Easter Egg Hunt Reveals God’s Love! (4/16/22)
Over 300 of our neighbors attended this year’s Easter Egg Hunt as we resumed our “normal” in person gathering. As we watched our kids search for colored eggs and treasures hidden within, we were reminded that God is inviting us to search for a deeper relationship with Him and for the treasure of a life that’s filled with purpose, assurance and eternal joy.
Read MoreDay by Day through Holy Week
In the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Jesus was busy teaching and fulfilling His mission on earth. We don’t know exactly what happened on each day, but the Scripture gives some ideas. Follow these day by day readings to prepare for Easter Sunday.
Read MoreEaster Lilies to Trumpet in the Resurrection! (4/6/22)
The tradition and beauty continues! On Easter, our sanctuary will be adorned with white lilies to help “trumpet” the resurrection of our Lord. Purchase a lily to help this celebration; this post contains the order form which will let you do that.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Christ Imitator or Car Thief???
“If you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” (oldie but goodie…).
But how well are you reflecting the Image of Christ? This devotional from Pastor Jim challenges us to take some self reflection.
Drive-Thru Hunts for Easter Eggs! (4/3/21)
Yes- despite the pandemic, we ARE having an Easter Egg Hunt this year! Open this post to see how we’re conducting our “drive-thru Easter Egg Hunt,” and dig deeper to see what we’re really searching for during this Easter.
Read MoreDaffodils Sold Out on Fighting Cancer! (3/21/21)
Despite the pandemic, we held our annual Mini-Daffodil sale to raise funds to fight Cancer. And- we sold out of them! God can use these little yellow flowers (and even us) to make a difference in the world.
Read MoreHoly Moments During a Winter’s Day (2/21/21)
A video showing “A Winter’s Day at PUMC” led us into a real moment of Holy reverence during our “virtual worship service” on 2/22/21. Against the backdrop of snow and the quietness of our sanctuary, this rendition of the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy inspired us to worship on this first Sunday of Lent.
Read More2021 Lenten Devotional Booklet
This annual Devotional Booklet is written by local laity and clergy. Use it to help you pre-prayer during this Lenten Season.
Read MorePUMC Rises Above Social Distancing on Easter! (4/12/20)
Easter 2020. Because of the pandemic, we couldn’t be together. But, we created a “selfie slideshow” and joined together via live stream in this special worship service. Open this post to view a video of the Easter Slideshow.
Read MorePUMC Preparing 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt! (4/11/20)
Our 11th annual Easter Egg Hunt is in the works, and it will be held on Saturday April 11, 2020. It will be a great morning of food, fun, and Eggs!
Read MorePUMC Plans for 2020 Easter Season! (Feb-April 2020)
Easter 2020 is upon us, and PUMC is ready with a full schedule of events. Lent is a time to prepare for the Resurrection Day of Easter, and our “activities” are available to help you prepare. This post lists the opportunities for worship, service, and celebrations that we’ll have during this Lenten 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 MoreTenth Annual Easter Egg Hunt is a Smash! (4/20/19)
The misty drizzle cleared up, and we were able to celebrate our 10th annual Easter Egg Hunt without a hitch. About 400 of our neighbors came out as we celebrated family. Hot dogs, Magic by Ed, and- of course- Easter Eggs made the day a huge success.
Read MoreChoirs to Lead Celebration of Palm Sunday (4/14/19)
On Palm Sunday (4/14/19), our choirs will present a cantata entitled “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.” Join in the celebration of Palm Sunday and in the reflection of the cross. There will only be one service; at 10:15 AM.
Read MoreFrom Palms to Eggs- Easter 2019’s Schedule of Events (4/14 – 4/21)
Easter is on the way! Beginning with Jesus’ Triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ending with His resurrection on Easter Sunday, we are celebrating this Holiest of Weeks. Here’s a summary of the events and services that we are holding.
