Can You Say “Hello?”
Do Something! At our recent retreat with the youth, they challenged us to “do something”. Have you ever felt like “doing something” at church, but couldn’t fit it into your schedule? Here’s the perfect “something”! Be a greeter! Show up at church about 25 minutes early, hang out in the narthex, and welcome those arriving. This is “something” the church needs. Is this “something” you can do? Say “Hello” to Carol Hubbard if you are interested in joining the hospitality...
Read MoreGod’s Super Team (2/1/15)
Sunday February 1 2015 was “Super Bowl Sunday!” We dressed down and wore our favorite team’s colors, and Pastor Jim’s sermon looked at what it takes to be a championship team. Teams work together to achieve a common goal. But how has God assembled His team- the Church? Click the following “Play” button to start the sermon, scroll down, and follow along… 1 Corinthians 12:4-25 1 Cor 12:4-26 There are diversities of gifts, but the same...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Family of God
Pastor Jim submitted the following devotional on February 6 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Hebrews 10:25 Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer” (CEV). PLEASE READ: Acts 2:42 They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed...
Read MoreJesus Loves You- Is the Feeling Mutual?
The following message was posted on our signboard as we begin to prepare for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday: JESUS LOVES YOU! IS THE FEELING MUTUAL? Jesus Loves You… Jesus loves you… we hear that so many times that it begins to sound kind of cliche, or trite. Jesus- the Son of God- loves… ME? Really??? The familiar Sunday School song says, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.” How does the Bible tells us that Jesus loves us? ...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to “Love Your Neighbor” during February (2/1/14)
In each month of this school year, Our Father’s House (our pre-school) features a verse from the Bible and then puts that verse in action through mission. Here’s what’s happening in Our Father’s House during February…This month’s verse is Matthew 22:39… 37-38 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is...
Read MoreBLAST to Visit Sight and Sound (2/7/15)
Our BLAST Youth group is set to have another “Loud Awesome Spiritual Time.” On Saturday February 7 we are going to Lancaster County PA to see the Sight and Sound presentation of “Moses.” If you’ve never been to a Sight and Sound production, it is an awesome experience! Live animals, huge sets, and large casts make all work together to take you back to the time and location where the Bible story took place. On Saturday, we’re going to Egypt; to the time...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Begin Full Day Program for Pre-K’s (Sept. 2015)
The Our Father’s House pre-school has been providing kids with quality preschool instruction and a nurturing environment since we opened its doors in the Fall of 2009. We are now in our 6th year. But during that time, all of our classes have met for only half a day. We’ve offered morning sessions or afternoon sessions, but never a full day session. Starting next Fall, that will change! All of our half day classes will still be available. However, parents of 4 year olds...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Jesus Never Had Ulcers!
Pastor Jim submitted the following on January 25… Greetings Friends: 11 months from today is Christmas!!!! PLEASE READ: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and...
Read MoreFaith-Walking People (1/25/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 25 (11AM service) looked at the faith of Enoch- somebody we don’t hear that much about. How does our Walk with God affect our day to day lives? Do we know that we ARE walking with God? Like Amy Grant’s song, are we Faith Walking People? Click the following “Play” button to listen to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture reading was from Gen 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5-6. Open the following box to...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s Your Fixed Point?
The following article was sent by Pastor Jim on 1/19/15…. Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Psalm 102:27 “But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (NIV). Those verses of holy Scripture noted above are so powerful. What an amazing thought: Jesus Christ is the same, He doesn’t change. Isn’t that good to know that in this turbulent, stormy,...
Read MoreDo Something! (1/25/15)
Last weekend (1/18/15), our BLAST Youth Group attended the “Mid-Winter Advance” at Keswick. Besides having a lot of fun and meeting new friends, they focused on Matthew 25:40 and discussed ways in which they can put their faith into action and “do it for the least of these.” Here’s the “T-Shirt Translation” of this verse: This weekend (1/25/15) the group returned and shared what they learned by leading the 9:30 worship service. The following thoughts...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Study the Playbook
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts on January 24, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing rightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth” (AMP). As we’re well aware the Super Bowl is in one week. Players from both teams are investing time and energy in...
Read MoreSnow Forces Cancellations! (1/26/15)
Because of the impending snow storm, most of the activities scheduled to be held on Monday 1/26 (evening) and Tuesday 1/27 (day and evening) have been cancelled. See below for details… Our Father’s House Cancellations or late openings will be announced separately via email. Our Father’s House was closed on Tuesday January 27… PUMC and Outside Activities Monday Jan. 26 Cancelled: Newpoint Meeting, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Postponed: Administrative...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Love is Victorious
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/20/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:11a “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” PLEASE READ: Ephesians 4:29 “Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians” (NLV) Although snow is in the forecast for South Jersey for tomorrow [Wednesday 1/21/15], I am excited that Spring Training...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Part Time Christians?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 16, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment?” Jesus answered, “The most important one says: ‘People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ The second most...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Scriptures
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 15, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds” (CEV) PLEASE READ: Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may...
Read MoreFully Alive (1/18/15)
The sermon on January 18 was given by Marcus Bell, who is the director of the Spirit Camp after school program at Urban Promise. (Camden, NJ). Marcus shared his experience and challenged us to gain a fuller life by giving and serving. His scripture was on James 1:26-27. Click the “Play” button to begin listening to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… (Note: The scripture was read by Pastor Jim) James 1:26-27 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious,...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What Makes One Weak?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/15/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Acts 1:14 “They all joined together...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who is John Wesley?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about John Wesley and the persecutions Wesley endured in order to spread the Gospel. PLEASE READ: Matthew 5:11-12 (Jesus said) “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (see other cross references below which may have been an...
Read MoreMissions Bulletin Board: Update from the Vanderhoffs (1/13/15)
You may have noticed that one of the Christmas Trees recently displayed in our Narthex was filled with ornaments reminding us of the missionaries across the globe that we support. Here’s an update on Jim & Alice Vanderhoof… Mission’s Bulletin Board… Did you know that we have a year round constant way to remind ourselves of our missionaries and to catch up on what they’re doing? In the Fellowship Hallway, there is a bulletin board dedicated to our...
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