{"id":37148,"date":"2026-03-07T10:05:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T15:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=37148"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:56:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:56:29","slug":"pumc-responds-to-first-responders-2-24-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=37148","title":{"rendered":"PUMC Responds to First Responders (4\/21\/26)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The people of PUMC (Pitman United Methodist Church) might meet in a church building, but we&#8217;re also part of our community.\u00a0 Day in and day out we continue to benefit from the the skills and dedication of First Responders (such as police, fire fighters, EMT crews, utility workers, road crews, and others).\u00a0 On February 24 2026, we&#8217;re going to show our appreciation to some of those &#8220;first responders.&#8221;\u00a0 Just like the grace offered by God, nothing is expected in return.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The dinner was originally scheduled for Feb. 24, but a snow storm forced us to postpone.\u00a0 Barring any late Spring snowfall, the First Responders dinner will be held on April 21, 2026.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">WHO<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Police, Fire, EMT, Doctors, Nurses and families (from Pitman, Glassboro, Mantua, and Washington Twp.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">WHAT<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 Dinner\u00a0 (buffet)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">WHERE<\/span><\/strong>: Pitman UNC Fellowship Hall (<a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=609\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">directions<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">WHEN<\/span><\/strong>: Tuesday April 21, 2026.\u00a0 4:00-8:00 PM<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">COST<\/span><\/strong>: Ya gotta be kidding!\u00a0 Absolutely Free!!!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">REGISTRATION<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0 NOT needed.\u00a0 But we would appreciate it if you could fill out the following form to give us an idea of how many are coming.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\" cellpadding=\"12\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; border-style: groove; border-color: #3b28b8; background-color: #f2f2f2;\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Dinner Registration<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You might be thinking, &#8220;<span style=\"color: #003300;\"><em>oh no- another thing to sign-up for&#8230; another commitment<\/em><\/span>!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don&#8217;t worry- that&#8217;s not what this &#8220;form&#8221; is all about.\u00a0 We simply want to get a heads up on how much food to prepare.\u00a0 This is not a commitment or &#8220;Reservation.&#8221;\u00a0 If plans change, simply enter the form again (if you can&#8217;t attend anymore, just select &#8220;0&#8221; for the # people attending).\u00a0 We&#8217;ll go by the last form that&#8217;s submitted.\u00a0 \u00a0If things change at the last minute, don&#8217;t feel obligated to correct this form; come anyway.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Entering your name is optional, but including the name will will allow us to identify multiple submissions (we&#8217;ll use the last submission).\u00a0 The fields marked by an asterisk (*) are required.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; background-color: #ffff99;\">When the form is finished, click the &#8220;Submit&#8221; button.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Thanks again for all you do!!!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; border-style: groove; border-color: #3b28b8; background-color: #f7fae3;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><div style=\"display:none\" class=\"fm-form-container fm-theme1\"><div id=\"fm-pages15\" class=\"fm-pages wdform_page_navigation \" show_title=\"\" show_numbers=\"1\" type=\"none\"><\/div><form name=\"form15\" action=\"\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F37148\" method=\"post\" id=\"form15\" class=\"fm-form form15  \" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\"><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"fm_page_id15\" value=\"37148\" name=\"fm_page_id15\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"fm_current_post_type15\" value=\"post\" name=\"fm_current_post_type15\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"counter15\" value=\"17\" name=\"counter15\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"Itemid15\" value=\"\" name=\"Itemid15\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"fm_shake15\" value=\"1\" name=\"fm_shake15\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"fm-hide\" id=\"fm_empty_field_validation15\" value=\"\" name=\"fm_empty_field_validation15\" data-value=\"bd736efb144d599cf463541431fbf5c4\" \/><div class=\"wdform-page-and-images fm-form-builder\"><div id=\"15form_view1\" class=\"wdform_page\" page_title=\"Untitled page\" next_title=\"Next\" next_type=\"text\" next_class=\"wdform-page-button\" next_checkable=\"true\" previous_title=\"Previous\" previous_type=\"text\" previous_class=\"wdform-page-button\" previous_checkable=\"false\"><div class=\"wdform_section fm-row-deleting\" style=\"position: relative; left: 0px; top: 0px;\"><div class=\"wdform_column\"><div wdid=\"5\" class=\"wdform_row\" style=\"position: relative; left: 0px; top: 0px;\"><div type=\"type_radio\" class=\"wdform-field wd-width-100 wd-flex wd-flex-column fm-type_radio\" ><div class=\"wdform-label-section wd-width-100  wd-flex-wrap wd-flex-column\">    <label  class=\"wdform-label\">How many do you expect to be in your party?