Leta Sage, Pat Beaty, Laura Leatherwood and Judy Lunsford rode together to Stephenville High School to see and hear the “For Men Only’ Choir” give a performance. It was very good and the choir received a standing ovation. As we were standing in the aisle to leave the auditorium, we spoke to Rev. Dean and Ruthie Bradley and Kathy Pendleton. It was fun to go out and see good, family entertainment.
We hear through the grapevine that Don Mitchell had an 80th birthday. Well, congratulations!
James and Leta Sage asked for continued prayers for their brother-in-law, Charles Starkey. Charles is facing some difficult heath issues and needs our fervent prayer as does his wife Donna. Donna is Leta’s sister and the daughter of Norma Sharp.
Nancy Wooldridge served as our Worship Leader and Kaitlyn Gordon performed as acolyte. We appreciate their efforts.
Nancy read a letter from the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco thanking our congregation for their Christmas donation.
Nancy also asked for prayers for Dr. Ron Huse who is dealing with serious health problems.
We need to remember Debbie Hammonds and get by to visit her at Golden Age. She misses coming to church, but she fell and can’t get out and go for a while.
Lisa Leatherwood announced that she was very proud of her brothers and sisters in First United Methodist. Lisa said everyone she reminded of their supplies to bring for the Community Table Dinner answered “they had already brought them to the kitchen.” We are A-Ok and ready for blast off!
Laura Leatherwood brought a cell phone to Children’s Time. She asked the youngsters how many things can you do with a cell phone. They said you can play games and take photos. Laura said you can send pictures to a friend, research a subject, you can call someone and if they don’t answer, you can leave a message.
Laura said that is what Jesus did in the book of Matthew when He asked Andrew and Peter and later James and John to follow Him and be fishers of people. Jesus left us a message, He told us that we all need to be fishing for people. We need to tell our friends about God and Jesus.
Rev. Ken Lunsford preached about “When Christians Don’t Fish!” He based his sermon on Matthew 4: 12-23.
Pastor Ken told a story about Max Lucado. It seems Max, his dad, and a family friend went on a fishing trip, but the weather turned very bad, they had cold wind and then sleet. At first they made the best of it reading and telling stories, but eventually they became irritable and edgy. By the time they gave up on fishing and returned home they were flat-out grumpy. Max says “When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.”
Whether we fish for fish or fish for souls, when energy to be used outside is kept inside, the result is explosive. Instead of casting nets, we cast stones. Instead of being fishers of the lost; we become critics of the saved.
Let’s face it; we give lip service to the call to bring people into the family of Christ, like most churches we gave up fishing. Oh we’re willing to accept some if the fish leaps into the boat by itself. But we are not willing to do the hard work it takes to cast the net and pull them in. Remember Max Lucado’s warning: when fishermen don’t fish problems arise. As long as believers are working together for a common goal there is harmony and unity. When work stops the talking starts over who is the greatest.
We have so much to do as the body of Christ. Christ calls us to make a difference. Christ wants us to model His compassion, forgiveness and passion for righting wrongs. What does it say to the un-churched or non-believer if we cannot get along with each other?
It is time we took the risk and got back to our primary task of making disciples of Jesus Christ.