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 our Advent Wreath to symbolize the gifts of Hope,...
read moreMen’s Fellowship to Gather with Chris Johnson (1/10/15)
Our first fellowship gathering of the new year will be on the morning of Saturday, January 10 at 7:30 AM. We’ll meet in the Potter’s Hand room (which is on the balcony level behind the sanctuary). Our guest speaker will be Chris Johnson, and his topic will be “Treasuring Jesus in 2015.” Chris is a missionary to Mexico through an organization called To Every Tribe. http://www.toeverytribe.org. He will also be our 2015 retreat speaker. Here is a brief bio: Chris Johnson is a missionary to Mexico through the “To Every Tribe”...
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 perfectly healthy? What if you spent the day far removed...
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 lives. The Carpenters sang, “Greeting cards...
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 Bible… Luke 2:8-15 Luke 2:8-15 8 Now there were in...
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 moments of reflection, not in those crazy and frantic...
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 place where the child was. When they saw 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 was made through him, the world did not recognize...
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… Matthew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ...
read more