Wednesday, 11-30 was the “Hanging of the Greens”at our church. It is hard work, but always a lot of fun and worth the effort.
Stormy Armstrong was the “supervisor” of the activities with an assist from Nancy Wooldridge. These ladies directed a small task force of folks who climbed ladders, balanced themselves on the armrest of pews, strung lights and hung decorations. Two members who joined our congregation just this year were there to help from beginning to end; they are Karen Miller and her son John.
Stormy sends a big thank you to everyone who helped decorate. She has done the job in years past with no help except from her husband Rodney.
While the inside of the church was busy, another crew was decorating the float for the Christmas Parade. Ray LaBaume pulled the float for us and we appreciate the use of his pickup. Several adults and children rode the float in the parade.
During Sunday’s service we had the lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle. Khristi Gordon and her children Kaitlyn and Corbin along with her
parents, Karen and Ricky Rowe gave the reading and lit the candles.
We learned that Jill Moore’s mother, Jo Ann Pate, is taking more chemo treatments. But Jill said Jo Ann has a good prognosis and things are looking better.
Lynn Neff was added to our prayer list.
Our congregation extends sympathy to the family of Ernest Shillingburg Jr.
This congregation was deeply concerned to learn of the injuries sustained to five Dublin area teenagers in two separate automobile accidents. All of the young people and their families are in our prayers.
“Prepare the Way” was the itle of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
John the Baptist was unique, even from the very beginning. His mother, Elizabeth, was Mary’s cousin and much past child bearing age when Jon was born. John did not seem to be the kind of person to make friends and influence people. Yet this was God’s unlikely servant chosen to herald the spectacular events that would soon come to pass.
John prepared the way by living a godly life and spoke out fearlessly against every form of corruption. The World has no answer to the godly
life.
Several years ago a communist newspaper reporter was conducting an in depth study of a Roman Catholic order of Nuns working in Paris, France. The tough reporter, Pierre Giraud, was sure the good works and apparent tenderness of these women were just a cover for getting financial support. He asked to accompany one of the Nuns during a typical day. She took him to a rundown neighborhood to the basement of a house where a man was terminally ill. The dirt, smell and conditions were grim even for this seasoned reporter. The man was lying on a bundle of rags and he was filthy dirty. The Nun rolled up her sleeves, filled a bowl with water and
began to wash the sick man. The man trembled and whimpered, “Sister I am frightened.” The reporter said ‘I stared in unbelief as this refined, cultured woman took that wreck of a man in her arms and held him like a baby. The hovel became heaven because love was there.”
Again I say the world has no answer to the godly life. The only answer is to try and find the secret of it, imitate it, and hope others will come to know it themselves. That’s how John prepared. John saw something which others had not recognized. This wild man from the wilderness saw into the heart of his nation and into the mind of His God. John has left this insight for us and our children. “Behold” he cries as he sees Jesus approaching the river Jordan. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
This Advent we salute the forerunner who prepared the way by challenging the people’s sins. Are we ready to share his work and mission?
A beautiful candlelight service is planned at First United Methodist for Christmas Eve, December 24. Please come and bring your family or your neighbors.
Stormy Armstrong was the “supervisor” of the activities with an assist from Nancy Wooldridge. These ladies directed a small task force of folks who climbed ladders, balanced themselves on the armrest of pews, strung lights and hung decorations. Two members who joined our congregation just this year were there to help from beginning to end; they are Karen Miller and her son John.
Stormy sends a big thank you to everyone who helped decorate. She has done the job in years past with no help except from her husband Rodney.
While the inside of the church was busy, another crew was decorating the float for the Christmas Parade. Ray LaBaume pulled the float for us and we appreciate the use of his pickup. Several adults and children rode the float in the parade.
During Sunday’s service we had the lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle. Khristi Gordon and her children Kaitlyn and Corbin along with her
parents, Karen and Ricky Rowe gave the reading and lit the candles.
We learned that Jill Moore’s mother, Jo Ann Pate, is taking more chemo treatments. But Jill said Jo Ann has a good prognosis and things are looking better.
Lynn Neff was added to our prayer list.
Our congregation extends sympathy to the family of Ernest Shillingburg Jr.
This congregation was deeply concerned to learn of the injuries sustained to five Dublin area teenagers in two separate automobile accidents. All of the young people and their families are in our prayers.
“Prepare the Way” was the itle of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon.
John the Baptist was unique, even from the very beginning. His mother, Elizabeth, was Mary’s cousin and much past child bearing age when Jon was born. John did not seem to be the kind of person to make friends and influence people. Yet this was God’s unlikely servant chosen to herald the spectacular events that would soon come to pass.
John prepared the way by living a godly life and spoke out fearlessly against every form of corruption. The World has no answer to the godly
life.
Several years ago a communist newspaper reporter was conducting an in depth study of a Roman Catholic order of Nuns working in Paris, France. The tough reporter, Pierre Giraud, was sure the good works and apparent tenderness of these women were just a cover for getting financial support. He asked to accompany one of the Nuns during a typical day. She took him to a rundown neighborhood to the basement of a house where a man was terminally ill. The dirt, smell and conditions were grim even for this seasoned reporter. The man was lying on a bundle of rags and he was filthy dirty. The Nun rolled up her sleeves, filled a bowl with water and
began to wash the sick man. The man trembled and whimpered, “Sister I am frightened.” The reporter said ‘I stared in unbelief as this refined, cultured woman took that wreck of a man in her arms and held him like a baby. The hovel became heaven because love was there.”
Again I say the world has no answer to the godly life. The only answer is to try and find the secret of it, imitate it, and hope others will come to know it themselves. That’s how John prepared. John saw something which others had not recognized. This wild man from the wilderness saw into the heart of his nation and into the mind of His God. John has left this insight for us and our children. “Behold” he cries as he sees Jesus approaching the river Jordan. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
This Advent we salute the forerunner who prepared the way by challenging the people’s sins. Are we ready to share his work and mission?
A beautiful candlelight service is planned at First United Methodist for Christmas Eve, December 24. Please come and bring your family or your neighbors.
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