Just what is Epiphany, Anyway??? (1/6/15)
Advent. Christmastide. Epiphany. Different banners, different colors, different “Names of Sundays” in our church bulletins. What’s it all mean? This post might shed a bit of light on this… Advent… The season of Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This year, Advent included November 30, December 7, December 14, and December 21 (click each date to see Pastor Jim’s sermon for that Sunday). During these four Sundays we light each candle in...
Read MoreA Wonder-Filled Night (12/24/14)
Our Christmas Eve Service in 2014 opened our eyes to the “Wow!” of Christmas, and challenged us to keep the wonder and awesomeness of The Birth throughout the year.
Read MoreToday is a Gift!
The signboard message posted on December 27, 2014 read: LIFE IS A GIFT. THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE PRESENT. OK. Maybe a cheep pun. Maybe cliche. Whenever we think of someone who survived a serious disease or somehow dodged a life threatening accident, a string of sayings pops into mind to remind us that life is indeed fragile. Whenever some unusual event threatens our lives, we are able to see life as a gift from God. But what about during normal times? What if you’re...
Read MorePUMC Records “Prepare the Way” Video (12/18/14)
During our Choir Rehearsal last Thursday (12/18/14), The Voices in Praise stepped into the “recording studio” with Lee Whittaker and recorded a rendition of his hit “Prepare the Way.” This song is especially appropriate as we consider the “Colors of Christmas” and how we’ve been reminded that we must constantly prepare our lives and hearts for the arrival of Christ. Not only for His 2nd coming, but also for His ever-available touch on our day to day...
Read MoreA White Christmas (12/21/14)
Today was the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and Pastor Jim wrapped up his Advent sermon series looking at the “Colors of Christmas”- tools we use to Look Up and to keep our focus on Christ during this busy season. Click the “Play” button on the following player to listen to the sermon, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from Luke 2:8-15. Open the drop down box to follow along. Pastor Jim read from the New King James Version of the...
Read MoreStuck in the Middle of a Noisy Christmas?
Can’t wait for Christmas to come and get over with? Does it feel like you’re in the middle of a hectic rush of shopping, phony parties and crazy drivers? When January comes will you look back and be thankful for Christmas, or will you simply return to your normal routine and feel glad that you survived it? The true Christmas touches us when we can honestly celebrate Christ (that’s what Christ Mas literally means, afterall). Christ touches us in the quiet moments. In...
Read MorePastors Ponderings: My Christmas Wish
The following devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on December 19, 2014… Greetings Friends: 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 season and our lives are all about. I pray that all of us will be blessed. PLEASE READ: Matthew 2:9-11 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: By Being Born, He Let Love Into the World
The following devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on December 18…Greetings Friends; PLEASE READ: John 1:1-5, 10-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…. He was in the world, and though the world...
Read MoreA Blue Christmas (12/14/14)
On Sunday the 14th, Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “colors of Christmas”. This week, his theme was “a Blue Christmas.”Start the audio recording below, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from Matthew’s account of the birth. Matthew gives Joesph’s perspective, while Luke (last week’s passage) speaks from Mary’s perspective. Pastor Jim read from the New King James version. Matthew 1:18-25… ...
Read MoreMen’s Fellowship Looks at Challenges and Joys (12/13/14)
The Men’s Fellowship group met on Saturday 12/13. It was one of our early morning meetings that gave us the chance to start off a new day by looking into God’s Word. Our guest speaker was Gino Curcuruto, and we looked at Luke 10:1-2, 17-22. Because of our relationship with Christ, we should want to “hang out” with those who don’t know Him We should want to build relationships and allow the love and hope that we have as redeemed people of peace (see Luke 10:6)...
Read MoreA Red Christmas (12/7/14)
Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “Colours of Christmas” by looking at things that are red. How can red objects remind us of Christ and help us prepare for Christmas? Click the following “Play” button, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from Luke 1:26-38. Pastor Jim read from the “Life Application Bible” (which uses the Living Bible translation/paraphrase). Open the drop down box to follow the...
Read MoreA Green Christmas (11/30/14)
Today was the first Sunday of Advent, and Pastor Jim began a new sermon series looking at the “Colors of Christmas”- tools we use to Look Up and to keep our focus on Christ during this busy season. Click the “Play” button on the following player to listen to the sermon, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from portions of Luke 21. Open the drop down box to follow along. Pastor Jim read from the Living Bible (or “Life...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Keeping Your Spiritual Blades Sharp
The following devotion was submitted by Pastor Jim on November 28, 2014… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Ecclesiastes 10:10 “If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well” (NLV). The past couple of days I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic and for some reason I recalled cutting the grass when I was a boy. Back then we did not have a motorized lawn mower. Dad used to have one of those manual...
Read MoreWhat Are You Giving to Jesus?
A new message was posted on our signboard on Thanksgiving Day (11/27/14): WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO JESUS? This question looks towards “Black Friday” and the crazy pre-Christmas shopping season. We all have a list of people we want to please on Christmas morning, and we’re all busy trying to write possible gifts next to these names and then to brave the malls and Internet to purchase the gifts. But Christmas (“Celebration of Christ”) is a birthday. Jesus Birthday!...
Read MoreThanksgiving Turkey & Canadian Geese (11/23/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday November 23, 2014 came as we neared the Thanksgiving holiday. As we anticipate the aroma of turkey, stuffing, and the vision of piles of mashed potatoes, what are we really thankful for? Hit the play button (the recording is from the 2nd service), scroll down, and follow along. The text was based on Psalm 100 and on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. In the recording, Pastor Jim read Psalm 100 from the Living Bible (“Life Application...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Called to Dive into the Corn Field!
The following devotional was submitted by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton (11/14/14). Last night (Thursday 11/13/14) we experienced our first sighting of snow for the season. The temperatures dipped low enough for a thin coating of snow to cover parts of our gardens and decks… ————————————————– Greetings Friends: What a wonderful treat with the snow fall last evening! PLEASE...
Read MoreWhen All Else Fails, Read the Instructions (11/16/14)
Sunday November 16 was Bible Sunday. Pastor Jim’s message was from Paul’s final letter; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. We looked at how the Bible is the only real source of truth in our lives. What do you compare yourself to? Click the “Play” button below to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… 2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But you must keep on believing the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know that you can trust those of us...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The List is Cancelled!!!
The following devotional was submitted by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton (11/13/14)…PLEASE READ: 1 John 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” There is a story that one...
Read MoreGive Thanks in Your Own Way: Lunar Communion!
On July 20,1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were really busy. But one of the first things they did after stepping on to the surface of the moon was to celebrate the Lord’s Supper! Here’s Buzz Aldrin’s description of what happened.
Read MoreWe are a part of all that we have met (11/9/15)
The sermon on November 9 was given by our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jisun Kwak. She spoke on Acts 20:23-24 and shared how God used the legacy of many people to form her background and to build the path that brought her from Korea to New Jersey. Click the following “Play” button to start the recording of the sermon, then scroll down to follow along. Acts 20 Acts 20:22-24 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will...
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