THE TRUMPET CALL

January 10, 2016

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

Our Vision
To challenge and encourage everyone in our
congregation to know and follow Christ by:
Growing as disciples through Christs teachings
Connecting with one another in Christian community
Serving Christ by serving others
Praising God as we worship Christ

Biblica.com provides a one-year

Bible reading plan
(www.biblica.com). Each day you
are encouraged to read a
selection from the Old Testament
and the New Testament, along
with either a chapter of Proverbs
or Psalms.

Sunday Services
Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am
Sunday School/Discipleship Classes 9:45 am

New Volunteer Lists

Information from Commitment cards has been entered in the computer, and the
various ministry heads and coordinators will be contacting you regarding your
service to the Lord. If you are not contacted, or have not made a commitment,
please call the church officeGod Bless. (570) 421-3280.

Bible in a Year
11Genesis 24:1-67
Matthew 9:14-38
Psalm 8:1-9
12Genesis 25, Genesis 26
Matthew 10:1-31
Proverbs 1:20-33
13Genesis 27, Genesis 28:1-22
Matthew 10:32-42, Matthew 11:1-15
Psalm 9:1-6
14Genesis 29, Genesis 30
Matthew 11:16-30
Psalm 9:7-12
15Genesis 31:1-55
Matthew 12:1-21
Psalm 9:13-20
16Genesis 32, Genesis 33
Matthew 12:22-45
Proverbs 2:1-11
17Genesis 34, Genesis 35
Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:1-17
Psalm 10:1-11
18Genesis 36, Genesis 37
Matthew 13:18-35
Psalm 10:12-18

Pastors Corner
Now that 2016 is upon us, I will note some administrative changes in our church as we begin the
new year. We are very pleased to welcome Jude Porter as our new weekday sexton. Our previous
sexton, Anthony Zastenik, resigned close to Thanksgiving, and Denny Parsons graciously agreed
to fill in during the interim. Denny trained Jude the week between Christmas and New Year's, and
Jude is officially on duty this week. You may remember that Jude became a member of our church
last April, and she has been active in a variety of ministries, especially with the Soup Kitchen on
Monday night. Welcome, Jude, and thanks for helping our church in this important way! On the
weekend side of the sexton duties, we have also had our challenges, with Anthony James slowly
recovering from pneumonia. As it is very important that Anthony not return to work too soon, Jude has also agreed to
help on the weekends in the interim. Please keep Jude in your prayers, as this is a lot on one person! This also points
out the crucial role the SWAT Team plays in the life of our church. This is a group of dedicated men and women who
come once a month to do cleaning and maintaining of the church buildings under the supervision of Bill Mack, our
facilities manager. If you would like to be a part of this group of volunteers, please be in touch with Bill
(wmack@esumc.net), Bob Rosenberger or Connie Moyer. They would love to put your expertise to work for the glory
of God.
Another change on the volunteer side of things has to do with our Steering Team. For a number of years, the Steering
Team has been presided over by Don Repsher, and we thank Don for his dedication to this administrative body which
keeps our church on track and moving forward. Mike Carlson will now be taking over leadership of Steering Team, and
Don will remain in his current capacity as treasurer of our church. Please pray for Mike as he takes over leadership of
Steering Team on Monday night, January 11.
In next week's Trumpet Call, we will dedicate a portion of our space to finances, including how we did in 2015 with our
income and expenses and an abbreviated presentation of our 2016 budget. The full budget will be available for any
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(Continued from page 1)

who would like to review it. We will also give a general report on pledges
for 2016.
I have received several heartfelt emails in response to the new sermon
series on pain and suffering, entitled, Where is God When it Hurts? Some
have inquired about availability of the book on which it is based with the
same title by Philip Yancey. I have checked and the book is available on
Amazon for $12.84 (the latest "deluxe" edition; earlier editions are a little
less). It is worth the read if you have the time. This Sunday, we will look at
one of the most vexing questions of all where pain is involved, and that is,
"Does God speak to me in my pain?" We'll look at other questions related
to that such as, "Does God cause pain to try to get through to us?" "Does
everything happen for a reason?" and the like. I invite you to use the
glossy postcards we have produced to bring friends, especially
non-church friends, to our worship services. On January 24 we will look at
the theme of a Christian's response to pain, and will give the opportunity
to the congregation at both services to come forward for healing prayers
and anointing. I wanted to give you that "heads-up" that this is coming.
Again, please feel free to be in touch with me regarding your deepest
questions about pain and suffering. This is a hard series, but these
questions are worth asking. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Pastor Jim

Photo Caption
Stephen Ministry

Testimonies
What folks are saying about Stephen
Ministry:
Before I had a Stephen Minister, I
struggled with whether I even believed in
God. Now I have seen Gods love face-to
face through my Stephen Minister. It is
life-changing!
As a man, I found it difficult and awkward
to reach out for help. Im glad I did! I
probably could have made it alone, but it
sure was a lot easier having a Stephen
Minister to talk to.

