Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Yesterday I made an announcement during church services that in June I am being moved to another church. My last Sunday will be June 22. I will become the pastor of Mt. Pleasant UMC in Social Circle, Georgia. This is a decision that was made by the Bishop and his cabinet. In the Methodist Church we pastors are itinerate, which means that we are moved around to churches where we are needed. Yes, it is hard at times and difficult to leave but the system does work.
Though we pastors are only here for a time, we do fall in love with the members and we do become a part of the church family. In the three years that I have been among you, I have enjoyed every minute of it. You have treated my family and I with respect and love. You have allowed us to be a part of your family, to share in your joys and sorrows, and because of that, we count ourselves blessed.
There is only one thing that I ask of you and that is to continue the great work that we have been doing for the kingdom of God. There are still many people to reach for Christ, and you can’t stop now. After June 22, I will no longer be your pastor, but I will always be your friend. Tina and I will always keep you in our prayers, and we will always thank God for the time that we had together. Thank you for accepting me and walking with me.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael and Tina Dunbar
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Newsletter Article May 7, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., I was at my usual place, Dallas Elementary School, mentoring. I have enjoyed starting my week with a young boy who enjoys my company as well. Each week we would read a new book, add entries to his journal, and talk about all things. I got to cheer him on when tests came around, help him in school work, and most of all, just be there as a friend and a role model. This was my first year as a mentor, and I look forward to next year and years after that.
Jesus says to “bring the little children unto Him,” so that they can know Him and know that He loves them. We do not have to preach to them or speak great words of wisdom; we just need to be there and allow them to see the love of Christ through us.
This school year has ended and next year will soon begin, and I am asking you to come along with me for a time of your life. Please pray about being a mentor to a child at Dallas Elementary next year and give the gift of Christian love. It is only once a week and you pick the day that is right for you. Come see me if you have any questions. There are children who need you and so does God. Come and let’s bring the children unto Him.
Pastor Michael
This Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., I was at my usual place, Dallas Elementary School, mentoring. I have enjoyed starting my week with a young boy who enjoys my company as well. Each week we would read a new book, add entries to his journal, and talk about all things. I got to cheer him on when tests came around, help him in school work, and most of all, just be there as a friend and a role model. This was my first year as a mentor, and I look forward to next year and years after that.
Jesus says to “bring the little children unto Him,” so that they can know Him and know that He loves them. We do not have to preach to them or speak great words of wisdom; we just need to be there and allow them to see the love of Christ through us.
This school year has ended and next year will soon begin, and I am asking you to come along with me for a time of your life. Please pray about being a mentor to a child at Dallas Elementary next year and give the gift of Christian love. It is only once a week and you pick the day that is right for you. Come see me if you have any questions. There are children who need you and so does God. Come and let’s bring the children unto Him.
Pastor Michael
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Report on Mexico Mission
Psalm 149 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing, and make music to him with tambourine and harp.” This past mission trip was all about that. We traveled over the mountains to help build Pastor Patricio a new house and boy was it fun. After the first day of work, we went to a home church meeting to worship and praise God. This was a village which was suffering from pain because of a thirteen-year-old boy who committed suicide, and they were struggling on how to deal with it. As I was preaching, the Holy Spirit came upon us all and performed a remarkable miracle of healing. Psalm 31:11 says, “You turned my wailing into dancing,” and that is just what happened. We thought we were going down to build a house, but we left knowing that the Lord used us to rebuild a village. That evening we sat around and listened to Benito play the accordion, Portofino play the guitar, and a young boy sing praise songs to God. We all joined in and danced in the mountains.
