Pastor’s Ponderings: Awaken to Grace (May 2026)
A question we must all ask ourselves every day: “What am I seeking above all else today?” Jesus told us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else; to look for God’s activity (grace) in our lives and to encourage others in that search.
When we look for other things instead, we’re missing out on the underserved gifts that God wants us to have.
Pastor’s Ponderings: What Now? (April 2026)
Now What? After all of the build up to Easter, what should we do to move forward now that Easter is over? In his April 2026 cover article for Steeple Notes, Pastor Mike gives us some ideas on how to handle the “Easter Letdown”.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: God Is Able! (February 2026)
God can do more than we can ask for or even more than we can imagine. In the life of a Christian, God constantly works behind the scenes to heal, challenge, and guide. How can we better see and respond to God’s power that He’s displaying in our lives?
Read MoreLenten Devotional, 2026
Lent is a time to rededicate yourself to God and to prepare for the awesome power and grace that God demonstrated through Christ’s resurrection. The devotional booklet presented in this post will be helpful as we move through this season of Lent.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Never Alone! (December, 2025)
Emmanuel- God With Us. This isn’t just a word that we hear in Christmas carols. It’s a fact that’s true throughout the year. In this church newsletter article for the December/January (25-26) issue of Steeple Notes , Pastor Mike reminds us of God’s continual presence.
Read More2025 Advent Devotionals (December 2025)
At the end of November 2025, booklets containing devotionals for each day during the Advent 2025 season were distributed. The printed copies of these booklets are available in PUMC’s narthex (and in other churches). The articles are also presented in PDF format in this website post.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Thankful for it All (November 2025)
Thanksgiving…. We are surrounded by opportunities to share the love of Jesus and to be thankful for the love shown to us. In this November 2025 Steeple Notes article, Pastor Mike challenged us to be creative in sharing the love of Jesus.
Read MoreKeep Your Guitar in Tune
The Psalms tell us to “Sing a new Song”… to “play skillfully and shout with joy!” But even if you can’t play a musical instrument or sing anything on key, we are called to “sing” using all of the abilities that God gives us. Learn how to strengthen those abilities and to “keep them in tune” to be ready to serve and worship God.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Halloween? Celebrate the Holy Spirit! (October 2025)
What is Halloween and how should Christians celebrate it? Pastor Mike took on this question in his cover article for the October 2025 issue of the PUMC church newsletter.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: There’s New Work to Be Done (September 2025)
As we turn the page into a new season, it’s good to look back to the past successes, but it’s now time to envision new opportunities. Pastor Mike submitted these thoughts for the September 2025 issue of Steeple Notes.
Read MoreAll Hands and Paws on Deck- There’s a Need for Everybody!
God created a beautiful world: mountains, oceans, skies, stars, plants and animals (even people). Why did God create animals? Why did God create US??? Why am I here??? Here are some thoughts on this important question.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What is Truth? (August 2025)
What is Truth? Is there anything that’s actually TRUE anymore???
In his cover article for the August 2025 edition of Steeple Notes, Pastor Mike shows us how Jesus is the Truth that we can always count on.
Pastor’s Ponderings: Worship is a Living Sacrifice (June 2025)
Paul urged the Roman Christians to be a “Living Sacrifice”. What does that mean in our own time and culture? Pastor Mike looked at this topic in his June 2025 Steeple Notes article.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Jesus- Problem Solver of the World! (May 2025)
Easter is now behind us, but we must keep our focus and continue to be “Easter People” as we move forward. “There are some things that we disagree about, but there is one thing that we should all agree upon as Christians, Jesus is Lord!”
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: God Keeps Rolling Up His Sleeves! (February 2025)
Instead of frantically asking, “God where are You?”, we can find peace and hope in the truth that “even when I don’t see it, you’re working” (as it says in the song “Waymaker”). God’s always there. The question is not, Jesus where are you but rather, Jesus let me find you! Jesus has not left us and is working through the Holy Spirit everyday.
Read MoreLenten Devotional 2025
Pre-Prayer for this year’s Lenten season by reading a daily devotional article written by local church members. Booklets of these articles will be distributed to churches, and electronic versions of the booklets are available on the PUMC website.
Read MoreWeekly Prayer Guide
In 2025, Pastor Mike preached a sermon series on the “Disciplines” of our faith… the tools we can use to grow closer to God. One of those disciplines is Prayer. Each Sunday, a list of specific prayer areas is provided to every congregant attending the Sunday worship service. These concerns are posted in this page and updated each Sunday.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Christmas in Our Hearts All Year Long (Dec. 2024)
Christmas doesn’t end in December! The decorations might come down, but the message lasts throughout the entire year. Celebrate the Good News and persevere in grace throughout the year.
Read More2024 Advent Devotionals (December 2024)
The Devotional Booklet for the 2024 Advent Season has been published! If you don’t have a hardcopy, you can view the booklet in this website post. The devotional contains articles for each day in the Advent Season (starting December 1), and it also includes daily devotionals for the period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Always be Joyful! (Nov. 2024)
God’s will for us is to be joyful, to pray and always be thankful. When we keep our focus on God when we’re in the midst of difficult circumstances, our Thanksgiving be still be filled with hope and joy.
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