What Gift Shall I Bring? (1/3/16)
This message is the first in a three part series called “Three Men and a Baby.” As we look at the arrival of the “Wisemen” and the Epiphany, let’s also look for way Jesus was manifested as the Christ, the Son of God, and Savior of all. AND… look for ways that Christ can be seen or manifested in our lives so that the world can see Christ in us and in the Church. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from...
Read MoreJust Believe (12/24/15)
What do you believe? It’s Christmas Eve… God wants to give you a big gift! Not just a package under tomorrow’s tree, but a big lifelong gift. One that lasts. One that makes a difference. Are you ready for it? How do you receive this awesome gift? Pastor Jim’s Christmas Eve sermon helped us revisit the manger in a fresh light. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along… Our scripture reading was Luke 2:1-20 and Isaiah...
Read MoreThe Polar Express Comes to Pitman! (12/20/15)
Each Christmas is a reminder that God beacons us- woos us- to “Get on Board!” He constantly offers us a free ticket; to trust fully in Him and to go along on the “ride” that He has intended for us to take. But like the kids in the movie Polar Express, we have to choose to leave the comfort of our home and Get Aboard to parts unknown. Pastor Jim’s sermon on December 20 reminded us of the wonder and joy of this challenge. Click the below “Play” button...
Read MoreHow Many Shopping Days Are Left? (12/6/15)
Advent is a time of busy preparation- shopping, writing cards, planning parties… you’re never really ready until it’s all over. On this Second Sunday in Advent, Pastor Jim spoke on Matthew 25:1-13, a parable Jesus spoke about getting ready for His return. As we prepare for Christmas, are we ready for Jesus? Our scripture was from Matthew 25:1-13. The reading is not included in the recording, so open this drop down box and read the scripture before playing the...
Read MoreWonderful, Wonderful! (11/29/15)
The wonder of this Advent season comes in the journey more than the destination. On this First Sunday in Advent, Pastor Jim spoke on John 1:1-14 and led us to consider how Wonderful the gifts of Jesus are, and to challenge us to anticipate and to be amazed by the Wonder of Christmas. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Our scripture was from John 1:1-14. Pastor Jim read from the Living Bible; the New...
Read MoreFinding and Responding to God (11/22/15)
As we enter the holiday season, we get Busy. We celebrate the gifts and presence of God… but do we see Him? and when we see Him… what is our reaction? The sermon on Nov. 22, 2015 was given by Andy Johns, a PUMC Advanced Lay Servant. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was Psalm 19. Andy read from the New Living Testament (shown below). Click the drop Down box to read… ...
Read MoreThe World’s First GPS (11/15/15)
A GPS is your reference; it keeps you focused on your destination, it keeps you from wandering into “detours”, it teaches you new paths, it points out the most effective route to take. It even tells you when it’s time to “recalculate your route.” Kind of sounds like a Bible, doesn’t it? The 3rd Sunday in November is traditionally observed as “Bible Sunday,” and so Pastor Jim took a look at the significance of the Bible in our daily walk with...
Read MoreThe Essentials of Worshiping God (11/8/15)
Psalm 96 marks a joyous occasion when the Israelites re-captured the Ark of the Covenant. It’s a time of worship… joyous worship! Worship shouldn’t be boring!!! Pastor Jim took a look at this during his sermon of November 8, 2015. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along. The recording is from the 9:30 service… The scripture reading was Psalm 96 (Pastor Jim read from The Living Bible). The New Living...
Read MoreThere’s No Place Like Home (11/1/15)
The Prodigal Father longed for his son to return home. When the son came to his senses and came home, the Father rejoiced (sang and danced… a we saw in last week’s sermon?). God wants us to come home to Him! On Sunday 11/1/15, we celebrated our church’s anniversary by holding a single service. It was like a homecoming as the “9:30 people” worshiped with the “11:00 people.” Afterwards we celebrated with a luncheon and lots of pictures in the...
Read MoreGod the Rock Star (10/25/15)
Does God really care about us? We know John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world…”), but how’s that apply to me??? The prophet Zephaniah writes that God will “take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love.” On October 25 2015 Pastor Jim looked at this passage and led us into a closer glimpse of our Creator’s amazing love. Click the “Play” button to start the recording (from the 11:00 service), then scroll down to follow along....
