2020 Advent Devotionals Look Forward
“God has something good for you this Advent!” Members of churches in our area have produced a daily devotional guide which will help us discover what God wants to share with us during this journey, and these 27 devotional articles are presented in this website post. Use them to to Lighten your journey through this Advent season.
Read MoreTrunk or Treat Opens Glimmers of Light! (10/24/20)
Because of the pandemic, our annual Trunk or Treat was held as a “socially distanced” drive-thru event. Throughout the afternoon, about 400 people enjoyed the decorated trunks, friendly waves, and… bags of candy.
Read More2020 Annual Conference Takes Courageous Steps (10/6/20)
The 2020 conference of the Greater NJ Annual Conference was conducted using two online sessions on the mornings of 10/5 and 10/6. Despite the “social distancing”, Courageous strides were made in our efforts to be the heart, hands, and feet of God in Greater New Jersey.
Read MoreWeekly Verses Remembered
Back in 2005-2006, a “memory verse” was posted in the bulletin each Sunday. The verses were tied to that week’s sermon.
These verses have been re-discovered and are now available in the order they were originally presented. The current verse is now displayed on the Home Page and it will be updated automatically every Sunday.
Leadership Academy Opening its “Doors”! (10/13/20)
The Greater NJ Annual Conference is offering a series of online classes as part of its new “Leadership Academy.” Attendees will learn about worship, small groups, and missions. Four different 3-session courses will be offered in October, November, January, and February. Each 90 minute session will be delivered on Zoom.
Read MoreCongregation Joins in Worship! (10/18/20)
For the first Sunday since March 8, a congregation (“socially distanced”) attended our worship service. Our services continue to be broadcasted via Live Stream, but it is currently possible for a small congregation to attend in person (RSVP in advance… first come, first served).
Read MoreLimited Congregation to Join Worship! (10/18/20)
On Sunday Oct. 18, we will hold our first “in-person” worship service since March! All services will continue to be Live Streamed, but beginning on this week a limited number of people will be permitted to be part of the congregation.
Read MoreUrban Promise Presents a Night of Promise! (10/8/20)
Need some testimonies of Encouragement and Promise??? UrbanPromise will hold a “Virtual Night of Promise” on 10/8/20, from 7:00-7:30 PM on Zoom. All are invited, but you need to register to get the Zoom link.
Read MoreWorld Wide Communion Sunday Means Global Mission (10/4/20)
On Sunday October 4 we will celebrate World Wide Communion with our “virtual” service. But throughout the year, PUMC has continued to serve “Real” people in our community and to support missions around the globe. World Wide Communion is a time to give thanks and to pray for the work that remains to be done.
Read MorePUMC Approves Safety Procedures for In-Person Worship Services
A Covid safety plan for in-person worship was approved by the Church Council. This is the plan which will be implemented when in-person services resume. The decision to resume will be made later, based on the state of the virus.
Read MoreZoom into a Small Group!
During the pandemic, we can’t have face to face meetings in our building. But, our small groups continue to meet. Some meet in homes (using “social distancing”), but others are meeting online (using Zoom and Facebook). This post describes how to take part in these online groups.
Read MoreYouth Group Announces Fall Schedule (9/20/20)
Our Youth Group has announced a new schedule for this fall. The get togethers will be on Sunday afternoons, alternating between Live (“Socially Distanced”) and Virtual (via Zoom). All Youth are welcome! For details, open this post.
Read MoreChristmas in July Quarantines the Grinches! (7/26/20)
Sunday 7/26/20 was a day of paradoxes: Christmas in July. A fireplace in an empty sanctuary. Joy and peace in the midst of a pandemic. During this special Sunday, we saw that the “grinches” of this life are too weak to overcome the blessings of our almighty God.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s John 3:16 Really Mean?
We’ve heard John 3:16 over and over. We’ve memorized it. We even see people wearing “3:16” T-Shirts! But do we really appreciate its meaning? In an email on 7/9/20, Pastor Jim offered these thoughts on this amazing verse.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Call Always Goes Thru!
Things may seem to be tumbling out of control. One piece of bad news on top of another. But God is waiting for us to call on His help; to call upon Him to release His power in our lives and in our churches. Are we ready to call Him? Are we praying?
Read MoreCreative Connection Videos Bring Us Together! (7/7/20)
During the pandemic, we’re using our Facebook Group to share video devotions, prayers, or other greetings as a way to “continue to meeting together… and encouraging one another ” (Hebrews 10:25-25). For those who don’t “do Facebook” or who might have lost the videos in their timelines, the videos are posted here.
Read MorePastors Ponderings: The Rudder of the Day
“The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.” Olympian Eric Liddell began each day by grounding himself in the Bible and in prayer. In this “Ponderings” article, Pastor Jim encourages us to do the same thing.
Read MorePUMC Embarks on a Virtual VBS! (6/22/20)
Yes- we did have another fantastic Vacation Bible School this year! Because of the pandemic we couldn’t meet in person, so we met via Live Stream instead! We learned that Jesus’ power helps us do hard things, gives us hope, helps us be good friends, and lets us live forever!
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Our Shepherd’s Certain Presence
In this “humble offering”, Pastor Jim reminds us that God is like a like a shepherd and is always with us. Even if we run away, God’s mercy and love follow us in hot pursuit.
Read MorePastors Ponderings: His Love Endures Forever!
God was faithful to people like Noah, Moses, David, and Paul. David wrote that “His love endures forever.” But is God’s love and faithfulness deep and long enough to reach into our time?
Read More