Blue Christmas Service (12/17/13)
Many of us lost loved ones during this year. 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 Tuesday Dec. 17 at 7:30 PM we will pause to reflect on loved ones who have passed to eternity. Even as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we still mourn the loss of loved ones. This service will...
Read MoreMagnificant Bulletin Cover (12/8/13)
During the Advent Season, our bulletins have been featuring artwork created by members of our congregation. The December 8 cover depicts the passage in the Bible known as the Magnificat. Mary’s story begins as one of faith and obedience as we read Luke 1:35-38. But the reality of her situation would be disgrace, abandonment and hopelessness. (see outside border art). Early Christian art used symbolism to convey meaning to an illustration. (See center art) As Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s...
Read MoreLive Nativity (12/22/13)
Join our spiritual journey on Sunday, December 22 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (after the cantata!). Drive or walk through the parking lot to see the biblical story of Christmas being told. Step back in time to see the soldiers, shepherds, wisemen, and the manger with Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. See (or pet) the live animals. Share in this experience that will bring the wonder of the first Christmas to life before your eyes. See the story… and join the story! Our parking lot is clear...
Read MoreChristmas Eve- Two Services! (12/24/13)
We’re having TWO Christmas Eve services this year! 4:00PM Service… This first service will be for children who might find the later hour “challenging.” We will delight in the wonder of a child’s view of Christ’s birth! 7:30 PM Service… The second service will be our traditional one. We will light our darkened Sanctuary with candles and carols. Music will be led by our choirs, and the service will end with the traditional Silent Night....
Read MoreAdded Blessing at Our Father’s House
Our Father’s House (our church’s pre-school), warmly gives many kinds of blessings to the families in the school and to our church. One of these blessings is Yogi, our “crossing guard”. Yogi is at the church every morning to greet the children with a warm welcome and to make sure they’re safe as they move from the parking lot into the building. On the last day of school before the Thanksgiving break, Yogi greeted the kids wearing his (now) famous turkey...
Read MoreBirthday Party for Jesus! (12/14/13)
Teach your kids that Christmas is Jesus’ Birthday… We invite all children to a Birthday Party for Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 am to 1 pm. This is the perfect way to prepare for Christmas by keeping Christ in Christmas. There will be food, crafts, balloons, and birthday cake. Lunch will also be provided. The cost of admission: One nonperishable food item for the Pitman Food Pantry. This is open to the entire community. Please plan on stopping by to show your...
Read MoreYouth Midwinter Advance (1/17/14)
The Youth will be holding their annual “Mid-Winter” advance at America’s Keswick, NJ during the weekend of January 17-19, 2014. The purpose of this retreat is that teenagers hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, accept the atoning work of Christ crucified, and commit to a new life in the resurrected Christ as Savior and Lord. The deadline for registration is on January 5, 2015. Contact the church office or see Pastor Kee for a registration form. The fee is $110 (checks can be...
Read MoreScott Rambo Meets with Men’s Group (11/24/13)
Scott Rambo, who with his wife Meg has been serving as a missionary in Uganda. During a visit to the States, he gave an update during the worship services, and then he met with the Men’s Group after the 11:00 service. Scott and Meg are affiliated with World Gospel Mission. They have been training pastors in Uganda. When they return to Africa, they will be going to Congo to set up a similar training program. During his meeting with the UMM, Scott related the need to teach the Bible...
Read MoreSanctuary Decorated for Christmas (11/24/13)
After our worship services on Sunday 11/24/13, many of us stuck around to help “hang the greens.” The sanctuary and narthex were decorated with the life that is given to us in the miracle of Christmas. It was yet another example of the old adage, “many hands make light work”… pizza doesn’t hurt either! Stringing the Garland Nativity scene in sanctuary Pastor Larry (he does windows too!) ...
Read MoreAnnual Christmas Cantata (12/22/13)
Concert of Carols Our choirs and praise teams will present our 83rd annual Christmas Cantata on Sunday 12/22 at the traditional time of 4:15 PM. The cantata is entitled “Concert of Carols”. The “Christmas Story”isn’t just a “story.” It is redeeming love come to earth in Jesus Christ our Savior. Over the years, musicians have tried to celebrate and capture this message of God’s saving grace come to earth as a babe. Our church “Candelight...
