Grace, Accountability, and the God Who Redeems I love the story of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark in the Book of Acts. I probably refer to it too often, but it continues to intrigue me. It is a story of devoted followers of Jesus who experience a profound disagreement. It is a story of tension between grace and accountability. It …
Finding Your Community: Why Small Groups Matter More Than Ever in 2026 One of the clearest pictures of the Church we see in Scripture isn’t a building or a program; it’s a community. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the believers were together and had everything in common.” …
As we step into 2026, Pastor Chris offers a glimpse into the year ahead at PTCUMC, highlighting worship series, ministry milestones, and opportunities to grow together in faith. Happy New Year, PTCUMC!I’m really looking forward to 2026. Here are a few of the things I’m especially excited about as I anticipate another calendar year with you. We begin the new …
Christmas Eve invites us to return to a story we know so well that it can easily become distant or sentimental. This year, let’s pause and enter the mystery again — not from a distance, but from the dirt floor of the stable itself. The following excerpt comes from The Birth by Gene Edwards, a fictionalized retelling of the nativity that draws …
The Longest Reach: From the Pacific to the Manger Max Lucado tells a remarkable story in his book A Gentle Thunder about a man named James Whittaker. Whittaker served under the legendary Captain Eddie Rickenbacker during World War II. In October of 1942, their B-17 went down over the Pacific Ocean. Low on fuel, out of radio contact, they were forced to …
It is the most wonderful time of the year, and perhaps the busiest. If you are like me, your to-do list keeps growing even though you continue to check things off. Our lists are full of baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, and more! Weekday School is no different. Our teachers and students have been busy creating Christmas artwork, projects, and gifts. …
Extra Extra – let’s celebrate the GOOD NEWS! The Christmas season can be full – full of schedules, lists, events, and experiences. Jingle Jam offers a chance to slow down, laugh together, and reconnect with the GOOD NEWS that is the heart of Christmas: God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us and fill this world with hope, peace, joy, …
Preparing Our Hearts for Advent As we step into the season of Advent, I’m reminded of how deeply we need this sacred pause. Advent invites us to slow our pace, quiet our worries, and prepare room in our hearts for Christ to enter in new and life-giving ways. In a world that pulls us in so many directions, the rhythms …
This season, we’re partnering with three local nonprofits to help stock their food pantries and support families right here in our community. Your generosity makes a real difference. Items Needed How You Can Help You can support these partner organizations by shopping the list above or giving online using the button below. Drop-Off Details Food donations can be dropped off at the church on …
State of the Church – Q&A’s 1. Will our mission efforts focus only on local needs, or will we continue to support global missions as well? As we re-envision our missional outreach, we will seek to address human need wherever we can make a meaningful and effective impact, within the giftedness and generosity of our congregation. Some of those needs …
