{"id":10091,"date":"2016-02-01T17:07:15","date_gmt":"2016-02-01T21:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10091"},"modified":"2016-02-08T12:00:51","modified_gmt":"2016-02-08T16:00:51","slug":"pumc-planning-to-celebrate-combined-service-lunch-13116","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=10091","title":{"rendered":"PUMC Celebrates Ministries with Luncheon (1\/31\/16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just\u00a0 a quick glance through our church newsletter (Steeple Notes), or through the “Coming Events” section of our bulletin,\u00a0 or at the Monthly Calendar (see the link on the website sidebar), reveals that this church is “busy.”\u00a0 But being “busy” and “doing things” doesn’t necessarily mean we’re “doing things” that glorify God.<\/p>\n

But when the Holy Spirit leads us into these activities, we are then participating in the ministries that God is calling us to participate in. God is calling each of us to use the talents and gifts He’s entrusted us with to help Him build His Kingdom.\u00a0 And so we look for God to show us the ways in which He’s “Blessed us to be a Blessing.”<\/p>\n

And when God gives us the passion and resources to do His will and when He puts our efforts to use, that is cause for celebration! It’s also cause to get on board and to deepen our commitment to His work.<\/p>\n

So that’s just what we did on Sunday January 31.\u00a0 During this “fifth Sunday of the month”, the “9:30’ers” joined with the “11:00’ers” to participate in a single service (10:15).\u00a0 We then enjoyed a special luncheon in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.\u00a0 We looked at the ministries of our church and considered how God is using us to glorify Him.<\/p>\n

We shared some laughs, sang some uplifting music, and, of course- we had a great meal!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lunchtime!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before getting updates on the various meetings, and after singing some music, we got into the “main event”: Lunch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\"Celeb1-2016<\/td>\n\u00a0\"Celeb1-2016<\/td>\n\u00a0\"Celeb1-2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Celebration of Ministries<\/span><\/h3>\n

We then took a look at the many ministries of our church.\u00a0 Below are a few that were presented…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
Christian Education<\/span><\/strong> covers a wide range of opportunities and age groups.\u00a0 We have Sunday School for adults and kids.\u00a0 Our Christian Education team also actively reaches out to the community with events such as Vacation Bible School<\/a>, Trunk or Treat,<\/a> the Live Nativity<\/a>, and the Easter Egg Hunt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sunday School<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Stef Kier- Christian Education<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
BLAST<\/span><\/strong> (Big Loud Awesome Spiritual Time) is our Youth fellowship group.\u00a0 They meet twice a week for Bible study and take on other excursions and service projects.\u00a0 This past December they served breakfast at a homeless shelter<\/a>.\u00a0 Last year they raised one TON of food<\/a> for our pantry.<\/p>\n

BLAST<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Kate Dilks- Youth Leader<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
Our Men’s Fellowship<\/span><\/strong> group meets one Saturday a month for a Bible study, does service projects around town, and serves up a “mean” Breakfast buffet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Men<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Chris Valianti- Men’s Fellowship<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
The Elderberries<\/span><\/strong> is a group of “seniors” which meets monthly to share with each other and with “kids” of other ages.\u00a0 Several times during the year the Elderberries will partner with Our Father’s House (our Preschool) for for events such as the Thanksgiving Feast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Elderberries<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Maureen Kier- Elderberries<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
Our “Thread and Yarn” ministries provide handmade items such\u00a0 blankets, quilts, prayer shawls to people going through difficult times.\u00a0 The “Scrappy Quilters<\/span><\/strong>” group quilts blankets, and the “Hooks ‘n Needles for God<\/span><\/strong>” team makes knitted and crocheted items.<\/p>\n

Thread & Yarn<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Sue Simmons- Hooks ‘n Needles<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
Stephen Ministers<\/span><\/strong> are the “after people”… they come alongside and stay alongside; when loved one dies, when you loose a job, when someone is diagnosed with cancer.\u00a0 Stephen Ministers undergo extensive training to provide comfort and a confidential listening ear.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Jon Simmons- Stephen Ministers<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
One of our many global missions is to help build a church in La Palmilla Mexico.\u00a0 Throughout the years, we have sent several mission teams to Mexico to partner with this vibrant church.<\/p>\n

La Palmilla<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Jennifer Andrade- Mexico Mission<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
When we think of ministries within the church we usually think of education, fellowship, and worship.\u00a0 But none of these would happen without the “nuts and bolts” of church administration.<\/p>\n

Ministry Teams (we hate the word “committee”) provide the leadership that’s needed in areas such as finance, building maintenance, and personnel.<\/td>\n

\n

\"Celeb1-2016

Kristin McIlvaine- Finance Team<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our Youth Ministry has taken on an imaginative use of coffee mugs to remind us to constantly pray \"Celeb1-2016for members of our Youth Group.\u00a0 Being a teenager isn’t easy; some of our youth are going through very rough times.<\/span><\/p>\n

A name is written on the inner rim of each of these “BLAST Mugs.”\u00a0\u00a0 With each sip, we are reminded to pray for one of our Youth. These mugs were prayed over during our January 31 worship service, and they were distributed during the luncheon.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Being Relevant & Revealing Christ to the Community…<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pitman United Methodist Church doesn’t exist for ourselves; we exist for Jesus Christ!\u00a0 Our Lord and Savior has called us to…<\/p>\n

