Pastor’s Ponderings: Who is Francis Asbury?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about Francis Asbury on 1/11/15… Our Methodist tradition is filled with many wonderful men and women who served God faithfully. They leave a legacy of faith and we certainly owe our ancestors a great deal of thanks for what they have preserved and passed along to us. One such great saint of the Methodist Church is Frances Asbury. Asbury traveled thousands of miles by horseback and was a true circuit riding Methodist preacher. Asbury spent a...
Read MoreAll in All (1/11/15)
The sermon on January 11, 2015 was given by Lay Speaker Larry Bakely. His message included a personal testimony and a look at Hosea 11:1-11. Click the below “play” button to hear the recording, then scroll down to follow along. Hosea 11:1-11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,I...
Read MoreMens Fellowship Strives to Treasure Jesus in 2015 (1/10/15)
The United Methodist Men’s Fellowship held our monthly gathering on Saturday January 10. Yep- it was a cold and early morning at 7:30 AM, but the warm coffee and fellowship is always a great thing. Our guest speaker was Chris Johnson, a missionary who has a heart for the people in Mexico who don’t know Christ. Chris and His wife Michele have been planting churches in Mexico, but are currently “home” in New Jersey. Chris’ theme was “Treasuring Jesus in...
Read MoreYouth Set to Take a Mid-Winter “Advance” (1/16/15)
How many of us have been on a retreat? Retreats- it’s great to get away from the normal routines and the distractions they cause, and then to focus your thoughts on God. But RETREAT?!? We want move forward- to grow. So instead of having a “Retreat,” our youth are attending an “Advance!” This year’s “Mid-Winter Advance” will be held at America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ, on the weekend of January 16-18. The weekend will be hosted by a group of...
Read MoreNew Members Class to Begin (1/20/15)
Are you interested in “officially” joining our church? This year’s “New Members” class will start on Tuesday January 20. It will meet with Pastor Jim at 7:00 PM after the Tuesday Night dinner. Five sessions are planned: Jan. 20, Jan 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, and Feb 17. If you’re interested, contact Pastor Jim or the church office.
Read MoreCaptain’s Log: Stardate Bethlehem (1/4/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 4 looked forward to the day of Epiphany, which technically occurs on January 6. How do the star and the search for the Messiah speak to us today? Our scripture reading was Matthew 2:1-12. Click the “Play” button to listen to the recording of the sermon and then scroll down and follow along… Matthew 2:1-12 Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. At about that time some astrologers...
Read MoreUrban Promise to Visit PUMC During Worship Services (1/18/15)
Marcus Bell from Urban Promise, will visit PUMC on Sunday January 18 to share about their ministry in Camden and to lead our worship services. Marcus is the Director of Camp Spirit. Marcus will preach on James 1:26-27. Here’s a testimony from an 11 grader that was recently posted on the Urban Promise website… A Year of Opportunity by Yormeliz, Urban Promise Academy 11th grader… I started coming to Urban Promise just 1 year ago, and in that year… I’ve...
Read MoreCarols from Around the World (12/28/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on the Sunday after Christmas (December 28, 2014) took a look at some of the carols that inspire us during the Christmas season. God calls us to sing and even dance. We’re supposed to be happy! And so these carols aren’t simply traditional songs that bring back memories. They are expressions of our faith. Click the below “play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture for this...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Practice “Good Medicine” in January (1/1/15)
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 the month of January…This month’s verse is Proverbs 17:22… “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ” NIV This Month’s Mission Project… This month we’ll share...
Read MoreJust what is Epiphany, Anyway??? (1/6/15)
Advent. Christmastide. Epiphany. Different banners, different colors, different “Names of Sundays” in our church bulletins. What’s it all mean? This post might shed a bit of light on this… Advent… The season of Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This year, Advent included November 30, December 7, December 14, and December 21 (click each date to see Pastor Jim’s sermon for that Sunday). During these four Sundays we light each candle in...
Read MoreMen’s Fellowship to Gather with Chris Johnson (1/10/15)
Our first fellowship gathering of the new year will be on the morning of Saturday, January 10 at 7:30 AM. We’ll meet in the Potter’s Hand room (which is on the balcony level behind the sanctuary). Our guest speaker will be Chris Johnson, and his topic will be “Treasuring Jesus in 2015.” Chris is a missionary to Mexico through an organization called To Every Tribe. http://www.toeverytribe.org. He will also be our 2015 retreat speaker. Here is a brief bio: Chris Johnson is a...
Read MoreA Wonder-Filled Night (12/24/14)
Our Christmas Eve Service in 2014 opened our eyes to the “Wow!” of Christmas, and challenged us to keep the wonder and awesomeness of The Birth throughout the year.
Read MoreToday is a Gift!
The signboard message posted on December 27, 2014 read: LIFE IS A GIFT. THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE PRESENT. OK. Maybe a cheep pun. Maybe cliche. Whenever we think of someone who survived a serious disease or somehow dodged a life threatening accident, a string of sayings pops into mind to remind us that life is indeed fragile. Whenever some unusual event threatens our lives, we are able to see life as a gift from God. But what about during normal times? What if you’re...
Read MorePUMC Records “Prepare the Way” Video (12/18/14)
During our Choir Rehearsal last Thursday (12/18/14), The Voices in Praise stepped into the “recording studio” with Lee Whittaker and recorded a rendition of his hit “Prepare the Way.” This song is especially appropriate as we consider the “Colors of Christmas” and how we’ve been reminded that we must constantly prepare our lives and hearts for the arrival of Christ. Not only for His 2nd coming, but also for His ever-available touch on our day to day...
Read MoreA White Christmas (12/21/14)
Today was the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and Pastor Jim wrapped up his Advent sermon series looking at the “Colors of Christmas”- tools we use to Look Up and to keep our focus on Christ during this busy season. Click the “Play” button on the following player to listen to the sermon, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from Luke 2:8-15. Open the drop down box to follow along. Pastor Jim read from the New King James Version of the...
Read MoreStuck in the Middle of a Noisy Christmas?
Can’t wait for Christmas to come and get over with? Does it feel like you’re in the middle of a hectic rush of shopping, phony parties and crazy drivers? When January comes will you look back and be thankful for Christmas, or will you simply return to your normal routine and feel glad that you survived it? The true Christmas touches us when we can honestly celebrate Christ (that’s what Christ Mas literally means, afterall). Christ touches us in the quiet moments. In...
Read MorePastors Ponderings: My Christmas Wish
The following devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on December 19, 2014… Greetings Friends: Below is a poem I actually came across many years ago. I recently found it again and feel led to share it with you. It really sums up what this season and our lives are all about. I pray that all of us will be blessed. PLEASE READ: Matthew 2:9-11 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the...
Read MoreOur Father’s House Kids Charm Congregation (12/14/14)
The Our Father’s House presented their annual Christmas Program on Thursday 12/18. But many of us were working and could not attend this weekday event. So, they made a return performance during the 11AM service on Sunday 12/14/14. Here are a few pictures of the kids in action… +++++++++++++++++++++++++ For more information about Our Father’s House, Click Here. ...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: By Being Born, He Let Love Into the World
The following devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on December 18…Greetings Friends; PLEASE READ: John 1:1-5, 10-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…. He was in the world, and though the world...
Read MoreA Blue Christmas (12/14/14)
On Sunday the 14th, Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “colors of Christmas”. This week, his theme was “a Blue Christmas.”Start the audio recording below, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from Matthew’s account of the birth. Matthew gives Joesph’s perspective, while Luke (last week’s passage) speaks from Mary’s perspective. Pastor Jim read from the New King James version. Matthew 1:18-25… ...
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