BLAST- Feed and Games! (2/20/17)
Our Youth Group keeps active in many ways. Sometimes it’s all Fun and Games. Other times, it’s expressing God’s love through some serious (but fun) service. BLAST celebrated this Presidents Day weekend in typical fashion. First by having some “Where’s Waldo” fun at the Deptford Mall on Sunday. And then on Monday by serving breakfast at the New Visions Day Shelter in Camden. Where’s Waldo? The Deptford Mall is a familiar place for most of us...
Read MorePUMC Hosts Regional Day of Learning (2/12/17)
Fourteen years ago, a fire destroyed our downtown church building. It was located in the business district- right in the middle of town. But it had no parking, and its multiple levels and maze of staircases made it totally “non-accessible.” Ten years ago we moved into a new “state of the art building.” It’s located on the edge of town, but its parking lot and accessibility make it well suited to being used for large groups. We are blessed to be a blessing! ...
Read MoreBrady Can in Superbowl. PUMC Souper in Cans! (2/5/17)
It was a record setting Sunday… or at least different in many ways. In the morning, PUMC’ers dressed down in their favorite team jersey garb. Some of us even wore our new PUMC sweatshirts. Pastor Jim wore his favorite Jerry Rice 49’ers jersey. In his sermon (and throughout the service), Pastor Jim turned the popularity of the super bowl into a series of object lessons about how we can be part of God’s Team… of how we can join up with God for a certain victory. ...
Read MoreThere’s No “I” in “LOVE”!
The signboard said… THERE’S NO “I” IN “LOVE”! OK…. maybe a little corny and trite. Maybe a bit too much along the lines of the classic message that says “WHAT’S MISSING IN CH CH?” (if you need the answer… “U R” missing…). But, can love be truly selfless? Don’t you have to love yourself before you can love others? And don’t you have to think of yourself before you can love...
Read MoreDinner and Concert to Benefit La Palmilla Mission (2/11/17)
February 11 isn’t quite Valentine’s Day, but it’s a great opportunity for having a night out at something resembling a “dinner theater.” The “dinner” will be a covered dish dinner, and the “theater” will be a concert by our own Lee Whitaker (with some help from our Praise Team). Here are the details: Date: Saturday February 11 Time: 5:00 PM dinner, 6:30 PM concert Place: NOT...
Read MorePUMC to Host Blood Drive (1/27/17)
On the afternoon of Friday January 27, our Fellowship Hall will be the site of a Red Cross Blood Drive. Give blood? Why??? Due to various causes, the blood supply is currently dangerously low. This isn’t about the blood supply across the country, or across the state, or even across the region. This is about the blood supply in our area hospitals! On Friday January 27 (from 2:00 – 7:00 PM), PUMC will do their part so you can do your part. If you’re able, consider making an...
Read MorePUMC Set to Collect Cans of Soup on Super Bowl Sunday (2/5/17)
Even if you don’t live in Atlanta or Foxboro, Sunday February 5 is going to be a big (“Super”) day. Even if you’re not a football fan, a lot of good things (er- “super” things) are happening on this day. Here’s the count down: 1: We’ll hold two worship services (9:30 and 11:00… the “normal schedule”). 2: We’ll observe our annual “Dress Down Sunday” Wear your favorite sports jersey. 3: There...
Read MoreBLAST Refocuses Trust During Mid-Winter Advance (1/15/17)
On January 15, 2017, BLAST returned from our annual youth retreat, MidWinter Advance (MWA) at America’s Keswick in Whiting, New Jersey. Our group was made up of twenty-five youth, young adults, and leaders. The retreat that was filled with fun, fellowship, and faith. The four-part message, led by the college team, focused on Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path.”...
Read MoreWinter ’17 Small Groups begin Huddling! (1/23/17)
During the Fall we introduced a successful run of new small groups. Besides the learning and studying that comes from being part of a Small Group, you also make some new friends, deepen existing relationships, and surround eachother in prayer. True Christian Fellowship. Some of these groups are continuing, and others are being newly formed. But all are open and welcoming new members. As we move from the Christmas season towards Lent, now is a good time to check out the schedule of Small...
Read MoreDoublin’ Down with Job!
When someone we love dies, do we really loose them??? You’re probably familiar with the story of Job; He’s a rich landowner who lived sometime around the time of Abram. There’s this strange conversation in heaven, and the next thing you know he’s lost all of his possessions and his children. But some of the fine print details that we tend to skip over in a passage like this need to be noticed. Here’s what it says in Job 1:1-2… There once was a man named...
