PUMC to Host Blood Drive (1/29/16)
The Red Cross will visit our Fellowship Hall on Friday January 29 to give us a chance to help replenish their blood banks. Local hospitals are always in need of blood; transfusions and re-supply to save lives every day. Consider doing your part. If you are able to donate, please stop by our church any time between 2:00 – 7:00 PM. You should expect to spend 60 minutes for a whole blood donation (or 90 minutes for a double red donation). Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are...
Read MoreGod’s Bridge Over Troubled Water (1/10/16)
This message is the second in a three part series called “Three Men and a Baby.” The first part focused on the gift of Gold; of how the Wise Men challenged us to give our best. This second part focuses on the gift of Frankincense; of how Jesus is our great High Priest who bridges the wide gap between humanity and God. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 9:30 service)… Note: Pastor Jim opens by inviting...
Read MorePray Daily for Our Missionaries
Pray for Our Missionaries! How often have you greeted a missionary who spoke at our church on a Sunday and promised to “keep them in our prayers” when they return to the mission field? For those of us who have never been a “Missionary” in the traditional sense, it’s difficult to imagine their needs. It’s hard to know what to pray for. Our missions offerings are sent directly to the missionaries that PUMC helps to support. And a portion of UMC Shared...
Read MoreMen’s Fellowship Gathers with Pastor Chris Heckert (1/8/16)
The Men’s Fellowship group held their monthly gathering on Saturday January 8. The gathering took place in a brand new year, but our speaker was a familiar face. Joining us was Rev. Chris Heckert, who is now serving as the senior pastor in the Haddonfield United Methodist Church. Pastor Chris was our associate pastor between 2004 and 2006 (during our “tabernacling days” after the fire while we met in the downtown storefront). During his time here he blessed us with...
Read MoreWhat Gift Shall I Bring? (1/3/16)
This message is the first in a three part series called “Three Men and a Baby.” As we look at the arrival of the “Wisemen” and the Epiphany, let’s also look for way Jesus was manifested as the Christ, the Son of God, and Savior of all. AND… look for ways that Christ can be seen or manifested in our lives so that the world can see Christ in us and in the Church. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from...
Read MoreJust Believe (12/24/15)
What do you believe? It’s Christmas Eve… God wants to give you a big gift! Not just a package under tomorrow’s tree, but a big lifelong gift. One that lasts. One that makes a difference. Are you ready for it? How do you receive this awesome gift? Pastor Jim’s Christmas Eve sermon helped us revisit the manger in a fresh light. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along… Our scripture reading was Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah...
Read MoreBLAST Serves Breakfast to the Homeless in Camden! (12/28/15)
Our Youth Group, BLAST, took part of their Christmas holiday to visit a homeless shelter! We spent the morning of December 28 at the New Visions Homeless Day Shelter (in Camden NJ) to serve breakfast to the people visiting the shelter. We were also able to take a break from the work in the kitchen to sit down and chat with some that we served. About 15 “BLAST’ers” took part in this experience. After preparing a meal consisting of pancakes, turkey sausage, bananas, coffee,...
Read MoreA Missionary’s Heart
The following appeared in an article by Tricia Goyer in “Mornings With Jesus 2015″… “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it.” Matthew 24:14 (NLT) In a small city in the Czech Republic there is an apartment not far from the town square where three young women room together. One is a Czech native who teaches high school and leads a local youth group. The second is from the Netherlands,...
Read MorePUMC Welcomes the Savior! (12/24/15)
On Christmas Eve, we held two services. The first was at 4:00 PM and was geared for families with small children. The 7:00 PM service included the choir, praise team, brass ensemble, and the traditional lighting of candles to the singing of Silent Night. Pastor Jim gave a sermon on Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah 9:6-7 entitled “Believe.” Here are some pictures from the 7:00 service… most of which are taken from the choir loft. The view of the candles from the loft on Christmas Eve...
Read MoreThe Polar Express Comes to Pitman! (12/20/15)
Each Christmas is a reminder that God beacons us- woos us- to “Get on Board!” He constantly offers us a free ticket; to trust fully in Him and to go along on the “ride” that He has intended for us to take. But like the kids in the movie Polar Express, we have to choose to leave the comfort of our home and Get Aboard to parts unknown. Pastor Jim’s sermon on December 20 reminded us of the wonder and joy of this challenge. Click the below “Play” button...
Read MoreIt’s All About Jesus!
