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
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Presence of Christ
Jesus Christ, who “is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being” (Hebrews 1:3), is truly present in Holy Communion. Through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, God meets us at the Table. God, who has given the sacraments to the church, acts in and through Holy Communion. Christ is present through the community gathered in Jesus’ name (Matthew 18:20), through the word proclaimed and enacted, and through the elements of bread and wine shared (1 Corinthians 11:23-26.)
Holy Communion always offers grace. We are reminded of what God has done for us in the past, experience what God is doing now as we partake, and anticipate what God will do in the future work of salvation. “We await the final moment of grace, when Christ comes in victory at the end of the age to bring all who are in Christ into the glory of that victory” and we join in feasting at the heavenly banquet table. (Revelation 19:9.)
This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and as always we will be celebrating Holy Communion. Before Sunday I encourage you to read and reflect on the scriptures that talk about communion. I encourage you to be in prayer for this Sunday that God’s grace will be felt by all who come. This is a community celebration and I pray that we all come into the House of the Lord with joy and excitement. God’s grace will be awaiting you.
Pastor Michael
Holy Communion always offers grace. We are reminded of what God has done for us in the past, experience what God is doing now as we partake, and anticipate what God will do in the future work of salvation. “We await the final moment of grace, when Christ comes in victory at the end of the age to bring all who are in Christ into the glory of that victory” and we join in feasting at the heavenly banquet table. (Revelation 19:9.)
This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and as always we will be celebrating Holy Communion. Before Sunday I encourage you to read and reflect on the scriptures that talk about communion. I encourage you to be in prayer for this Sunday that God’s grace will be felt by all who come. This is a community celebration and I pray that we all come into the House of the Lord with joy and excitement. God’s grace will be awaiting you.
Pastor Michael
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Newsletter Article August 15, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Well, the signs are everywhere. Book bags packed and heavy. Young mothers and fathers with tears in their eyes, (and some with smiles). And don’t forget those big yellow children movers up and down the roads.
What does all of this mean? Yes, it’s school time again. The arena of education is alive with young minds eager to absorb the knowledge that is available to them. This is what makes our country great, education that is there for the taking and teachers willing to share it. This is what the great inventors, scientists, leaders, and such look forward to, the opportunity to better themselves.
But here is the hard truth. We never should stop learning. What if your doctor finished med school and never went for continuing ed? Would you feel comfortable with that? Many of us here at Dallas First and churches all over think that we graduate from Sunday school and that’s it. We think that we are done. If you don’t think so, just look at the numbers. We have an average of 300 in all three worship services, but we only have an average of 85 in Sunday school. Have we lost the desire or the love of God’s word? Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
What kind of example are we setting for our youth and for our new members? We no longer carry our Bibles to church and the new ones we bought are never opened. The greatest weapon that we have against Satan is left behind.
This is a new school year. Let’s strive to make a Sunday school class available to all who attend our church, and let’s encourage them to attend. Let’s strive to fill up our existing classes, and let’s add new ones. If we are not studying, teaching, and spreading God’s good news, then what are we doing? Next Sunday let’s see the Bibles, let’s fill the classes, and if you don’t have a class, see me and we will look together. And if there is not one that suits you, let’s start one. The word of God is a living word so let’s give it life.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael
Well, the signs are everywhere. Book bags packed and heavy. Young mothers and fathers with tears in their eyes, (and some with smiles). And don’t forget those big yellow children movers up and down the roads.
What does all of this mean? Yes, it’s school time again. The arena of education is alive with young minds eager to absorb the knowledge that is available to them. This is what makes our country great, education that is there for the taking and teachers willing to share it. This is what the great inventors, scientists, leaders, and such look forward to, the opportunity to better themselves.
