Pastor’s Ponderings: Keeping Your Spiritual Blades Sharp
The following devotion was submitted by Pastor Jim on November 28, 2014… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Ecclesiastes 10:10 “If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well” (NLV). The past couple of days I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic and for some reason I recalled cutting the grass when I was a boy. Back then we did not have a motorized lawn mower. Dad used to have one of those manual...
Read MoreBlue Christmas Service (12/22/14)
Many of us lost loved ones during this year. Some of us lost loved ones years ago, but still feel the emptiness. For any of us, the family traditions of the holidays bring back memories of Christmases past. During this holiday season we are especially aware of those who have walked with us and who are an integral part of those memories; but now they’re gone. On Monday December 22 at 7:00 PM we will pause to reflect on loved ones who have passed to eternity. Even as we celebrate the...
Read MoreWhat Are You Giving to Jesus?
A new message was posted on our signboard on Thanksgiving Day (11/27/14): WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO JESUS? This question looks towards “Black Friday” and the crazy pre-Christmas shopping season. We all have a list of people we want to please on Christmas morning, and we’re all busy trying to write possible gifts next to these names and then to brave the malls and Internet to purchase the gifts. But Christmas (“Celebration of Christ”) is a birthday. Jesus Birthday!...
Read MorePUMC Preparing the Way with Advent Events (12/2014)
Christmas is a busy time for all of us. For PUMC, Christmas not only means traditional celebrations with friends and families, but it also means a celebration of Advent; of the first coming of our Lord and Savior. And so we worship, serve, pray, teach, and yes- party during this Christmas season.There’s a lot going on, so this post will give an overview of what’s happening in our Advent schedule. There are Four Weeks in the Advent Season, and then the first Sunday after...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Present Christmas Program (12/11/14)
The Our Father’s House Preschool will present our annual Christmas program on December 11 in our sanctuary. The program starts at 10:15 AM. The children will present a “play” entitled “The True Story of Christmas.” It will feature a lot of music, some narration, and a lot of joyful moments. All are welcome! If you’re available, come out to support the school, parents, and kids. The children will visit us for worship on December 14 and present...
Read MorePUMC to Distribute Christmas Lawn Signs (11/30/14)
During Advent, we will have the opportunity to give a gentle reminder to our neighbors and passers-by that Christmas is all about Jesus. Santa is Secondary (if at all)!!! Without Christ, there is No Christmas! To us, this may seem totally obvious. But many are too caught up in the world of shopping and holiday celebrations to keep that in focus. Christmas is a time of family and celebration, but it is also a time of humble acknowledgement of what God did to bridge the gap between His...
Read MoreLive Nativity & Birthday Party for Jesus to be Celebrated (12/13/14)
Two popular PUMC Christmas traditions are the Live Nativity and the Birthday Party for Jesus. This year, we’re holding both celebrations together. Come join us on a trip back in time we will be heading to Bethlehem to experience the birth of Christ. From 6:30-8:30PM our live nativity will be open. Drive through! Enter our parking lot via Lambs Road and exit on Broadway. Along the way, get a taste (and smell!) of 1st century Bethlehem as it silently awaits the birth of Jesus. If...
Read MoreThanksgiving Turkey & Canadian Geese (11/23/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday November 23, 2014 came as we neared the Thanksgiving holiday. As we anticipate the aroma of turkey, stuffing, and the vision of piles of mashed potatoes, what are we really thankful for? Hit the play button (the recording is from the 2nd service), scroll down, and follow along. The text was based on Psalm 100 and on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. In the recording, Pastor Jim read Psalm 100 from the Living Bible (“Life Application...
Read MoreTuesday Nighters Decorate the Sanctuary (11/25/14)
Many of us took a night away form our usual Tuesday night studies to help our church prepare for Christmas. “Christ” “Mas” literally means “celebration of Christ,” and one of the things that focuses us and helps us to Celebrate Christ is the traditional decorations of trees, garlands, and Nativity Scenes. Both before and after the usual Tuesday night dinner, we “hung the greens” and got into the Christmas spirit. Here’s a quick ...
Read MorePUMC Builds Christmas Parade Float (11/23/14)
On Sunday Nov. 23 we had just heard a sermon about some faithful Canadian Geese and about the mounds of mashed potatoes and delicious turkey we’d be enjoying later in the week. But on Sunday afternoon, about 30 of our members gathered in a garage to build our float which will be entered into the Pitman Christmas Parade. The parade, which will begin at our church parking lot, will be held on Saturday 11/29 starting at 5:00PM. In addition to the tasks of stuffing handout packets and...