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 MorePUMC and Neighbors Hunt Easter Eggs! (3/31/18)
Over 500 people came to PUMC on Saturday 3/31/18 and helped us pick up over 8000 eggs. Our ninth annual Easter Egg Hunt was an awesome experience.
Read MoreDaffodils and Diapers Help Sick and Needy (3/25/18)
The day was Palm Sunday; a special sabbath for celebrating the arrival of our King and Savior into Jerusalem. But like any other opportunity when we gather, it was also a time to reach out and help the needy. Palm Branches helped us worship, but Daffodils and Diapers helped us to help others. Daffodils Each year at this time, we sell pots of daffodils. These yellow flowers do more than to just brighten up our springtime homes; the proceeds go to the the American Cancer society to...
Read MoreChoirs Present Love on Palm Sunday! (3/25/18)
On Palm Sunday (March 11, 2018) the choirs presented a musical cantata entitled “Here is Love.” When Jesus willingly entered Jerusalem to present Himself as our sacrifice for sin, on that first Palm Sunday, God’s love was on display in a way that it had never been seen before.
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.
Pastors Ponderings: Christ the Lord is Risen Today!
No Easter Sunday at PUMC would be complete without singing the hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today. In this article (and in the corresponding podcast on the UMC website), Dr. Paul Chilcote guides us through this hymn’s verses and shows us how to take the Risen Christ into the other 364 days of the year.
Read More2017 Easter Egg Hunt is ready to Hatch! (4/15/17)
April 15! What unpleasant duty does that date conjure up? IRS??? Well, think again… what PLEASANT event does that date also mean? Saturday April 15 is the date of our Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt! April 15 means EGG! From 11:00AM until 1:00 PM our parking lot and Fellowship Hall will be the site of some Eggciting Activity- Lunch, a “special presentation” (magic show?), and of course, the Big Hunt on our lawn. The Easter Egg Hunt will be held Rain or Shine! Last year,...
Read MoreHe Ain’t Here- He’s Done Gone! (4/10/16)
Early on Easter morning, some of the women reported that the tomb was empty. Jesus’ body wasn’t there. The disciples were confused and fearful, so two of them got out of town by walking to Emmaus. Jesus caught up with them along the way and their lives were changed forever. In his sermon, Pastor Jim invited us to walk along with these disciples and to “let Jesus jump into your arms.” Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the...
Read MoreA Rock ‘n Roll Resurrection! (3/27/16)
Christ our Lord is Risen Today! This is not only a historical event, but a reality that should shake our being on each and every breath we take. Pastor Jim’s Easter Sermon encouraged us to Experience the Resurrection; not just to commemorate it once a year. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 11:00 service)… The scripture was Matthew 28:1-10. Click the following Drop Down box to follow along. Pastor Jim...
Read MoreHoly Week Events Prepare for Resurrection Day (3/20/16 – 3/27/16)
Easter Sunday is quickly approaching! In order to celebrate the resurrection, we need to experience everything that led up to that glorious morning. On Palm Sunday, March 20, we considered the beginning of this Holy Week when our Lord entered Jerusalem. Our choirs led us through a special worship where to journeyed from the palms, through the cross, and to the empty tomb. During this special week, PUMC is providing some special opportunities to prepare ourselves for the majesty of Easter...
Read MoreChoirs set to Lead Palm Sunday Worship (3/20/16)
Can it be Palm Sunday already? Didn’t we just celebrate or Lord’s birth??? Yes- we’re there. The Lord is coming! On Sunday March 20, we will “sing hosanna” to our Savior by worshiping in music. During both services, our Choirs and Praise Team will lead a musical journey through Holy Week. Traditional hymns and contemporary praise music will be sung by the choirs. The music to be “presented” will be familiar to most of the congregation, so sing...
Read MorePUMC Scrambles to Organize Easter Egg Hunt! (3/26/16)
Easter eggs… Really? Eggs represent life, and new life comes from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. So we’re going to use the symbol of Easter Eggs to help teach our children about the true meaning of Easter… and to have a little fun while we’re at it! On Holy Saturday, March 26, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will host our 8th annual Easter Egg Hunt. There will be lunch, a “special presentation,” and (of course) plenty of Easter eggs. Last year’s Egg...