<\/label><span class=\"wdform-required\">*<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wdform-element-section wd-flex  wd-flex-wrap wd-flex-column wd-width-100\" ><div class=\"wd-flex wd-flex-column\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"\" \/><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_5_element150\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"0 (cant make it)\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_5&quot;,&quot;0&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_5_element150\"><span><\/span>0 (can't make it)<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_5_element151\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"1\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_5&quot;,&quot;1&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_5_element151\"><span><\/span>1<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_5_element152\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"2\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_5&quot;,&quot;2&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_5_element152\"><span><\/span>2<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_5_element153\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"3\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_5&quot;,&quot;3&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_5_element153\"><span><\/span>3<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_5_element154\" name=\"wdform_5_element15\" value=\"4 or more\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_5&quot;,&quot;4&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_5_element154\"><span><\/span>4 or more<\/label><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wdform_column\"><div wdid=\"16\" class=\"wdform_row\" style=\"position: relative; left: 0px; top: 0px;\"><div type=\"type_radio\" class=\"wdform-field wd-width-100 wd-flex wd-flex-column fm-type_radio\" ><div class=\"wdform-label-section wd-width-100  wd-flex-wrap wd-flex-column\">    <label  class=\"wdform-label\">What time do you expect to arrive? <\/label><span class=\"wdform-required\">*<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wdform-element-section wd-flex  wd-flex-wrap wd-flex-column wd-width-100\" ><div class=\"wd-flex wd-flex-column\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"\" \/><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_16_element150\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"Dont know (or not coming)\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_16&quot;,&quot;0&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_16_element150\"><span><\/span>Don't know (or not coming)<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_16_element151\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"4-5 PM\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_16&quot;,&quot;1&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_16_element151\"><span><\/span>4-5 PM<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_16_element152\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"5-6 PM\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_16&quot;,&quot;2&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_16_element152\"><span><\/span>5-6 PM<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_16_element153\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"6-7 PM\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_16&quot;,&quot;3&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_16_element153\"><span><\/span>6-7 PM<\/label><\/div><div class=\"radio-div wd-choice wd-flex wd-flex-row\"><input type=\"radio\"  id=\"wdform_16_element154\" name=\"wdform_16_element15\" value=\"7-8 PM\" onclick=\"set_default(&quot;wdform_16&quot;,&quot;4&quot;,&quot;15&quot;); \"   \/><label class=\"wd-align-items-center wd-flex wd-flex-row\" for=\"wdform_16_element154\"><span><\/span>7-8 PM<\/label><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wdform_column\"><div wdid=\"14\" class=\"wdform_row\" style=\"position: relative; left: 0px; top: 0px;\"><div type=\"type_name\" class=\"wdform-field wd-width-100 wd-flex wd-flex-column fm-type_name\" ><div class=\"wdform-label-section wd-width-100  wd-flex-row\">    <label  for=\"wdform_14_element_first15\" class=\"wdform-label\">To help us identify multiple submissions, please enter your name (for example, \"Smith\"&nbsp; &nbsp;\"Tom\")<\/label><\/div><div class=\"wdform-element-section wd-flex  wd-flex-row wd-width-100\" ><div class=\"wd-flex wd-flex-column wd-width-50\"><input type=\"text\" class=\"wd-width-100\" id=\"wdform_14_element_first15\" name=\"wdform_14_element_first15\" data-value=\"\" value=\"\" title=\"last name\" placeholder=\"last name\"  attribute=value \/><label class=\"mini_label\" for=\"wdform_14_element_first15\">Last Name (Family Name)<\/label><\/div><div class=\"wd-flex wd-flex-column wd-name-separator\"><\/div><div class=\"wd-flex wd-flex-column wd-width-50\"><input type=\"text\" class=\"wd-width-100\" id=\"wdform_14_element_last15\" name=\"wdform_14_element_last15\" data-value=\"\" value=\"\" title=\"first name\" placeholder=\"first name\"  attribute=value \/><label class=\"mini_label\" for=\"wdform_14_element_last15\">First Name<\/label><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wdform_column\"><div wdid=\"15\" class=\"wdform_row\"><div type=\"type_textarea\" class=\"wdform-field wd-width-100 wd-flex wd-flex-column fm-type_textarea\" ><div class=\"wdform-label-section wd-width-100 \">    <label  for=\"wdform_15_element15\" class=\"wdform-label\">Do you have any prayer requests or other needs that we could help you with at this time?