Pastor’s Ponderings: God Keeps Rolling Up His Sleeves! (February 2025)
Instead of frantically asking, “God where are You?”, we can find peace and hope in the truth that “even when I don’t see it, you’re working” (as it says in the song “Waymaker”). God’s always there. The question is not, Jesus where are you but rather, Jesus let me find you! Jesus has not left us and is working through the Holy Spirit everyday.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Finding Clarity during Foggy Moments (8/9/22)
Have you ever gone through stretches in life where you felt confused or lost? Did your faith wane? Did you doubt God’s presence? In this post, Pastor Jim looks at those “foggy moments” in life.
Read MorePrayer Conditioning Warms Hearts!
A home Air Conditioner cools a room, but a person’s “Prayer Conditioner” warms their heart. When our first reaction is to turn to God and to trust Him, our hearts will be warmed by a more loving relationship with God, others, and ourselves.
Read MoreWhat’s Your Garden???
During the 2020 pandemic, recordings from a “virtual choir” were merged together to produce a moving rendition of the hymn, “In The Garden.” Where is YOUR Garden? Where can you go to “walk with Him and talk with Him” and hear Him say that “you are His own”???
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: How to Carry a Burden
Carrying around burdens isn’t easy; rough times can really drag us down. But the good news is that God will carry the burdens and protect us from slipping. We can feel peace because God has promised that He will give us the victory.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Regardless of the Storm, Look for the Rainbow
We are currently enduring the “storm” of a pandemic, but throughout life we endure many different types of storms. But God continues to send rainbows. In this devotional, Pastor Jim reminds us that God is present regardless of the “storm” which we may be facing. There is hope. There is promise.
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 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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: Our Shepherd’s Certain Presence
In this “humble offering”, Pastor Jim reminds us that God is like a like a shepherd and is always with us. Even if we run away, God’s mercy and love follow us in hot pursuit.
Read MorePastors Ponderings: Jesus Overcame so We Can’t Be Overcome
Even in the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of this pandemic, God has already overcome. He loves us, delights in us, and He will bring us through this journey.
Read MorePastors 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 MorePastors Ponderings: A Word of Encouragement (3/17/20)
In the midst of the Coronavirus crisis in March 2020, Pastor Jim sent out some words of hope. All of our worries and fears are defeated by our hope in Jesus. Instead of “Don’t worry be happy,” we need to be thinking “Don’t worry, trust Jesus.”
Read MoreCeiling Tile Art- An Overdue Look
Back in 2010, our Sunday School took on the project of painting the ceiling tiles in our 2nd floor hallway. Have you ever noticed these tiles as you walk down the hallway? Take a closer look; you just might see yourself in the story that they are telling.
Read MoreService to Welcome the Longest Night (12/21/19)
December 21 marks the day of the Winter Solstice; the day when our part of the world is tilted as far away from the sun’s direct rays as it can get. It’s the day with the least amount of sun; it’s the night that has the most amount of darkness. For many of us, the loss of loved ones brings an emotional darkness into our lives. The upcoming celebrations of Christmas viciously contrast with our inner pain of never to be repeated memories. The light contrasts with the...
Read MoreAh Ha! Moments (Camp Meeting, 8/4/19)
During the Camp Meeting service on 8/4/19, Rev. Bill Wilson asked us to consider what happens when we fall into a “pig pen”; when we’re trapped in a difficult situation. We may feel hopeless, but if we listen we’ll hear God calling us to “come home.” If we pay attention, God will wake us with an “Ah Ha!” moment.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Embrace Change!
Change is all around us in our lives; we can’t avoid change. Change brings fear. But do we really need to be afraid? How can we avoid the anxiety and fear that change brings? Can we even embrace change and grow because of it???
Read MoreRite of Passage and a Personal Journey (8/19/18)
What do you do when you feel lonely, rejected, and in despair? During his sermon on Native American Sunday, Lay Speaker Steve Ozkowski wove together the stories of three people to show us how we might respond.
Read MoreSummering Through Psalm 23 (7/1/18 – 8/12/18)
Our Good Shepherd. Familiar words, but what do they really mean?
During this summer (2018) Pastor Jim will lead us in a 6 part sermon series on the 23rd Psalm. Each week will feature one of the psalm’s 6 verses.
What Can We Learn from the Sneetches? (Camp Meeting, 7/1/18)
PUMC was the host church for the Pitman Camp Meeting on Sunday July 1; Our choir provided the special music, and Pastor Jim preached the message. In light of current events, how does God view diversity and unity? What can we learn from Dr. Susses’ story about The Sneetches?
Read MoreJesus is the Waze
Jesus said He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” What’s that mean? How can Jesus be like a GPS that leads us into a fulfilling relationship with our Heavenly Father?
Read MoreNew Challenge? Be Strong and Courageous! (Camp Meeting, 8/20/17)
On August 20 2017, the First UMC of Glassboro hosted the Pitman Camp Meeting. Their Praise Band (Magnify) roused us up with their music, and their Pastor (Rev. John Inverso) inspired us with his message…. Pastor John’s scripture reading was Joshua 1:6-11… 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses...
