Let Catacomb Praise Recharge Your Week!
Each week, Pastor Mike posts a short musical and Biblical reflection called “Catacomb Praise” on Facebook. If you don’t “do Facebook” or if you missed an episode, you can now view them on our church website.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Most Useful Tool
Discouragement is the Devil’s most frequently used and most effective tool. How can we fight against it? In this offering, Pastor Jim gives us some insight on how to become more encouraging.
Read MoreRunning on Empty (4/8/18)
Easter is over. All of the plans, dinners, and holidays are finished. It’s time to get back to normal. But what was “Normal” for the disciples? They were totally drained. Worn out by worry and fear. Doesn’t that happen to us? Do we sometimes feel that we’re running on fumes?
Pastor Jim’s service on the 2nd Sunday in Easter 2018 shows us how Jesus fills up our tank.
A Drop of Example, or a Gallon of Advice???
On May 10,2017 (several days before Mother’s Day), the following message was posted on our signboard: A DROP OF EXAMPLE IS WORTH MORE THAN A GALLON OF ADVICE As we approach Mother’s Day, think about it… What has left a deeper impression- what do yo remember most: The things your Mom said, or the things she did? Chances are, you probably remember some great advice that Mom gave. A host of sayings, scripture, music, or just plane home-spun wisdom constantly prod...
Read MoreWhat Ever Happened to Laughter? (7/31/16- Camp Meeting)
Reminiscent of the famous Neil Diamond concert, the 7/31/16 Camp Meeting was a “Hot July Night.” It would have been easy to skip this one and stay at home in the air conditioning. Do we have to be as stuffy when we worship God? How does laughter fit into our call to honor God and to be reverent before His presence?
PUMC was the host church, and Pastor Jim gave the message. He challenged us to take a fresh look at laughter as a way to honor God.
Cheers: A Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name (7/24/16)
Like the sitcom Cheers, the Church needs to be a place where everybody knows your name… because Christ knows their name and they know Jesus’ Name. Pastor Jim used this 1980s sitcom to illustrate that the relationship we have with eachother is welcoming and powerful when it flows out of the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.
Read MoreDiggin’ Up Bones (5/1/16)
God led Ziek into a desert; into a valley filled with dust, despair, and… dead bones. How can places in life like these be turned into something vibrant and living? When we’re in the depths of discouragement, can God inject hope and energy and turn things around? You betcha!!! Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 11:00 service)… The scripture was Ezekiel 37:1-10. Click the following Drop Down box to...
Read MoreFor Lent, Lose the ‘Tude! (2/21/16)
We are now into a season of preparation for the passion and resurrection of our Lord. This preparation- which we call Lent- involves reevaluating our Walk and then getting rid of anything that’s getting in the way. With this message, Pastor Jim began a Lenten series called: “For Lent, Give Up Something Bad!” Too often we think of lent as being a time to temporarily give up something that’s not really bad… just to give up something as an act of sacrifice. But...
Read MoreLove, Somebody (7/12/15)
What’s a “Random Act Of Kindness”? How can a seemingly simple act or gift make a difference in someone’s life? Several Sundays ago, members of our congregation were treated to the following message when they arrived at their cars after the service: Just a simple handwritten note (“your” / “you’re”… who cares???). But it was anonymous. Nobody wanted to take credit for it. And yet- that made the message all the more powerful. ...
Read MorePhilemon, Forgiveness, and Dr. Pepper (7/19/15)
What does forgiveness do for you? And what does that have to do with Dr. Pepper??? Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 19 2015 tied it all together. Click on the following “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along (this recording is from the 9:30 service)… Our scripture was the book of Philemon… yep- the whole “book” (actually it’s a short letter). Open the below drop down box and look over Philemon’s shoulder as he reads this letter...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Love is Victorious
The following thoughts were submitted by Pastor Jim on 1/20/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:11a “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” PLEASE READ: Ephesians 4:29 “Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians” (NLV) Although snow is in the forecast for South Jersey for tomorrow [Wednesday 1/21/15], I am excited that Spring Training...
Read MoreA Time to Remember (11/2/14)
On Sunday November 2, we marked our church’s anniversary. Pastor Jim’s sermon tapped into the anniversary and All Saints Day themes. The scripture reading was from Numbers 10:8-10 and Hebrews 12:1-2. Click the “Play” button below to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Scripture Reading Numbers 10:8-10 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your...
Read MoreThe Fellowship of Believers (10/19/14)
October 19 was 2014’s Laity Sunday. The suggested theme for this year’s Laity Sunday was “Engaging Small Groups.” Testimonies were given by members of two small groups, and then the scripture and sermon followed. In the audio below, Bryce Hogan read the scripture and the sermon was given by Larry Bakely. The title of the message was “The Fellowship of Believers,” and it was based on Acts 2:37-47. Click the “Play” button to begin the...
Read MoreGod is Good (8/24/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on August 24 continued our look at the Attributes of God. So far we’ve seen that God is Awesome, Holy, and Faithful. This morning we looked at God’s Goodness.Click on the “Play” button below, then scroll down to follow along… The text for the sermon came from Psalm 86:1-13 and Nahum 1:7. Click on the arrow to open up the scripture… Scripture Readings Ps 86:1-13 Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. ...
Read MoreWho Am I? (7/6/14)
On Sunday, July 6, Pastor Jim Bolton was introduced to our church as our new pastor. Pastor Jim’s first sermon was entitled “Who Am I?” It was both an introduction to the new pastor and also a probing question into our own relationship with Jesus Christ.The scripture for the message was from Matthew 16:13-16 and from Joshua 1:1-9. Yeah, but who do YOU say I Am??? In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples two questions. First, “Who do people SAY that I am?” ...
Read MoreCan You be Googled?
When designing a website, one of the first things you’ll hear about is “SEO”- Search Engine Optimization. One of the top goals of any website is to show up on the top of that first page when somebody does an Internet search. Search engine providers use things known as “crawlers” or “robots” which constantly search the Internet to build up their database of search terms and sites. If you’re managing a website, you want to use terms that these...
Read MoreOur Father’s House Pre-K Nears Graduation (6/4/14)
The 2013-2014 school year is quickly approaching its end. As the Our Father’s House school year draws to a conclusion, we look forward to honoring our 4 year olds. Some of them have been with us for 3 years! On Tuesday June 3, the 4 year olds will enjoy a picnic with their families from 9:00-noon at Atkinson Park (formerly Bethel Mill Park). On the next morning- June 4- we will hold our graduation ceremony! Please continue to keep the students (and teachers) of Our Father’s House...
Read MoreBlue Christmas Service (12/17/13)
Many of us lost loved ones during this year. For any of us, the family traditions of the holidays bring back memories of Christmases past. During this holiday season we are especially aware of those who have walked with us and who are an integral part of those memories; but now they’re gone. On Tuesday Dec. 17 at 7:30 PM we will pause to reflect on loved ones who have passed to eternity. Even as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we still mourn the loss of loved ones. This service will...
Read MoreAdded Blessing at Our Father’s House
Our Father’s House (our church’s pre-school), warmly gives many kinds of blessings to the families in the school and to our church. One of these blessings is Yogi, our “crossing guard”. Yogi is at the church every morning to greet the children with a warm welcome and to make sure they’re safe as they move from the parking lot into the building. On the last day of school before the Thanksgiving break, Yogi greeted the kids wearing his (now) famous turkey...
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