<\/label><\/div><div class=\"wdform-element-section wd-flex  wd-width-100\" ><textarea class=\"wd-width-100\"                      id=\"wdform_15_element15\"                      name=\"wdform_15_element15\"                      placeholder=\"\"                      data-value=\"\"                      maxlength=\"\"                      style=\"height: 100px;\"                      ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wdform_column\"><div wdid=\"1\" class=\"wdform_row\"><div type=\"type_submit_reset\" class=\"wdform-field wd-width-100 wd-flex wd-flex-column fm-type_submit_reset\" ><div class=\"wdform-element-section wd-flex  wd-flex-row wd-justify-content-left wd-width-100\" ><button  type=\"button\" class=\"button-submit\" onclick=\"fm_submit_form('15');\"  data-ajax=\"0\"><span class=\"fm-submit-loading spinner fm-ico-spinner\"><\/span>Submit<\/button><button  type=\"button\" class=\"button-reset wd-hidden\" onclick=\"fm_reset_form(15);\" >Reset<\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div valign=\"top\" class=\"wdform_footer wd-width-100\"><div class=\"wd-width-100\"><div class=\"wd-width-100 wd-table\" style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><div class=\"wd-table-group\"><div id=\"15page_nav1\" class=\"wd-table-row\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wdform_preload\"><\/div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"fm-current-page\" value=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F37148\" \/><\/form><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Please remember to click the &#8220;Submit&#8221; button after completing the form&#8230;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #993366;\">God Calls Us to Do things We Can&#8217;t Do<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes we need to do something that we just can&#8217;t do using our own strength, or knowledge, or willpower.\u00a0 It might seem impossible to us, but lives depend on getting the &#8220;impossible&#8221; done.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Follow the Prime Directive&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>In the TV series &#8220;Star Trek&#8221;, starship crews obey a &#8220;Prime Directive&#8221; to not interfere with the development of other civilizations.\u00a0 God calls people to a different &#8220;Prime Directive.&#8221;\u00a0 Here&#8217;s how Jesus put it when someone asked Him to cite the most important commandment (Matthew 22:32-40):<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Jesus replied: \u201c\u2006\u2018Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.\u2019 This is the first and greatest commandment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">And the second is like it: \u2018Love your neighbor as yourself.\u2019 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>God calls all of us to Love God and to honor His name, and we do that by loving and serving our neighbors.\u00a0 We do that by obeying His call, even if it doesn&#8217;t make sense or if it seems &#8220;impossible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Build a Big Boat&#8230;.<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>The Bible has many examples of how God calls us to build that community of love which is centered around the majesty of our Creator.\u00a0 Here are a few (<em><span style=\"color: #ff6600; font-size: 10pt;\">click on each tab<\/span><\/em>):<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBuild Me a Floating Zoo\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tLet My People Go\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFeed My Lambs\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tGo into All the World\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/GEN.6.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis chapters 6 and 7<\/a> God called\u00a0 Noah to build a huge boat, wait for it to rain (<em><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Noah had probably never seen rain before<\/span><\/em>), and then usher two of every animal into the ark.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It was an overwhelming task that only God could accomplish, but Noah had the faith to obey.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EXO.3.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exodus 3:11<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EXO.4.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4:13<\/a> God told Moses to leave the safety of his home in the desert, return to Egypt, and then tell Pharaoh to free all of the Hebrew slaves.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/MAT.25.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matthew 25:31-40<\/a> Jesus told His disciples that He was &#8220;thirsty&#8230;\u00a0 hungry&#8230; homeless&#8230;.&#8221;\u00a0 He told the disciples to give Him a drink, feed Him, and give Him clothes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Today, Jesus calls us to feed Him by caring for the thirsty, hungry, and thirsty who are in our own world.\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/MAT.28.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Matthew 28:16-20<\/a>, Jesus gave His parting instructions.\u00a0 He told His disciples (and us) to leave the safety of our church building, go into the world, and tell others about the life He is offering.\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Save Downtown Pitman from Burning to the Ground&#8230;.<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>On December 3, 2003 someone walking by what was then the Pitman United Methodist Church noticed smoke; the church was on fire!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For one person, stopping the fire and making sure nobody was inside the burning building is an impossible task.\u00a0 Yet, this &#8220;impossible task&#8221; needed to be done (<em><span style=\"color: #993300;\">scroll down for more about how this impossible task was accomplished<\/span><\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #993366;\">But God Gives Us Help<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The call may come at any time or any place.