[Cross and Flame]Port Morris United Methodist Church
The Church on The Move...

Click here for the 2009-10 Lectionary
(list of each week's readings)

Summer Hours: Join us for worship services at 10:00 am
Church Picture 296 Center Street, Landing, N.J. 07850
(Morris County)
Church/Pastor Phone: (973) 347-0381
(Entrance to parking lot is from Main Street)
ptmorrisunited [at] optimum [dot] net

Pastor: Nikolay Petrov (npetrov [at] drew [dot] edu)

Join us in Sunday Fellowship:
Sunday School: 9:30 am (September - May)
Worship Service: 11:00 am
Summer Worship Time: 10:00 am



[prayer] If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please contact the pastor or Karen Boyer (rkboyer [at] optonline [dot] net).

Don't have a bible? Click here to read the bible online: http://bibleresources.bible.com/bible_read.php
(Available in many different versions - King James, Revised Standard, etc. - and languages - Spanish, French, Korean, etc.)

Welcome!

Welcome to the Webpage for the Port Morris United Methodist Church. Our theme is "the church on the move". One reason we use that theme is because during our early years, the church was literally moved to where it now stands by being pushed across a frozen canal basin. But, our Early History isn't the only reason we're on the move. We have lots going on: an acappella Chancel Choir, Sunday School, Children's Events and Puppet ministry, Social Concerns Outreach , Queen Esther's Circle, Pastie making, and a Prayer Circle. If you'd like to hear the whole story, just scroll through and read. If you're interested in a particular topic above, just click on any of the underlined phrases to "jump" to that topic.

[Emmanuel] Early History

The church was started because Mary Mills, a Stanhope school teacher, wanted to provide a Sunday School for the children in the Port Morris area. In 1874, Mills enlisted the help of Waters Day, a roundhouse foreman of the Lackawanna railroad, to help organize the church school. Through their efforts, a building that was to be a railroad machine shop was made into a makeshift chapel. On October of 1875, the first adult church service was given there by Rev. C. E. Little and soon the Port Morris United Methodist Church was established. Later the railroad company built the church a chapel on property on the south side of the tracks. However, by 1892 the location of the church had become a precarious one. Railroad traffic surrounded the little building. It was decided the church needed to be moved across a Morris canal pond to a lot on Center Street in Port Morris. During the winter of 1892, the 75-ton church was moved over the railroad tracks and then started across the ice-covered canal pond. During this time, it was nicknamed, "the ark of the Lord". It was only halfway across the basin when the weather warmed and an unexpected thaw occurred. Many felt the church was doomed to a watery grave. However, the pastor encouraged the onlookers to pray. The weather turned colder. The ice held and the "ark" was safely moved to the other side.

Now, as it approaches its 130th anniversary, the church still has ties to the railroad. Parts of it, such as the bell, are from trains. The chancel and communion rails in the sanctuary are from engine and dining cars respectively. The brass letters which spell out the word "Emmanuel" (which shine in the front of the sanctuary above a large cross) came off an old freight boxcar.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

[Choir]Chancel Choir

Under the direction of Richard Boyer, Jr. our chancel choir is unique in that most of the music is sung accapella (without accompaniment). In addition, the choir has written many original hymns which it shares with the congregation during the holidays. And, you will never know just what our choir will do to put new spirit into an old hymn. Have you ever heard "The First Noel" done in do-wop rhythm? We sure have!

Our choir rehearses every Wednesday night at 8:00 pm.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

Sunday School

As you open the door to our Sunday School, you also open the door to the Bible. Our creative teachers, the two "Miss Karens" and "Mr. Rich" bring the children into the world as Moses, David or Jesus saw it. They take the children along on adventures.