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. <\/span><\/p>\n

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 28:19-20<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,\u00a0 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 25:35-36<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We summarize our mission as “Know,\u00a0 Grow, and Go.”\u00a0 To know about Jesus, then to KNOW Jesus personally, then to Grow in that knowledge, and then to Go- to share our faith with others and to help the needy.<\/p>\n

God is working though our church to carry our part of the yoke in this mission; we can’t do it alone.\u00a0 And so we celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to provide ministries like the following (which weren’t specifically mentioned during the celebration luncheon)…<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
UMC<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0The United Methodist Church<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 is a “Connectional Church.”\u00a0 As we support our fellow Methodists, we take part in the many ministries that we couldn’t do on our own.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0NR 4 PT<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0Not Ready for Prime Time Singers<\/span>\u00a0 <\/strong>Twice a month, a group of us go out into the nursing homes to visit the forgotten.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Red Bird<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0Red Bird Mission<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Red Bird is part of the United Methodist church in Kentucky, and it provides critical support to the poor or rural Appalachia.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Pantry<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0Pitman Food Pantry<\/span><\/strong> The Pantry is supported by several churches in town, and provides food to thousands of people each year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0NA<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0Narcotics Anonymous<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 By sharing our building, we support other ministries such as NA or NAMI.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Missionaries<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a0Global Missionaries<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Through prayer and financial gifts to our missionaries, our church helps to share Christ and care for the needy around the world.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Celebrate!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Not only was this day a fun time of “fellowship.”\u00a0 Not only was it an inspiring worship and a great lunch, it was also a time to reflect on the work of God through our church and to consider how each of us can further open up to God’s will so that we can continue to participate in the awesome work of building God’s Kingdom!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Here’s the post that was published to announce this event…<\/em><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Annoucement Post<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you look at the calendar, you’ll notice that there are five Sundays in January.\u00a0 You’ll also see that this fifth Sunday occurs on January 31.\u00a0 So, we’re going to celebrate!<\/p>\n

\"Yogi,

Yogi, the Our Father’s House “Crossing Guard” in his famous thanksgiving Turkey Hat.<\/p><\/div>\n

Celebrate what?\u00a0 The fifth Sunday???\u00a0 No- the “Fifth Sunday” is “when”, not “what.”\u00a0 We’re going to celebrate the fellowship, ministries, and all of the great things that God has given us through our church.<\/p>\n

On the 31st we’ll have one service- at 10:15 AM.\u00a0 Sunday School will also be held at 10:15.\u00a0 After the service we’ll get together in the Fellowship Hall for a covered dish lunch.\u00a0 We’ll look back over the past year and celebrate God’s activity within our midst.\u00a0 It will be a time of serious reflection and commitment, but it will also be a time of\u00a0 laughter and of just enjoying each other’s company.\u00a0 It will be a celebration!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A quick taste of what we’re Celebrating!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Here’s month by month look at 2015 (cue Neil Sedaka’s “Calendar Girl”<\/span><\/em>)….<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tJanuary<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 We celebrated our Saviour on Superbowl Sunday…<\/p>\n
\"Sue

Sue Crispin Rodgers leads the music<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tFebruary<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 The signboard announced what true Love is…<\/p>\n

\"Signboard<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tMarch<\/span><\/strong>: The Men retreated into Abba’s Lap and experienced heart to heart prayer…<\/p>\n

\"UMM<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tApril<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 The Easter Egg hunt drew hundreds to PUMC…<\/p>\n

\"Egg<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tApril<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 BLAST met the food challenge (OK- April was a busy month!<\/span><\/em>)…<\/p>\n
\"400

400 Lbs of Food Please!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tMay<\/span><\/strong>: Our Father’s House celebrated the class of 2015…<\/p>\n

\"OFH<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tJune<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 VBS turned up the “Nazareth Energy”-\u00a0 despite the power outage in Pitman…<\/p>\n

\"VBS2015<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tJuly<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Our LaPalmilla Mission made music in Mexico…<\/p>\n
\"Chris

Chris and friends celebrate the purchase of a new keyboard<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tAugust<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 We enjoyed the lake at Parvin without leaving our kayaks…<\/p>\n

\"CanoeParvin15<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tSeptember<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0 PUMC furthered Missions by eating at Friendlys …<\/p>\n

\"Friendlys<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tOctober<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Trunk or Treat gave Pitman’s kids a different spin on Halloween…<\/p>\n

\"Trunk<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tNovember<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Our Fathers House and the Elderberries celebrated Thanksgiving…<\/p>\n

\"OFH-Elderberries<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tDecember<\/span><\/strong>: A light still shined on Christmas Eve…<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

+\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information on our Sunday Worship Opportunities:\u00a0\u00a0 Worship<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just\u00a0 a quick glance through our church newsletter (Steeple Notes), or through the “Coming Events” section of our bulletin,\u00a0 or at the Monthly Calendar (see the link on the website sidebar), reveals that this church is “busy.”\u00a0 But being “busy” and “doing things” doesn’t necessarily mean we’re “doing things” that glorify God. But when the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,14],"tags":[98,96],"class_list":["post-10091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-evrpt","category-worship","tag-churchfamily","tag-devotion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10091"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10512,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10091\/revisions\/10512"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}