Songs for the Road (8/9/15)
Are you on a trip somewhere? Looking forward to where you’re going but wondering how to occupy your time in the long car drive? Our sermon on August 9 2015 was given by Larry Bakely (PUMC Lay Leader). Click on the below “Play” button, then scroll down to follow along. Note that the recording begins immediately with the scripture reading, starting with Psalm 130:1… The scripture reading was from Psalm 130, one of the “Songs of Ascents.” Click the...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: A Believer in Blessings
Are we really resting in the peace and security that God offers us? Or, we running around, bearing burdens that God wants to lift from us? Matthew 6:25-26… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are...
Read MoreMen are Set to Kick Off a New Season! (9/12/15)
Pizza!!!! On the second Saturday of every month in the year (except in the months named July and August), a group of men get together to laugh, drink coffee, eat donuts… and share in some informal Bible study. The “informal Bible study” is usually lead by an outside speaker who gives us a fresh perspective on how we can live and grow in our Christian walk as men. Our fellowship gatherings are normally held at 7:30 AM in the Potter’s Hand room (balcony level behind the...
Read MoreMissions Update from La Palmilla (8/11/15)
Our missions trip to La Palmilla ended several weeks ago, but missions leader (and PUMC’er) Jennifer Andrade has remained in Mexico for a few more weeks. She recently sent the following update… Missions in La Palmilla, Veracruz, Mexico… Missions and ministry are alive and well in the rural village of La Palmilla! This past July, a Mission Team, sponsored by our church, went to La Palmilla for a week to work alongside of our brothers in Christ on the continued...
Read MoreWe Interrupt this Summer for some Important Reminders…
Hello Beachgoers! If you’re still vacationing in Maine or lounging by the pool, please take a moment to note the following “re-start” dates. September isn’t that far away! Just Around the Corner… Our Father’s House (Kids’ 1st day of School) Tuesday, Sept. 8 Men’s Fellowship Gathering (Fall Kickoff dinner- 6PM) Saturday, Sept. 12 Children’s Church Sunday, Sept. 13 Tuesday Night Dinners/Studies Tuesday, Sept. 15 Choir...
Read MoreLove, Somebody (7/12/15)
What’s a “Random Act Of Kindness”? How can a seemingly simple act or gift make a difference in someone’s life? Several Sundays ago, members of our congregation were treated to the following message when they arrived at their cars after the service: Just a simple handwritten note (“your” / “you’re”… who cares???). But it was anonymous. Nobody wanted to take credit for it. And yet- that made the message all the more powerful. ...
Read MoreA View of the Real World (8/2/15)
Confused? Many of us are. But how do you find the truth? How do you know what to trust? Pastor Jim took on these questions during his sermon of August 2 2015. Click the following “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Amos 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7. Open the below Drop Down box to read the scripture. Scripture Amos 5:8 (Seek Him who) made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of...
Read MoreLet’s Go Surfing! PUMC Hosts Camp Meeting (7/26/15)
Our church was the host church for the Sunday Camp Meeting service on July 26. Members from our praise team lead the music and Pastor Jim preached a sermon on Matthew 14:22-33 entitled “Let’s Go Surfing!” Scroll down to listen to a recording of the sermon and to follow through the summary. PUMC Hosts the Camp Meeting Service Each week, different United Methodist Churches from the area serve as hosts for the service. The host churches usually supply the music, and...
Read MorePUMC Canoes and Kayaks at Parvin State Park! (8/1/15)
On a beautiful Summer morning, you need to spend some quality time with family, friends (and “church family”)… and, it’s an extra bonus if you can enjoy some of the great outdoors and taste some of God’s creation at the same time! That’s what a group of us did on Saturday 8/1/15. About 15 of us (all ages) traveled to Parvin State Park, rented canoes or kayaks, and spent some time on the lake (yes- none of our boaters spent any time IN the lake!). We got...
Read MorePanic! Now What? (7/26/15)
On July 26, Pastor Jim was taking a much deserved vacation, so our sermon was given by Lay Servant Jim Kier. What do you do when your whole world is about to crash around you? What do you do when that moment hits you and you feel that you’re in serious danger? Jim’s scripture was John 6:1-21. Click the below “Play” button to start the recording of the message, then scroll down to read the scripture and to follow along with the sermon… John 6:1-21...
