There is an All Laity meeting with our Central Texas Conference Bishop on 11-26 at 6:30 p.m. in Stephenville at First Methodist Church.
The First United Methodist Lord’s Acre Dinner will be on Saturday, 12-7 at 5:00 p.m. The dinner is open to the community and there is no set charge. It will be by donation only. Pay as you are able. We will have an auction of baked goods that evening. So mark your calendar and come on out.
Stormy Armstrong is researching the history of harvest festivals and their original meaning and purpose. Stormy is writing in-depth article on the subject for the Citizen.
Items for silent auction are still available in the foyer. Most are under $100 in value. There are things you don’t see in this area. Also there are practical things such as half a cord of wood. The church is open till noon except on holidays such as Thanksgiving.
It was announced that “The Hanging of The Greens” will be on Tuesday, 12-3. That can be hard work but it is great fun also, so anyone that can help decorate for Christmas join in to help.
When celebrations were called for Pat Leatherwood told us how interesting it had been to work the Six Man Football Playoff game held here at our Memorial Stadium last Saturday afternoon. Pat said he was tired and sore from running around with the down marker. Pastor Ken Lunsford volunteered to help and he carried the down chain and pole. Pastor Ken said a bunch of big guys was running his way and he dropped the pole and ran backwards, but not fast enough, he got spiked on top of his foot. He said it sure hurt.
So why were these men laughing about being cold, sore, and injured? Maybe because they made sure some teenagers got a fair game.
Annette Cleveland spoke to us about the Food Pantry holiday bags. She said she was truly amazed at the generosity of people in our church and our community.
Annette said the goal was met and surpassed and she wanted to thank everyone who gave money or food.
Barbara Stevens served as our Worship Leader last Sunday. Barbara did a great job; she is usually behind the scene actively helping with church projects.
Lisa Leatherwood gave the children’s program for her sister-in-law, Laura. Laura was on an outing with her grandchildren.
Lisa talked about the Pilgrims and the hardship they faced in the new world. The crossing on the Mayflower was difficult and the first winter many of the group died.
Squanto a friendly Native American helped to teach the Pilgrims how to successfully plant corn. They had such a good harvest of corn and other crops they gave a 3 day thanksgiving celebration and invited their Indian friends.
Lisa gave a lesson about the 5 kernels of corn the pilgrims set by their plates. The first one means God loves us, the second that God provides for us, the third stands for thanks for friends like Squanto, the fourth stand for all the people that love us, and the fifth stands for God hears our prayers.
Lisa gave out a little package of 5 corn kernels and a plastic bag of popcorn.
Leta Sage did an Offertory Special of “The King Is coming” that was outstanding. It moved us down to our soul which was what it was intended to do.
Pastor Ken prayed for Don Pendleton and Wilson Sanders by name and many others during his pastoral prayer.
“A King Like None Other!” was the title of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. The sermon was about the crucifixion of Jesus.
Pastor Ken said the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion shows us what Christ’s kingship was all about. He was crucified between two criminals. Matthew call them thieves. Luke uses a word that means professional criminals.
Some people are horrified that the Son of God should die in the presence of such men. But friends, these criminals were the people Jesus came to save. Jesus declared in Luke 19:10 “I have come to seek and save that which is lost.”
Remember that every time you are tempted to look down on another human being. Jesus looks at them as a lost brother or sister who needs help.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Don’t you want him to reign in your life today?