Pastors Ponderings: Be Strong!
During the coronavirus pandemic (in April of 2020), Pastor Jim wrote these encouraging reminders from scripture. God is with us and continually watching over us; even when things seem like they’re falling over the edge of a cliff.
Read MoreWhen Life isn’t Fair (Camp Meeting, 6/30/19)
Richwood UMC opened the 2019 season of the Pitman Camp Meeting and got us off to a rousing start. Sanctified opened the worship in music and Rev. Steve Herman preached an inspiring sermon with practical advice on what to do when life treats you unfairly.
Read MoreIs Fear Knocking at the Door? Answer it with Faith!
Is Fear knocking at the front door? Is it persistently pounding on the doorbell, not willing to leave you alone? Then confront it with Faith! Faith convinces us that God isn’t leaving you on your own, but that He will give you comfort in the problem and a solution to get you through it.
Read MoreChurches Fill the Gaps during Summer Vacation! (6/20/18- )
It’s Summer! The kids are out of school… and school lunches have stopped for the summer.
The churches of Pitman are helping to fill the gap by distributing lunch boxes to children throughout the summer. We are also offering hygiene products that aren’t covered by food stamps.
God’s Gonna Trouble the Water on Palm Sunday! (4/9/17)
Both services on Palm Sunday will be led by our choirs, and their message will begin with the announcement that “God is gonna trouble the Water.” The services will feature a cantata called “A Journey to Hope.” So how can “trouble the water” be a picture of hope??? The Bible relates several accounts of where water was “troubled” to give hope and healing to those who had faith. Water can be many things. Water can represent nourishment, or...
Read MoreA Zoad, a Fork, and a Choice (5/22/16)
A Zoad? How does a Dr. Seuss character improve our own character; help us to walk in deeper faith? If we’re going to get anywhere, we need to make a choice; step out in faith and commit to obeying God.
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 MoreApril 1: National Atheist’s Day!
On April 1, 2016, the following message was posted on our signboard: APRIL 1: NATIONAL ATHEIST’S DAY! April First, like any other first day of the month, ushers in a new month. It demands that we turn the page on our calendar. But when that first day comes in the month of April, it takes on a special meaning: April Fools Day! Now, that’s not a religious holiday. We just wrapped up the season of Lent and celebrated the wonder of Easter. We celebrate these Holy Days...
Read MoreThe Polar Express Comes to Pitman! (12/20/15)
Each Christmas is a reminder that God beacons us- woos us- to “Get on Board!” He constantly offers us a free ticket; to trust fully in Him and to go along on the “ride” that He has intended for us to take. But like the kids in the movie Polar Express, we have to choose to leave the comfort of our home and Get Aboard to parts unknown. Pastor Jim’s sermon on December 20 reminded us of the wonder and joy of this challenge. Click the below “Play” button...
Read MoreA Stone from the Shepherd’s Pouch (9/13/15)
How do we defeat the “Goliaths” in our lives? How does God provide for us in our times of trouble. In fact, how do our times of trouble provide for us??? Pastor Jim explored these questions during his sermon on September 13, 2015. This is the second of a two part series looking at the familiar account of David and Goliath. Click the below “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from 1...
Read MoreDon’t Wear the Emperor’s Clothes! (9/6/15)
When “Goliaths” stand before us and threaten us, what do we see? Hopelessness or Victory? How do we proceed? God wants to give us Victory! Pastor Jim explored these truths during his sermon on September 6, 2015. Click the below “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from 1 Samuel 17 (starting at verse 31)… Click the below drop down box to “open up God’s...
Read MoreWhat is TRUST?
What does it mean to Trust? We’re called to Trust friends, Trust co-workers, Trust doctors, Trust bank tellers. But what does it mean to trust God? Proverbs 3:5-8 puts it this way… Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Significance of One
Pastor Jim submitted the following devotional on Monday Aug. 23, 2015. It references his sermon from the previous Sunday (“The Life and Music of Charles Wesley”); Both Charles and John Wesley demonstrated that God can work through one person to do mighty things… PLEASE READ: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11… There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Faith in the Face of Opposition
Pastor’s Ponderings: Faith in the Face of Opposition The following “Pastor’s Ponderings” devotional was submitted by Pastor Jim on August 22, 2015. Our sermon for August 23 is entitled “The Life and Music of Charles Wesley”… this devotional gives a preview into that theme… Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”...
Read MoreA View of the Real World (8/2/15)
Confused? Many of us are. But how do you find the truth? How do you know what to trust? Pastor Jim took on these questions during his sermon of August 2 2015. Click the following “Play” button to start listening to the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Amos 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7. Open the below Drop Down box to read the scripture. Scripture Amos 5:8 (Seek Him who) made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of...
Read MoreWhat’s Beyond the Zebras? (7/12/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on July 12 2015 called us to look beyond our own self imposed boundaries and to allow God to work through us; even if He takes us to places we’ve never been before. Click the below “Play” button to listen to the recording, then scroll down and follow along… Our scripture was from Genesis 12:1-5… Genesis 12:1-5 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house,...
Read MoreSpiritual Wisdom from Shrek (6/7/15)
Pastor Jim took us in an unusual direction to find insight into the story of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14); did you realize that a scene from the movie Shrek illustrates an important spiritual principle? Click the following “Play” Button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture was Matthew 14:22-33. Open the below drop down box to follow along… Matthew 14 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat...
Read MoreTake a Ride on a Roller Coaster! (4/26/15)
Can you imagine a roller coaster ride that’s not filled with excitement and expectation? Can you imagine a relationship with God that’s not filled with joy and expectation? Pastor Jim’s sermon on April 26 challenged us to learn from children; to take on the same wide-eyed faith that allows us to go where Jesus takes us… Click the following “Play” button to listen to a recording of the sermon (from the 11 AM service), then scroll down to follow...
Read MoreA Red Christmas (12/7/14)
Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “Colours of Christmas” by looking at things that are red. How can red objects remind us of Christ and help us prepare for Christmas? Click the following “Play” button, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture reading was from Luke 1:26-38. Pastor Jim read from the “Life Application Bible” (which uses the Living Bible translation/paraphrase). Open the drop down box to follow the...
Read MoreMorning by Morning New Mercies I See
Pastor Jim’s sermon on August 15 was about God’s faithfulness as shown in Lamentations 3. Morning by Morning New Mercies I See… One of the hymns that most of us know is based on today’s scripture: “Great is thy Faithfulness.” The refrain includes the line “Morning by morning new mercies I see…. All I have needed Thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” There is a lily-type plant which produces flowers that...
Read MoreBuilt to Serve (6/15/14)
Pastor Larry gave his final sermon at PUMC on June 15. The title was “Built to Serve” and the scripture was Galatians 5:1-13… Galatians 5:1-13 Gal 5:1-15… So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to...
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