But here is the hard truth. We never should stop learning. What if your doctor finished med school and never went for continuing ed? Would you feel comfortable with that? Many of us here at Dallas First and churches all over think that we graduate from Sunday school and that’s it. We think that we are done. If you don’t think so, just look at the numbers. We have an average of 300 in all three worship services, but we only have an average of 85 in Sunday school. Have we lost the desire or the love of God’s word? Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
What kind of example are we setting for our youth and for our new members? We no longer carry our Bibles to church and the new ones we bought are never opened. The greatest weapon that we have against Satan is left behind.
This is a new school year. Let’s strive to make a Sunday school class available to all who attend our church, and let’s encourage them to attend. Let’s strive to fill up our existing classes, and let’s add new ones. If we are not studying, teaching, and spreading God’s good news, then what are we doing? Next Sunday let’s see the Bibles, let’s fill the classes, and if you don’t have a class, see me and we will look together. And if there is not one that suits you, let’s start one. The word of God is a living word so let’s give it life.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael
Newsletter Article August 1, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Lord said that whatever we give to Him and His kingdom will be returned, blessed, and multiplied. I would like to talk to you about investing in the kingdom work of God. In late September, Janis Woods and I will be traveling to Pan de Vida (bread of life) in Santa Rosa, Mexico, with a medical mission team to minister to the people. A few years back, people invested in a mission to send Pastor Steve and a team there to begin building a mission building and a church, and now we are going down to reap the harvest.
Five years ago, Pastor Simon from Kenya was sent by people who believed, and consequently, invested in him to be trained in evangelism. Simon stayed at my house and preached at my church. We have remained friends since then. Now we are sending a mission team who will be going to Kenya on a humanitarian trip to help Pastor Simon. Coincidence? NO! The hand of God, YES.
Because of the investments of God’s people, great things happen. When the Serv International mission team was last in Mexico, they shared information about the severe poverty in Kenya. The poor people of Santa Rosa raised $1000 to send there to help. They invested in the kingdom of God.
If you would like to help with these mission teams and invest in the kingdom and all of its work, we would deeply appreciate it. Your money will be blessed, and it will be multiplied by God. You can make your checks out to either the Mexico team, Kenya team, or just mission fund. Thank you for your support and prayers as we seek to do the will of God.
Pastor Michael and The Mission Teams of Dallas First
The Lord said that whatever we give to Him and His kingdom will be returned, blessed, and multiplied. I would like to talk to you about investing in the kingdom work of God. In late September, Janis Woods and I will be traveling to Pan de Vida (bread of life) in Santa Rosa, Mexico, with a medical mission team to minister to the people. A few years back, people invested in a mission to send Pastor Steve and a team there to begin building a mission building and a church, and now we are going down to reap the harvest.
Five years ago, Pastor Simon from Kenya was sent by people who believed, and consequently, invested in him to be trained in evangelism. Simon stayed at my house and preached at my church. We have remained friends since then. Now we are sending a mission team who will be going to Kenya on a humanitarian trip to help Pastor Simon. Coincidence? NO! The hand of God, YES.
Because of the investments of God’s people, great things happen. When the Serv International mission team was last in Mexico, they shared information about the severe poverty in Kenya. The poor people of Santa Rosa raised $1000 to send there to help. They invested in the kingdom of God.
If you would like to help with these mission teams and invest in the kingdom and all of its work, we would deeply appreciate it. Your money will be blessed, and it will be multiplied by God. You can make your checks out to either the Mexico team, Kenya team, or just mission fund. Thank you for your support and prayers as we seek to do the will of God.
Pastor Michael and The Mission Teams of Dallas First
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Serving Our Soldiers
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning. And when his hands grew tired, and he lowered them the Amalekites were winning. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses and held up his hands to help him and the battle was won.
Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”
Lately around the church you have been hearing about SOS (serving our soldiers). It is a new ministry here at Dallas First, and it is an exciting one. Our men and women in battle are growing weary. They left with strength and energy to fight the evil of the world and to help those who are oppressed, but it has been a long battle and their arms are tired, and they are finding it hard to keep them lifted up. But WE can help! We can stand on their sides and lift their arms. We can also lift our arms to the throne of the Lord. The Lord is our Banner!
