Live Nativity & Birthday Party for Jesus to be Celebrated (12/13/14)
Two popular PUMC Christmas traditions are the Live Nativity and the Birthday Party for Jesus. This year, we’re holding both celebrations together. Come join us on a trip back in time we will be heading to Bethlehem to experience the birth of Christ. From 6:30-8:30PM our live nativity will be open. Drive through! Enter our parking lot via Lambs Road and exit on Broadway. Along the way, get a taste (and smell!) of 1st century Bethlehem as it silently awaits the birth of Jesus. If...
Read MoreThanksgiving Turkey & Canadian Geese (11/23/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday November 23, 2014 came as we neared the Thanksgiving holiday. As we anticipate the aroma of turkey, stuffing, and the vision of piles of mashed potatoes, what are we really thankful for? Hit the play button (the recording is from the 2nd service), scroll down, and follow along. The text was based on Psalm 100 and on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. In the recording, Pastor Jim read Psalm 100 from the Living Bible (“Life Application...
Read MoreTuesday Nighters Decorate the Sanctuary (11/25/14)
Many of us took a night away form our usual Tuesday night studies to help our church prepare for Christmas. “Christ” “Mas” literally means “celebration of Christ,” and one of the things that focuses us and helps us to Celebrate Christ is the traditional decorations of trees, garlands, and Nativity Scenes. Both before and after the usual Tuesday night dinner, we “hung the greens” and got into the Christmas spirit. Here’s a quick ...
Read MorePUMC Builds Christmas Parade Float (11/23/14)
On Sunday Nov. 23 we had just heard a sermon about some faithful Canadian Geese and about the mounds of mashed potatoes and delicious turkey we’d be enjoying later in the week. But on Sunday afternoon, about 30 of our members gathered in a garage to build our float which will be entered into the Pitman Christmas Parade. The parade, which will begin at our church parking lot, will be held on Saturday 11/29 starting at 5:00PM. In addition to the tasks of stuffing handout packets and...
Read MoreBishop Calls for Prayer for Furguson, MO (11/25/14)
In anticipation of last night’s Grand Jury decision of whether to indict the police officer in the shooting of Michael Brown (an incident which occurred on August 9), Bishop John Schol released the following open letter. The decision was announced last night, and it was to not indict. Bishop Schol is the presiding bishop of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference… Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I call on United Methodists in Greater New Jersey and people everywhere to...
Read MoreCommunity Thanksgiving Service (11/26/14)
Due to the freezing rain and slippery pavements, the Community Thanksgiving Service was cancelled. The annual community Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Pitman Nazarene Church on Wednesday November 26. It will start at 6:30 PM. The Nazarene church is located on North Broadway, next to the Water Ice Station. Please bring a canned good which can be given as an...
Read MoreGloucester County Community Chorus to Perform Messiah at PUMC (12/9/14)
Our Tuesday night dinner / study will turn into a Tuesday night dinner / concert on Tuesday December 9. After the dinner, the Rowan College at Gloucester County & Community Chorus will present Handel’s “The Messiah” in our sanctuary. The dinner begins at 6:00 PM and the concert is at 7:30 PM. The dinner is $8.00 for adults, and pre-registration is requested (see signup sheet in Narthex). + + + + + + + + + + + + For more information...
Read MoreElderberries to Enjoy Pitman Middle School Concert (12/17/14)
On December 17 at 11:15, the Elderberries will be treated to a concert and luncheon. The concert will be given by the Pitman Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Sue Crispin . Besides teaching at the Middle school, Sue also serves as PUMC’s organist / music director. Following the concert, a lunch will be served. Save the date and look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. + + + + + + + + + + For more information on the...
Read MoreDeck the Halls! (11/25/14)
Christmas- Christ’s Birthday- is quickly coming upon us… A host of annual traditions are is waiting in the wings: Birthday Party for Jesus, Live nativity, Gloucester County Community Choir (The Messiah), Candlelight Christmas Cantata, Christmas Eve service…. Decorations of garland, wreaths, and nativity scenes lend to the atmosphere and help inspire our worship during the Advent season. On Tuesday, November 25, we will decorate our sanctuary (as we call it,...