Read MoreThe Supremacy of Christ- Part 3 (10/11/15)
Pastor Jim is preaching a three part series on a look at our Lord and Savior- Jesus the Christ. He is above all others, all other things, and He’s all we need. In this morning’s sermon, we concluded our look at Colossians chapter 1. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along. The scripture was from Colossians 1:15-20. Open the below drop down box to read along with Pastor Jim… and the congregation. We read from the New...
Read MoreThe Supremacy of Christ- Part 2 (10/4/15)
Pastor Jim is preaching a three part series on a look at our Lord and Savior- Jesus the Christ. He is above all others, all other things, and He’s all we need. In this morning’s sermon, we continued our look at Colossians chapter 1 and considered that Jesus is the Word that created the world. And not only that, He is actively involved in the details of our lives and He continues to sustain all of creation. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll...
Read MoreThe Supremacy of Christ- Part 1 (9/27/15)
Pastor Jim is beginning a three part series on a look at our Lord and Savior- Jesus the Christ. He is above all others, all other things, and He’s all we need. This is so important; we need to wrap our heads and hearts around this if we’re going to have an abundant and fruitful bearing life. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along. The scripture was from Colossians 1:15-20. Open the below drop down box to read along...
Read MoreAre You Following the Cloud or the Crowd? (9/20/15)
Our sermon on September 20, 2015 was given by Lay Servant Steve Crispin. His text was Exodus chapter 40 which describes how God led the Israelites with a cloud and pillar of fire. Are we following that cloud? Click the below “Play” button to start the recording and then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Exodus 40:34-38. Click the drop down box to read… Exodus 40 Exodus 40:34-38 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the...
Read MoreA Stone from the Shepherd’s Pouch (9/13/15)
How do we defeat the “Goliaths” in our lives? How does God provide for us in our times of trouble. In fact, how do our times of trouble provide for us??? Pastor Jim explored these questions during his sermon on September 13, 2015. This is the second of a two part series looking at the familiar account of David and Goliath. Click the below “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from 1...
Read MoreDon’t Wear the Emperor’s Clothes! (9/6/15)
When “Goliaths” stand before us and threaten us, what do we see? Hopelessness or Victory? How do we proceed? God wants to give us Victory! Pastor Jim explored these truths during his sermon on September 6, 2015. Click the below “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from 1 Samuel 17 (starting at verse 31)… Click the below drop down box to “open up God’s...
Read MoreSleepless in Pitman (8/30/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on August 30 2015 took us to the book of Ruth. This book reminds us that God works invisibly and mysteriously all the time- even in the midst of tragedy and heartbreak. Click the “Play” button below to begin listening to the recording (from the 9:30 service), then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from Ruth 1:1-18. Pastor Jim was reading from the Living Bible… Ruth 1 1 In the days when the judges ruled in...
Read MoreThe Life and Music of Charles Wesley (8/23/15)
God “strangely warmed” the hearts of both John and Charles Wesley, and these brothers persevered through persecution to spread the Gospel. They nurtured people in the faith who were previously only being fed by the traditions of the organized church. In his sermon of August 23, 2015, Pastor Jim looked at the faith and conviction of these two men as demonstrated in the hymns of Charles Wesley. Click on the following “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along (this...
Read MoreThe Original Jailhouse Rock (8/16/15)
Going through a rough time? Having a bad day? Maybe you’re wondering where God is in all of this; when will He show up?… will He show up?… Pastor Jim took a look at these questions during his sermon of August 16, 2015. Due to a problem which forced us to rebuild our website using a backup file, the following post was restored from a draft version and is not complete. However, the audio file is complete (so sit back, relax, read what is here, and listen to Pastor...
Read MoreSongs for the Road (8/9/15)
Are you on a trip somewhere? Looking forward to where you’re going but wondering how to occupy your time in the long car drive? Our sermon on August 9 2015 was given by Larry Bakely (PUMC Lay Leader). Click on the below “Play” button, then scroll down to follow along. Note that the recording begins immediately with the scripture reading, starting with Psalm 130:1… The scripture reading was from Psalm 130, one of the “Songs of Ascents.” Click the...
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