Judy Lunsford served as Worship Leader and read “Thank You” cards from Laura Jones, Ola Mae LaBaume, and Laura Leatherwood. These ladies were thankful for the love, support, and visits from Pastor Ken and members of the congregation.
Jacob McCarley operated the power point for us, he is Pastor Ken and Judy Lunsford’s grandson. Jacob is not a member, but he will be a regular visitor at First United Methodist while attending Tarleton University.
We were pleased to have at least seven visitors with us last Sunday! Doris Morton brought two great-granddaughters who were such little ladies.
Laura Jones was joined in church by her daughter Janna, and a prettier pair of bookends would be hard to find. But then a few rows behind them sat Melba Rasberry and her daughter Brenda, and Norma Sharp was seated with her daughter Donna, so it was impossible to pick a winner! And we had two guests who were just “testing the water” to see what we are all about.
We sang “Happy Birthday” to our September babies and then wished “Happy Anniversary” to James and Leta Sage.
After the service there was a reception in the foyer for Norma Sharp to honor her birthday. We enjoyed cupcakes and punch. Norma later had a big family dinner at her home given by her children.
Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon carried the theme of “Take up Your Cross and Follow Me.”
Pastor Ken asked us “Why must we carry a cross?” Well first we must be reminded we are not the center of the Universe. Our suffering is part of our discipleship as Christians. Jesus said, “So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has; cannot be my disciple.”
We carry a cross to remind us that there are others who suffer and that we must fight for justice in the lives of others. It is a sad episode in the life of the church that it has perpetrated horrific crimes against humanity. And we carry a cross to remind us that we are in part, responsible for Jesus’ cross.
We identify with Christ on the cross, rather than the people below, the ones that crucified Him.
The old spiritual gives the refrain “were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ If we answer honestly then, yes, I was there. And sometimes it does cause me to tremble. You can lay down the cross you have been given to bear and live with no challenges or take it up and be transformed. The choice is yours. But I encourage you to take it up and follow Him!
The new Bible study titled “Fire on the Mountain” started on Monday, September 14. Juanita Duncan did a great job leading us. We will meet on Tuesday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. then revert back to Mondays for the rest of the series.
If you won’t attend church because it is just full of hypocrites, then you and your friends need to go and pack the place! Over run it, sit on boards, be part of a committee. Take it over and run it like a good Christian church should operate. Oh yeah, you just do that. Re think church.