On December 26 the signboard said: IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS! ‘Twas the Day after Christmas, And all through the house. All the creatures were stirring, scampering like a mouse… There’s stuff under the tree, wrapping paper laying around, cookie crumbs on the dining room table. All sorts of new “Things” to play with, new clothes to wear, fresh things to look at. And there are a lot of new items added to the “To Do List”… gifts to be...
Read MoreChristmas Eve Services (12/24/15)
Christmas is finally upon us! We will celebrate the eve before Christ’s birth with two Christmas Eve services. Family Service, 4:00 PM The fist service will be a casual family service and will be held at 4:00 PM. The service will feature carols and Bible readings. Traditional Candlelight Service, 7:30 PM The second service will begin with our annual “Christmas Band” and the singing of many favorite Christmas Carols and Praise Choruses. The choir will sing and...
Read MorePreschool Shines in Christmas Pageant (12/10/15)
Our Preschool, Our Father’s House, presented their annual Christmas Pageant before an adoring crowd of parents, grandparents, and PUMC members. After a welcome and announcements by Pastor Jim and OFH director Eileen Salmon, the kids took over. They took us through the story of Christmas with short songs and lots of energy. The kids presented everything from the Christ Child, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, magi, angels… and even cows. ...
Read MoreBLAST Celebrates 2015 and Looks Forward to 2016! (12/20/15)
Our Youth Fellowship Group, BLAST, led the worship services on Sunday December 13. During that service they unveiled a video which takes a look back at some of our recent activities… Christmas Party! What better way to wrap up the year than to get together and celebrate Christmas with your friends? On Sunday Dec. 20 we will hold our Christmas Party- here’s the itinerary: GATHER LIGHTS! PIZZA! THE STORY GAMES Meet at the church at 5:30 PM We will kick off the Christmas...
Read MoreA Future with Hope: Anna and Charlie’s Story
This post is the first in a series of updates about our efforts to help people whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in 2012… Here is the story of Anna and Charlie, a couple who had recently retired and put all of their life’s savings into their home in Union Beach, NJ. This couple has fostered over 100 children and adopted 9. By building a Future with Hope for them, we are allowing them to continue giving hope to the many children whom God has placed on their...
Read MoreMiddle School Singers Take a Field Trip to PUMC! (12/16/15)
The Pitman Middle School Chorus, under the direction of our own Sue Crispin, presented their annual Christmas concert in our sanctuary on Wednesday December 16. The chorus was about 25 strong, and they presented a selection of familiar secular and spiritual songs. After the concert we all joined together in the Fellowship Hall for a lunch of ham, macaroni / cheese, and of course- cupcakes! During the weekdays, “Sue Crispin” (PUMC Music Director), takes on the role of...
Read MoreChoirs Shine the Light of Christ during Cantata (12/13/15)
Our choirs and praise team presented our annual candelight Christmas Cantata on the afternoon of Sunday December 13. The title of the cantata was “A Light Still Shines.” Here are portions of the forward which is provided in the book: Christmas is a modern day miracle of ancient origin. Two thousand years of human history have not diminished the importance nor the implications of the Incarnation and the joy of that event will resound for millennia to come. As we celebrate the...
Read MoreMen’s Group Enters the Gates with Thanksgiving (12/12/15)
Our United Methodist Men’s Fellowship held our monthly gathering on the morning of December 12, and we considered Psalm 100. This familiar Psalm teaches us that “Theology (knowledge) leads to Doxology (worship).” Our guest speaker was Gino Curcuruto, a chiropractor/pastor/father and devoted Christian. Gino and his family recently moved from Pitman to Philadelphia, with the intent of planting churches in his South Philly neighborhood (or wherever God is leading them). The...
Read MoreHow Many Shopping Days Are Left? (12/6/15)
Advent is a time of busy preparation- shopping, writing cards, planning parties… you’re never really ready until it’s all over. On this Second Sunday in Advent, Pastor Jim spoke on Matthew 25:1-13, a parable Jesus spoke about getting ready for His return. As we prepare for Christmas, are we ready for Jesus? Our scripture was from Matthew 25:1-13. The reading is not included in the recording, so open this drop down box and read the scripture before playing the...
Read MoreSpecial Combined Service (12/27/15)
“Greeting cards have all been sent… the Christmas rush is through…” The Christmas preparations and celebrations will be over… and we’ll be resting up from all of the activity. The last Sunday of the year will have a different feel at PUMC. Instead of our usual two-service schedule at 9:30 and 11:00, we’ll hold a single service at 10:15 AM. ~ Sunday, December 27 ~ 9:30 AM: Continental Breakfast goodies in Fellowship Hall 10:15...
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