Methodists Respond to Earthquake in Haiti (8/22/21)
A major earthquake recently struck the island nation of Haiti. United Methodists are responding by sending relief help, and that help is funded by a special offering which will be taken on Sunday 8/22/21.
Read MoreHooks & Needles Sends Love to Mother & Child (2/24/21)
Hooks and Needles has been busy during the pandemic! Blankets and other gifts have reached out to homeless mothers and their children, and facemasks are keeping local families safe.
Read MoreYou are God’s Epiphany! (1/10/21)
We all want to see God. But can others see God through us??? In this second of two “Clergy Renewal” services produced by the Conference, Bishop Schol looks at how we can become an epiphany.
Read MoreGod’s Got an Epiphany for You! (1/3/21)
God has an epiphany for you- are you ready? During the two-week period of renewal for clergy (1/3 & 1/10), the Conference produced a video worship service. In his message, Bishop Schol challenges us to discover our own epiphanies. Where have you seen God? Open this post to watch the video.
Read MoreNew Jersey Methodists to Rise Against Hunger! (3/21/20- POSTPONED!)
On March 22, 2020, the churches of the Greater NJ Annual Conference will join with “Rise Up Against Hunger” in an effort to pack 500,000 boxed meals in one day. Packing sites will be organized in various locations throughout Greater NJ, and PUMC will support the goal of having at least 3,000 people from across the state involved.
Read MoreMitten Tree Lights up a Cold Night! (1/1/20)
We’re collecting new knitted items which can be donated to the Camden Neighborhood Center (in early January). If you have some mittens, a scarf, hat, or other knitted item that you’d like to donate, the mitten tree awaits.
Read MorePreschool to Provide Coats to the Needy (1/31/20)
We’re collecting “gently used coats” for men, women and children. These coats will be given to needy people throughout Gloucester County.
Read MorePUMC Stepping into Generosity (11/12/17)
We’re “Blessed to be a Blessing.” That’s the title of a song the choir often sings. How are we blessed? Or, maybe more importantly, what or whom do we bless??? In order for us to grow as Christians, to whom do we need to give? Finance Committee? The Budget? The Church? God? Finance Committee Nah! The Budget Nah! The Methodist Church, inc Nah! God! Yes! But what does that mean? We give to “be partakers in the building of the Kingdom.” But what does THAT...
Read MorePracticing 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 MoreYouth Building Buckets for Flood Relief (10/29/17)
Imagine that your home has been flooded. The smell of mildew is everywhere. Dirt coats the floors and counters. One of your biggest needs is something we take for granted: cleaning supplies. Buckets, soaps, laundry detergent, sponges, trash bags… the list goes on and on. As part of the United Methodist Committed on Relief’s (UMCOR) efforts, our youth have started a project to collect items to assemble “Flood Buckets.” These buckets will be filled with specific...
Read MoreA 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 MoreThread ‘n Yarn Ministries Extend God’s Love (2/19/17)
Colorful Ministry on Display When we arrived in church on Sunday February 19, the altar rail was draped with a huge collection of beautifully knitted, crocheted and quilted items. Over 75 of them were laid on the altar so that we could lay hands on them in prayer. These items are used to extend God’s love, through PUMC, through blankets and shawls, to those who are in need. Each item was lovingly created over the last 6 months by the Hooks ‘n Needles ministry and the Scrappy...
Read MoreGod Work Ahead!
Our church is currently surrounded by construction. New handicapped accessible crossings. Road repairs. Road closures. Detours…
God is always at work in our lives, but He doesn’t usually wear a bright orange vest or grab our attention like a noisy jackhammer.
How can you see Him? How can you join Him???
Star Tree to Brighten up Christmas for Needy Families (12/13/15)
Last week, during our annual “hanging of the greens,” many lights, garlands, nativities and trees were brought out to remind us of this special season. One of those trees is very special; we call it our “Star Tree,” and it was placed in our Narthex. This Christmas tree is adorned with Yellow stars, and each star bears the name of a child from our town who is in need of our help. To participate in this ministry… Remove a star with the child’s name on it...
Read MoreMen Rake Up! (11/14/15)
The Men of our church got the chance to get together on Saturday for two seemingly different activities. First we gathered at the church for a Bible study on Romans chapter 1. After that, we “gathered” at a local park to rake leaves. The leaf raking was our participation in Pitman’s “Clean Communities” project in which civic and church groups work to clean up an assigned roadway or piece of land. For us, money earned from this morning of work helps pay for our...
Read MoreFully Alive (1/18/15)
The sermon on January 18 was given by Marcus Bell, who is the director of the Spirit Camp after school program at Urban Promise. (Camden, NJ). Marcus shared his experience and challenged us to gain a fuller life by giving and serving. His scripture was on James 1:26-27. Click the “Play” button to begin listening to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… (Note: The scripture was read by Pastor Jim) James 1:26-27 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious,...
Read MorePUMC to Make Turbans for Cancer Patients (9/25/14)
Cancer itself is bad enough, but the treatment also frequently brings the indignity of hair loss. On Thursday September 25, a group of ladies are going to do something about this by making turbans for cancer patients. We will meet in the gathering room from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The American Cancer Society makes these available to the patients at no cost. This has been an ongoing project of the Pitman United Methodist Church for a number of years. If you would like to be a part of this, come...
