Wonderful, Wonderful! (11/29/15)
The wonder of this Advent season comes in the journey more than the destination. On this First Sunday in Advent, Pastor Jim spoke on John 1:1-14 and led us to consider how Wonderful the gifts of Jesus are, and to challenge us to anticipate and to be amazed by the Wonder of Christmas. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Our scripture was from John 1:1-14. Pastor Jim read from the Living Bible; the New Living paraphrase is shown below. John1:1-14 1 In...
read moreHooks ‘n Needles for God Opens a Mitten Tree (11/28/15)
The Hooks ‘n Needles for God group, which uses their talents to create blankets and prayer shawls is collecting gloves and mittens to help needy children keep warm this winter. Amidst all of the Christmas Decorations in our church, there is a very special Christmas Tree in the rear of the sanctuary: The Mitten Tree. Hooks ‘n Needles got things off to a good start by hanging their own items, but there is still plenty of space left on the tree! If you have any children’s mittens or gloves to donate, please hang them on the...
read moreWomen to Make the Super Bowl Something to Look Forward To! (2/7/16)
February 7, 2016 will probably be a pretty normal day for Philadelphia Eagles fans. On that Sunday, the NFL’s two best teams will play for the championship Lombardi trophy. But, it’s extremely unlikely that the Eagles will be one of those teams! But that doesn’t mean that “Superbowl Sunday” can’t be a super day for us. The Mary circle (of our United Methodist Women’s fellowship) is inviting everyone to leave the Superbowl cooking to us: We will provide you a Super Bowl of Soup! We are offering a...
read moreMake Christ a Presence Among the Presents!
We’re currently in the Advent season of 2015. Much of the hustle and bustle of this season is driven by the need to give gifts. Many of us are consumed with two fundamental questions: “What does ___ want?” “What do I want?” To answer these questions and to prepare for Christmas morning, we run around searching the Internet, ads, and malls. We scratch our heads. We think, “what did I give so and so last year?” “Does she already have one of them?” “He gained some weight this...
read moreStar Tree to Brighten up Christmas for Needy Families (12/13/15)
Last week, during our annual “hanging of the greens,” many lights, garlands, nativities and trees were brought out to remind us of this special season. One of those trees is very special; we call it our “Star Tree,” and it was placed in our Narthex. This Christmas tree is adorned with Yellow stars, and each star bears the name of a child from our town who is in need of our help. To participate in this ministry… Remove a star with the child’s name on it and purchase a gift (suggested on the star). Bring...
read moreGet Ready for Jesus! 2015 Advent Events (12/2015)
The season of Advent is a gift from God. It’s a special time of the year when families, friends, and churches across dominations join together to celebrate the incarnation… the wonder that somehow God became human and walked this earth in the Person of Jesus. And yet, sometimes we get so bogged down in the parties, shopping and “things we have to do” that we miss the wonder. And so this year we offer an opportunity to Slow Down. Plug into the activities that will help you connect with God in this season of...
read moreFinding and Responding to God (11/22/15)
As we enter the holiday season, we get Busy. We celebrate the gifts and presence of God… but do we see Him? and when we see Him… what is our reaction? The sermon on Nov. 22, 2015 was given by Andy Johns, a PUMC Advanced Lay Servant. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was Psalm 19. Andy read from the New Living Testament (shown below). Click the drop Down box to read… Psalm 19 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God....
read moreCommunity to Observe Thanksgiving (11/24/15)
The Pitman Council of Churches will host a Community Thanksgiving worship service on Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00 PM. The service this year will be held at the Mary, Mother of Mercy Church on Pitman Ave. Notice the schedule change: The service is held on TUESDAY instead of the usual Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Pastor Jim’s 7:00 PM Bible Study will NOT be held. The other Tuesday night activities will continue as usual. ...
read moreThe World’s First GPS (11/15/15)
A GPS is your reference; it keeps you focused on your destination, it keeps you from wandering into “detours”, it teaches you new paths, it points out the most effective route to take. It even tells you when it’s time to “recalculate your route.” Kind of sounds like a Bible, doesn’t it? The 3rd Sunday in November is traditionally observed as “Bible Sunday,” and so Pastor Jim took a look at the significance of the Bible in our daily walk with God. Click the below “Play” button to...
read moreGrowth Chart for Fifth Graders… And Adults!
GROWTH… When our kids are young we frequently buy or make a “growth chart” that we hang on the bedroom wall. At significant events we mark the height of our child and marvel at the wonder of growth. How quickly they grow and get taller and taller! A poster was recently spotted on an easel in our 5th grade Sunday School Room: It says “GROWTH.” How can we grow in Christ? What would you tell a 5th grader? What would you tell an adult? Here’s some useful direction for people of any age… G R O...
read more