2020 is sure making a legend for itself with the COVID - 19 Pandemic and now Racial Strife has again lifted its ugly head. Central Texas Conference Bishop Lowry said:  "Racism is a sickness in our soul. It is a scourge which haunts the best of us."  He said, "Like most of you, Jolynn and I have watched with horror the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery. Many of us are at loss for how to appropriately respond.
This must stop."
I fully agree, I attended Racial Sensitivity and Sexual Harassments training for many years and I thought that people had grown out of that  ignorant way of thinking and living.  My how wrong I was!  Hate in any form is not something that a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ will tolerate in themselves or others.  And the only way to overcome Hate is with LOVE!  I have heard preachers that preach hate and judgement and that is so far above our pay scale that everyone should know that it is not right to behave or talk like that!  You and I don't have the right to judge another.  We can discern and should, especially as to what is right for you and me!  Not be used to measure another!  I Totally Agree with Bishop Lowry, THIS MUST STOP!!!
We adults should be teaching our children and grand children that this is not right!  I hear the ignorant remarks by so many in the coffee shops and other places and I suppose they think they are being cute, I don't know.  But it is not right by any stretch of the mind!  If you are guilty, please STOP and if you hear it from someone, we should attempt to educate!  When we hear our Leaders calling others names and spewing hateful remarks, we should not accept that from them or anyone else.  THAT IS WRONG!  Most 3 year old children know that it is not right to call someone ugly names!
Thanks for reading and I pray that you will find it in your Hearts to do your part to Stop this way of talking and acting.   Grow continually in the LOVE of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit remembering the GRACE that He  has given YOU!  God accepted you with your many flaws and we should do the same to others!

ADDENDUM: 
​I will retire from Pastoring Dublin First United Methodist Church and Laurel St. United Methodist Church on June 30, 2020.  I have had an incredible 10 years here in Dublin and have been blessed in so many ways!  I appreciate everyone that I have had the pleasure to meet, greet and pastor.  You are all Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  My years of Pastoring I have preached against Bullying, Hate, and Judging, because it is wrong and a sin.  I preached Love!  And Christ Crucified for our Salvation and the Salvation of the World!  We do not have the right to Judge others and especially we don't have the right to judge someone based on the color of their skin or language types.  Judging is above our Pay Grade and we need to stop destroying ourselves by practicing that sin.  Every human on earth is a sinner and only by the Grace of God will we enter His Kingdom.  When you point your finger at anyone, remember that you have 3 looking back at yourself.  Please for your own sake LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL, STRENGTH AND  LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!   Practice, Practice and Practice Brotherly Love!
I ask you to welcome Rev. Danny Pelton who will Pastor First United Methodist Church and Laurel St. United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2020.  I ask you to make him welcome and assist him in any way that he needs to be effective at Pastoring in this Community!  Your prayers as well as your presence and witnessing will be rewarding to you as well as this Community!  God's Blessing be upon you!
Your Brother In Christ, Pastor Ken

COVID-19 is continuing to Impact the way we do Church.  We have been studying the "Way Forward" for about a year or more now and we have been told to "Rethink Church!"  So then along comes the virus and immediately we have to change the way we do church!  We have adapted by doing electronic church on Facebook Live at First UMC Dublin TX  and we have received numerous comments regarding its success.  We applied for and received a $1000 grant from the Central Texas Conference Way Forward to purchase a dedicated camera and sound hookup so that our services will continue on air even after we return to in-person worship.  So this has been a blessing that has caused us to seek out and help those that we were not able to reach before.  I ask you to continue to pray for your churches and their leaders so that we can continue positive improvement in "Making Disciples for Jesus Christ".  
With the Governors latest directive, we can go back to in-person worship under certain circumstances.  The Central Texas Conference has requested that we provide hand sanitizer, gloves and masks for those attending.  I have ordered the sanitizer, masks and gloves and they are supposed to be delivered by the first part of June, 2020.  So I expect that we will be able to return to our churches by the first or second Sunday of June, 2020.  We will need to maintain proper spacing, no handshaking, hugs or Holy Kisses until it is safe to do so.  I pray daily for our scientists to find the serum to help us get this monster under control and socializing to become safe again.  Also I have been praying daily for all the Doctors, Nurses, Nurses Aids and Care-givers that are on the front line helping those that have contracted the disease.  I ask you to do the same and every time you think about them, say a prayer for their protection and safety as well as for the strength to continue their work.  May God continue to Bless each of you with His Presence, Peace, Grace, Love and Healing!
Your Brother In Christ,
​Pastor Ken

​March 19, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
 
As we continue to receive communications and information regarding the COVID-19 virus, we are aware of the significant challenges arising on a daily basis.  The virus is spreading rapidly, and there are an increasing number of cases reported throughout the state.  We know the virus is highly contagious and that mitigation is possible with cautious measures. 
 
