November 17, 2019
Hello friends, I have missed writing my news. I have been ill with this and that and then I added the stomach virus to my list. Next, I passed the virus along to Pastor Ken. It was a humbling experience for both of us. I put washing my soiled bed sheets right up there with foot washing.
I missed going to the Annual Charge Conference which was held at Hico First United Methodist Church. On Sunday afternoon, November 10th, Rev. Ken Lunsford and eight local members along with most all of the West District representatives, came together to report on the life of their church and plans for the coming year.
Dublin First and Laurel St. United Methodist Church were recognized for growth in attendance and added members. Each received a check for $300.00 to help with continued growth.
The attendees heard a motivating sermon by our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Lisa Neslony.
Prayers were offered for me, Dr. Harlan Raley, Judy Beckham, Dr. Rodney Snyder, and Neva Smith’s son, Mike Hancock.
Lisa Leatherwood is going for a regular check-up and Conner Moore is going to be interviewed for medical school. We pray for a successful outcome for them.
The Community Thanksgiving Service is at Dublin First Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Michael Hannah of Greens Creek United Methodist will bring the sermon. Refreshments will follow the service in the fellowship hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to worship the Lord with many friends and neighbors.
Community Table was early this month, we had it this Wednesday. The ham, macaroni and cheese supper was great! There are no meal deliveries on 11-27.
We are scheduled to decorate the church for Christmas on 12-3 at 1:00 p.m. This can be a joyous event if you have enough help.
When Jesus was asked by a scribe which commandment is the first of all, He answered, “The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe replied to Jesus, “Well said teacher, you are right.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
That’s where I want to live, don’t you, near to the kingdom of God?
In His answer to this question, Jesus boils all the Law, the Commandments and all the teachings of the prophets down into one word; Love.
It’s easy to be a Christian if that means keeping the “thou shall nots” of the law. And it is easy to come to worship from time to time and put some money in the offering plate. We can wait for the hurting people to come to us and we can apply a few Band-Aids………... But friends, that is not love.
Every time we perform an act of love, we glorify Christ.