Read MoreNational Grandparents Day: A Taste of Italy! (9/7/14)
Enjoy an Italian Dinner and Help Our Seniors… Honoring our grandparents is more than a Hallmark Holiday- it’s a command of God! On Sunday September 7, PUMC will help honor our parents and grandparents by supporting the United Methodist Homes. The United Methodist Homes has pledged that residents will keep their apartment or room even if they have run out of funds. In order to make the pledge a fiscal reality, United Methodist churches from all over help fund the United Methodist...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Compassion for the Broken
The following devotional was written by our pastor, Rev. Jim Bolton… PLEASE READ: Mark 6:32-44 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to...
Read MoreOur Father’s House Needs Volunteers! (7/1/14)
Our Father’s House Preschool We are always looking for volunteers to come and assist with the children. All sessions are just 2½ hours. If you think that you could come one day a week (or more) and volunteer, we would love to hear from you at ourfathershouse@pitmanumc.org or by calling 589-5812. Please consider sharing your love for the Lord with our little ones. + + + + + + + + For more info about Our Fathers House, check out the OFH Page on this...
Read MoreHelp our Vacation Bible School to Escape!
Our Wilderness Escape Needs Your Help! Ok. You say that you can’t teach. You can’t sing. You don’t think you can cook and you don’t have a pool. But you can still help out with our upcoming Vacation Bible School. This year’s VBS will be held during the week of June 23-27 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Yep- PM. In the evening. And, it will start out with a dinner at 5:00PM. The kids (Nursery through 5th grade) will be following a curriculum called “Wilderness...
Read More2014 Annual Conference to Meet In Wildwood (5/29 – 5/31)
Annual Conference… Our church is part of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Our Annual Conference is divided into 9 Districts (we are in the Delaware Bay District). Once a year (that’s why they call it an “Annual” Conference), representatives from the United Methodist churches across New Jersey (and parts of Pennsylvania and New York) gather for a 3 day conference. This year’s conference will be held in Wildwood from Wednesday May 28 through Saturday May...
Read MoreWhy are there Peppers in Our Parking Lot?
Kids Caring Community Garden A member of our church has taken on the ministry of engaging with the youth of our neighborhood to enable and encourage them to become proactive in making the communities better in which they play, learn and live. One of the projects of this ministry is a Community Garden. This garden, planted near our parking lot, works in partnership with the Pitman Manor and our church. It has three goals: Provide fresh produce for the Pitman Food Pantry Provide...
Read MorePUMC Gives Wings for Redbird (4/20/14)
Somebody Needs to Help These Poor People! Years ago, PUMC member Don Beckett and his wife were driving through the hill country of Appalachia. Surrounded by poverty, Mrs. Becket said “somebody needs to help these poor people!” Years later, Don had lost his wife, but he never lost his wife’s plea on behalf of the poor children in Eastern Kentucky. In 2013 a team from our church journeyed to Red Bird Mission, which is in the center of the Redbird Mission Conference of the...
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 MoreFruitful Living (5 of 5): Extravagant Generosity (4/6/14)
The sermon on Sunday April 6 introduced practice #5 of our five part series on the “Five Practices of Fruitful Living” During this season of Lent, we are following the companion devotional guide by Robert Schanase entitled in “Forty Days of Fruitful Living.” The sermons introduce the week’s topic, and we discuss and study these topics during our small group meetings that week. This week’s sermon is the final in the series. The Five Practices of Fruitful Living Radical...
Read MoreBreakfast Buffet & Yard Sale (4/26/14)
Start Your Day with Our Breakfast Buffet! On Saturday April 26, the Men’s Fellowship group will throw one of our famous Breakfast Buffets in our Fellowship Hall. The buffet starts at 8:00 AM and runs until 11:00 AM. The menu includes delicious items such as our French Toast casserole, Eggs, Chipped Beef, Pancakes… and some fruit to balance off the “bad” stuff! Cost of the buffet is Adults $6, $4 kids, free for children 2 and under. Concurrently with the breakfast,...
Read MoreThank You from the Gideons! (3/30/14)
Last month, Wayne Murphy, a representative from the Gideons visited our church and shared about his ministry in providing Bibles. Because of our support for them, they will be able to deliver 27 Bibles (or 107 Testaments) to a world hungry for God’s Word. To learn more about the Gideons, check out their website. Think of the Gideons the next time you’re in a hotel room… So how did this group get started putting Bibles in hotel rooms…. and why are they...
Read MoreFruitful Living (4 of 5): “Risk Taking Mission” (3/30/14)
The sermon on Sunday March 30 introduced practice #4 of our five part series on the “Five Practices of Fruitful Living” During this season of Lent, we are following the companion devotional guide by Robert Schanase entitled in “Forty Days of Fruitful Living.” The sermons introduce the week’s topic, and we discuss and study these topics during our small group meetings that week. Risk Taking Mission and Service This week’s “practice of fruitful living” was presented by...
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...
Read MoreOperation Christmas Child (11/14/13)
Got a shoe box? Can you afford to purchase any small toys, school supplies, candy, sunglasses, or other “stuff” that a child could use? Then you can make a huge difference in someone’s Christmas this year!!! In support of “Operation Christmas Child” we are collecting items that can be packed in a shoebox and given to desperately needy children. The program covers more than 100 countries, and is administered by the Samaritan’s Purse organization (led by...
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