Keep 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.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Embrace the Holy Spirit ( Oct. 2024)
It’s the middle of October and Halloween is coming upon us. There are a lot of spooky and mysterious things associated with Halloween. But as Christians, how can we see God in the midst of all of the candy and talk about death and spirits?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: New & Old, As Long as it’s About Jesus! (Sept. 2024)
Times change. Sometimes we’re in familiar territory. Sometimes we’re “traditional”, sometimes we’re “contemporary”. Even Jesus changed the way He healed people depending on the circumstances. But the eternal constant is that we always point people to Jesus.
(Note: This is Pastor Mike’s first “Ponderings” article.)
Wild Ride? Hang on to Jesus! (Camp Meeting, 8/18/24)
Pastor Mike made his Pitman Camp Meeting debut on 8/18/24 as PUMC hosted the service. In his message, he pointed out that life is like a wild ride in an amusement park. We need to hang on to something that’s secure, strong, and eternal. The only way to have that security is to hold on to Jesus.
Read MoreLet Catacomb Praise Recharge Your Week!
Each week, Pastor Mike posts a short musical and Biblical reflection called “Catacomb Praise” on Facebook. If you don’t “do Facebook” or if you missed an episode, you can now view them on our church website.
Read MoreQuiz! Sermon on the Mount Sermon Series (July 2024)
In the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew Chapters 5-7, Jesus teaches His disciples (and us!) that our relationship with God is based on the heart, not on following a bunch of laws. During the summer (of 2024), Pastor Mike will preach a series of sermons on the “Sermon on the Mount.” To prepare, try this quiz!
Read MoreLenten Devotional 2024
The 2024 Lenten Devotional Booklet contains articles for each day during the season of Lent (2/14/24 through 3/31/24). They’re written by Christians from many walks of life, most of them are lay people. Use this booklet during this season to prepare for Easter.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What Has God Done for Me?
The song “My Tribute (To God be the Glory)” challenges us to consider the ways that God continues to bless us. What are these blessings? How do we thank Him?
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