They fed us and treated us like kings, or should I say sons and daughters of the King. The made-from-scratch tamales, the nopales (cactus), the Cabrito (goat meat), and all of the other fine local food was appreciated and devoured. The laughter, hugs, prayer time, and work time was all God centered. We traveled many miles to be among a village of people we did not know, did not speak their language well, or with whom we did not have much in common, but the one thing we did have was the Lord, and we all danced together. You see, if we go about God’s work with a song in our hearts, the Lord will put a dance in our feet.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Michael
They fed us and treated us like kings, or should I say sons and daughters of the King. The made-from-scratch tamales, the nopales (cactus), the Cabrito (goat meat), and all of the other fine local food was appreciated and devoured. The laughter, hugs, prayer time, and work time was all God centered. We traveled many miles to be among a village of people we did not know, did not speak their language well, or with whom we did not have much in common, but the one thing we did have was the Lord, and we all danced together. You see, if we go about God’s work with a song in our hearts, the Lord will put a dance in our feet.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Michael
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Newsletter Article March 19, 2008
An early name for Christians was the Easter people. Our observance of Easter, the greatest and oldest feast of the Christian Church, was what distinguished us from other folks. Like Christmas, celebrated only since the fourth century, Easter superseded an old pagan festival which involved the exchange of colored eggs. The name Easter is taken from an Anglo-Saxon spring goddess, Eostre. And the date, always in the period March 21-April 25, is governed by the spring full moon, which in turn governs the tides, and they in turn take us back to the primeval creation in Genesis when the seas covered the whole earth. Just a little history.
But now for the good stuff. We are Easter People, people of hope, of love, of life, of a new birth, of new opportunities to see Christ in each other and to be Christ to each other. The disciples, the virgin Mary, and Mary Magdaline surely thought they were alone and defeated on Good Friday, that the cause was lost with the life of him they loved. There was certainly no cause for optimism, but there was hope, and their hope against hope was realized at that first Easter, not so much in the empty tomb, for that is only circumstantial, but in the undeniable historic flesh and blood fact of the Christ who in the fullness of life walked out of that tomb.
Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia. Be the Easter people, live with promise of resurrection with Christ to a new life eternally.
Blessed Easter,
Pastor Michael
But now for the good stuff. We are Easter People, people of hope, of love, of life, of a new birth, of new opportunities to see Christ in each other and to be Christ to each other. The disciples, the virgin Mary, and Mary Magdaline surely thought they were alone and defeated on Good Friday, that the cause was lost with the life of him they loved. There was certainly no cause for optimism, but there was hope, and their hope against hope was realized at that first Easter, not so much in the empty tomb, for that is only circumstantial, but in the undeniable historic flesh and blood fact of the Christ who in the fullness of life walked out of that tomb.
Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia. Be the Easter people, live with promise of resurrection with Christ to a new life eternally.
Blessed Easter,
Pastor Michael
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Newsletter Article February 27,2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several years ago I followed a fasting and prayer time through the forty days of Lent and found that it changed my view of Easter and it changed me. Fasting and meditating on my weaknesses helped me grasp the intense significance of the crucifixion, and gave me a deep and powerful longing for the resurrection, which then became joy on Easter Sunday.
Before Christ, the world called out to God (in the words of David, King of Israel),
“How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?” (Psalm 79.5)
Easter is the once and for all time answer to this question. Jesus took our place on the cross to appease God’s righteous anger. He went alone to be punished: separated from God and deserted by his friends. The drama of how this happened is the story of Lent. Before the resurrection comes crucifixion; before crucifixion comes prosecution; before prosecution comes betrayal, doubt, fear, rebellion, and sin.
Lent helps us experience our part in the Passion (suffering) of Jesus. We face our humanity during Lent; we learn that sin still dwells in us, that we still carry darkness. We learn that we would likely have fallen asleep as Jesus prayed for deliverance in the garden, and we would likely have denied knowing him as he silently accepted his death sentence.
Make this Lenten season a very special time between you and God.
Pastor Michael
Several years ago I followed a fasting and prayer time through the forty days of Lent and found that it changed my view of Easter and it changed me. Fasting and meditating on my weaknesses helped me grasp the intense significance of the crucifixion, and gave me a deep and powerful longing for the resurrection, which then became joy on Easter Sunday.
