Pastor’s Ponderings: God Carries Us
God carries us- burdens and all! The good news of the Gospel is that God remains with us, even when we’re carrying a load of burdens. If we entrust ourselves and our burdens into His capable hands, He’ll carry us through life’s “stormy seas.”
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Our Faithful God Can be Trusted!
Over and over, Scripture shows us that God is committed to us and is ready to help whenever we reach out to Him. God is so faithful to us! Are we faithful to God in all that we do?
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Lifted from the Pit!
Feeling like you’re standing on the edge of an abyss, just trying to hang on and keep your footing? Or maybe you feel like you’ve already fallen down into the depths. In the scriptures, God promises over and over that He will rescue us from our “pits”. He is always with us.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Challenged but Not Overcome!
Julian of Norwich wrote that “God never said that we would not be assailed. But He did say that we would overcome. ” During all of the trials of this pandemic, how can we claim Jesus’ victory of “Overcoming the World”?
Read MorePastors Ponderings: Hope Until the Disaster Passes
In the midst of the pandemic, Pastor Jim points us to scripture to remind us of God’s promises of love and protection. This hope and encouragement also challenge us to become God’s ambassadors of “hope” to the world.
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Call Always Goes Thru!
Things may seem to be tumbling out of control. One piece of bad news on top of another. But God is waiting for us to call on His help; to call upon Him to release His power in our lives and in our churches. Are we ready to call Him? Are we praying?
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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: Help on a Rough Road
Psalm 121 reminds us that “our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth”, even while traveling on a road that might seem to be blocked by insurmountable obstacles. In this devotion, Pastor Jim offers encouragement with the powerful truths that are proclaimed in this short Psalm.
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 MoreOur Lifeguard Walks on Water!
“Need a Lifeguard? Ours Walks on Water!”
Does our situation seem impossible? Are we drowning in hopelessness? Our Lifeguard can see us, and He’ll come to us if we call for help.
VBS Demonstrates that God is Good! (6/24/19)
Our 2019 Vacation Bible School taught us that when life is unfair, scary, sad, changing… or even good- God is always Good! We see His presence in all of our circumstances.
Read MoreJesus Rescues During our 2018 Vacation Bible School! (6/25/18)
Our 2018 Vacation Bible School was entitled “Shipwrecked!” When we go through rough times, Jesus is always there to bail us out. During this special week in July of 2018, we all learned that Jesus Rescues!
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.
God 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…
Entering a Jughandle, Rotary, or Roundabout (12/6/16)
As we approach Christmas, Pastor Jim has been preaching a series entitled “An Advent Road Trip.” This was the 2nd part in that series. Is Christmas just a destination? Buy the gifts, wrap the gifts, take down the tree and move on? Is there something we can take from Christmas; not only from Christmas Day but from the journey to Christmas? The following recording is from the 11:00 service. Click on the play button, then scroll down to follow along… Our scripture...
Read MoreThe Power That’s Behind You
The following message was posted on our signboard on August 20, 2016:
“THE POWER BEHIND YOU IS GREATER THAN THE PROBLEM AHEAD OF YOU.”
God has given us His Spirit which not only helps us through the problems of life, but it also helps us to a deeper joy that comes with a faithful relationship to God.
2016 Vacation Bible School Leads us out of Out of a Cave! (6/27 – 7/1)
Caves… they’re dark, scary, and they’re easy to get lost in. They’re also a perfect metaphor for the stretches of life where there seems to be no hope.
Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit (and some faithful human hands), our 2016 Vacation Bible School was a huge success! Kids of all ages learned how to depend on the Light of the World to get through our “caves.”
There’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 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 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 MoreSongs for the Road (8/9/15)
Are you on a trip somewhere? Looking forward to where you’re going but wondering how to occupy your time in the long car drive? Our sermon on August 9 2015 was given by Larry Bakely (PUMC Lay Leader). Click on the below “Play” button, then scroll down to follow along. Note that the recording begins immediately with the scripture reading, starting with Psalm 130:1… The scripture reading was from Psalm 130, one of the “Songs of Ascents.” Click the...
Read MorePanic! Now What? (7/26/15)
On July 26, Pastor Jim was taking a much deserved vacation, so our sermon was given by Lay Servant Jim Kier. What do you do when your whole world is about to crash around you? What do you do when that moment hits you and you feel that you’re in serious danger? Jim’s scripture was John 6:1-21. Click the below “Play” button to start the recording of the message, then scroll down to read the scripture and to follow along with the sermon… John 6:1-21...
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 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 MorePastor’s Ponderings: The Cross
Pastor Jim submitted the following devotional on March 27, 2015… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” Our journey through Lent is bringing us ever closer to the cross of Jesus. A question I have been pondering...
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 MoreToday is a Gift!
The signboard message posted on December 27, 2014 read: LIFE IS A GIFT. THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE PRESENT. OK. Maybe a cheep pun. Maybe cliche. Whenever we think of someone who survived a serious disease or somehow dodged a life threatening accident, a string of sayings pops into mind to remind us that life is indeed fragile. Whenever some unusual event threatens our lives, we are able to see life as a gift from God. But what about during normal times? What if you’re...
Read MoreThanksgiving Turkey & Canadian Geese (11/23/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on Sunday November 23, 2014 came as we neared the Thanksgiving holiday. As we anticipate the aroma of turkey, stuffing, and the vision of piles of mashed potatoes, what are we really thankful for? Hit the play button (the recording is from the 2nd service), scroll down, and follow along. The text was based on Psalm 100 and on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. In the recording, Pastor Jim read Psalm 100 from the Living Bible (“Life Application...
Read MoreJesus is the Answer to the Pop Quiz (10/5/14)
Pastor Jim’s sermon on October 5 continued our at Jesus as our Messiah, Glorious King, and Provider. This morning, we looked at Jesus as our Shepherd who protects us through all of life’s storms. A recording of the sermon from the 11AM service is below. Click the “Play” button, scroll down, and follow along as you listen. This morning’s Scripture was from John 6:15-21. Open the following drop down to follow along… John 6:16-21...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: God Knows You by Name!
Have you ever felt that you’re just a number? Customer, student, employee, patient, client… but not known as a person? Pastor Jim published the following devotional on Oct. 3, 2014… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: John 10:25-30 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal...
Read MoreOur Glorious Messiah! (9/21/14)
In his sermons, Pastor Jim has been focusing on the attributes of God: His touch, awesomeness, goodness, holiness, His word. In the next few weeks the focus moves to Jesus: Our Savior and Messiah.This Sunday (September 21, 2014) we looked at the glory of the risen Lord, as described in the opening chapter of Revelation. Click below to play the recording of the sermon (from the 11AM service), then scroll down to follow along… The sermon was based on Revelation 1:9-19. ...
Read MorePastor’s Ponderings: Just Another Day…
The following message was provided by Pastor Jim… Greetings Friends: PLEASE READ: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” As we go through a typical day, it is easy to become frustrated, disappointed, or downright angry when things don’t happen the way we think they should. Yet the Bible teaches us that God is sovereign We would agree...
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