Just think about it. If you were sitting in a desert with temperatures over 100 and you got a care package from your church with homemade cookies and some candy, your arms would lift up with joy. If you were in a town in Iraq and you were worried about the children there and you got a package with little stuffed animals to give out, your arms would no longer be heavy.
Brothers and Sisters, the time has come for us all to hold up our men’s and women’s arms that are on the battle field. It is time for us to say, “The Lord is our Banner.” SOS is a needed ministry. PLEASE fill up the red, white, and blue barrels around the church with stuff that is needed, and let’s show our armies that the battle belongs to the Lord! If you have any questions, please call Lisa Wahle at
770-505-0881.
Proud to Serve Christ,
Pastor Michael
Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning. And when his hands grew tired, and he lowered them the Amalekites were winning. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses and held up his hands to help him and the battle was won.
Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”
Lately around the church you have been hearing about SOS (serving our soldiers). It is a new ministry here at Dallas First, and it is an exciting one. Our men and women in battle are growing weary. They left with strength and energy to fight the evil of the world and to help those who are oppressed, but it has been a long battle and their arms are tired, and they are finding it hard to keep them lifted up. But WE can help! We can stand on their sides and lift their arms. We can also lift our arms to the throne of the Lord. The Lord is our Banner!
Just think about it. If you were sitting in a desert with temperatures over 100 and you got a care package from your church with homemade cookies and some candy, your arms would lift up with joy. If you were in a town in Iraq and you were worried about the children there and you got a package with little stuffed animals to give out, your arms would no longer be heavy.
Brothers and Sisters, the time has come for us all to hold up our men’s and women’s arms that are on the battle field. It is time for us to say, “The Lord is our Banner.” SOS is a needed ministry. PLEASE fill up the red, white, and blue barrels around the church with stuff that is needed, and let’s show our armies that the battle belongs to the Lord! If you have any questions, please call Lisa Wahle at
770-505-0881.
Proud to Serve Christ,
Pastor Michael
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
This is an exciting week in the life of the United Methodist Church. This week Annual Conference is being held in Athens, Georgia, for the North Georgia Conference. All conferences around the world hold their meetings around this time. It is a time where pastors are appointed and reappointed, where the business of the church is conducted, and where the church celebrates what it is doing for the kingdom of God. Also, during the conference, new pastors will be ordained, those who will be retiring will be recognized, and there will be a very special service for those pastors who have passed away this year. There will be Bible studies, early morning Communion services, a community work day, and special worship services in the evening. It is truly a time to celebrate the United Methodist Church in keeping with a Wesley tradition.
This is a long tradition which started on December 24, 1784. About sixty preachers gathered at the Christmas Conference in Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore and organized the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Because of doctor’s orders, I will not be attending this year, but our church will be well represented. I ask you all to be in prayer this week for we are electing our representatives to the General Conference, both laity and clergy who will be our voice. I am proud to be a part of this great denomination called Methodists and for the great work that we do for God. If you would like to see and hear what goes on at the conference, you can log on to http://www.ngumc.org/ and click on annual conference to see a live streaming of the events. It is just like being there.
And on a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and phone calls during my recovery. I have felt loved. Tina and I thank you from the bottom, of our hearts and we are blessed to be a part of this family at Dallas 1st UMC.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael
This is a long tradition which started on December 24, 1784. About sixty preachers gathered at the Christmas Conference in Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore and organized the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Because of doctor’s orders, I will not be attending this year, but our church will be well represented. I ask you all to be in prayer this week for we are electing our representatives to the General Conference, both laity and clergy who will be our voice. I am proud to be a part of this great denomination called Methodists and for the great work that we do for God. If you would like to see and hear what goes on at the conference, you can log on to http://www.ngumc.org/ and click on annual conference to see a live streaming of the events. It is just like being there.
And on a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and phone calls during my recovery. I have felt loved. Tina and I thank you from the bottom, of our hearts and we are blessed to be a part of this family at Dallas 1st UMC.
In Christ,
Pastor Michael
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