Associate Pastor's Page

Newsletter Article May 21, 2008

2008-05-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

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

Newsletter Article May 7, 2008

2008-05-06T10:51:00.000-05:00

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

Report on Mexico Mission

2008-04-22T11:18:00.001-05:00

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

Newsletter Article March 19, 2008

2008-03-18T11:39:00.002-05:00

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

Newsletter Article February 27,2008

2008-02-26T14:41:00.002-05:00

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

What to Give Up for Lent

2008-02-05T13:03:00.000-05:00

· 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

Newsletter Article September 19, 2007

2007-09-26T13:47:00.000-05:00

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

The Presence of Christ

2007-09-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

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

Newsletter Article August 15, 2007

2007-08-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

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

Newsletter Article August 1, 2007

2007-08-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

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

Serving Our Soldiers

2007-07-17T12:23:00.000-05:00

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

2007-06-13T07:56:00.000-05:00

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