It was an overcast but comfortable day, and we all gathered together to celebrate community. For the adults, 55 classic cars were on display. For the kids there was a bounce house and sand art. For everyone, there was lots of food (provided by two lunch trucks, the Water Ice Station, and Christmas Marketplace cookies). It was estimated that over 400 people attended PUMC’s “second annual” Car Show!
Car Show
The 55 cars parked in our parking lot looked “a bit different” from the cars that usually occupy that space during the week, or on a Sunday morning. There were Cobras, Pace Cars that could go over 200 MPH, Muscle cars like Corvettes, Mustangs, Trans Ams and Camaros. And there were slower but practical vehicles such as Model T’s, pickup trucks, Chevy Novas, and Ford Falcons. And there were unusual vehicles such as an Italian made 3-cylinder van (similar to the one featured as a time machine in one of the Harry Potter movies).
And besides the cars, the star attraction was the community. People wandered around the parking lot sharing memories with the car’s owners, catching up with eachother, and just enjoying some time together. And- there was food: Hot Dogs, BBQ, and Water Ice.
Here’s a glimpse of what happened:
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Why a Car Show????
The car show and then entire afternoon was fun. But why would a church want to put on an event like this? How does this advance the church’s purpose of sharing the Gospel and glorifying God? Several analogies and lessons can be learned from the car show. Here are two examples of what we can learn about God at a car show:
1: He Knows My Name
One of the songs that most of us learn in Sunday School is “Jesus Loves Me, This I know“. But there’s a lot of truth in twisting that phrase around: Jesus Knows Me, this I Love”.
God does know a lot about cars, but He knows us too. Another “church cliche” says:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!
As we walk around the rows of cars, it might be difficult for us to recognize the make and model. Yes, there are some famous grills; it’s not too hard to recognize a T’Bird. And if you owned one of those cars “back in the day”, the grill would bring back some old memories that you’d recognize.
Give it a shot. How well do you recognize the following cars? Can you identify the make and model from the below pictures? (click the “answer” box beneath the photo to see if you were right).
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Answer1956 Ford Thunderbird
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Answer1970 Chevy Nova
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Answer1941 Ford (2-Door)
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Answer1964 Ford Falcon
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Answer1971 Chevy Chevelle
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Answer1974 Chevy Corvette
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Answer1990 Pontiac Trans Am
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Answer1967 Chevy Camaro
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Answer1967 Pontiac GTO
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Answer1989 Nissan 300ZX
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Jesus Knows Me, This I Love…
How’d you do? Ten cars are pictured above- did you recognize all of them? Imagine that the above gallery of 10 car photos were replaced with photos of 10 BILLION cars. Our recognition percentage would be very, very low! But God would score a perfect 100%.
Today, an estimated 8.2 billion people live on the earth. And, it’s been estimated that over 117 billion people have walked the face of this earth since our planet was created.
Is it beyond our infinite God to know all of us? No! God does know all of us! The Bible makes this amazing fact clear over and over…..
(click on the left hand tabs to see each example):
We have a God who knows us and He keeps searching for us when we wander off. He wants us to be with Him and He wants to protect us. Jesus came to earth to “seek and save“; He came to teach us God’s ways and to provide a way for us to be restored and freed from the the things we do that separate us from God. He died a horrible death on a cross because He knows each of us and loves us.
We may not recognize every car we encounter, but Jesus knows every person and wants something better for each of us.
2: Turning Junk into Beauty
Another lesson from the car show is the wonder of how these skilled car lovers can turn an old rusted out car into a thing of beauty. One of the displays included a poster giving the story of this 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner (click the tabs to see the “Before” and “After” parts of this car’s story)…
This Roadrunner was purchased by a collector in the late 70’s. He placed in a barn, intending to rebuild the engine and fix it up. The engine had been disassembled and its parts placed in the trunk, and the restoration never happened. Over the years, more and more “stuff” was piled in, on, and over this car. It wasn’t rusted too badly, but it sure wasn’t much to look at. And the engine was literally “a basket case.”
In December 2020, the old car was purchased by Clark Classic Restorations. The engine was re-assembled and overhauled, the body was cleaned and painted, and the years of neglect were reversed. After three years of talent and love, the Roadrunner was restored to at thing of beauty.
Jesus Offers to Restore Us…
We might be abandoned, rusting out in our own barn of hopelessness. Sin and separation from God rusts out the joyful life that God created us for. But Jesus offers to purchase us. His death and resurrection can allow us to be reunited into a living relationship with our Creator. There’s no restoration that Jesus can’t cover. Regardless of what we’ve done in life, nobody is so “rusted” that Jesus can’t restore us. We just need to allow God to “tow us out of our barn” and to accept His gifts of love and “fresh paint.”
The Bible gives a lot of examples of “Wreck” to Restoration” transformations. Here are a few of them (click on the left hand tabs to read the stories):
Like these examples in the Bible, we can see ourselves. Most of us can look back on our lives and see a time where we were headed in a bad direction. We might see selfishness, hate, or envy. We might be carrying memories of when we hurt someone, pushing them down in an attempt to life ourselves up. We might see a life where we ignored God and tried to make it on our own. When we look in the mirror, we might see a lot of rust.