Read MoreBishop Calls for Prayer for Furguson, MO (11/25/14)
In anticipation of last night’s Grand Jury decision of whether to indict the police officer in the shooting of Michael Brown (an incident which occurred on August 9), Bishop John Schol released the following open letter. The decision was announced last night, and it was to not indict. Bishop Schol is the presiding bishop of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference… Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I call on United Methodists in Greater New Jersey and people everywhere to...
Read MoreCommunity Thanksgiving Service (11/26/14)
Due to the freezing rain and slippery pavements, the Community Thanksgiving Service was cancelled. The annual community Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Pitman Nazarene Church on Wednesday November 26. It will start at 6:30 PM. The Nazarene church is located on North Broadway, next to the Water Ice Station. Please bring a canned good which can be given as an...
Read MoreGloucester County Community Chorus to Perform Messiah at PUMC (12/9/14)
Our Tuesday night dinner / study will turn into a Tuesday night dinner / concert on Tuesday December 9. After the dinner, the Rowan College at Gloucester County & Community Chorus will present Handel’s “The Messiah” in our sanctuary. The dinner begins at 6:00 PM and the concert is at 7:30 PM. The dinner is $8.00 for adults, and pre-registration is requested (see signup sheet in Narthex). + + + + + + + + + + + + For more information...
Read MoreElderberries to Enjoy Pitman Middle School Concert (12/17/14)
On December 17 at 11:15, the Elderberries will be treated to a concert and luncheon. The concert will be given by the Pitman Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Sue Crispin . Besides teaching at the Middle school, Sue also serves as PUMC’s organist / music director. Following the concert, a lunch will be served. Save the date and look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. + + + + + + + + + + For more information on the...
Read MoreDeck the Halls! (11/25/14)
Christmas- Christ’s Birthday- is quickly coming upon us… A host of annual traditions are is waiting in the wings: Birthday Party for Jesus, Live nativity, Gloucester County Community Choir (The Messiah), Candlelight Christmas Cantata, Christmas Eve service…. Decorations of garland, wreaths, and nativity scenes lend to the atmosphere and help inspire our worship during the Advent season. On Tuesday, November 25, we will decorate our sanctuary (as we call it,...
Read MoreOur Fathers House & Elderberries Sing and Feast! (11/19/14)
On the morning of November 19 2024, the children from Our Father’s House presented a musical program in the sanctuary; the kids were “Marching in the Lord’s Army” and “Making Us Fishers of Men.” The energy the kids presented while singing this whole series of short “Sunday School” songs was inspiring and entertaining. The sanctuary was filled with not only camera toting parents, but also with seniors from our church. This event bridged young...
Read MoreBLAST Youth Group to Visit Pitman Manor Residents (11/22/14)
Seniors in nursing homes love to have contact with the “outside world,” especially with Kids and Youth. And, those who visit our seniors always come away blessed. You think you are serving, but when you leave you feel that you have been served! On Saturday, November 22, Our Youth Group (BLAST) will enjoy the company of our seniors at the Pitman Manor. Here’s the schedule for Saturday: 3-4PM Meet at the Manor to visit the residents. During the visit we’ll play some...
Read MoreTuesday Night Group Studying the Lord’s Prayer (11/18/14)
Tuesday Bible Study with Pastor Jim… Since the middle of October, Pastor Jim has been leading an in depth study of the Lord’s Prayer during the studies on Tuesdays. The classes are held in the morning at 9:30 and then again in the evening after dinner (starting at 7:00 PM). Both groups meet in the Potter’s Hand room (on the sanctuary balcony level). We’ve been taking it phrase by phrase… Our Father- Abba, Daddy. Prayer is real- not a vain repetition Heaven-...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Called to Dive into the Corn Field!
The following devotional was submitted by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton (11/14/14). Last night (Thursday 11/13/14) we experienced our first sighting of snow for the season. The temperatures dipped low enough for a thin coating of snow to cover parts of our gardens and decks… ————————————————– Greetings Friends: What a wonderful treat with the snow fall last evening! PLEASE...
Read MorePUMC Celebrates the Gift of Life (11/16/14)
In our Narthex on Sunday, an organ donor and an organ recipient shared their experience with our congregation. One person can save or enhance the lives of more than 50 people. More than 123,000 Americans are waiting for life saving organ transplants. Tragically, 18 people die each DAY because the organs they need are not available. But anyone can help save lives by deciding to be an organ and tissue donor. PUMC has a special connection and appreciation for this Gift of Life. Several years...
Read More