The Pitman Women’s Club Christmas House Tour is a bi-annual Christmas tradition which provides a taste of the Christmas Season spirit by guiding guests through a series of decorated homes and public buildings. The “tour” is self-guided and you can visit any location at any time during the tour hours.
This year, PUMC is excited to be one of the stops on the tour.
The tour is scheduled during the afternoon and early evening of Saturday December 7. In addition to being the “Day of Infamy”, this year’s December 7 is an evening of opportunity to prepare your hearts for the upcoming Christmas season.
Pitman Women’s Club House Tour
In addition to our church, the library, and the history museum (which is behind the Grove Auditorium), about 10 houses are on the tour. A tour ticket is required for the tour of the houses and the proceeds will go toward scholarships for Pitman High School seniors who will be furthering their education after graduation. The ticket isn’t needed to tour PUMC.
A list of tour locations is now available at businesses in downtown Pitman, and further information will be available at each tour stop.
Christmas House Tour
WHO: Anyone!
WHAT: Help Pitman High School Seniors by catching the Christmas Spirit
WHEN: Saturday December 7, 2024
TIMES: Between 2:00 to 8:00 PM
WHERE: Throughout Pitman and at the Pitman United Methodist Church (click for directions)
PUMC to show the Christ Spirit!
The word Christmas starts with Christ! It’s a celebration of Christ that reminds us of the salvation He provides and of His call to send us into the world. When you stop at our church’s building on the tour, you’ll get a sense of the Christ behind the celebration. You’ll also be given a “tour guide booklet” which will identify each stop and explain the meaning behind some of the decorations that you’ll be seeing.
The “tour” inside PUMC will focus on two areas of the building: The Education Wing and the The Sanctuary level. 
Education Wing…
As you enter the building from the parking lot, go thorough the door on your left to exit the Narthex. Take the steps to the 2nd floor (you can also use the elevator that will be on your left as you exit the Narthex).
Prayer Wall….
Christmas is full of decorations that remind us of Jesus’ birth and of His eternal Kingship. Trees remind us of new life and the assurance of new life because of the cross. Wreaths remind us that God’s love is eternal; no end no beginning. We need reminders! During the Open House, reminders of specific prayer concerns will be posted on the walls. Pray for teachers, firefighters, police, doctors, nurses, trash collectors, and the check out person at Wawa. Day by day our community is helped by people doing their jobs. They might seem like routine tasks sometimes, but we depend on the people who preform these jobs. And God has provided them. So be thankful and pray for their wellbeing.
Classrooms…
Jesus said “I AM the Light of the world.” His death on a tree gave us eternal life. A star guided the Wisemen to the Christ Child. Symbols that we might dismiss as “traditional decorations” can lead us to Jesus. As you stroll through the hall and classrooms, look for Jesus in the decorations.
After exploring the upstairs classrooms, return downstairs to check out the Sanctuary Level.
Sanctuary Level….
Have you ever noticed that the faces of the people in most nativity scene sculptures are blank and emotionless? 
The coming of the Messiah, of the One who unites us with God and gives us eternal life, should be a joyous event! Christmas is full of wonder and excitement. Displays in the Narthex, Fellowship Hall, and Sanctuary will try to capture that excitement.
Along with the traditional decorations of Christmas Trees, wreaths, and poinsettias, you’ll see an explanation of how these decorations connect us to Christ. There is a lot of symbolism in these familiar decorations.
And… In addition to the Christmas decorations, the Fellowship Hall will be “decorated” with cookies and punch. Drop in for some free refreshment.
Music and Reflections….
A highlight of our “decorations” will be presented in the sanctuary. Throughout the afternoon (between 2-7PM), the PUMC Music Ministry will lead series of one-hour “mini concerts” to help visitors celebrate the Christmas season. Come and go as you feel led. The music and surroundings will give you some moments to reflect on the meaning of the season and on your life’s “decorations” as we get closer and closer to the new year.
Here’s the musical lineup that’s scheduled for the day:
| 2:00 PM | Piano/Organ (Sue Crispin) |
| 3:00 PM | Piano (Mary Shipley and some of her piano students) |
| 4:00 PM | Organist Bill Mitchell |
| 5:00 PM | Contemporary and Traditional Christian music (PUMC Praise Team) |
| 5:30 PM | Community Carol Sing Along |
| 6:00 PM | Brass Ensemble |
| 7:00 PM | Bell Choir |
Throughout the afternoon, our Live Stream system will broadcast the music. To drop in on the broadcast, click this button:
Food!
The Fellowship Hall is located next to the sanctuary (exit the sanctuary’s main doors and hang a left). Before leaving the church and continuing on your Pitman House tour, stop by the Fellowship Hall for some punch and cookies. Like God’s gift of salvation, it’s all free!
Why is Pitman United Methodist Church doing this?
God never intended His Church to be an island of “holy rollers” separated from the community. The people in the Church are far from perfect. We’re all “kids under construction.” At PUMC, the church building might be on the edge of town, but it’s part of the community. It’s doors are always open to our preschool families and to groups such as NA, HOPE, and Kiwanis. It hosts flu vaccinations, blood drives, and is even a polling place for elections.
PUMC welcomes our neighbors, and we want to share some of the Christmas Spirit with everyone.
And- we recognize the financial hurdles facing High School Seniors as they prepare for college. By serving as a stop on the House Tour, we want to play a part (even a small part) in the Pitman Women’s Clubs efforts to provide scholarships.
Jesus came to bring us truth, purpose, and eternal life. As we grow closer to Him, His love and life grow within us. As His Spirit becomes a bigger and bigger part of our lives, God’s love overflows into friends, family, and community.
Let’s Celebrate Jesus Together!
After the Open House, the poinsettias that beautify the front of the sanctuary will be taken down and placed on sale.
If you want to purchase one, they may be picked up after the Open House for $12. Or, you can purchase a plant and have it delivered to a homebound person.
To order a plant, contact the church office. Or, see a PUMC host during the open house to ask about purchasing a plant.
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For more on how PUMC is involved in our Community, click this button: Neighbors