One of the most assuring phrases in the Bible is “But God…“. We might be in sad shape, “But God…” can come along unexpectedly and change our lives. If we acknowledge God and His love and His presence, we can turn to Him. Like the thief who turned towards Jesus, we too can be “restored.” We have a Good Shepherd who knows us and loves us. He’s ready with His almighty tools and beautiful paint, and He wants to bring us into His glory.
Are you ready for restoration?
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To learn more about this year’s Car Show, check out the announcement post:
Announcement
September already??? It’s time for football, cooler weather and school. Last year, we decided that September was also a good time to open up our parking lot and invite a bunch of classic cars to come over! Of course the cars’ owners and the entire community came over too. It went so well that we’ve decided to make this an annual event.
So- welcome to the “Second ANNUAL Car Show“!
The “Car Show” features a lot full of classic cars which have been restored to their original beauty. But as we wander around the parking lot and chat with the car’s owners, we can catch up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s friendship, music, and food. Lots of food!
Beyond the beauty of the cars, the PUMC car show is a community block party! PUMC isn’t just a big building on the outskirts of town. A church isn’t meant to be an island apart from the town filled with “church people.” Instead, the church is part of the community, and the Car Show is a chance to celebrate community together.
Here are the details…
WHEN: Saturday Sept. 27, 2025
TIME: 10AM – 3PM (exhibitor registration starts at 8:30 AM)
WHERE: Pitman United Methodist Church (directions)
WHO: Everyone is invited!
WHAT: Classic cars, food, games, and community
COST: Free to watch, $10 fee for car exhibitors
For more information call the church office or email CarShow@PitmanUMC.org
Instead, parking will be available at the “Bright Beginnings” parking lot, which is on Lambs Road across from the church. As an extra measure of safety, crossing guards will be on duty to help visitors across Lambs Road.
Here’s a quick taste of last year’s car show:
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Why a Car Show?
Car shows are popular attractions. People love to come out and reminisce about cars they used to own and to see these memories brought back to life. We all admire the skill of the owners who fixed these cars up and who keep them running.
But a church is about God, not cars! So why would a church want to put on a car show?
First of all, it is fun! It’s a gift to be able to stroll around, chat with neighbors, and share with the owners of the cars. It’s a party atmosphere. It’s a God-given gift to enjoy each other’s company.
But there are several ways that a car show illustrates our relationship with God. In many respects, a car show is much like a living parable. Here are a two thoughts….
In the Community, Not just On a Corner!
As you drive through town lately, you’ll see a lot of lawn signs advertising the upcoming car show. Some of these signs are on lawn surrounding the church building, but many are scattered throughout town (and at homes that are not in Pitman). When we hear the word “church” we often think of a building with a steeple, or a place where people go on Sunday mornings. We think of a
church split by denominations. But a “church” is a “group of people”…. people who share a common live of God and a hunger to share that love with others. The “church” is next door; it’s a coworker, bowling friend, or family member. God’s love is available to anyone.
Yes, these lawn signs “advertise” the car show and inform everyone about it. But one of the reasons PUMC puts on a car show is so we can remind our community that God’s love is available to anyone; you don’t have to go into a church building on Sunday morning to see God.
The next time you see one of these lawn signs, remember that an opportunity for a perfect relationship with our Creator is available to anyone, regardless of your address.
Restoration!
The History Chanel TV show “American Pickers” features two brothers (Mike and Robbie Wolf) who visit life-long collectors (or their children) who are overcome by all of the “stuff” in their homes (and barns, and yards). The pickers sort through mountains of stuff (“junk” to most of us, “treasures” to their trained eyes). They pick out items that can be fixed up and sold. The stuff they buy
brings back memories, shows history, or just looks great…. if they can be fixed up. When they load an item into their van, it’s broken, rusted, and ugly. But they take it to a skilled craftsman who turns it into something beautiful and desirable.
God does the same thing with us! Mike and Robbie may be America’s greatest “pickers”, but God is at work everywhere. People who are “rusted out” by mistakes, rough times, or poor decisions can come to God. God restores them into people who bring encouragement, love, and beauty into the world.
The cars you see in the car show didn’t always look as beautiful as you see them now. Not long ago, they were rusted out hulks. Many years ago they rolled out of a showroom and into the families of proud new car buyers. But now, thanks to the skill and dedication of skilled mechanics, these cars have regained (and maybe even exceeded) their show room beauty. Not long ago, they were rejected and discarded, but now they’re valued and needed.
The Old Testament Micah describes a similar restoration. In chapter 3 of his book (Micah 3), God’s chosen people living in the “promised land” are just like rusted out cars. They’ve rejected God and his care. Instead of remaining in light of God’s protection (their “garage”), they moved out into the world’s fields and became vulnerable to the “elements”. They rusted away. Evil prophets and kings accepted bribes and worshiped other gods (including themselves). The last verse of this chapter describes Jerusalem as “a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets” (Micah 3:12).
But after the Babylonians invade Israel and tear it apart, God brings restoration.
The last verse of chapter 3 describes destruction, but the first verse in chapter 4 promises restoration:
“In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills and peoples will stream to it.” (Micah 4:1)
Kinda like an ugly car… Kinda like us???
To learn more about what to expect at this year’s car chow, check out the post about last year’s show:
To see other events where PUMC is reaching out to our neighbors, click the below button:
Neighbors