[The Last Supper] [The Sunday School Kids] [VBS Story Time]
"The Last Supper" The Sunday School Kids VBS Story Time

In addition to the "traditional" teachings of the bible, the children learn about "Joy", "Hope", and being "Peace Makers." Recently, the church stairwell had a display of ants the children made, demonstrating "Hope." The idea came from the song "High Hopes" and scattered around the ant hills were inspirational sayings.

The children just finished a series of lessons on "Disciple Makers" and are currently doing a series to learn how to be "Servant Leaders." The lessons, based on the books by Susan Lingo, teach simple, every day ways children can be the best they can be!

And let us not forget the music! The children learn not only familiar hymns but new songs, including some original ones written by Choir Director "Mr. Rich".

Classes are held on Sunday September - May from 9:30 - 10:30 am for ages 3 - 15.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

Social Concerns Outreach

Our church is involved in a number of outreach projects throughout the year. On-going projects include our drives for Stamps for Children, Campbell Soup Labels and boxtops for Red Bird Mission, and card fronts for St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Cancelled stamps given to Stamps for Children (Lincroft, New Jersey) are sorted and distributed to schools, after school clubs, stamp clubs, etc. throughout the United States. The stamps are used in stamp collecting and art projects. Soups labels and boxtops given to Red Bird Missionary Conference (Beverly , Kentucky) are used to get funds for educational equipment. Fronts from greeting cards are used by St. Jude's Ranch (a program for neglected children in Nevada) in fund-raising efforts.

In addition to our on-going projects, we have yearly drives. During the summer, we collect travel size toiletries which are given to the Morris County Battered Women's Shelter. These items are used in welcome kits given to new residents. Each December, we hold a Baby Shower For Jesus to benefit the Paige Whitney Babies Center (Basking Ridge, N.J.). The center helps needy babies throughout New Jersey. A Lenten Drive is done each year to benefit the Family Ministries area of the Red Bird Mission. Layettes items are collected for needy mothers.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

Children's Events and Puppet Ministry

Every year our church sponsors two community events for children: a Halloween Party and an Easter Egg Hunt. The Halloween Party is held the Sunday before Halloween and includes a puppet show, games, refreshments and breaking a piñata. The Easter Egg Hunt is held the day before Easter and includes a puppet show, egg hunt, breaking a piñata and a visit from a certain large white rabbit.

Besides these yearly events, puppet shows are given to celebrate Thanksgiving and as entertainment during our annual church picnic. The shows are the brainchild of our puppet minister, local puppeteer "Miss Tina".


Click Here to Return to Welcome


Queen Esther's Circle

"You can't beat the fellowship", is how one member puts it. The Circle meets at 8:00 pm the first Tuesday of every month for fellowship, presentations ... and food! In addition to fellowship meetings, the Circle is responsible for providing food for wakes and coordinating the yearly caring tree drive. Through the caring tree, the congregation plays secret Santa to residents of a nursing home.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

Pasties

No discussion of the Port Morris United Methodist Church would be complete without a mention of Pasties (pronounced Pass-Tees). Pasties are the big money maker for our church. What's a Pasty? It is potatoes, onion and meat in a crust...oops...but can't tell you more than that. The recipe is a secret...our secret. The church makes and sells hundreds of pasties a month. Not only does it bring in money but it is a great time of fellowship as people work together to get everything ready in just a few days time.

Click Here to Return to Welcome

Prayer Circle

Our church believes in prayer. Not only do we pray for those in need during our services, but we have a weekly prayer list that goes out to our prayer circle. The circle is a group of people who pray for those in need of God's strength, guidance, support. The list is initially sent out via e-mail. Then one member of the circle calls those who are in the circle but do not have e-mail and gives them the prayer updates. If you would like us to put your name or the name of a loved one on the prayer list, call the church or contact rkboyer [at] optonline [dot] net.

Click Here to Return to Welcome
The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church - Legal Department, 1200 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201.
The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church . The content of these home pages is the responsibility of Karen Boyer. Please send feedback to rkboyer [at] optonline [dot] net.

Visitors since
December 8, 2004