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 Morefwd: Email From God (4/5/15)
Ever get one of those emails that had been forwarded to a gazillion people? It might be yet another message with jokes or another advertisement. When these messages come, we usually hit the delete key without even considering to open them. If the message starts with the letters “fwd:”, the word “ignore” tends to pop into most of our minds. But have we experienced so many Easters that the amazing message of the Resurrection has simply dissolved into a familiar, worn...
Read MoreChoirs Present “The Seven Last Words” in Palm Sunday Cantata (3/29/15)
Palm Sunday is usually viewed as a joyous time of celebration; the King is arriving into the Holy City. But we quickly discover that the Holy City rejected and crucified this King instead of celebrating and worshiping Him. And so it’s appropriate that Palm Sunday finds us looking at the Seven Last Words of Christ. The choir led our Palm Sunday service by continuing Pastor Jim’s theme of Christ’s Seven Last Words on the Cross. Along with narration and scripture readings, the...
Read MorePUMC Joins Community to Celebrate Holy Week (4/5/15)
This week (“Passion Week” or “Holy Week”) is perhaps the most important week on the Christian calendar. Our church will join with others in Pitman and with millions across the globe to celebrate the Passion of our Lord and of His Resurrection. Here’s the schedule… Thursday 4/2 Friday 4/3 Saturday 4/4 Sunday 4/5 7:00PM Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) communion service 8:30 AM The women will sponsor our annual Good Friday breakfast (no charge!), and...
Read MoreWord 5: How’s Your Thirst Quenched? (3/22/15)
On this last Sunday before Palm Sunday and the Passion Week that it ushers in, Pastor Jim spoke on Jesus’ 5th “Word” from the cross: “I Thirst.” This continues the seven part series which will end on Good Friday. Click the below “Play” button to begin listening to the recording (from the 11:00 service), then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was from Matthew 5:6 and John 19:28-30. Open the below Drop Down box to read...
Read MoreWord 3: Behold Your Son, Behold Your Mother (3/8/15)
On Sunday March 8 2015, Pastor Jim continued his lenten series on the seven final Words of Christ from the cross. His message this morning was from John 19:26…. Woman, behold your son. Click on the below “Play” button to start the recording. Scroll down and follow along. The scripture was from John 19:25-27. Open the drop down box to read… John 19:25-27 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of...
Read MoreLenten Schedule (March-April 2015)
Starting with Ash Wednesday (on February 18), we left the season of Epiphany and entered the season of Lent. If you start with the Saturday before Easter and count backwards 40 days (not including Sundays), you’ll land on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40 day (less Sundays) period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. It’s a time for introspection and repentance. A time to look at our sin, God’s holiness, and to appreciate the value of Jesus’ death on the cross....
Read MoreWhat’s YOUR Easter Story? (4/27/14)
Our sermon during the services on Sunday April 27 was given by Kimberly Dybeck. Kim is a seminarian student who is serving an internship with PUMC. During her time with our church she has coordinated our small groups and has been a huge inspiration. In a few weeks, her education will take her to another internship assignment, but we will always be grateful that she became part of our family. We were also blessed that she had the opportunity to share her first sermon with us…...
Read MoreJesus Faced Down Death! (4/20/14)
Google can answer everything! Want to know how long a twinkie will last? Google it! Want to know whether it’s called Duct Tape or Duck Tape? Google it! But if you want to know anything about death and where someone goes when they die, you’ll get a 404 error- answer not found! But Google is actually trying to do something about that… what can we do to extend life and maybe even eliminate death itself? A 2013 article in Time Magazine reports that Google is working on a...
