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 …
Thank you, God has been our focus throughout November, and this past Sunday Pastor Chris reminded us that gratitude is more than something we express with our words. It is a posture that reshapes our entire way of living. When we truly see God’s goodness, when we slow down long enough to name the gifts in our lives, something shifts in …
Every now and then, I like to bring back something from the archives that still feels timely. I first wrote the reflection below several years ago, but as another Thanksgiving approaches, its message still rings true. I hope it gives you a smile – and maybe a little nudge toward gratitude – as you read it again.—————— One of the …
As the chair of our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), let’s address the elephant in the pews: our church has experienced significant changes in staff this year. Change can be scary, and it often brings a number of questions: Why did they leave? What happened? What’s going on? Should I be concerned? Here’s what I need you to hear: these …
At the heart of our Adult Ministry are three simple but powerful principles: Connect, Grow, and Serve. These aren’t just ideas; they’re intentional practices that shape how we live out our faith every day. When we connect, we form meaningful relationships that strengthen our walk with Christ. When we grow, we open our hearts and minds to God’s Word, allowing it to transform us …
At PTCUMC, we have always been a “missional” church, reaching out locally, nationally, and globally to share Christ’s love. Missions are one way we neighbor intentionally, whether through serving others, supporting events, providing financial support, or offering prayer. Our Servant Leaders, the hands and heart of our church, help organize and guide each project, clarify support needs, and share how God …
Every year, as our students begin the Confirmation journey, I’m reminded just how meaningful this season can be. It’s more than a class or a program, it’s a moment where faith starts to take root in a deeper way. When I went through Confirmation myself, it was a turning point in my walk with Christ. I still remember standing in …
One of the beautiful things about worship is how God uses His Word to speak to us personally, right where we are. Yet so often, by Monday morning, the message that stirred our hearts on Sunday begins to fade. That’s why I’m so excited about the new note-taking feature on our Church Center app. It’s a simple but powerful tool …
