. Attendees stayed and visited and remarked how nice everything was.
The left-over cookies were packed for January Community Table and while Patty Hirst was straitening up the kitchen, she found a big box full of cookies already in plastic bags. It was a blessing
that made us laugh. Patty and I stored many cookies in the deep freeze.
Last Sunday, Jeanne Wendt served as our Worship Leader, she read the scripture lesson from Matthew 2:13-23.
Pat Beaty was well enough to play the piano for us. Pat was too ill to sing for us on Christmas Eve.
It seemed everyone at church, including Pastor Ken, had a cough or stuffy nose. There was much coughing and clearing of the head before each hymn was sung. Pastor Ken said we had a chorus going!
Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Wanda Weible and Joe Hallmark.
“Back to the Real World” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
Pastor Jon Walton said, “Nothing is as over as Christmas when it’s over.” Life has come back to normal, whatever that is. Whenever all the pretty lights and decorations are packed away, what is left? Still war and unrest in Iraq and Afghanistan, problems with homeless people, influenza, and terrible weather in parts of our nation.
There is an inevitable letdown. But Mary and Joseph and the baby weren’t allowed to reside permanently in Bethlehem, and neither can we. It’s back to the real world for us. But our world does not compare to the world the Holy Family lived in. They dealt with a time where a cruel tyrant could order all infants and toddlers to be put to death. There were no jets to take them to Egypt, the back of a donkey or possibly on foot, would have to do. Joseph did as the Lord told him to do, he trusted God.
Why did Jesus come down to us? For one reason and one reason only! We read in John 3:16, that God so Loved the World!! Love came down at Christmas!
The manger was just the beginning of God’s plan, there is much to be done. The baby must become a man, He must teach us His ways, then we must teach the world. We must trust God. We must Love the Lord our God with all our Heart, Mind, Strength and Soul and Love our neighbor as our self! We need to take care of those we love, and we should love our neighbor, All our neighbors! Let us remember the world to whom Christ came and for which He died.
Thanks for reading!
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