Read MoreEaster EGGcitement!!!- Easter Egg Hunt (4/19/14)
For weeks, the PUMC congregation donated bags of candy. On the day of Maundy Thursday, the Elderberries (our Senior Adult group) gathered together to fill 2600 plastic eggs with candy. Then the day of our annual Easter Egg Hunt arrived on Saturday morning, and over 200 children were in our church! What’s an Easter Egg Hunt at PUMC? If you’re a kid, it’s a bit of everything! First you get a chance to decorate your own “Hunting Bag.” But if you’re...
Read MoreCommunity Sunrise Easter Service (4/20/14)
Many in our community began their Easter Sundays by attending the community Sunrise Service which was held at the Alcyon Lake Park Pavilion. This year’s service was coordinated by the First Presbyterian Church of Pitman, and the service was led by their pastor, Rev. Pat Weikart. Several other local pastors took part in the reading of litany and scripture. The Presbyterian Church’s bell choir led the music. The scripture readings focused on God’s protective and life giving...
Read MoreEaster Message from Bishop Schol (4/20/14)
Bishop John Schol, the bishop of our Greater New Jersey Annual Conference recently released the following open letter to all “Easter People”… To an Easter people who have everything to live for Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for. –1Peter 1:3, The Message The Familiar Becomes Fuzzy Resurrection sometimes feels rare during times of great challenge. We are living in some of the most challenging times...
Read MoreMaundy Thursday Sermon (4/17/14)
Following Jesus… During the Maundy Thursday service on April 17, Pastor Kee preached on John 13:1-17, 31-35. His sermon was followed by a communion service in which participants had their hands washed before sitting at a table behind the pulpit. 12 people at a time filled the tables, giving the sense that we were actually participating in the Last Supper after Jesus had washed our feet. Read Scripture John 13:1-17, 31 35 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time...
Read MorePalm Sunday 2014- Grace Present, Past, and Future (3/13/14)
Abounding Grace… The choirs presented an entire musical service for Palm Sunday (April 20, 2014). The service opened with the traditional singing of “The Palms”, as children weaved between the pews to welcome the Savior into our midst. As we’ve seen in our recent Lenten devotional series, we are surrounded by God’s grace; unmerited favor. Grace that draws us near to God, grace that leads us to accept God, grace that makes us more like Him. The musical...
Read MoreEaster Sunday Breakfast (4/20/14)
Let’s Celebrate Easter as a Family! The Christian Education Committee will host a covered dish Easter Breakfast on Easter Morning during (April 20) during the Sunday School Hour. The celebration will take place in the Fellowship Hall between 9:30 and 10:30 AM. We’ll start out with some music and a fun interactive program, then we’ll enjoy the fellowship of sharing breakfast on this special morning. Please bring one breakfast item. We will provide the beverages. All Are...
Read MorePalm Sunday Cantata: “Grace- Past, Present, and Future” (4/13/14)
Grace… On Palm Sunday morning (April 13),the members of the music program will present a Sunday worship service filled with grace! This Lenten Season, our church family has been reading through the devotional, “Forty Days of Fruitful Living: Practicing a Life of Grace.” On Palm Sunday, as we gather together to worship, we will celebrate the grace that is ours in Jesus Christ. By His death and resurrection, we are free to live a life of grace. Grace- God becomes human and...
Read MoreHoly Week Schedule & Meditations (4/13 – 4/20)
Holy Week Schedule (Palm Sunday thru Easter)
Read MoreGood Friday Breakfast (4/17/14)
The United Methodist Women will sponsor their annual Good Friday Breakfast on the morning of Good Friday (April 17) at 8:30 AM. The guest speaker will be Meg Rambo. To learn more about Meg, her husband Scott, and their missions, click here.
Read MoreNow Taking Orders for Easter Lilies (4/7/14)
Each Easter, it has been our tradition to adorn our Sanctuary with with white lilies to remind us of the freshness and rebirth offered by the resurrection of our Lord and Savior on that first Easter morning. The lilies may be purchased in memory or in honor of a loved one, and then picked up after the Easter service. Order forms are provided in the church bulletins, and you can also print out a copy here: Easter Lily Order Form. Please complete the form and drop it in the offering plate or...
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