It is extremely important that we slow the rate of infection in order to allow our health care services to respond appropriately.  If the infection rate increases too quickly, we may not have the health care support required for everyone needing treatment.
With the awareness of so many who depend on our church ministries, we hope you will be mindful of the need to continue to support these ministries and those of your local church. Your prayers, presence (in spirit), gifts (including financial support), service, and witness are still important and needed to sustain and strengthen our ongoing mission. 
Please go to our web page www.fumcdublintx.com and click on the more column then click on the tab Donations and make a one time or repeat times donation.  You may use the “General Account” for Tithes and the “Special Account” for dedicated offerings.  Your information is protected by VANCO and none of your personal information is on the web site or our office.  It goes to VANCO’s secure site and then they make an electronic deposit into our account at the bank.  Our office hours may at some point be reduced but for the time being the office is open Monday-Thursday 9am until 1pm.  If you have any questions as to how to use the electronic giving, please call us and we will help you in any way that we can.
I will continue to record our services on CD’s and if you would like to receive one, just call the office and drop by and pick it up.  In some cases, we can mail them. 
 
Please take precautions to keep yourself, loved ones, congregations, and communities safe. 
 During this health crisis, may we use this time to provide a clear and strong witness for Christ in our community; to truly be the Church.
I give thanks for the creative ways in which so many of you are using online worship experiences.  You offer words of hope and comfort to those who gather for worship on their phone, computer, or tablet.  This week, I am setting up a Facebook account in the Church’s name and will live-stream our Service.  First UMC Dublin Tx.   Please let me know if you watched and also your experience in receiving it.
Some of you I have heard are even reading stories to shut-ins and also children, so that the community you serve will still feel connected to the church during this time of social distancing.  I am proud of your extra efforts and faithful leadership in such a time as this.
NOTICE:  I do ask that you continue to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and we will suspend public worship, as well as other group gatherings, at least until the end of APRIL.  Please follow the CDC guidelines, State guidelines, and the direction of county and city government.  These precautions are not only important for your own safety but for the health and welfare of the entire community.  Social distancing can and will slow the rate of infection in order to allow our health care services to respond appropriately. 
Now is the time for the church to be the Church.  The CDC and the Conference continue to offer resources for faithful and appropriate ways to respond.  Please pray for all those who are infected with this virus and their families; for those who have lost loved ones; for medical personnel who are offering care to those who are sick; for scientists who are working diligently to create a vaccine; for governmental leaders as they make difficult decisions.  Please connect with those who are most vulnerable in your community and help to meet their needs.  In a powerful email which I received late last week, Matthew Till reminds us that we also have the opportunity to “use time in social distancing as an extended period of sabbath rest through reading, prayer, abiding in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and connecting with loved ones in your home. Your soul needs it and God will use it for God’s glory.”
Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, we find ourselves in unchartered territory.  However, the God who led Moses and his people with a cloud by day and a fire by night, leads us as well.  May the Lord, who is our light and salvation give us grace and strength for this and every time of need.
“Our buildings may be closing, and our regular services suspended for a while, but the church is very much open.” Bishop Lowry noted. “In this season of crisis, we must continue to be guided by faith and not driven by fear. Breathe Deep. Jesus is still Lord.”
More on Gov. Abbot’s Executive Order
 
The order is a shelter in place order and does not stop people from going to banks or grocery stores and domestic travel remains restricted, travelers are highly recommend to avoid large groups and wear facial covering.
 Along with the mandate that every person in Texas must avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people, the order requires that the "dine-in" areas of restaurants, bars, clubs and more must close. Restaurants can still provide drive-thru, takeout or delivery services. This also applies to church coffee bars and food outreach programs.
 Other places where people would gather, such as gyms and entertainment venues, shall also be closed.
 All schools will be closed or, in some cases, remain closed to prevent further spread. Schools have already begun shifting to online means of education.
 Non-essential visitors at nursing homes, retirement centers or long-term health facilities will not be allowed during this order.
Government entities and businesses will continue providing essential services.
Offices and workplaces may remain open, but it is highly encouraged that only essential employees report to the place of work. Where feasible, business and organizations should allow and encourage employees to work from home and other remote sites. And employees who do go to work should practice both good hygiene as well as best practices in order to minimize exposure to and transmission of COVID-19.
 
