Men’s Fellowship Looks at Challenges and Joys (12/13/14)
The Men’s Fellowship group met on Saturday 12/13. It was one of our early morning meetings that gave us the chance to start off a new day by looking into God’s Word. Our guest speaker was Gino Curcuruto, and we looked at Luke 10:1-2, 17-22. Because of our relationship with Christ, we should want to “hang out” with those who don’t know Him We should want to build relationships and allow the love and hope that we have as redeemed people of peace (see Luke 10:6)...
Read MoreA Red Christmas (12/7/14)
Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “Colours of Christmas” by looking at things that are red. How can red objects remind us of Christ and help us prepare for Christmas? Click the following “Play” button, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from Luke 1:26-38. Pastor Jim read from the “Life Application Bible” (which uses the Living Bible translation/paraphrase). Open the drop down box to follow the...
Read MorePUMC Hosts Gloucester County Community Chorus’ Presentation of The Messiah (12/9/14)
The Rowan College at Gloucester County and Community Chorus presented their “Holiday Cheer Concert” in our church on Tuesday night (12/9/14). It was a busy night…. The choir members joined us in our weekly Tuesday dinner, and then we filled the sanctuary to enjoy the concert. During the concert, several of our weekly small groups and studies met as usual, and Narcotics Anonymous held their weekly meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Our sanctuary was full… and so was our...
Read MoreA Green Christmas (11/30/14)
Today was the first Sunday of Advent, and Pastor Jim began a new 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 portions of Luke 21. Open the drop down box to follow along. Pastor Jim read from the Living Bible (or “Life...
Read MorePUMC Kicks Off and Steps Off in Pitman Christmas Parade (11/29/14)
One of Pitman’s finest traditions comes on the Saturday before the first week in Advent. People from all over take part in the annual Christmas Parade, and then everyone heads over to the Hagerty’s to see the opening of their annual Christmas lights display. The parade starts in our parking lot and then continues down Broadway, through the downtown area, and then ends smewhere around Ballard Park. This year, in addition to hosting the parade’s starting point, we entered our...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Show that “A Savior Has Been Born” (12/1/14)
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 December…This month’s verse is Luke 2:11… “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” NIV This Month’s Mission Project… This month we will help a needy family...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Keeping Your Spiritual Blades Sharp
The following devotion was submitted by Pastor Jim on November 28, 2014… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Ecclesiastes 10:10 “If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well” (NLV). The past couple of days I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic and for some reason I recalled cutting the grass when I was a boy. Back then we did not have a motorized lawn mower. Dad used to have one of those manual...
Read MoreBlue Christmas Service (12/22/14)
Many of us lost loved ones during this year. Some of us lost loved ones years ago, but still feel the emptiness. For any of us, the family traditions of the holidays bring back memories of Christmases past. During this holiday season we are especially aware of those who have walked with us and who are an integral part of those memories; but now they’re gone. On Monday December 22 at 7:00 PM we will pause to reflect on loved ones who have passed to eternity. Even as we celebrate the...
Read MoreWhat Are You Giving to Jesus?
A new message was posted on our signboard on Thanksgiving Day (11/27/14): WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO JESUS? This question looks towards “Black Friday” and the crazy pre-Christmas shopping season. We all have a list of people we want to please on Christmas morning, and we’re all busy trying to write possible gifts next to these names and then to brave the malls and Internet to purchase the gifts. But Christmas (“Celebration of Christ”) is a birthday. Jesus Birthday!...
Read MorePUMC Preparing the Way with Advent Events (12/2014)
Christmas is a busy time for all of us. For PUMC, Christmas not only means traditional celebrations with friends and families, but it also means a celebration of Advent; of the first coming of our Lord and Savior. And so we worship, serve, pray, teach, and yes- party during this Christmas season.There’s a lot going on, so this post will give an overview of what’s happening in our Advent schedule. There are Four Weeks in the Advent Season, and then the first Sunday after...
Read MoreOur Father’s House to Present Christmas Program (12/11/14)
The Our Father’s House Preschool will present our annual Christmas program on December 11 in our sanctuary. The program starts at 10:15 AM. The children will present a “play” entitled “The True Story of Christmas.” It will feature a lot of music, some narration, and a lot of joyful moments. All are welcome! If you’re available, come out to support the school, parents, and kids. The children will visit us for worship on December 14 and present...
Read MorePUMC to Distribute Christmas Lawn Signs (11/30/14)
During Advent, we will have the opportunity to give a gentle reminder to our neighbors and passers-by that Christmas is all about Jesus. Santa is Secondary (if at all)!!! Without Christ, there is No Christmas! To us, this may seem totally obvious. But many are too caught up in the world of shopping and holiday celebrations to keep that in focus. Christmas is a time of family and celebration, but it is also a time of humble acknowledgement of what God did to bridge the gap between His...
Read MoreLive 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...
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