Read MoreThe True Star of Christmas (1/8/17)
In last year’s sermon series on Epiphany (entitled “Three Men and a Baby”), Pastor Jim focused on the Wise Men and the Gifts. In this year’s Epiphany sermon, he focused on the star. What was the star? Was it a natural occurrence or something else? What does it mean for us today? During the sermon, Pastor Jim referenced back to last year’s series, so links to each of the three sermons are presented below: Three Men and a Baby… The first part of last...
Read MoreSouper Bowl is Heating Up for the Super Bowl! (2/5/17)
The play-offs are here, and the Super Bowl is right around the corner. The Mary Circle is having its annual Soup Sale. We are offering chicken noodle and vegetable beef for $8 a quart. You can drop off your order with money to the church office or to any member of the Mary Circle either during the week or after Sunday worship services in January. Make checks payable to PITMAN UMW. You can pick up your container(s) of piping hot soup after either service on February 5. Souper Bowl Soup...
Read MoreBeing Renewed Day by Day
Does life have you down? Do all of the details and to do lists bulge into an insurmountable burden; a burden that weighs you down so much that you can’t move on? A burden so heavy that you don’t even want to out of bed in the morning? But God promises us that He is always with us. His strength is always available. Like the manna provided to the Israelites on a day by day basis, God is there every morning to help you carry that burden for that day. And He’ll be there...
Read MoreBLAST Getting Ready to Advance! (1/13/17)
Our Youth Group (BLAST) is ready to take off into their Midwinter Advance. What’s the Midwinter Advance? First of all, it is probably more commonly known as a “retreat,” but we always want to look forward so we’ve latched on to the now cliche term “Advance” instead of “Retreat.” The Advance will be held at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ during the weekend of January 13-15. In preparation for this weekend, our youth have been raising...
Read MoreFrom Poland with Love (1/2/17)
John and Dasia Abromovich are missionaries in Poland, who we have supported for many years. The Abramovich’s work with youth groups, leading Bible Studies and organizing camps. John is from the area (Runnemede, NJ), and both of them have visited PUMC on many occasions. John has been having some health issues which will prevent them from making their usual visit home this year, but they are actively continuing their ministry. Dasia recently emailed the following to their prayer...
Read MoreEntering a Jughandle, Rotary, or Roundabout (12/6/16)
As we approach Christmas, Pastor Jim has been preaching a series entitled “An Advent Road Trip.” This was the 2nd part in that series. Is Christmas just a destination? Buy the gifts, wrap the gifts, take down the tree and move on? Is there something we can take from Christmas; not only from Christmas Day but from the journey to Christmas? The following recording is from the 11:00 service. Click on the play button, then scroll down to follow along… Our scripture...
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Christmas Decoded!
We’re all familiar with the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” But other than a silly party song where a quartet of friends gets make fools of themselves by squawking like “Calling Birds” (whatever they are), is there any spiritual significance in this song’s lyrics? There are many versions of the origin and meaning of this song, but a spiritual application to each “gift” mentioned in this song can be made. Back when this song was written,...
Read MoreBible Reading Plans for 2017!
When the “publish” button was clicked for this post, we were in that Christmas Holiday gap between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The gifts were wrapped, placed under the tree, and then unwrapped. All of the Christmas cookies were baked… and most were eaten. All of a sudden we were about to wake up to the Mummers (in Philly, anyway), New Year’s Day will be upon us, and we’ll be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. What can I do in this new...
Read MoreZephaniah Offers Encouragement During Longest Night Service (12/21/16)
December 21… the first day of winter, and the year’s longest night. For those who have lost something or someone during the year, this night can be a forebearer of a Blue Christmas. And so, as part of our Advent preparation, our Blue Christmas service helps us to re-connect with God’s promises. A loss may be a painful bump in the road or change in course, but God is still in control. During our service on 12/21/16, Pastor Jim turned to the “Minor Prophet”...
Read MoreNew Years Eve Silent Communion (12/31/16)
Milestones such as New Year’s Eve can be helpful reminders of re-assessing your relationship with God. How have you grown? How has your faith been tested? When did you fail to heed God’s call to discipleship? How can you be a better disciple in the future? Not only do we need to hold each other accountable, but we also need to hold ourselves accountable. Small groups and “Emmaus Reunion Groups” are important accountability tools. But, we still need to come to the...
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