This order goes into effect at midnight Friday, March 20 and will last until May.
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA_08_COVID-19_preparedness_and_mitigation_FINAL_03-19-2020_1.pdf#page=1
 

With gratitude for you and your leadership,
Pastor Ken Lunsford

Please read the Bishop's Blog under the MORE category concerning the Coronavirus (COVID19)

As long as we deem it safe, we will continue to have Church on Sunday's.  We are monitoring the Governments announcements and will be honoring their requests.  I am working on a project to record our services and place them on this Web Site so you can watch and hear.  I will ask you to contact us and let us know that you have watched or listened to the serviced so we have an idea of the number of digital attendees.  Also under the MORE category be aware that there is a Link to donate to the Church that is safe.  Your information is not stored in our office nor on this website, it is all handled by VANCO and is electronically deposited in our bank accounts.  Be aware that there are two accounts, One the General Account is your normal donations or Tithes to the church and the Special Account is for donations for a specific purpose such as Charity/Benevolence etc.  We no doubt will be asked to help, with others, to donate to help those that can't help themselves.  Please be generous!!
Let us individually and collectively Pray for Everyone that is involved in this Pandemic, the Health Care Workers that are ministering to the individuals as well as those that are working on containment and prevention of this disease.  Let us be in prayer for all that have contracted the virus and for their comfort, peace and healing as well as praying for their families. 

We have entered Advent Season and we are refreshing our memories of the reason for the season!  We are reminded to prepare ourselves for the Coming of Jesus.
The Christian church’s liturgical calendar begins with the season of Advent. Faith communities intentionally adorn their worship spaces with a Hanging of the Greens ceremony, a precursor to Christmastide. The ceremony is held directly before the first Sunday of Advent, and it emphasizes symbols of everlasting life (circular evergreen wreath), the light of Christ (Advent candles), Chrismon symbols hung on the evergreen tree that “direct our attention to the nature and ultimate work of Christ and primary Advent themes.” These symbols can include the crow, descending dove, fish, Celtic cross, Jerusalem cross, shepherd's crook, orb, crown, fish, star, anchor, chalice, shell—all made in the colors of white and gold (purity/perfection, majesty/glory), and clear lights. The Hanging of the Greens ceremony also creates a sacred space that builds or strengthens an ethos of koinonia, a community intentionally setting forth on a divine journey with God and with one another.
We light the candles of Peace, Hope, Joy and Trust as our circle is complete. And we light the light of Love as the sign of Christ’s presence among us, no matter how dark it may seem.  
“A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).Where in your community do you see signs that Christ is changing the world? Where would you like to see more signs of change?    What will you do today to share God with others? 
There is a song that I really love listening to, it is sung by Rhonda Vincent and the Rage entitled "If You Don't Love Your Neighbor --- Then You Don't Love God!"  If you say that you love God, and don't love your neighbor, then you are a liar and you don't know God!  In the Lord's Prayer that we recite very often we say that "Forgive our (Sins) (Debts) or (Trespasses) as we forgive those that have (Sinned) (Debtors) or (Trespassed) against us!"  We are saying that if we harbor any hate, or ill will then we ourselves will not be forgiven!  
Especially during this season and continue throughout the year to practice Forgiving Others because it is for our own good that we do so!  Not a single one of us on this earth can say that we don't need to "Repent!"  Repent means to change our ways; of thinking and acting, to grow closer to God!  Put LOVE in your heart and Put LOVE in your LIFE and you will be Wise, Happy, and drawn closer to GOD!