Read MoreTime to Get Our Feet Wet! (7/30/17)
It was confirmation Sunday. A Group of wide-eyed teens stood at the front of the church to declare the faith that their parents had promised to nurture in them when when they stood at the same altar years earlier. These youth had “survived Pastor Jim’s Boot camp” in order to reach this special Sunday. But what’s next? Completing Middle School, entering High School, College, jobs, marriage, even having kids themselves? So much awaits. So much potential to fear and...
Read MoreGod Reigns and the Son Shines!
Why do bad things happen to good people? Is God really in control? Does He care???
On March 24, 2017 our Signboard said: “Forecast- God Reigns, and the Son Shines!”
No matter what happens, God is still in control and Jesus is ready to shine into our lives… if we let Him…
Zephaniah Offers Encouragement During Longest Night Service (12/21/16)
December 21… the first day of winter, and the year’s longest night. For those who have lost something or someone during the year, this night can be a forebearer of a Blue Christmas. And so, as part of our Advent preparation, our Blue Christmas service helps us to re-connect with God’s promises. A loss may be a painful bump in the road or change in course, but God is still in control. During our service on 12/21/16, Pastor Jim turned to the “Minor Prophet”...
Read MoreThe Long and Winding Road (7/31/16)
Life is like a “Long and Winding Road.” We pass through a path of graduations, marriages, and births. But we also hit the valleys of job loss, divorce, and death. We long for something constant. On a winding mountain road, someone had been there before. The road is paved. Guardrails were installed. Someone keeps going through and maintains the road.
Is there someone like that in life? Are we traveling this road alone???
Read MoreWhat Exactly Did Horton Hear? (7/17/16)
Dr. Seuss may have written a series of “Children’s Books,” but he usually packed a message that spoke to us too. In the immediate aftermath of World War 2, Dr. Seuss wrote a book expressing his personal challenge of accepting the Japanese as fellow humans instead of evil enemies.
In the divided atmosphere of today, how does this speak to us now? How can we listen and hear the cries of others? How can we be like Isaiah who said “Here am I. Send me.”??? How can we BE the answer???
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???
Life After the Born-Again Birth (6/5/16)
There is life after death, and so it’s critically important to prepare for that life. To enter that life, we must be forgiven and to be “in Christ”… in other words, we must be Born Again. But what happens between that salvation experience and eternity? Is there life after birth???
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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: Second Coming?!? He’s Already Here!!!
Pastor Jim submitted the following on 4/25/16… Not long ago I saw a sign on someone’s front yard which simply read, ‘Jesus is coming!’” FRIENDS, while I respect the enthusiasm of that person but I think have better news than that; Jesus is already here! Sometimes we are so focused on the “second coming” that we forget that Jesus is already present in us! Jesus said in John 15:26… “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit...
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 MoreWho Are You Looking For? (4/3/16)
Last week was Easter! A mountaintop! But today we’re called to move on from the mountaintop and continue in our walk with Jesus. Click the below “Play” button and scroll down to follow along (the recording is from the 11:00 service)… The scripture was John 20:11-18, but the sermon focused on verse 15. Here’s the entire passage. Click the following Drop Down box to follow along. Pastor Jim read from The Living Bible, and the New International Version...
Read MoreExperience the Sonrise Every Day!
Just before Easter Sunday 2016, the following message was posted on our Church’s Signboard: Experience the Sonrise Every Day! Sunrise… If it’s a clear morning, we might be able to experience the Sun Rise, but the Son of God is risen every day! Have you ever seen a sunrise, or sunset, or rainbow, or some other view of God’s beautiful creation without “Experiencing” it? Can you see a sunrise and just walk away without noticing? Revelations...
Read MoreMake Christ a Presence Among the Presents!
We’re currently in the Advent season of 2015. Much of the hustle and bustle of this season is driven by the need to give gifts. Many of us are consumed with two fundamental questions: “What does ___ want?” “What do I want?” To answer these questions and to prepare for Christmas morning, we run around searching the Internet, ads, and malls. We scratch our heads. We think, “what did I give so and so last year?” “Does she already have one of...
Read MoreThere’s No Place Like Home (11/1/15)
The Prodigal Father longed for his son to return home. When the son came to his senses and came home, the Father rejoiced (sang and danced… a we saw in last week’s sermon?). God wants us to come home to Him! On Sunday 11/1/15, we celebrated our church’s anniversary by holding a single service. It was like a homecoming as the “9:30 people” worshiped with the “11:00 people.” Afterwards we celebrated with a luncheon and lots of pictures in the...
Read MoreGod the Rock Star (10/25/15)
Does God really care about us? We know John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world…”), but how’s that apply to me??? The prophet Zephaniah writes that God will “take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love.” On October 25 2015 Pastor Jim looked at this passage and led us into a closer glimpse of our Creator’s amazing love. Click the “Play” button to start the recording (from the 11:00 service), then scroll down to follow along....