Read MorePhilemon, Forgiveness, and Dr. Pepper (7/19/15)
What does forgiveness do for you? And what does that have to do with Dr. Pepper??? Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 19 2015 tied it all together. Click on the following “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along (this recording is from the 9:30 service)… Our scripture was the book of Philemon… yep- the whole “book” (actually it’s a short letter). Open the below drop down box and look over Philemon’s shoulder as he reads this letter...
Read MoreWhat’s Beyond the Zebras? (7/12/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 12 2015 called us to look beyond our own self imposed boundaries and to allow God to work through us; even if He takes us to places we’ve never been before. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Our scripture was from Genesis 12:1-5… Genesis 12:1-5 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house,...
Read MorePUMC’ers take Mission to La Palmilla (7/15/15)
Our mission team has safely arrived in La Palmilla Mexico! For the next two weeks they will be working with our Mexican friends to help complete the construction of their sanctuary. The church in La Palmilla is a United Methodist Church that’s bursting at the seams. There’s not a lot of funding for a construction project in that village, but there is a lot of love for Christ and a lot of desire to share His Word. One of the Mission Team members, Chris Valianti, posted the...
Read MorePUMC to Return to Friendlys! (7/21/15 & 8/18/15)
During the Summer you need Ice Cream! You need to go to the shore and do other things to take advantage of the opportunity to mix thing up. One of the highlights during the Fall and Winter is our Tuesday evenings of dinner, fellowship, and Bible Study. But one of this summer’s highlights is shaping up to be our evenings at Friendlys! Last month, we held our first Fundraiser at Friendlys. PUMC packed the restaurant and we raised over $250 for our shared ministries. People across the...
Read MoreLifelong Questions (2/12/12)
On February 12, 2012, Rev. John Groth (retired military chaplain) visited our church and gave the sermon during both worship services. After the 2nd service he stuck around and met with the Men’s Fellowship group. Notes on his sermon were recently discovered, so the below post was written. Rev. Groth’s message was on 2 Corinthians 8:1-8. Rev. Groth noted six “Lifelong Questions” that this passage brings out. Below is the text of 2 Corinthians 8:1-8 (using Eugene...
Read MoreYouth Lead the Way!!!
Sometimes adults think of youth as “so and so’s son or daughter” or of a demographic that we somehow need to attract and create programs for. But the people we call “Youth” are a dynamic part of our church. Recently we have seen three examples of their leadership and how they have contributed to our church and its mission. The list could go way beyond these three items, but here’s a taste of the contributions that they are always making… 1: ...
Read MoreUnited Methodists Give the Poor in Belize a Head Start
What if you only had an Eighth Grade education? You didn’t know anything about science or math, your reading lagged behind, and you didn’t speak any English? In Belize, a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, 55% of the youth drop out of school before reaching High School. The problem isn’t desire or the ability to learn; it’s the ability to pay! The country’s commitment to education shrunk as the population grew. The result was a lack of High...
Read MorePUMC to Go to Phillies Game (7/19/15)
Remember that big storm we had a few weeks ago? The one that hit us during Vacation Bible School? The one that left many of us without power for several days? Well, one thing that also happened that week is that our annual trip to the Phillies got rained out! We were supposed to go on June 27, but well- most of us were busy with other things anyway. But now we’ve got a second chance! The game has been rescheduled to Sunday July 19 at 1:35 PM. The church van will leave from the...
Read MoreDependence Upon God (7/5/15)
On July 4, we celebrated the independence of our country from England. But on July 5, Pastor Jim led us into a celebration of our DEPENDENCE on God. Our nation’s roots are founded on God, and we need to keep praying for all of our leaders. Click the below “play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… Our scripture was from 1 Timothy 2:1-7. Pastor Jim read from The Living Bible translation (paraphrase)… 1 Timothy 2:1-7 1 I...
Read More2015 Vacation Bible School Goes to Nazareth! (6/22-26)
Our Vaction Bible School in June of 2015 took over 100 kids on a trip back in time to see what Jesus was like as a child. We went to Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, and visited with his mom, Mary. We also went into the market place and made some crafts, ate some authentic food, and talked to people who may not have always believed in Jesus. There were fun and games to play as well, one of our favorites was to crush “grapes” (water balloons) with our feet just like how they made wine and olive...
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