May 6, 2018
This coming Sunday is Pentecost! Wear red to church and remember the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Ken Lunsford recognized all the mothers in the congregation Sunday.
Next, he wanted to know who had the youngest child present, and that was four-month-old Alena. The child is Lee and Betty Lusk’s great-granddaughter. Pastor Ken presented her parents a study Bible.
Pastor Ken asked who had traveled the greatest distance to be with us and that was Maxine Baker who is from Pasadena, Texas. She also got a new study Bible.
Jeanne Wendt served as our Worship Leader and she drew our attention to the insert in the bulletin, it was an anonymous poem titled, “When You Thought I wasn’t Looking.” It is a favorite of Jeanne’s and she furnished it to be copied and distributed to the congregation.
Jeanne’s niece, Bethany Marie Tinsman, has received her master’s degree. Bethany will specialize in Christian Adolescent Counseling.
Neva Smith told us about spending three days visiting with our friend, Kathy Logan in Midland.
Laura Leatherwood spoke about the Christian Women’s Job Core class graduation and how impressed she was with the graduates. The women were thankful for the help they received and gave their Christian witness of faith.
Mike and Mary Haley were happy to have family in church with them. And their grandson Kyler is going to participate in the Texas High School Fishing Tournament!
Pastor Ken told us that Gene Thompson had surgery, but he was doing good.
Lee Lusk’s brother, Alton Lusk, has passed away after an extended illness. Alton’s funeral was in Abilene. The family has our sincere sympathy.
Roxy Volkmer told us her cousin, Jarrod Pierson, has passed away. Jarrod’s family and friends has our sympathy.
There will be a memorial service Saturday for Volney Edward McKay in the First United Methodist Church.
The scripture lesson was John 17:6-19 and Rev. Ken Lunsford titled his sermon, Make Them Holy in the Truth!
In our text today from John, Christ is praying for the church. Jesus loved the church like a mother loves her child. He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane for you and me: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.”
It was important to Christ that the church, His body, remain unified after He was gone. Considering the present fragmentation of the Christian community, Christ is probably still praying that same prayer today.
What does hold us all together? First, we believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe we can know and experience God. We are united by our love for one another and the love for whom we serve. It is in Christ’s steps that we walk. And we have love for those we are trying to save, the world for which Christ died.