Funeral Service

The service for Ronnie Sullivan’s mom will be this coming Monday in Abilene. I know we will have some people going. The love of all of us will be with Ronnie and her family. The flowers this Sunday will be in memory of Ronnie’s mom.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-bring Sunday.”

I did not bring my pigs in a blanket last Sunday. (I’ve been on the slow side lately.) But I will bring them this Sunday.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

Jason—this sermon title will not change: “The Grace We Need”. Paul got an encouraging word from the Lord. We can use it also.

I sent three sermon title changes to Jason last week. Don’t know what was wrong—just couldn’t settle.

We will have some music celebrating the 4th of July this Sunday, and a moment of thanksgiving, but my sermon is not a July 4th sermon.

We missed Mary last Sunday—home sick.

And we missed Blake and Shannon.

Hope to see you this Sunday.

I’m ready for worship.

I’m ready to be lifted by God’s grace.

I want to sing.

And give thanks.

And feel a bit of joy.

Come. Let us gather.

And praise the Lord.

God Bless—MB

Hello, dear church!

I missed being in church with you Sunday and I will not be with you this coming Sunday either. I will be in Abilene for the funeral. I am not sure I can stand being away from you for this long! I watched the service last week and will do so again this Sunday. Thanks to all of you who have sent cards, phone calls, and texts. And to Veta for the wonderful dinner and dessert! You spoil us and we are so very grateful for you. It is very hard to lose someone you love. I know many of you have experienced this kind of loss more than once in your lives. I take great comfort in knowing that my church has my family in its prayers and holds space for us in this time of grief. You are all a blessing from God.

REMEMBER OUR CONCERT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT: DOOR’S OPEN AT 6:30 pm.  The music starts at 7:00 pm. We will have light refreshments after so that you may visit with each other and with the performers. Nicholas and Cassandra have planned a wonderful performance for us. I promise you will not be disappointed. 

Please pray for Carol Bennett. She is the proud owner of a brand-new knee! Surgery was 6/25 and she will be out for a few weeks.

I received an email today from Marilyn Thomas. Marilyn wants to donate a Yamaha baby grand piano that belonged to her late husband. If you are interested in owning this marvelous instrument, please call me or text me and I will give you Marilyn’s contact information. If I don’t hear from anyone, I will share the information with the Central Texas Conference. We have to find a home for this beautiful piano and honor the memory of Marilyn’s husband.

There are no words for how much I miss you, Mary

Our bible story for the week was about Esther, who lived with her older cousin, Mordecai. The King chooses Ester to be his new queen and brings her to the palace to live. Queen Esther is Jewish, but her husband the king does not know this. The king’s helper, Haman, doesn’t like the Jewish people. So he tricks the king into making a law that will have all the Jewish people killed.

Mordecai convinces Queen Esther to intervene with the King to save her people. Esther approaches the king and tells him that she is a Jew and that Haman wants to kill all her people. She begs the King not to allow this to happen. The King is upset with Haman. The King doesn’t want Esther or her people to be killed, so he makes a new law to keep Queen Esther and her people safe. As an elite woman, it would have been easy for Queen Esther to remain silent and allow her people to be killed, but Esther put her own life at risk to save and bring peace to the Jewish people. Sometimes it is hard to be a peacemaker in difficult circumstances; but with the help of God, we can all do this.

It was a little late for Father’s Day, but we took this opportunity to show Dad how much he is loved. Each one glued small stones around a heart made of wood and wrote “Dad, you rock!” on the heart.

Hope he loved it! See you in church on Sunday. Blessings

Love and Prayers

Ronnie Sullivan’s mom passed away last weekend. She was 90 and had been in poor health for a long time. She spent these last years in the home with Ronnie and Mary and under their care. This is a big change in their lives and a deep loss.

The service will be later in Abilene.

The Pastoral Knee

I went to the orthopedic doctor Monday. Nothing is broken or torn. The doctor surmised a bone spur broke loose, affecting the arthritis. The knee seems to be healing slowly. I may be on a walker and preaching from a stool for a few weeks, but not permanently.

Things happen after 40.

And I’ve been “after 40” for some time now.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-bring Sunday.”

My pigs will be in blankets.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

“Accosted By the Truth”—that’s my sermon Sunday. What happens when an atheist is suddenly confronted by God? I’ll share two stories with you.

Last Sunday I felt the need to do a little educational work—filling you in on the way the United Methodist Church is put together and telling you a little about our recent Annual Conference.

We are in the “Horizon Conference” now, under Bishop Ruben Saenz.

And we’re proud of it.

A Good Time

DeWayne and Sheila Taylor’s 50th wedding celebration was a joyful occasion. We give thanks for them and their family.

Beautiful duet from Blake and Shannon last week: Good, Good Father. Julian sings this Sunday.

Prepare your hearts. We will worship the Lord.

God Bless—MB

Hello, dear family and friends of the church,

I am profoundly grateful for all of you and for the outpouring of love on Sunday. You always know the right things to say, or not say. Grief is a hard thing to handle alone, but it does not require a lot of words. Just making space for someone to feel what they are feeling is enough. We are programmed to “do” the gospel, bring food, clothes, water, give money and time, volunteer at the church, sing in the choir… But walking with someone through grief only requires presence. I can confidently say that you are all skilled at conveying your love with your eyes, your hugs, and your presence. You bring me great comfort. I talked to someone on Sunday about a grief support group at the church. Nothing formal, and we can offer a virtual option along with the option to meet at the church. Please let me know if you are interested and we will find a day/date that works.

Don’t forget our concert on June 29th! The doors open at 6:30 pm and the music will begin at 7:00 pm sharp. Get there early for a seat. Bring a friend. Our musicians, Nicholas and Cassandra, will be singing music in honor of LBGTQ+ Pride month. It will be a great time. We will fellowship for a short time afterward with light refreshments, aka “snacks.” 😊

The funeral mass for Ronnie’s mother, Crispina Monrrial, takes place on Monday, July 1st at 10 am in Abilene, Texas at Saint Vincent Catholic Church, 2525 Westview, Abilene. Crispina’s daughters make our Eastside Community Assistance enchilada dinner every year in December to raise money for outreach. Please do not feel obligated to travel to Abilene. Just your thoughts and love are greatly appreciated.  Ronnie will be back in church when she is ready to see everyone. She sends thanks for your prayers and support through this difficult time. 

May the Lord be with you, Mary