\u00a0 During our lives, bad things happen, and we need to respond in order to save lives and protect property.\u00a0 But most of us have no idea of what to do:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li>How can I put out a fire if I don&#8217;t know the difference between a Halligan bar and a pike pole?<\/li>\n<li>How can I save someone who&#8217;s having a heart attack if I can&#8217;t tell an EKG from a CPR?<\/li>\n<li>How can I stop a violent intruder if I&#8217;m a 98 pound weakling?<\/li>\n<li>How can I direct drivers around an accident scene if I&#8217;ve never done it before?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>God fills people with a desire to serve and then gives them training, equipment, and other resources.\u00a0 We give names to these people such as\u00a0 Police, Fire Fighters, EMT squads, Doctors, Nurses, Road Crews, Linemen, Electricians, Plumbers&#8230;\u00a0 and the list goes on and on.\u00a0 God provides all of us with people who are ready to serve.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Help to Love our Neighbors&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>Love is something hard for us to conjure up on our own.\u00a0 Loving an enemy is impossible.\u00a0 But God instills His Holy Spirit within us and makes the impossible possible.\u00a0 In &#8220;church speak&#8221; theology, we call that help &#8220;Grace&#8221;.\u00a0 Despite our selfish tendencies, God&#8217;s Grace gives us the strength to &#8220;Do What Jesus would Do.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jesus told us to &#8220;Feed HIM&#8221;; He loves us so much that He considers Himself to be hungry and thirsty.\u00a0 How can any of us feed the needy?\u00a0 How can ew know who the needy are, where they are, or what they need?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But somewhere along the line, years ago, God gave someone the passion and ability to create the <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman Food Pantry<\/a>.\u00a0 Because of that, anyone can &#8220;feed Jesus&#8221; by donating to the Pantry.\u00a0 We can&#8217;t stop world hunger on our own, but God provides ways for us to do what we can.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the Pitman Pantry, God has provided many other ministries that we can support; we can do our part and give whatever gifts we have to help our neighbors (and people all over the world).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Help to Build His Kingdom&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>In different ways, all of us are being called to &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=lyrics+the+unicorn+irish+rovers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">build a floating Zoo<\/a>.&#8221; God has plans for the arc of humanity.\u00a0 Sometimes those plans transcend any individual&#8217;s lifetime, but God still calls on His people to move the ball forward to accomplish His will.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For some reason, He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.\u00a0 People who love God become the Almighty Creator&#8217;s hands and feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When we&#8217;re called to a task that seems &#8220;impossible,&#8221; God provides the help we need in order to accomplish the task.\u00a0 He provides skilled people and material resources to help us obey Him.\u00a0 The Bible gives many examples of how God provided His people with the resources needed to answer that call.\u00a0 Are are a few of them:<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTwo by Two\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFree My People\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tBuild a Church\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFeed my Lambs\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/GEN.7.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis 7:8-9<\/a> Noah didn&#8217;t have to round up all of the animals.\u00a0 Instead, all of the animals came into the ark on their own.\u00a0 God asked Noah to do the impossible, but God made it happen.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EXO.6.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exodus chapters 6 through 12<\/a> gives the account of how God stood by Moses with the miracles and plagues that convinced the hard-hearted Pharaoh to free the Hebrew slaves.<\/p>\n<p>Even when they were pursued by the Egyptian army, God held back the waters of the Red Sea so His people could escape.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn Exodus 26 through 31 God gave the Hebrews detailed instructions on building a Tabernacle (tent) in the desert so that they could worship Him.\u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/EXO.35.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exodus 35:30-35<\/a> tells how God provided them with materials and skilled people who could do the work.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<em><span style=\"color: #800000;\">See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri\u2026\u00a0 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills\u2014 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.<\/span><\/em>&#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tMany people in war-torn Ukraine lost electricity and are trying to survive the nights in the dark.\u00a0 \u00a0In 2023 PUMC helped to provide solar charged \/ battery powered lights which were delivered to the needy families in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We had no idea how to do this on our own, but God provided a way.\u00a0 (<a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=32928\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click Here<\/a>).