Before Christ, the world called out to God (in the words of David, King of Israel),
“How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?” (Psalm 79.5)
Easter is the once and for all time answer to this question. Jesus took our place on the cross to appease God’s righteous anger. He went alone to be punished: separated from God and deserted by his friends. The drama of how this happened is the story of Lent. Before the resurrection comes crucifixion; before crucifixion comes prosecution; before prosecution comes betrayal, doubt, fear, rebellion, and sin.
Lent helps us experience our part in the Passion (suffering) of Jesus. We face our humanity during Lent; we learn that sin still dwells in us, that we still carry darkness. We learn that we would likely have fallen asleep as Jesus prayed for deliverance in the garden, and we would likely have denied knowing him as he silently accepted his death sentence.
Make this Lenten season a very special time between you and God.
Pastor Michael
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What to Give Up for Lent
· Give Up grumbling! Instead, “In everything give thanks.” Constructive criticism is ok, but “moaning, groaning, and complaining” are not Christian disciplines.
· Give Up 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion.
· Give Up looking at other people’s worst points. Instead, concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook their’s first.
· Give Up speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting.
· Give Up your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”
· Give Up your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about - like tomorrow! Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient.
· Give Up TV one evening a week! Instead, visit some lonely or sick person.
· Give Up buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers.
· Give Up judging by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.
I hope these tips will help you towards a meaningful and holy Lenten season.
Pastor Michael
· Give Up 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion.
· Give Up looking at other people’s worst points. Instead, concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook their’s first.
· Give Up speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting.
· Give Up your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”
· Give Up your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about - like tomorrow! Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient.
· Give Up TV one evening a week! Instead, visit some lonely or sick person.
· Give Up buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers.
· Give Up judging by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.
I hope these tips will help you towards a meaningful and holy Lenten season.
Pastor Michael
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Newsletter Article September 19, 2007
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
With the summer over and school in session, the fall planning of our ministries is in full swing. We are constantly evaluating the effectiveness of the ministries and looking for ways to improve them. Our missions are stepping back up, with Mexico, Kenya and two scheduled trips for the Gulf Coast which are still needing team members. Upward basketball and cheerleading planning is moving upward and Bible studies are abound.
One change that is happening is our Sunday night happenings are moving to Wednesday nights. This will allow all of our age groups to meet on the same night. Dinner will be from 5:45-6:30 and from 6:30-7:30 will be Children, Youth, Bible studies and then Choir at 7:30. We hope that this will make it easier for everyone, and we hope that this will also increase attendance to our church activities.
On another note, this Sunday is Laity Sunday where we will be celebrating the laity of the church. Remember, the laity is the church. So come this Sunday and support the services, they will be great. We will also be commissioning the four people from this church who will be going to Mexico on Sept 28, they are Janis Woods, Sharon Vinson, Rick Peggs, and Michael Dunbar. We are a very busy church and there is always a place for you to get connected. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Pastor Michael
With the summer over and school in session, the fall planning of our ministries is in full swing. We are constantly evaluating the effectiveness of the ministries and looking for ways to improve them. Our missions are stepping back up, with Mexico, Kenya and two scheduled trips for the Gulf Coast which are still needing team members. Upward basketball and cheerleading planning is moving upward and Bible studies are abound.
One change that is happening is our Sunday night happenings are moving to Wednesday nights. This will allow all of our age groups to meet on the same night. Dinner will be from 5:45-6:30 and from 6:30-7:30 will be Children, Youth, Bible studies and then Choir at 7:30. We hope that this will make it easier for everyone, and we hope that this will also increase attendance to our church activities.
On another note, this Sunday is Laity Sunday where we will be celebrating the laity of the church. Remember, the laity is the church. So come this Sunday and support the services, they will be great. We will also be commissioning the four people from this church who will be going to Mexico on Sept 28, they are Janis Woods, Sharon Vinson, Rick Peggs, and Michael Dunbar. We are a very busy church and there is always a place for you to get connected. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Pastor Michael
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