PUMC 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...
Read MoreOur Weight Lifting God (6/28/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on June 28 was based on Psalm 40; God lifts us out of the slimy pit and places us on solid ground. Click the following “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was Psalm 40… Psalm 40 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He...
Read MoreA Right Relationship with Your Father (6/21/15)
Our speaker on June 21 was Lay Servant Jim Kier. Pastor Jim (Bolton) enjoyed a brief break while Lay Servant Jim (Kier) lead the Father’s day worship service. Jim’s message took us into the Word to explore our relationships with our earthly father and with our Heavenly Father. Click the below “Play” button to start the recording, scroll down, and follow along… Jim’s scripture was from Ephesians 6: 1-4, 13-18. Open the following drop down box...
Read MorePitman Camp Meeting Ready to Begin 2015 Summer Season (6/28/15)
This post is for the 2015 season! For information on the 2016 season, click this button: 2016 Camp Meeting Schedule The 145th annual summer Pitman Camp Meeting will be held again this summer, and it will open on Sunday June 28. The final Sunday will be on August 30. The services feature pastors and musical groups from the area churches. It is a time of informal Praise and Worship which begins at 7:30 PM in the Pitman Grove Auditorium. Here’s the...
Read MoreVacation Bible School is Moooooovin’ to Nazareth! (6/22/15)
Let’s Get Mooooovin’ to Nazareth! This year’s Vacation Bible School is underway! We’re on our way to Nazareth to see what it was like for Jesus growing up. Dates: Monday June 22 through Friday June 26. Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM, opening with a time of worship. Place: At our church (older kids will move to an offsite pool). Friday will feature an Ice Cream social following the closing program. Here are a few glimpses of our first night… The Bible...
Read MoreNo Camouflage Clothing (6/14/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on June 14 was from Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV Does the rest of the crowd wear you down? How do we keep from being worn down, despite...
Read MoreMen to Gather for Last time this Season- But It’s Not Over Yet! (6/13/15)
The Men will hold the last Saturday Gathering of the 14-15 season on June 13. We’ll meet from 7:30 AM until ~9:00 for some food, fellowship, and Bible Study. We gather in the Potter’s Hand Room which is on the balcony level behind the sanctuary. All men are welcome; just show up and surprise us! Our guest speaker will be Mike Chapman, associate pastor at Aldine UMC. Mike will be discussing Luke 8:40-56. The theme of the study will be: “It’s Not Over Yet – with Christ...
Read MoreWhat is Africa University? What is Shared Ministry?
Africa University…. Wouldn’t it be great if we could train up a team of experts who could help people all over Africa to provide sources of clean water, build churches, build schools, and divert young people away from an impoverished destiny by giving them a college education? As it turns out, the United Methodist Church is doing these things day in and day out. One of the “causes” supported by our Shared Ministries is the Africa University. Instead of sending...
Read MoreSpiritual Wisdom from Shrek (6/7/15)
Pastor Jim took us in an unusual direction to find insight into the story of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14); did you realize that a scene from the movie Shrek illustrates an important spiritual principle? Click the following “Play” Button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Matthew 14:22-33. Open the below drop down box to follow along… Matthew 14 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat...
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