\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Help to Stop a Fire&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">On <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=20198\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">December 1, 2003 our church building was destroyed by a fire<\/a>. The church building was in the center of town and was surrounded by nearby stores.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Instead of rushing into the burning building, the person who discovered the fire dialed 911.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The building was destroyed, but the fire didn&#8217;t spread and nobody was hurt.\u00a0 It was an impossible task for this individual, but the &#8220;impossible&#8221; happened.<\/p>\n<p>When someone in need dials &#8220;911&#8221;, the phone doesn&#8217;t ring in our church office.\u00a0 It rings in an office that the community has established to provide skilled emergency help.\u00a0 There can&#8217;t be any delay or &#8220;paralysis of analysis&#8221; before responding to the call.\u00a0 Property is in danger and lives are on the line.\u00a0 First responders have to know what to do and to be ready to respond at any time of the day or night.\u00a0 They have to work under any conditions, even if it threatens their own lives.<\/p>\n<p>The people of PUMC have a special appreciation for a time when our First Responders saved our community from a devastating fire.\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #000000;\">The flames could have easily spread and ravaged the entire downtown area.\u00a0 But the volunteer firefighters from Pitman (and from several nearby towns) risked their own safety to contain the fire.\u00a0 <\/span>No lives were lost and no one was even hurt.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-37148 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0940-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0940-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0940.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0925-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0925-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-_DSCN0925.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-Angel1-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-Angel1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/OldChurch-DuringFire-Angel1.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BuildingFire-ThankYou-Sign-_IMG_2568-_400x300-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BuildingFire-ThankYou-Sign-_IMG_2568-_400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BuildingFire-ThankYou-Sign-_IMG_2568-_400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>All First Responders are ready to answer that &#8220;911&#8221; call and to come to our aid immediately.\u00a0 In our own church, there have been times during a Sunday Morning Worship service where someone has had a medical emergency and the police and EMT crews arrived almost immediately.\u00a0 We host blood drives and see the dedication of nurses.\u00a0 We host flu clinics and are inspired by the dedication of the county health technicians.\u00a0 In all events, we are surrounded by skilled officers who can protect us from the unimaginable.\u00a0 \u00a0In and around the church, our community is gifted by skilled people who are always ready to answer our calls for help.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">We Need Each Other<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No single person is able to &#8220;answer the call&#8221; on their own.\u00a0 In fact, we may not even be able to &#8220;hear the call&#8221; without the support of others.\u00a0 Like a finely tuned machine, God has given each of us a role and empowered us with the skills and knowledge to fill that role.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><em><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Tabernacling&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<p>To put it mildly, there are &#8220;severe limitations&#8221; on what a church can do without a building.\u00a0 After the fire, it took four years until we could build a new building.\u00a0 In the meantime, we &#8220;tabernacled&#8221;.\u00a0 What that means, is that PUMC was helped and sustained by people in our community who offered their own resources to PUMC.\u00a0 \u00a0God gave people outside of the PUMC family the ability to help us continue our ministries, and He gave them a spirit of love to make the sacrifices needed to fill our needs.\u00a0 \u00a0 Here are some examples of God&#8217;s provision from that period of &#8220;Tabernacling&#8221;:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li>Our pastor, Rev. Lanie Price, was uniquely qualified to guide us through this difficult period.\u00a0 Her experience as a missionary in several war-torn African countries enabled her to be\u00a0 the &#8220;right person at the right time&#8221; to lead us through this tragedy.<\/li>\n<li>The First Baptist Church hosted our first meeting after the fire.<\/li>\n<li>The First Presbyterian Church opened their sanctuary to our choirs to present the Christmas Cantata that had been planned for our sanctuary.<\/li>\n<li>The Pitman Public Schools allowed us to meet in the High School and Middle School.<\/li>\n<li>The owner of a downtown storefront provided a place for us to store the items that survived the fire and to house and office.<\/li>\n<li>The Broadway Theater allowed us to use their facility to hold our Worship Services.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\nPUMC is surrounded by a community of God-given love which has the resources and skills to help others in their time of need.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><div class='et-box et-bio'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Community Service&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Volunteer fire fighters go beyond being prepared to fight fires, they also go out of their way to serve the community.