Read More2014 Confirmation Class (Starts 1/12/14)
2014 Confirmation Class Confirmation is a time for youth to be instructed in greater depth about our Christian Faith and to “confirm” their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our first meeting will be held on Sunday, January 12th from 4:30 PM until 5:30 PM. Pastor Larry and Pastor Kee would like to meet both you and your child on this first day. Confirmation Class will be held every Sunday except Easter and Mother’s Day, and it will end in the beginning of June. Those enrolled in Confirmation...
Read MoreUnited Methodist Men Clean Up! (11/15/13)
Clean Up Can be Fun!!! As part of a fund raiser, the Men’s group participated in the community clean up day by picking up trash along Lambs Road. Once that was done, we moved over to the Grove and raked the Tabernacle area. It was a full morning and many of us went home with score muscles, but we made a difference in our community and raised some money for our retreat scholarship fund. Not to mention… it was actually kind of fun to wind...
Read MoreBishop Schol Visits PUMC (11/17/13)
We were honored to have Bishop John Schol join us in worship yesterday and to preach the Word to us. Bishop Schol is the presiding bishop of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference (which includes over 60 churches). The bishop spoke on Ephesians 2:11-13. Using the illustration of an airline’s “Preferred Status” frequent flyer program, Bishop Schol challenged us to “turn our church inside out;” to gear everything we do towards breaking down our man-made divisions...
Read MoreSpecial Session of the Greater NJ Annual Conference
A special session of the Greater NJ Annual Conference was held in Ocean Grove on Saturday Nov. 5. The last regular meeting of the conference was held in Wildwood back in May, but this special session was needed in order to vote on some issues which had arisen since the yearly conference meeting. Our church was represented at this special session by Pastor Kee (Associate Pastor) and Larry Bakely (Lay Member to Annual Conf.). ...
Read MoreDistrict Youth Pumpkin Chunkin’ Competition (11/9/13)
Our Youth will attend a District youth event, “Punkin’ Chunkin’ Competition” on Saturday, November 9th. There will be so many fun games and activities. For more information, scroll down to view the flyer. The church van will leave at 11 am. We expect to return around 3-4 o’clock. Admission is free.
Read MoreOFH Fall Festival (11/2/13)
November 2nd – Fall Festival – 8:00-2:00 in church Fellowship Hall Many tables have been rented by crafters as well as vendors of such products as 31, Avon, Arbonne, Scentsy, Origami Owl, Premier Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Brand new clothes from Gymboree at reduced prices – and the list goes on. We still have room if you would like to rent table space. We hope you definitely plan to come and support our festival. We will also have face painting and balloon art for the children. We will...
Read MoreOFH Book Fair (11/19/13)
Book Fair – November 19, 20, and 21 Our Father’s House will host a Book Fair upstairs in the Gathering Room in time for Christmas shopping. Set up will be on Monday, November 18th in the morning and pack up will be after fair hours on Thursday, November 21st. Book Fair hours are: Tuesday 19th – 8:30-1:30 and 5:30-8:00 P.M. Wednesday 20th – 8:30–2:30. Thursday 21st – 8:30–1:30. If you can help, please contact our parent chairperson, Amanda...
Read MoreOperation Christmas Child (11/14/13)
Got a shoe box? Can you afford to purchase any small toys, school supplies, candy, sunglasses, or other “stuff” that a child could use? Then you can make a huge difference in someone’s Christmas this year!!! In support of “Operation Christmas Child” we are collecting items that can be packed in a shoebox and given to desperately needy children. The program covers more than 100 countries, and is administered by the Samaritan’s Purse organization (led by...
Read MoreOur Father’s House “Mommy and Me” (10/30/13)
A Special Hour with Your Toddler… Our Father’s House Preschool will once again be holding our “Mommy and Me – Little Lambs” sessions during the month of October/November. Class Sessions will be held on Wednesdays – October 30, November 6, 13, and 20 from 8:45-9:45 A.M. in our 2½ year old room. The theme is “Fall in God’s World”. We hope you will be interested in joining this class with your little one. The cost is $40 for the four-week session and is open to any child between...
Read MoreSandy Rememberance Service (11/2/13)
Hope Week The Greater New Jersey United Methodist Church and A Future with Hope, Inc. will mark the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy with a service including testimony from families who have survived the storm and volunteers who have helped rebuild their homes. Join us as we renew our hope for the future during this inspiring time of sharing and renewal. Saturday November 2, 2013 9:00 to 10:00 am The Great Auditorium 54 Pitman Ave. Ocean Grove, NJ ...
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