Gracious God, we seek you everywhere with expectant eyes that invite us to see all the people that you are calling us to love today. We praise you, O God, for the King of Kings! Amen.       Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 PASTOR KEN BLOG FOR NOVEMBER 2019
 
The Dublin Ministerial Alliance met this week and set the date and time for the "Community Thanksgiving Service".  It will be at the First Baptist Church, 220 E. Blackjack St., Dublin, TX at 6:00 O'clock PM on November 24th the Sunday before Thanksgiving!   There will be Refreshments following the Service in the Fellowship Hall!  We look forward to seeing all of you and we invite you to bring your friends and family.
Update:  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Service with most of the churches in and around Dublin participating.  We collected over $715 to be divided between Dublin GoodFellows and Transformation Pathways (used to be the Christian Womens Job Corp).
 
This year has really flown by.  It seems like only a couple of months ago that we were celebrating Easter and now we are entering the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.    
The First United Methodist Church and Laurel St. United Methodist Church of Dublin were recognized by the West District at Charge Conference at Hico FUMC for our growth in attendance and Professions of Faith of new members into our family.   
We are gearing up for Advent and Christmas Season.  We will decorate the church around December 1 and if you would like an advent Devotional Guide, let me know and I will be glad to give you one.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we continue to be Loving, Caring and Welcoming to anyone who wants to grow their relations with Jesus and God!  As the song says, “If you don’t love your neighbor, then you don’t know God!” 
God Bless you all and we would ask that you consider this church to grow your relationship with God and each other and we will welcome you with open arms. Thanks for reading and May God Bless You with His Presence; Love; Peace; and Healing, Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Ken.

​The Methodist Churches in the West District of the Central Texas Conference are heavy in the work of preparing for our annual Charge Conference for each church.
This year we will come together at Hico First United Methodist Church and have a joint Charge Conference.  This lays plans for growth in the coming year. 
First United Methodist Church of Dublin has had many successes in our current year, from resurfacing our parking lot and driveway to air conditioning improvements.  The “Community Table” where the church offers a free meal to anyone on the last Wednesday of each month and deliver meals to those that are shut in or unable to go to the church has steadily grown in the number of people being served.  Last month, September, we fed over 300 meals.  This is excellent in promoting good relationships with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  It also provides us with the opportunity to let our friends and neighbors know that we care.   
The food pantry also has seen an increase in numbers seeking assistance as well as the number of “Grace Place” pledge letters.  This informs us that we have many people in our midst that are struggling to make it through the month.  It also gives us the opportunity to show people that we care about them as individuals and to show them the Love of Jesus Christ.  We have been given Commands that we are to “Love the Lord our God with all our Heart, Mind, Strength and Soul!”  and The Second is like unto it, “Love your neighbor as yourself!”  He also gave us another Command to “Go and make Disciples of all Nations (peoples)!”
If you do not regularly go to Church, I ask you to reconsider that and get back into the habit of going to Church regularly for your own good as well as for others.  By going to church we build relationship with each other and with God!  If you don’t have a church home, I invite you to come to Dublin First United Methodist Church located at 630 Highland Ave., Dublin, TX and give us an opportunity to share the Love of Jesus Christ with you and your family.  Our Service begins at 11am each Sunday morning.  God Bless us ALL and I am looking forward to meeting you!  Thanks for reading,    Pastor Ken

August is almost over and we have enjoyed our vacations and School is about to start if it has not already started and it has in some areas.  It is time to get back to the business at hand working to enlighten the world of their need to repent and change their ways so they can be about the business of Jesus Christ! 
This Sunday August 25th we will be studying Luke 13:10-14 where Jesus encountered a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years and Jesus healed her.  Now this was on a Sabbath, the legalist said it was not lawful to work on a Sabbath.  Sometimes a person gets angry about something.  Many times it is unimportant.  This story is really about two people "bent out of shape"  the crippled woman and the legalistic leader of the synagogue!  When Jesus set her free from her "crippling spirit" she rejoiced and praised God!  However the Legalist cried, "There are six days for work, so come and heal on those days, not on the Sabbath"  Jesus answered by saying, "You hypocrite!  Don't you untie your donkey on the Sabbath and lead them to get a drink?  Even so, it was necessary for me to heal this woman who had been suffering for over eighteen years."
You see Jesus was always more concerned with helping people than he was about keeping rules.  Rules are good, but people are more important.  We should remember that the next time we start to get all bent out of shape when someone bends the rules a little bit to help someone who is in need.
Dear Jesus, Help us to remember that you taught us that helping people is more important than keeping rules,  You shared your Love, Grace, Presence and Healing with us and set the example for us to follow, so help us to share that Love, Grace and Healing with ALL our Brothers and Sisters.  We pray this in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen!.