\u00a0 They answer false alarms, hang Christmas lights across Broadway, and they even assisted in the installation of our steeple cross many years ago.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Each year,\u00a0 members of the Pitman fire company visit Our Father&#8217;s House (PUMC&#8217;s preschool) during Fire Prevention week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-37148 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"221\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-Raincoat_DSCF3960-221x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-Raincoat_DSCF3960-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-Raincoat_DSCF3960.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-PoseTruck-_DSCF3964-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-PoseTruck-_DSCF3964-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/OFH-FirePrevention-10-7-14-PoseTruck-_DSCF3964.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><em>A New Building and a New Calling for an old Church&#8230;.<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=1643\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman Grove Methodist Episcopal church was founded in 1885<\/a>.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve undergone several name changes over the years, the last being in 1968 when the &#8220;Methodist Church&#8221; merged with the &#8220;United Brethren&#8221; and our denomination was renamed the &#8220;United Methodist Church.&#8221;\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We&#8217;ve been around a long time, and had a key role in the forming of Pitman. But God had new plans for the Pitman United Methodist Church.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The old building held a lot of memories and changed many lives over the years.\u00a0 It barely fit into the corner lot, but it wouldn&#8217;t fit into today&#8217;s needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">God provided PUMC with a new building and new ways of serving the community.\u00a0 In a strange twist, the fire gave PUMC a new building and a new calling (<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><em>but then again, the tragedy of Jesus&#8217; death on a cross resulted in the greatest blessing for all of us&#8230;.<\/em><\/span>.).\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In a sense, we have become &#8220;first responders&#8221; in our community\u00a0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-37148 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Building-BWHolly-_Img-2565-__400x300-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Building-BWHolly-_Img-2565-__400x300-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Building-BWHolly-_Img-2565-__400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Christmas-Parade-2015-11-28-Lot-_IMG_2656-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Christmas-Parade-2015-11-28-Lot-_IMG_2656-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Christmas-Parade-2015-11-28-Lot-_IMG_2656.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fire ended up giving us a new state of the art building and enabled us to &#8220;answer God&#8217;s Call&#8221; in new ways.\u00a0 PUMC has become a community center of sorts, and we open our doors to any group which uses the grace of Jesus to help people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Not only did the fire remind us of our connection with our neighbors, it also provided us with a facility which we could share with our neighbors.\u00a0 \u00a0Here are a few of the things PUMC can do now that we couldn&#8217;t do with our old building:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-37148 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/OFHxmas22-IMG_3880-_400x300-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/OFHxmas22-IMG_3880-_400x300-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/OFHxmas22-IMG_3880-_400x300-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/OFHxmas22-IMG_3880-_400x300-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Hunt-_IMG_1930-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Hunt-_IMG_1930-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Hunt-_IMG_1930-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Hunt-_IMG_1930-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/TrunkTreat17_jk61-400x300-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/TrunkTreat17_jk61-400x300-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/TrunkTreat17_jk61-400x300-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/TrunkTreat17_jk61-400x300-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Flu-Clinic-2014-ElectricSign-_IMG_1098-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Flu-Clinic-2014-ElectricSign-_IMG_1098-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Flu-Clinic-2014-ElectricSign-_IMG_1098-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Flu-Clinic-2014-ElectricSign-_IMG_1098-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Lunch-_IMG_1866-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Lunch-_IMG_1866-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Lunch-_IMG_1866-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Egg19-Lunch-_IMG_1866-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/BlueGold18-_B18_1116-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/BlueGold18-_B18_1116-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/BlueGold18-_B18_1116-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/BlueGold18-_B18_1116-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/xMarket22-FellHall-_IMG_0494-_400x300-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/xMarket22-FellHall-_IMG_0494-_400x300-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/xMarket22-FellHall-_IMG_0494-_400x300-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/xMarket22-FellHall-_IMG_0494-_400x300-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/TrunkTreat21-sign-_IMG_5157-_400x300-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/TrunkTreat21-sign-_IMG_5157-_400x300-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/TrunkTreat21-sign-_IMG_5157-_400x300-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/TrunkTreat21-sign-_IMG_5157-_400x300-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/OFHgrad22-_IMG_3678-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/OFHgrad22-_IMG_3678-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/OFHgrad22-_IMG_3678-178x178.jpg 