BLAST to Visit Sight and Sound (2/7/15)
Our BLAST Youth group is set to have another “Loud Awesome Spiritual Time.” On Saturday February 7 we are going to Lancaster County PA to see the Sight and Sound presentation of “Moses.” If you’ve never been to a Sight and Sound production, it is an awesome experience! Live animals, huge sets, and large casts make all work together to take you back to the time and location where the Bible story took place. On Saturday, we’re going to Egypt; to the time...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Begin Full Day Program for Pre-K’s (Sept. 2015)
The Our Father’s House pre-school has been providing kids with quality preschool instruction and a nurturing environment since we opened its doors in the Fall of 2009. We are now in our 6th year. But during that time, all of our classes have met for only half a day. We’ve offered morning sessions or afternoon sessions, but never a full day session. Starting next Fall, that will change! All of our half day classes will still be available. However, parents of 4 year olds...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Jesus Never Had Ulcers!
Pastor Jim submitted the following on January 25… Greetings Friends: 11 months from today is Christmas!!!! PLEASE READ: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and...
Read MoreFaith-Walking People (1/25/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 25 (11AM service) looked at the faith of Enoch- somebody we don’t hear that much about. How does our Walk with God affect our day to day lives? Do we know that we ARE walking with God? Like Amy Grant’s song, are we Faith Walking People? Click the following “Play” button to listen to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture reading was from Gen 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5-6. Open the following box to...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s Your Fixed Point?
The following article was sent by Pastor Jim on 1/19/15…. Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Psalm 102:27 “But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (NIV). Those verses of holy Scripture noted above are so powerful. What an amazing thought: Jesus Christ is the same, He doesn’t change. Isn’t that good to know that in this turbulent, stormy,...
Read MoreDo Something! (1/25/15)
Last weekend (1/18/15), our BLAST Youth Group attended the “Mid-Winter Advance” at Keswick. Besides having a lot of fun and meeting new friends, they focused on Matthew 25:40 and discussed ways in which they can put their faith into action and “do it for the least of these.” Here’s the “T-Shirt Translation” of this verse: This weekend (1/25/15) the group returned and shared what they learned by leading the 9:30 worship service. The following thoughts...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Study the Playbook
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts on January 24, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing rightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth” (AMP). As we’re well aware the Super Bowl is in one week. Players from both teams are investing time and energy in...
Read MoreSnow Forces Cancellations! (1/26/15)
Because of the impending snow storm, most of the activities scheduled to be held on Monday 1/26 (evening) and Tuesday 1/27 (day and evening) have been cancelled. See below for details… Our Father’s House Cancellations or late openings will be announced separately via email. Our Father’s House was closed on Tuesday January 27… PUMC and Outside Activities Monday Jan. 26 Cancelled: Newpoint Meeting, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Postponed: Administrative...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Love is Victorious
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/20/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:11a “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” PLEASE READ: Ephesians 4:29 “Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians” (NLV) Although snow is in the forecast for South Jersey for tomorrow [Wednesday 1/21/15], I am excited that Spring Training...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Part Time Christians?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 16, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment?” Jesus answered, “The most important one says: ‘People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ The second most...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Scriptures
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 15, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds” (CEV) PLEASE READ: Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may...
Read MoreFully Alive (1/18/15)
The sermon on January 18 was given by Marcus Bell, who is the director of the Spirit Camp after school program at Urban Promise. (Camden, NJ). Marcus shared his experience and challenged us to gain a fuller life by giving and serving. His scripture was on James 1:26-27. Click the “Play” button to begin listening to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… (Note: The scripture was read by Pastor Jim) James 1:26-27 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious,...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What Makes One Weak?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/15/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Acts 1:14 “They all joined together...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who is John Wesley?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about John Wesley and the persecutions Wesley endured in order to spread the Gospel. PLEASE READ: Matthew 5:11-12 (Jesus said) “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (see other cross references below which may have been an...
Read MoreMissions Bulletin Board: Update from the Vanderhoffs (1/13/15)
You may have noticed that one of the Christmas Trees recently displayed in our Narthex was filled with ornaments reminding us of the missionaries across the globe that we support. Here’s an update on Jim & Alice Vanderhoof… Mission’s Bulletin Board… Did you know that we have a year round constant way to remind ourselves of our missionaries and to catch up on what they’re doing? In the Fellowship Hallway, there is a bulletin board dedicated to our...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who is Francis Asbury?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about Francis Asbury on 1/11/15… Our Methodist tradition is filled with many wonderful men and women who served God faithfully. They leave a legacy of faith and we certainly owe our ancestors a great deal of thanks for what they have preserved and passed along to us. One such great saint of the Methodist Church is Frances Asbury. Asbury traveled thousands of miles by horseback and was a true circuit riding Methodist preacher. Asbury spent a...
Read MoreAll in All (1/11/15)
The sermon on January 11, 2015 was given by Lay Speaker Larry Bakely. His message included a personal testimony and a look at Hosea 11:1-11. Click the below “play” button to hear the recording, then scroll down to follow along. Hosea 11:1-11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,I...
Read MoreMens Fellowship Strives to Treasure Jesus in 2015 (1/10/15)
The United Methodist Men’s Fellowship held our monthly gathering on Saturday January 10. Yep- it was a cold and early morning at 7:30 AM, but the warm coffee and fellowship is always a great thing. Our guest speaker was Chris Johnson, a missionary who has a heart for the people in Mexico who don’t know Christ. Chris and His wife Michele have been planting churches in Mexico, but are currently “home” in New Jersey. Chris’ theme was “Treasuring Jesus in...
Read MoreYouth Set to Take a Mid-Winter “Advance” (1/16/15)
How many of us have been on a retreat? Retreats- it’s great to get away from the normal routines and the distractions they cause, and then to focus your thoughts on God. But RETREAT?!? We want move forward- to grow. So instead of having a “Retreat,” our youth are attending an “Advance!” This year’s “Mid-Winter Advance” will be held at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ, on the weekend of January 16-18. The weekend will be hosted by a group of...
Read MoreNew Members Class to Begin (1/20/15)
Are you interested in “officially” joining our church? This year’s “New Members” class will start on Tuesday January 20. It will meet with Pastor Jim at 7:00 PM after the Tuesday Night dinner. Five sessions are planned: Jan. 20, Jan 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, and Feb 17. If you’re interested, contact Pastor Jim or the church office.
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