Pastor’s Ponderings: Self-Reflection for Advent
John Wesley stressed that we need to “renew yourself from time to time, closely examining the state of your soul.” Peter reminded us to “be self-controlled and alert” … to “stand firm in the faith.”
During this pandemic,we need to re-connect to the Holy Spirit as never before. In this article, Pastor Jim offers encouragement on how we can do that.
2020 Advent Devotionals Look Forward
“God has something good for you this Advent!” Members of churches in our area have produced a daily devotional guide which will help us discover what God wants to share with us during this journey, and these 27 devotional articles are presented in this website post. Use them to to Lighten your journey through this Advent season.
Read MoreLenten Devotional for 2020
Several local churches have pooled together to create a booklet of daily devotions for the 2020 Lenten season. All of the articles were written specifically for this booklet. Open this post to view the articles and to take part in the day by day readings.
Read More2019 Advent Devotional Looks Forward
An Advent Devotional booklet has been produced by several area churches, and hard copies are available in our Narthex. An electronic version of the booklet is rendered in this post. Follow these daily articles throughout Advent and look forward to the Christ.
Read MoreLenten Devotional for 2019
Prepare for Easter by reading this daily devotional during the Lenten Season. The devotional booklet was produced by members of several local churches, and this post lets you view the booklet online.
Read MoreCrossing the Commitment Line (Camp Meeting, 8/12/18)
Richwood UMC hosted the 8/12/18 Pitman Camp Meeting. Rev. Steve Herman challenged us with his sermon and Sanctified inspired us with their music. Are you ready to commit to God, or are your toes wiggling just short of the line?
Read MoreLenten Devotional for 2018
Lent is a time of preparation. Several local churches have put together a devotional booklet that will help you prepare for Resurrection
Day. Visit this post daily to read each day’s inspirational article.
Practicing Extravagant Generosity (10/15 thru 11/11 2017)
Unity. Pulling together to be of one heart and one purpose. In our church, that purpose is to glorify our Creator-God and to help Him build His Kingdom. Our goal is to become more like Christ in every facet of our lives. One of the attributes of God is that He is generous… REALLY generous. Imagine the Son of God somehow squeezing Himself into a human body, living on this earth, and then dying on a Roman cross? Think about the God who has provided all of your needs throughout your...
Read MoreBible Reading Plans for 2017!
When the “publish” button was clicked for this post, we were in that Christmas Holiday gap between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The gifts were wrapped, placed under the tree, and then unwrapped. All of the Christmas cookies were baked… and most were eaten. All of a sudden we were about to wake up to the Mummers (in Philly, anyway), New Year’s Day will be upon us, and we’ll be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. What can I do in this new...
Read MoreChoirs to Present Annual Cantata: Adore (12/18/16)
For the past gazillion years, the choir or choirs at our church have presented a service of worship through words and music (i.e., Cantata). It’s always been presented on the Sunday before Christmas… at 4:15 PM. Yes, 4:15 PM! No clue where that time came from, but… It’s Tradition! It always happens! And so another Christmas is upon us. Tradition! It always happens! But is that all it is??? Habit? Tradition? Christmas isn’t only a tradition; It’s an...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Up Above the World so Bright
God continues whispering in our ears, “Don’t quit…keep on playing.” Even when it seems life is bringing us flat or sour notes, God is coming alongside to assist us in making His music. God will add to our best efforts and the result will be amazing. With God reaching around and encircling us, together, beautiful music can be made!
Read MorePlaying on God’s Super Team (2/7/16)
Super Bowl Sunday! The day of the Big Game! In a few hours the Denver Broncos would battle the Carolina Panthers; each team trying to reach the endzone and to win the Super Bowl prize. Both teams taking their turns making mistakes (fumbles and turnovers). During our worship service we observed this “special day” by dressing down and wearing our favorite team jerseys. Our goal wasn’t to worship Sports; our goal was to learn whatever spiritual lessons we could from this...
Read MoreLenten Devotional for 2016
Members from four local churches have come together to produce a Daily Devotional for this year’s Lenten season. The booklets were published in hardcopy form and distributed within the participating churches, but electronic copies of the devotions are presented here. If you want a printed copy, visit or contact one of the participating churches: Evangelical UMC (Clarksboro) Zion Community Church (Clarksboro) Trinity United Methodist Church (Mullica Hill) and Pitman United Methodist...
Read MorePUMC Celebrates Ministries with Luncheon (1/31/16)
Just a quick glance through our church newsletter (Steeple Notes), or through the “Coming Events” section of our bulletin, or at the Monthly Calendar (see the link on the website sidebar), reveals that this church is “busy.” But being “busy” and “doing things” doesn’t necessarily mean we’re “doing things” that glorify God. But when the Holy Spirit leads us into these activities, we are then participating in the...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Lent is Calling
The following devotional was sent by Pastor Jim on 2/26/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” (NKJV). PLEASE READ: Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (NKJV). Can we agree that regular Bible reading, regular times of prayer, being faithful in worship, to name a few...
Read More2015 Lenten Devotional Books are Ready!
During the past few months, members of PUMC have written and collected a series of devotional readings to help us prepare for Easter during the season of Lent. The devotionals have been assembled into a booklet, and the booklets are now available. The Lenten Devotionals are now available in the Narthex. The book contains daily readings starting on Ash Wednesday (February 18) and continuing through Easter Sunday (April 5). Articles are written by members of PUMC as well as by members of Zion...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Part Time Christians?
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 16, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the Law of Moses came up while Jesus and the Sadducees were arguing. When he heard Jesus give a good answer, he asked him, “What is the most important commandment?” Jesus answered, “The most important one says: ‘People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ The second most...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Scriptures
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on January 15, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds” (CEV) PLEASE READ: Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may...
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 MoreOrdinary People Set Apart to be Holy (8/10/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on August 10 continued our look at the attributes of God. Last week we looked at His Awesomeness and power. This week we look at His holiness. Click the below “Play” button to listen to a recording of the sermon (from the 11:00 service). While you’re listening, scroll down and use the summary to follow along (and don’t forget to try the quiz!). The text for the message was from Isaiah 6:1-8. Click the arrow below to open up...
Read MoreHoly Week Schedule & Meditations (4/13 – 4/20)
Holy Week Schedule (Palm Sunday thru Easter)
Read MoreForty Days of Fruitful Living Sermons & Studies (3/9/14)
On Sunday March 9, we began a new sermon series based on the devotional “Forty days of Fruitful Living- Practicing a Life of Grace,” written by Robert Schnanse. During the five Sundays in Lent we are looking at five disciplines, or practices that we can develop in order to grow into a life of grace. The five practices are: Radical Hospitality Passionate Worship Intentional Faith Development Risk-Taking Mission and Service Extravagant Generosity Like an...
Read MoreWe Have a Library!
Shhhhhh… Did you know that we have a library? It’s located on the upper floor of the education wing (across from the Senior High room, all the way at the end of the hall on the left). Books have been set aside that correspond with our Lenten study (“Forty Days of Fruitful Living”). Check it out! It’s a great place to sit and meander through the books! You can also check them out. and take them home. Go and sit and read with children or grandchildren, find...
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