178w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/OFHgrad22-_IMG_3678-184x184.jpg 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>In the past, God has provided the means to do His will, and He continues to do so today.\u00a0 He has given each of us a part, along with resources and skills, and He has structured His church so that we can work together to accomplish &#8220;the impossible.&#8221;\u00a0 The apostle Paul told the church in Corinth:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='author-shortcodes'>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-inner'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='author-image'>\n\t\t\t<img src='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/et_temp\/Bible-LifeApp-Study-_0644x600-217582_60x60.jpg' alt='' \/>\n\t\t\t<div class='author-overlay'><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-image --> \n\t\t<div class='author-info'>\n\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800080;\"><em><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"1CO.12.4\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"1CO.12.5\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"ChapterContent_verse__57FIw\" data-usfm=\"1CO.12.6\"><span class=\"ChapterContent_content__RrUqA\">There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work&#8230;.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800080;\"><em>Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/111\/1CO.12.NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 27<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-info -->\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-inner -->\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .author-shortcodes -->\n<p>And God has the same message for us today in our own world.\u00a0 We each have a different piece of the puzzle, and God calls us to share that piece with the rest of &#8220;the body.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">~~~<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Protection and Inspiration<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When we consider our First Responders, we remember their service and skill.\u00a0 We remember how they solved the problem and made our lives easier and safer.\u00a0 But they also serve as an example.\u00a0 God calls all of us to show His love by preparing ourselves and to give ourselves in service.\u00a0 First responders undergo a lot of training and practice, and then they sacrifice their time and even endanger themselves to protect and serve the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Christians have a similar call.\u00a0 We meet together to worship, pray, and to study.\u00a0 We gather around other &#8220;hot coals&#8221; to warm our own spirits to love and serve.\u00a0 But then we leave the &#8220;friendly confines&#8221; of our church to engage the &#8220;real world.&#8221;\u00a0 Outside the church doors is a world in need of our helping hand and the God&#8217;s healing love.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>First responders of all stripes are an inspiration of selfless love and service.\u00a0 So on this evening of a &#8220;First Responders Dinner&#8221; we are grateful not only for the protection and service, but even more deeply for the example and leadership of selfless servants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">Thank you First Responders!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Notes of Thanks<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If you&#8217;d like to thank our First Responders by sharing a brief account of how you have been helped by them, please scroll all the way down to the bottom of this screen (to where it says &#8220;Leave a Comment&#8221;).\u00a0 (all entries are monitored; email addresses won&#8217;t be published).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: 18pt;\">+\u00a0 \u00a0+\u00a0 \u00a0 +\u00a0 \u00a0 +<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For more on what PUMC is doing with our neighbors, click the below button:<\/p>\n<a href='https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=182' class='big-button bigpurple'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Neighbors<\/span><\/a>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The church isn&#8217;t a building or organization;  it is a family of people who are part of our community.  The people of PUMC appreciate the First Responders who give so much of their time and talents to keep us safe.  So we&#8217;re holding a free dinner to express our appreciation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,36,55,182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-evann","category-featured","category-mission-aroundtowns","category-neighbors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37148","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=37148"}],"version-history":[{"count":86,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37502,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37148\/revisions\/37502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}