Pastor Ken made several phone calls from Colorado to check on the Sunday services and to see how the funeral and family luncheon for Sibyl Hodges were being handled. Everything was taken care of he was assured.
Laura Leatherwood wrote the church news article for the Dublin Citizen that appeared in the 7-12-12 edition. She kept everyone well informed.
This past Sunday Laura Leatherwood also served as Worship Leader and gave the children’s lesson. Laura spoke to the little folks about “Patience” and the need to have patience as we go through life. She told about planting flower seeds as a little girl and being very impatient for them to grow. Laura learned to wait for flowers to grow and to wait upon the Lord. She gave the children some flower seeds and Zinnias that had already bloomed.
After the children finished their lesson in the sanctuary they went with Juanita Duncan to a classroom to learn more about what the Bible says and to make some crafts.
Our ushers for the offertory were David Cleveland and Alford Havens.
Laura and Jim Leatherwood were pleased to announce that their daughter, Elise, is engaged to be married to Mr. Jordan Hall of Comanche.
Judy Lunsford was happy to have her niece, Debbie Noel, visit in church Sunday and JoAnn Ragan had her daughter Debra Milton and great-grandsons Brandon and Tommy Spurger present with her. Brandon will finish his confirmation training with Pastor Ken and plans to be baptized in Dublin before he returns home this summer. Norma Sharp was pleased to bring her son Frank Sharp to services. Frank is like family and has visited with us many times in the past.
Prayers were requested for Andrea Sutton, she is the daughter of C.B. Sutton.
We need to keep Leslie Ethetton in our prayers; he is still recovering from surgery in Abilene Hendricks Hospital.
Stormy Armstrong reported that she and a few friends had been to Abilene to see Leslie and his spirit was still strong. The group took his wife Betty to eat and gave her a respite from her worries. Betty needs our prayers also. Betty’s mother Sibyl Hodges passed away on Friday, July 6 and Leslie’s mother, Sadie Ethetton passed away on Friday June 29. This family has a strong foundation anchored in their faith in Jesus Christ.
Sibyl Hodges’ funeral was held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church on Monday, July 9. Members of her family officiated and provided part of the music. A luncheon was provided to the family in fellowship hall. For Sibyl a long life, well lived, without regret, has come to an end. We may miss her, but she is celebrating.
“Redemption by Adoption!” was the title of Rev. Lunsford’s sermon. The lesson is from Ephesians 1:3-14, it is the writings of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
St. Paul talks about adoption and the people who are adopted are you and me. Paul writes “In love He predestined us for adoption to son-ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.”
Pastor Ken said don’t stumble over the word “Predestined,” we could spend many hours arguing over predestination, determination and free will. The word chosen would better suit our purposes today. Here is the good news: God has chosen us to be His own adopted children.
Adoption is a concept that Paul introduced from his own background as a Roman citizen. Paul says you and I are heirs of every good thing God has.
In God’s sight we look holy and blameless, or put it this way: In God’s eyes, we look as if we have never done anything wrong through Jesus Christ. Holiness is not something we earn, but that which is bestowed on us by God because of what Christ has done in our behalf. In response to that love and grace, we, in turn give God our very best. Love one another as I have loved you Jesus said.
Mark your calendar for July 25; it is a work night at the church starting at 6:00 P.M. July 29 is the fifth Sunday luncheon.
Check out the photos posted online at http://fumcdublintx.weebly.com