Read MoreThe Supremacy of Christ- Part 2 (10/4/15)
Pastor Jim is preaching a three part series on a look at our Lord and Savior- Jesus the Christ. He is above all others, all other things, and He’s all we need. In this morning’s sermon, we continued our look at Colossians chapter 1 and considered that Jesus is the Word that created the world. And not only that, He is actively involved in the details of our lives and He continues to sustain all of creation. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll...
Read MoreThe Supremacy of Christ- Part 1 (9/27/15)
Pastor Jim is beginning a three part series on a look at our Lord and Savior- Jesus the Christ. He is above all others, all other things, and He’s all we need. This is so important; we need to wrap our heads and hearts around this if we’re going to have an abundant and fruitful bearing life. Click the “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along. The scripture was from Colossians 1:15-20. Open the below drop down box to read along...
Read MoreThe Original Jailhouse Rock (8/16/15)
Going through a rough time? Having a bad day? Maybe you’re wondering where God is in all of this; when will He show up?… will He show up?… Pastor Jim took a look at these questions during his sermon of August 16, 2015. Due to a problem which forced us to rebuild our website using a backup file, the following post was restored from a draft version and is not complete. However, the audio file is complete (so sit back, relax, read what is here, and listen to Pastor...
Read MoreOur Weight Lifting God (6/28/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on June 28 was based on Psalm 40; God lifts us out of the slimy pit and places us on solid ground. Click the following “Play” button to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was Psalm 40… Psalm 40 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He...
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 MoreGood Thing God Doesn’t Take Vacations!
In May of 2015 the signboard said: GOOD THING GOD DOESN’T TAKE VACATIONS! We’re at the time of the season when school is about to close, the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer… and people are thinking about getting away. When you’re on vacation, you’re away from the normal routine. You can put some distance between yourself and the concerns of life. You can even put some space between yourself and those who love and depend on you. When...
Read MoreHooks ‘n Needles Serves up Hugs ‘n Prayers During Sunday Worship (5/10/15)
On Sunday May 10, the Hooks and Needles for God group filled the altar rail with a colorful and soft array of blankets. Hooks and Needles makes these blankets to be given to people in times of special need; illness, births, or just when someone needs to know that the church is surrounding them in prayer. During the service, members gathered around the altar rail to pray over these blankets. The people receiving these blankets is not yet known (by us anyway…), but the prayers were made...
Read MoreThings Moms Teach Us (5/10/15)
Pastor Jim’s Mother’s Day Sermon helped us to think about God’s characteristics of love and provision that we see modeled in the example of our mothers. The sermon opened with a video about Anna Jarvis who helped instute Mothers Day. To view the video and learn other interesting facts about Mother’s Day, read This Post. The scripture was from 2 Timothy 1 and Isaiah 66. Open the below Drop Down box to read the passage… Scripture Reading 2 Timothy 1:3-73 I thank...
Read MoreStairway to Heaven (5/3/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on the account of “Jacob’s Ladder” as told in Genesis 28 led us to consider that the “Ladder” that Jacob saw in his dream was really a two-way escalator. God is with us! Click the following Play button to start the recording, then scroll down to follow along (the following recording was from the 9:30 AM service). The scripture was from Genesis 28:10-19. Open the “drop down” box to see the text. The version...
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 MoreResurrection Peace (4/12/15)
What are you afraid of? There’s good fear and bad fear, and Jesus came to remove the “bad fear.” On this first Sunday after Easter, Pastor Jim preached on this topic. His text was from John 20:19-23, where Jesus suddenly appears in the midst of the disciples who were hiding behind locked doors. To find out more, click the following “Play” button to start the sermon (from the 9:30 service) and then scroll down to follow along…. Click the ...
Read MoreWord 4: God, Where Are You?!? (3/15/15)
Pastor Jim continued his Lenten series on the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross by looking at the statement: “My God, my God! Why have You forsaken me?” Click the “play” button below to start the recording, then scroll down and follow along… The scripture was from Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 27:45-49. Open the following drop down box to follow along… Scripture Isaiah 41:10 10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: A Stormy Month
Pastor Jim sent the following devotional on 2/28/15… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Mark 4:35-41 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke him and...
Read MoreFaith-Walking People (1/25/15)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 25 (11AM service) looked at the faith of Enoch- somebody we don’t hear that much about. How does our Walk with God affect our day to day lives? Do we know that we ARE walking with God? Like Amy Grant’s song, are we Faith Walking People? Click the following “Play” button to listen to the sermon, then scroll down to follow along… The scripture reading was from Gen 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5-6. Open the following box to...
Read MoreA Wonder-Filled Night (12/24/14)
Our Christmas Eve Service in 2014 opened our eyes to the “Wow!” of Christmas, and challenged us to keep the wonder and awesomeness of The Birth throughout the year.
Read MoreA Blue Christmas (12/14/14)
On Sunday the 14th, Pastor Jim continued his Advent sermon series on the “colors of Christmas”. This week, his theme was “a Blue Christmas.”Start the audio recording below, then scroll down and follow along. The scripture reading was from Matthew’s account of the birth. Matthew gives Joesph’s perspective, while Luke (last week’s passage) speaks from Mary’s perspective. Pastor Jim read from the New King James version. Matthew 1:18-25… ...
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