Make Christ a Presence Among the Presents!
We’re currently in the Advent season of 2015. Much of the hustle and bustle of this season is driven by the need to give gifts. Many of us are consumed with two fundamental questions: “What does ___ want?” “What do I want?” To answer these questions and to prepare for Christmas morning, we run around searching the Internet, ads, and malls. We scratch our heads. We think, “what did I give so and so last year?” “Does she already have one of...
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 MoreGrowth Chart for Fifth Graders… And Adults!
GROWTH… When our kids are young we frequently buy or make a “growth chart” that we hang on the bedroom wall. At significant events we mark the height of our child and marvel at the wonder of growth. How quickly they grow and get taller and taller! A poster was recently spotted on an easel in our 5th grade Sunday School Room: It says “GROWTH.” How can we grow in Christ? What would you tell a 5th grader? What would you tell an adult? Here’s some useful...
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 MoreDaily Thanksgiving Prayer Meditation
What am I thankful for? Most of us could probably name friends, family, home, or other material blessings. But how do you develop a Thankful Attitude? How do you get into the mode where you can see God’s hand in everything, and then become truly thankful? The following video was produced by the United Methodist Church, and helps to lead you into a time of Thankful meditation. Close the door, turn off the phone, lock out the distractions, and allow yourself to see God… ...
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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: Sing it Out!
Pastor Jim’s sermon for this coming Sunday (10/25/15) is entitled: “God: Our Rock Star!” It is based on Zephaniah 3:14-18. He submitted this devotional on 10/23/15 in advance of the 10/25/15 sermon… PLEASE READ: Hebrews 2:12 “I will tell them your name and sing your praises when they come together to worship” (CEV). Singing in worship has always been an appropriate way to offer praise to God. The pages of Scripture record this. Especially in the tradition...
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 MorePastors Ponderings: Watch What You Hang on to- Time to Re-Consider Your Priorities?
Is it time to rid yourself of distractions and fully re-commit yourself to God? This post was originally submitted by Pastor Jim in 2015, but it’s an ongoing goal to pursue.
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 MoreDon’t Blow Your Knows!!!
The signboard message posted on 9/29/15 said: A WISE MAN SELDOM BLOWS HIS KNOWS (would certainly apply to wise women too!!!) We spend a lot of time in this church reading the Bible. We all want to understand it better. But what do we do with this knowledge? Do we share it with others? Do we somehow use it to hit others over the head with the Bible to convince them of our point? Or do we try to show others how “smart” we are? Sometimes we’re tempted to quote chapter and...
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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: What is Love?
Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: John 15:12-17 (Jesus said), “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you...
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 MoreWhat is TRUST?
What does it mean to Trust? We’re called to Trust friends, Trust co-workers, Trust doctors, Trust bank tellers. But what does it mean to trust God? Proverbs 3:5-8 puts it this way… Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for...
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...
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