i-Phone? i-Pad?!? Turn them off and say “I Pray”!!!
On September 4, 2015 the following message was posted on our signboard: I-PHONE? I-PAD? I PRAY!!! Do we get so caught up in our gadgets that we forget to pray? Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are great ways to keep in touch with friends across the miles. But we’ve all heard stories (and have seen it first hand) when members of a family in a restaurant sit around the table staring at their smartphones instead of talking to each other. We waste chances to share with each other and...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Significance of One
Pastor Jim submitted the following devotional on Monday Aug. 23, 2015. It references his sermon from the previous Sunday (“The Life and Music of Charles Wesley”); Both Charles and John Wesley demonstrated that God can work through one person to do mighty things… PLEASE READ: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11… There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God...
Read MoreThe Life and Music of Charles Wesley (8/23/15)
God “strangely warmed” the hearts of both John and Charles Wesley, and these brothers persevered through persecution to spread the Gospel. They nurtured people in the faith who were previously only being fed by the traditions of the organized church. In his sermon of August 23, 2015, Pastor Jim looked at the faith and conviction of these two men as demonstrated in the hymns of Charles Wesley. Click on the following “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along (this...
Read MoreThe Original Jailhouse Rock (8/16/15)
Going through a rough time? Having a bad day? Maybe you’re wondering where God is in all of this; when will He show up?… will He show up?… Pastor Jim took a look at these questions during his sermon of August 16, 2015. Due to a problem which forced us to rebuild our website using a backup file, the following post was restored from a draft version and is not complete. However, the audio file is complete (so sit back, relax, read what is here, and listen to Pastor...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Faith in the Face of Opposition
Pastor’s Ponderings: Faith in the Face of Opposition The following “Pastor’s Ponderings” devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on August 22, 2015. Our sermon for August 23 is entitled “The Life and Music of Charles Wesley”… this devotional gives a preview into that theme… Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”...
Read MoreSongs for the Road (8/9/15)
Are you on a trip somewhere? Looking forward to where you’re going but wondering how to occupy your time in the long car drive? Our sermon on August 9 2015 was given by Larry Bakely (PUMC Lay Leader). Click on the below “Play” button, then scroll down to follow along. Note that the recording begins immediately with the scripture reading, starting with Psalm 130:1… The scripture reading was from Psalm 130, one of the “Songs of Ascents.” Click the...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: A Believer in Blessings
Are we really resting in the peace and security that God offers us? Or, we running around, bearing burdens that God wants to lift from us? Matthew 6:25-26… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are...
Read MoreLove, Somebody (7/12/15)
What’s a “Random Act Of Kindness”? How can a seemingly simple act or gift make a difference in someone’s life? Several Sundays ago, members of our congregation were treated to the following message when they arrived at their cars after the service: Just a simple handwritten note (“your” / “you’re”… who cares???). But it was anonymous. Nobody wanted to take credit for it. And yet- that made the message all the more powerful. ...
Read MoreA View of the Real World (8/2/15)
Confused? Many of us are. But how do you find the truth? How do you know what to trust? Pastor Jim took on these questions during his sermon of August 2 2015. Click the following “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Amos 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7. Open the below Drop Down box to read the scripture. Scripture Amos 5:8 (Seek Him who) made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of...
Read MoreLet’s Go Surfing! PUMC Hosts Camp Meeting (7/26/15)
Our church was the host church for the Sunday Camp Meeting service on July 26. Members from our praise team lead the music and Pastor Jim preached a sermon on Matthew 14:22-33 entitled “Let’s Go Surfing!” Scroll down to listen to a recording of the sermon and to follow through the summary. PUMC Hosts the Camp Meeting Service Each week, different United Methodist Churches from the area serve as hosts for the service. The host churches usually supply the music, and...
Read MorePanic! Now What? (7/26/15)
On July 26, Pastor Jim was taking a much deserved vacation, so our sermon was given by Lay Servant Jim Kier. What do you do when your whole world is about to crash around you? What do you do when that moment hits you and you feel that you’re in serious danger? Jim’s scripture was John 6:1-21. Click the below “Play” button to start the recording of the message, then scroll down to read the scripture and to follow along with the sermon… John 6:1-21...
Read MorePhilemon, Forgiveness, and Dr. Pepper (7/19/15)
What does forgiveness do for you? And what does that have to do with Dr. Pepper??? Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 19 2015 tied it all together. Click on the following “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along (this recording is from the 9:30 service)… Our scripture was the book of Philemon… yep- the whole “book” (actually it’s a short letter). Open the below drop down box and look over Philemon’s shoulder as he reads this letter...
Read MoreWhat’s Beyond the Zebras? (7/12/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 12 2015 called us to look beyond our own self imposed boundaries and to allow God to work through us; even if He takes us to places we’ve never been before. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Our scripture was from Genesis 12:1-5… Genesis 12:1-5 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house,...
Read MoreLifelong Questions (2/12/12)
On February 12, 2012, Rev. John Groth (retired military chaplain) visited our church and gave the sermon during both worship services. After the 2nd service he stuck around and met with the Men’s Fellowship group. Notes on his sermon were recently discovered, so the below post was written. Rev. Groth’s message was on 2 Corinthians 8:1-8. Rev. Groth noted six “Lifelong Questions” that this passage brings out. Below is the text of 2 Corinthians 8:1-8 (using Eugene...
Read MoreDependence Upon God (7/5/15)
On July 4, we celebrated the independence of our country from England. But on July 5, Pastor Jim led us into a celebration of our DEPENDENCE on God. Our nation’s roots are founded on God, and we need to keep praying for all of our leaders. Click the below “play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… Our scripture was from 1 Timothy 2:1-7. Pastor Jim read from The Living Bible translation (paraphrase)… 1 Timothy 2:1-7 1 I...
Read MoreOur Weight Lifting God (6/28/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on June 28 was based on Psalm 40; God lifts us out of the slimy pit and places us on solid ground. Click the following “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was Psalm 40… Psalm 40 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He...
Read MoreA Right Relationship with Your Father (6/21/15)
Our speaker on June 21 was Lay Servant Jim Kier. Pastor Jim (Bolton) enjoyed a brief break while Lay Servant Jim (Kier) lead the Father’s day worship service. Jim’s message took us into the Word to explore our relationships with our earthly father and with our Heavenly Father. Click the below “Play” button to start the recording, scroll down, and follow along… Jim’s scripture was from Ephesians 6: 1-4, 13-18. Open the following drop down box...
Read MoreNo Camouflage Clothing (6/14/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on June 14 was from Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV Does the rest of the crowd wear you down? How do we keep from being worn down, despite...
Read MoreSpiritual Wisdom from Shrek (6/7/15)
Pastor Jim took us in an unusual direction to find insight into the story of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14); did you realize that a scene from the movie Shrek illustrates an important spiritual principle? Click the following “Play” Button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Matthew 14:22-33. Open the below drop down box to follow along… Matthew 14 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat...
Read MoreThe Answer is “Yes!”… not “Yeah, but…” (5/31/15)
Sunday May 31 was a special day in the lives of the 15 youth who were confirmed. Pastor Jim’s message during the 11:00 Am service was directed towards them. God is committed to you. Are you committed to Him? Click the following “Play” Button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The Scripture was 1 Samuel 2:26 and 2 Corinthians 1:17-20. Open the following Drop Down box to read. Scripture Reading 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew in...
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