First United Methodist Church News
June 14, 2015
Pastor Ken Lunsford and Ray LaBaume traveled to Granbury last Saturday on church business and had to miss all the Dublin Reunion activities.
Mary Haley was our Worship Leader for last Sunday, she read the scripture and gave the announcements. Michael Haley operated the power point and they both did a great job, stepping into their roles on a moment’s notice.
The congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to Mary Haley who will be celebrating on June 29.
Melba Rasberry had almost a pew full of guests with her last Sunday, she was smiling from “ear to ear.”
Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Sidney Fine and Leon Turney.
Rev. Ken Lunsford was ill this past Sunday and could not preach, so yours truly, Judy Lunsford stepped in for him. The decision was made at 4 A.M. that I should be ready to serve at Laurel St. United Methodist and Dublin First United Methodist Church.
My sermon was titled “What God’s Kingdom is Like!” The message was from Mark 4: 26-34. In these verses of Mark, Jesus is explaining in a parable what God’s Kingdom is like. He compares it to a sower scattering seeds on the ground. Jesus says, “The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Next Jesus uses a parable about a small mustard seed to teach about the Kingdom of God. He told that a mustard seed which is the smallest of seeds can grow a large shrub, so large that the birds can make their nests in its shade.
In this modern day and age it is still a mystery what causes seeds to sprout. The sower in Jesus’ story did not understand why they sprouted, he only had faith that they would, in time, bring a harvest. And so far scientist have not been able to create a synthetic seed and make it grow.
It is our task now to plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom. We don’t know if they will take hold, but that should not discourage us. Growth takes place because of God’s initiative not our manipulations.
We need to be patient and not give up, because growth takes longer than we may expect. God works in ways we don’t understand, often hidden from our view. The story of the mustard seed is encouragement for us. There is still hope, God is with us even when our efforts are frustrated. Remember God is the source of growth and something that starts out small will blossom into something huge.
Have you some seed you could scatter today? How about unconditional love and encouragement.
June 14, 2015
Pastor Ken Lunsford and Ray LaBaume traveled to Granbury last Saturday on church business and had to miss all the Dublin Reunion activities.
Mary Haley was our Worship Leader for last Sunday, she read the scripture and gave the announcements. Michael Haley operated the power point and they both did a great job, stepping into their roles on a moment’s notice.
The congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to Mary Haley who will be celebrating on June 29.
Melba Rasberry had almost a pew full of guests with her last Sunday, she was smiling from “ear to ear.”
Our congregation extends sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Sidney Fine and Leon Turney.
Rev. Ken Lunsford was ill this past Sunday and could not preach, so yours truly, Judy Lunsford stepped in for him. The decision was made at 4 A.M. that I should be ready to serve at Laurel St. United Methodist and Dublin First United Methodist Church.
My sermon was titled “What God’s Kingdom is Like!” The message was from Mark 4: 26-34. In these verses of Mark, Jesus is explaining in a parable what God’s Kingdom is like. He compares it to a sower scattering seeds on the ground. Jesus says, “The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Next Jesus uses a parable about a small mustard seed to teach about the Kingdom of God. He told that a mustard seed which is the smallest of seeds can grow a large shrub, so large that the birds can make their nests in its shade.
In this modern day and age it is still a mystery what causes seeds to sprout. The sower in Jesus’ story did not understand why they sprouted, he only had faith that they would, in time, bring a harvest. And so far scientist have not been able to create a synthetic seed and make it grow.
It is our task now to plant the seeds of God’s Kingdom. We don’t know if they will take hold, but that should not discourage us. Growth takes place because of God’s initiative not our manipulations.
We need to be patient and not give up, because growth takes longer than we may expect. God works in ways we don’t understand, often hidden from our view. The story of the mustard seed is encouragement for us. There is still hope, God is with us even when our efforts are frustrated. Remember God is the source of growth and something that starts out small will blossom into something huge.
Have you some seed you could scatter today? How about unconditional love and encouragement.
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