The Signs of the Times: The Tribe of Issachar (2/15/15)
Would you go to that church?Change won’t come from Washington. Change won’t come from Trenton.Does Any Body Know What Time it Is? Does Anybody Really Care??? Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday February 15 2015 focused on a short verse in 1 Chronicles. The Tribe of Issachar recognized the signs of the times and they decided to support David instead of Saul as king. Click the following “Play” button to start the sermon, scroll down, and learn more about the...
Read MoreThe Second Sin (2/8/15)
What’s the Worst Sin we can commit??? Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday February 8 2015 took a look at the “second sin.” We all are familiar with the account of Adam and Eve and the Apple; Original Sin. But what’s the Second Sin? What happens if we ignore the Second Sin? Click the following “Play” button to start the sermon, scroll down, and find out… The scripture was from Genesis 3:1-13. Open the following box to read along…...
Read MoreGod’s Super Team (2/1/15)
Sunday February 1 2015 was “Super Bowl Sunday!” We dressed down and wore our favorite team’s colors, and Pastor Jim’s sermon looked at what it takes to be a championship team. Teams work together to achieve a common goal. But how has God assembled His team- the Church? Click the following “Play” button to start the sermon, scroll down, and follow along… 1 Corinthians 12:4-25 1 Cor 12:4-26 There are diversities of gifts, but the same...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Family of God
Pastor Jim submitted the following devotional on February 6 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Hebrews 10:25 Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer” (CEV). PLEASE READ: Acts 2:42 They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed...
Read MoreJesus Loves You- Is the Feeling Mutual?
The following message was posted on our signboard as we begin to prepare for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday: JESUS LOVES YOU! IS THE FEELING MUTUAL? Jesus Loves You… Jesus loves you… we hear that so many times that it begins to sound kind of cliche, or trite. Jesus- the Son of God- loves… ME? Really??? The familiar Sunday School song says, “Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.” How does the Bible tells us that Jesus loves us? ...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Jesus Never Had Ulcers!
Pastor Jim submitted the following on January 25… Greetings Friends: 11 months from today is Christmas!!!! PLEASE READ: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and...
Read MoreFaith-Walking People (1/25/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 25 (11AM service) looked at the faith of Enoch- somebody we don’t hear that much about. How does our Walk with God affect our day to day lives? Do we know that we ARE walking with God? Like Amy Grant’s song, are we Faith Walking People? Click the following “Play” button to listen to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture reading was from Gen 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5-6. Open the following box to...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What’s Your Fixed Point?
The following article was sent by Pastor Jim on 1/19/15…. Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Psalm 102:27 “But you remain the same, and your years will never end” (NIV). Those verses of holy Scripture noted above are so powerful. What an amazing thought: Jesus Christ is the same, He doesn’t change. Isn’t that good to know that in this turbulent, stormy,...
Read MoreDo Something! (1/25/15)
Last weekend (1/18/15), our BLAST Youth Group attended the “Mid-Winter Advance” at Keswick. Besides having a lot of fun and meeting new friends, they focused on Matthew 25:40 and discussed ways in which they can put their faith into action and “do it for the least of these.” Here’s the “T-Shirt Translation” of this verse: This weekend (1/25/15) the group returned and shared what they learned by leading the 9:30 worship service. The following thoughts...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Study the Playbook
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts on January 24, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing rightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth” (AMP). As we’re well aware the Super Bowl is in one week. Players from both teams are investing time and energy in...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Love is Victorious
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/20/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:11a “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” PLEASE READ: Ephesians 4:29 “Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians” (NLV) Although snow is in the forecast for South Jersey for tomorrow [Wednesday 1/21/15], I am excited that Spring Training...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Part Time Christians?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 16, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment?” Jesus answered, “The most important one says: ‘People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ The second most...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Scriptures
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 15, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds” (CEV) PLEASE READ: Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may...
Read MoreFully Alive (1/18/15)
The sermon on January 18 was given by Marcus Bell, who is the director of the Spirit Camp after school program at Urban Promise. (Camden, NJ). Marcus shared his experience and challenged us to gain a fuller life by giving and serving. His scripture was on James 1:26-27. Click the “Play” button to begin listening to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… (Note: The scripture was read by Pastor Jim) James 1:26-27 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious,...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: What Makes One Weak?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/15/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Luke 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (NIV). PLEASE READ: Acts 1:14 “They all joined together...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who is John Wesley?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about John Wesley and the persecutions Wesley endured in order to spread the Gospel. PLEASE READ: Matthew 5:11-12 (Jesus said) “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (see other cross references below which may have been an...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Who is Francis Asbury?
Pastor Jim submitted the following thoughts about Francis Asbury on 1/11/15… Our Methodist tradition is filled with many wonderful men and women who served God faithfully. They leave a legacy of faith and we certainly owe our ancestors a great deal of thanks for what they have preserved and passed along to us. One such great saint of the Methodist Church is Frances Asbury. Asbury traveled thousands of miles by horseback and was a true circuit riding Methodist preacher. Asbury spent a...
Read MoreAll in All (1/11/15)
The sermon on January 11, 2015 was given by Lay Speaker Larry Bakely. His message included a personal testimony and a look at Hosea 11:1-11. Click the below “play” button to hear the recording, then scroll down to follow along. Hosea 11:1-11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,I...
Read MoreCaptain’s Log: Stardate Bethlehem (1/4/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 4 looked forward to the day of Epiphany, which technically occurs on January 6. How do the star and the search for the Messiah speak to us today? Our scripture reading was Matthew 2:1-12. Click the “Play” button to listen to the recording of the sermon and then scroll down and follow along… Matthew 2:1-12 Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. At about that time some astrologers...
Read MoreCarols from Around the World (12/28/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on the Sunday after Christmas (December 28, 2014) took a look at some of the carols that inspire us during the Christmas season. God calls us to sing and even dance. We’re supposed to be happy! And so these carols aren’t simply traditional songs that bring back memories. They are expressions of our faith. Click the below “play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture for this...
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