January 6, 2019
Our congregations sincerely hope you had joyous Christmas and a safe, meaningful New Year.
It was an eventful December for both United Methodist Churches here in Dublin.
Pastor Ken Lunsford gave a Christmas talk at the Stephenville Knights Templar Christmas observance and dinner on Monday, 12-17. Next, he conducted the funeral service on 12/20 for his friend and mine, Barbara Stevens. On Sunday, 12/23 he preached at three services, one was a Christmas program and a baptism at Laurel St. UMC.
On Christmas Eve Pastor Ken delivered a moving lesson. On Christmas day we wore our pajamas most of the day and were thankful for our many blessings.
Our congregation provides a meeting place for the local Boy Scouts and they had their Christmas party here on 12/18. The Cub Scouts held their party on 12/20.
In between the scouts, our church and community volunteers were able to use the building for the Community Table on 12/19 and a luncheon for the Stevens family on 12/20.
Congratulations to Gene and DJ Klutts on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They had a beautiful celebration on 12/29 in the Clay Annex. Many of their relatives and friends from Oklahoma and Texas were present.
Stormy Armstrong had knee replacement surgery this past Tuesday in Kerrville. Stormy asks for your prayers for a successful outcome and quick recovery. Her children plan to care for Stormy and they will deserve our fervent prayers also.
I have chosen the Christmas Eve sermon to write about. Rev. Ken Lunsford reminded us that “Love came down at Christmas.” Love came into our world to redeem us from the powers of sin and death.
In Luke’s story the primary attendants to Jesus’ birth are shepherds. Only God would have glorified such a lowly occupation by having them present at the holiest of events. A humble shepherd could say, “I beheld the King of Kings, God Incarnate, the Savior of the World in a manager at Bethlehem.
God takes the lowliest of people and glorifies them. In doing so God teaches us that we should never, regard with disdain any other human being. The scriptures teach us that when we reach out to one of the least of these, we reach out to Christ Himself.
Through the baby of Bethlehem, God made Himself available to all. But don’t worship from a distance, we must welcome His Spirit into our lives. Christ must become part of our very being. Have you taken that step? Invite the Savior in - it will be the definitive moment of your life.
We believe God’s infinite love is available to all, call us at 254-445-2157 or email at fumcdublintxsecretary@gmail.com , or Pastor Ken at fumcdublin630@gmail.com : our website is http://fumcdublintx.com .