Read MoreOur Fathers House & Elderberries Sing and Feast! (11/19/14)
On the morning of November 19 2024, the children from Our Father’s House presented a musical program in the sanctuary; the kids were “Marching in the Lord’s Army” and “Making Us Fishers of Men.” The energy the kids presented while singing this whole series of short “Sunday School” songs was inspiring and entertaining. The sanctuary was filled with not only camera toting parents, but also with seniors from our church. This event bridged young...
Read MoreBLAST Youth Group to Visit Pitman Manor Residents (11/22/14)
Seniors in nursing homes love to have contact with the “outside world,” especially with Kids and Youth. And, those who visit our seniors always come away blessed. You think you are serving, but when you leave you feel that you have been served! On Saturday, November 22, Our Youth Group (BLAST) will enjoy the company of our seniors at the Pitman Manor. Here’s the schedule for Saturday: 3-4PM Meet at the Manor to visit the residents. During the visit we’ll play some...
Read MoreTuesday Night Group Studying the Lord’s Prayer (11/18/14)
Tuesday Bible Study with Pastor Jim… Since the middle of October, Pastor Jim has been leading an in depth study of the Lord’s Prayer during the studies on Tuesdays. The classes are held in the morning at 9:30 and then again in the evening after dinner (starting at 7:00 PM). Both groups meet in the Potter’s Hand room (on the sanctuary balcony level). We’ve been taking it phrase by phrase… Our Father- Abba, Daddy. Prayer is real- not a vain repetition Heaven-...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Called to Dive into the Corn Field!
The following devotional was submitted by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton (11/14/14). Last night (Thursday 11/13/14) we experienced our first sighting of snow for the season. The temperatures dipped low enough for a thin coating of snow to cover parts of our gardens and decks… ————————————————– Greetings Friends: What a wonderful treat with the snow fall last evening! PLEASE...
Read MorePUMC Celebrates the Gift of Life (11/16/14)
In our Narthex on Sunday, an organ donor and an organ recipient shared their experience with our congregation. One person can save or enhance the lives of more than 50 people. More than 123,000 Americans are waiting for life saving organ transplants. Tragically, 18 people die each DAY because the organs they need are not available. But anyone can help save lives by deciding to be an organ and tissue donor. PUMC has a special connection and appreciation for this Gift of Life. Several years...
Read MoreBishop Lifts up United Methodist Doctor Who Died of Ebola (11/16/14)
Bishop John Schol (Greater NJ Annual Conference) recently sent the following message regarding Dr. Martin Salia. Dr. Salia was a United Methodist and a doctor in Sierra Leone. Dr. Salia contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone and was recently flown to the United States for treatment. But his disease was too far advanced for him to be healed, and Dr. Salia passed away this morning (Monday 11/17)… Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, When people hurt, United Methodists help. I have been using...
Read MoreWhen All Else Fails, Read the Instructions (11/16/14)
Sunday November 16 was Bible Sunday. Pastor Jim’s message was from Paul’s final letter; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. We looked at how the Bible is the only real source of truth in our lives. What do you compare yourself to? Click the “Play” button below to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… 2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But you must keep on believing the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know that you can trust those of us...
Read MorePantry Keeps Feeding Pitman!
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, most of us will be enjoying dinner tables filled with more food than we can (or should) eat. If Thursday the 27th finds you gazing over piles of mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, remember that many in our community aren’t able to do that. God has blessed us, so that we can bless others. And… God has blessed others so that we can be blessed. God Answers Prayer Through His People… How can a loving God allow...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The List is Cancelled!!!
The following devotional was submitted by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton (11/13/14)…PLEASE READ: 1 John 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” There is a story that one...
Read MoreNew Early Bird Bible Study on Tuesday Nights (11/4/14)
On Tuesdays, our church dives into The Word with several small group Bible studies which come before and after a dinner. One of these studies has been called the “Early Bird” Bible Study class because it meets at 5:00 before the dinner. Other classes meet after the dinner. The Early Bird study is led by Pastor Glenn Chaplin (who also serves as the pastor of the Downer UMC). They have recently concluded a study on Heaven, and now they’ve started a new study looking at what it...
Read MoreClifford Visits the OFH Book Fair! (11/11/14)
The Our Father’s House Preschool is currently holding their annual Book Fair in the Gathering Room (2nd floor of the Education wing). Lots of Bedtime Material! The fair features many Christian books that you can read during those special bedtime moments. Here are a couple of views of the items on sale… Clifford! Clifford the Big Red Dog made a surprise visit to the fair and entertained the kids! ...
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