Pastor’s Ponderings: Forgive with God’s Forgiveness
We’re commanded to forgive, just as our infinite God has done. But what if we don’t have any forgiveness to give? If we can’t give our own forgiveness, let God empower you to extend His forgiveness.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Running the Race with Perseverance
As we look forward to the the end of the pandemic, the Bible and the experience of Olympian James Connolly give us guidance and inspiration to hang on and persevere. Pastor Jim submitted this devotion on 4/28/21.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: How to Carry a Burden
Carrying around burdens isn’t easy; rough times can really drag us down. But the good news is that God will carry the burdens and protect us from slipping. We can feel peace because God has promised that He will give us the victory.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Lifted from the Pit!
Feeling like you’re standing on the edge of an abyss, just trying to hang on and keep your footing? Or maybe you feel like you’ve already fallen down into the depths. In the scriptures, God promises over and over that He will rescue us from our “pits”. He is always with us.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Challenged but Not Overcome!
Julian of Norwich wrote that “God never said that we would not be assailed. But He did say that we would overcome. ” During all of the trials of this pandemic, how can we claim Jesus’ victory of “Overcoming the World”?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Regardless of the Storm, Look for the Rainbow
We are currently enduring the “storm” of a pandemic, but throughout life we endure many different types of storms. But God continues to send rainbows. In this devotional, Pastor Jim reminds us that God is present regardless of the “storm” which we may be facing. There is hope. There is promise.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Christ Imitator or Car Thief???
“If you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” (oldie but goodie…).
But how well are you reflecting the Image of Christ? This devotional from Pastor Jim challenges us to take some self reflection.
Holy Moments During a Winter’s Day (2/21/21)
A video showing “A Winter’s Day at PUMC” led us into a real moment of Holy reverence during our “virtual worship service” on 2/22/21. Against the backdrop of snow and the quietness of our sanctuary, this rendition of the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy inspired us to worship on this first Sunday of Lent.
Read More2021 Lenten Devotional Booklet
This annual Devotional Booklet is written by local laity and clergy. Use it to help you pre-prayer during this Lenten Season.
Read MoreYou are God’s Epiphany! (1/10/21)
We all want to see God. But can others see God through us??? In this second of two “Clergy Renewal” services produced by the Conference, Bishop Schol looks at how we can become an epiphany.
Read MoreGod’s Got an Epiphany for You! (1/3/21)
God has an epiphany for you- are you ready? During the two-week period of renewal for clergy (1/3 & 1/10), the Conference produced a video worship service. In his message, Bishop Schol challenges us to discover our own epiphanies. Where have you seen God? Open this post to watch the video.
Read MoreOnline Sunday School Video Archive
Every Sunday morning, we post a Sunday School Lesson for kids on Facebook. In addition to Facebook, the messages are embedded into posts on our website so you can see them all in one place. This post is our “archive”; as more posts were added to our main page, it got slower and slower. So the older messages were moved to this page.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Self-Reflection for Advent
John Wesley stressed that we need to “renew yourself from time to time, closely examining the state of your soul.” Peter reminded us to “be self-controlled and alert” … to “stand firm in the faith.”
During this pandemic,we need to re-connect to the Holy Spirit as never before. In this article, Pastor Jim offers encouragement on how we can do that.
Pastors Ponderings: Hope Until the Disaster Passes
In the midst of the pandemic, Pastor Jim points us to scripture to remind us of God’s promises of love and protection. This hope and encouragement also challenge us to become God’s ambassadors of “hope” to the world.
Read More2020 Advent Devotionals Look Forward
“God has something good for you this Advent!” Members of churches in our area have produced a daily devotional guide which will help us discover what God wants to share with us during this journey, and these 27 devotional articles are presented in this website post. Use them to to Lighten your journey through this Advent season.
Read MoreWeekly Verses Remembered
Back in 2005-2006, a “memory verse” was posted in the bulletin each Sunday. The verses were tied to that week’s sermon.
These verses have been re-discovered and are now available in the order they were originally presented. The current verse is now displayed on the Home Page and it will be updated automatically every Sunday.
World Wide Communion Sunday Means Global Mission (10/4/20)
On Sunday October 4 we will celebrate World Wide Communion with our “virtual” service. But throughout the year, PUMC has continued to serve “Real” people in our community and to support missions around the globe. World Wide Communion is a time to give thanks and to pray for the work that remains to be done.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s John 3:16 Really Mean?
We’ve heard John 3:16 over and over. We’ve memorized it. We even see people wearing “3:16” T-Shirts! But do we really appreciate its meaning? In an email on 7/9/20, Pastor Jim offered these thoughts on this amazing verse.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Call Always Goes Thru!
Things may seem to be tumbling out of control. One piece of bad news on top of another. But God is waiting for us to call on His help; to call upon Him to release His power in our lives and in our churches. Are we ready to call Him? Are we praying?
Read MorePastors Ponderings: The Rudder of the Day
“The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.” Olympian Eric Liddell began each day by grounding himself in the Bible and in prayer. In this “Ponderings” article, Pastor Jim encourages us to do the same thing.
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