April 1: National Atheist’s Day!
On April 1, 2016, the following message was posted on our signboard: APRIL 1: NATIONAL ATHEIST’S DAY! April First, like any other first day of the month, ushers in a new month. It demands that we turn the page on our calendar. But when that first day comes in the month of April, it takes on a special meaning: April Fools Day! Now, that’s not a religious holiday. We just wrapped up the season of Lent and celebrated the wonder of Easter. We celebrate these Holy Days...
Read MoreA Rock ‘n Roll Resurrection! (3/27/16)
Christ our Lord is Risen Today! This is not only a historical event, but a reality that should shake our being on each and every breath we take. Pastor Jim’s Easter Sermon encouraged us to Experience the Resurrection; not just to commemorate it once a year. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 11:00 service)… The scripture was Matthew 28:1-10. Click the following Drop Down box to follow along. Pastor Jim...
Read MoreExperience the Sonrise Every Day!
Just before Easter Sunday 2016, the following message was posted on our Church’s Signboard: Experience the Sonrise Every Day! Sunrise… If it’s a clear morning, we might be able to experience the Sun Rise, but the Son of God is risen every day! Have you ever seen a sunrise, or sunset, or rainbow, or some other view of God’s beautiful creation without “Experiencing” it? Can you see a sunrise and just walk away without noticing? Revelations...
Read MoreFor Lent, Let’s Lose a Bad Habit (2/28/16)
We are now into a season of preparation for the passion and resurrection of our Lord. This preparation- which we call Lent- involves reevaluating our Walk and then getting rid of anything that’s getting in the way. Last Week, Pastor Jim showed us how to give up the “bad attitude” of being judgmental. This week, we continued the series of “Bad things” by focusing on Bad Habits. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the...
Read MoreFor Lent, Lose the ‘Tude! (2/21/16)
We are now into a season of preparation for the passion and resurrection of our Lord. This preparation- which we call Lent- involves reevaluating our Walk and then getting rid of anything that’s getting in the way. With this message, Pastor Jim began a Lenten series called: “For Lent, Give Up Something Bad!” Too often we think of lent as being a time to temporarily give up something that’s not really bad… just to give up something as an act of sacrifice. But...
Read MoreWho’s Your Valentine? (2/14/16)
February 14… Valentine’s Day! Is it just another “Hallmark Holiday?” What is Love? What do we do with it? And bigger than that, what does it mean to be loved by God? And- really important- what do we do with THAT??? Pastor Jim took a look at these questions (and at some questionable pop music) during his sermon of February 14, 2016. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 9:30 service)… The...
Read MoreValentine’s Day Love Appears at PUMC (2/14/16)
The letters “PUMC” stands for “Pitman United Methodist Church”, but they mean so much more than a building, or a particular church, or an institution. “PUMC” is simply a gathering of people who are motivated by the Holy Spirit to grow closer to God and to extend His love to others. We are a people who see the Cross and react by reaching out our own arms. In our church on this morning of the day we call Valentine’s Day, the Holy Spirit’s work of...
Read MorePlaying on God’s Super Team (2/7/16)
Super Bowl Sunday! The day of the Big Game! In a few hours the Denver Broncos would battle the Carolina Panthers; each team trying to reach the endzone and to win the Super Bowl prize. Both teams taking their turns making mistakes (fumbles and turnovers). During our worship service we observed this “special day” by dressing down and wearing our favorite team jerseys. Our goal wasn’t to worship Sports; our goal was to learn whatever spiritual lessons we could from this...
Read MoreLenten Devotional for 2016
Members from four local churches have come together to produce a Daily Devotional for this year’s Lenten season. The booklets were published in hardcopy form and distributed within the participating churches, but electronic copies of the devotions are presented here. If you want a printed copy, visit or contact one of the participating churches: Evangelical UMC (Clarksboro) Zion Community Church (Clarksboro) Trinity United Methodist Church (Mullica Hill) and Pitman United Methodist...
Read MoreSnowed out! Missing Church This Morning??? (1/23/16)
Snowed out!!! After getting pounded for the past 36 hours, our roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are covered with snow. Moving about and navigating our sidewalks would be unsafe, so we took the unprecedented (?) step of cancelling our Sunday Morning Activities. So today is a day to dig out and clean up. But aren’t you missing going to church? For those who wouldn’t think of excluding Morning Worship from their Sunday routine, this morning feels kinda weird! Maybe even a bit...
Read MoreThe Surprise Gift (1/17/16)
This message is the third in a three part series called “Three Men and a Baby.” The first part focused on the gift of Gold; of how the Wise Men challenged us to give our best. This second part focused on the gift of Frankincense; of how Jesus is our great High Priest who bridges the wide gap between humanity and God. Before listening to this week’s sermon, you might want to take a look at the first two parts of this series… GOLD FRANKINCENSE Gold reminds us of the...
Read MorePastors Ponderings: Christmas Wishes
Pastor Jim emailed the following devotional on January 5. We’re a bit slow in posting this message, but it’s relevant all year… Greetings Friends: Happy New Year to all! Since we are still in the holy season of Christmas (Epiphany begins January 6), I was trying to think of some way to express greetings to all of you. Below is a poem I actually came across many years ago. I recently found it again and feel led to share it with you. It really sums up what this...
Read MoreGod’s Bridge Over Troubled Water (1/10/16)
This message is the second in a three part series called “Three Men and a Baby.” The first part focused on the gift of Gold; of how the Wise Men challenged us to give our best. This second part focuses on the gift of Frankincense; of how Jesus is our great High Priest who bridges the wide gap between humanity and God. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 9:30 service)… Note: Pastor Jim opens by inviting...
Read MoreWhat 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 MoreIt’s All About Jesus!
On December 26 the signboard said: IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS! ‘Twas the Day after Christmas, And all through the house. All the creatures were stirring, scampering like a mouse… There’s stuff under the tree, wrapping paper laying around, cookie crumbs on the dining room table. All sorts of new “Things” to play with, new clothes to wear, fresh things to look at. And there are a lot of new items added to the “To Do List”… gifts to be...
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 MoreHow Much Do You REALLY Know About Christmas?
The Greater New Jersey Conference recently sent an email providing several resources about the meaning of Christmas. (Click Here to view) How much do you know about the season we’re celebrating? Check out these articles and videos… then take our Christmas Quiz!!! The United Methodist Church re-designed their website after this post was first published, and the below buttons no longer work. However, you can still view the video and try the quiz. – Chuck ...
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...
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