Thursday January 7th

JAM Jr. High Afterschool Program 2:45 - 5:00pm
Fellowship Meal 5:00 - 6:00pm
Jr. High Boys Bible Study
and Jr. High Girls Bible Study 6:00 - 7:30pm

I felt guilty about being angry at God, but

my Stephen Minister didnt think I was
terrible. He was very patient and just
listened and cared. He demonstrated
jesus unconditional love and helped me
to trust God again.

Thursday January 7th

5:30 - 6:00pm All youth rally participants bring your luggage to the church.
Friday Jan 8 - Sunday Jan 10:
Youth Rally Trip to Ocean City, MD ---Please keep the 33 youth and 9
adult leaders going on this trip in prayer!!
Sunday Morning January 10th:
Jr. High Sunday School will meet in the youth room from 9:45 - 10:40am.
This week's teacher will be Robin Braun.
Sr. High Class will NOT MEET this Sunday morning.
(Most will be at the youth rally in Ocean City, MD)
Sunday Night January 10th:
No Sports Ministry or Sunday Night Youth Program (Youth Rally Trip)
Monday January 11th, 6:30 -8:30pm
Sr. High Bible Study at Scott and Sarah's home

For more information about Stephen

Ministry, please contact Peggy Strack,
570-421-3280, ext. 1023.
Members of ESUMC who are no longer

able to attend church, always enjoy

hearing from you! Cards and notes of
encouragement may be sent to:

Judy Biffen
63 Wildflower Circle
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Hearing Assistance
Devices are Here!

ESUMC now owns several hearing

assistance devices which can be worn to
improve your ability to hear our worship
services. Please contact an usher to pick
up your hearing assistance device and
return to an usher after use.

Church-Wide Study

Pocono Plateau
Camp and
Retreat Center is
seeking applicants
for the following
positions:

Classes begin January 10 th

Classes to be held on Sundays and
throughout the week at various times/places

Kitchen Assistants: Great first time job,

or as a source of extra
income. Responsibilities range from
assisting with meal preparation to clean
up. Experience not required. We will train
you!
Housekeeper: Performs a variety of
general cleaning tasks to maintain guest
rooms, offices, restrooms, and meeting
rooms. Experience not required, but should
be detail oriented person. We will train
you!
If interested, please contact the Rev.
Ronald L. Schane, Director
Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center
304 Pocono Plateau Road
Cresco, PA 18326
570-676-3665

www.poconoplateau.org

For All Welcome Team Members

(Ushers/Greeters/Information
Desk Volunteers)
Whether you are serving for the first
year or the 50th, I encourage you to
attend the training to be held on
Sunday, Feb. 7th to review the job
descriptions for these positions.

Final Sign-ups in Oberholtzer Hall Sunday,

January 10th
Teacher

Day of Study

Time

Location

Rosenberger & Brown Sun. 9:45am church basement, # 8

Lee Karchner
Sun.
9:45 am church basement, #10
Kelli Mercurio
Peggy Strack

Sun.
Sun.

Lynn Pappalardo Sun.

Cathy Saunders Sun.

9:45 am
9:45 am

church basement, # 6

church basement, choir rm

9:45 am
9:45 am

church, bridal lounge

2nd floor office building

Rich & Jenni Poole Sun.6:30 p.m. 229 Whitetail Ct., Stroudsburg
Karen Todd
Mon. 11:00 a.m.
2nd floor office building
Tom & Kathy Hinkey Tues. 10:00 am 348 Jade Ave., E. Stbg.
CATCH is a program for invitational evangelism, which will show
us how to attract visitors to our church, connect them with our
faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve
God! Join a study today! Call Peggy , 570-421-3280, ext. 1023.

15 minute sessions will be held after

each of the two services so that
everyone may attend. Site for training
to be determined.
Kathy Hinkey

Childrens Ministry Events

Love Boxes
Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 12:302:00 pm

Sunday School
Sundays @ 9:45-10:35 am

Childrens Church
Sundays @ 11:00-11:45 am
(Children dismissed from
Contemporary Service)

When: 10 a.m. Noon & 1-3 p.m.

January 14, 2016
Where: Monroe County State Health Center
1972 W. Main St., Suite 102
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
You are eligible for vaccines at LOW or NO COST if you are:

Underinsured (your insurance does not cover this

vaccine); or

Uninsured (you have no insurance)

(Maximum $5.00 costpayable by check or money order)
Please call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at (570)
424-3020 to register or if you have questions.
3

Events

Contact Us
The OKs will have a Game Day Jan. 13th, weather
permitting. There will be NO snow date.

Please come and bring your favorite game to play, some sort of
finger food to share, (please, no foods that require clean-up). I
invite you to bring any ideas you might have for this coming year. Is
there a subject you would like to learn more about or a place you would like to go
see?
In February we will have movie and pizza day. The movie will be the inspirational
War Room. The date is Feb. 10th (snow date, Feb.17. Dont miss this one!
Thanks, Erma

Wellness

Zumba chair classes will be held every Friday @ 11:00 am at east Stroudsburg United
Methodist Church in the fellowship hall beginning on Friday, January 8th. Open to the
public!! This is a great cardio workout with "no impact"!! - perfect for people who have
back, knee or leg issues. Now you can still enjoy Zumba and dance while sitting down!
How great is this? We need attendance to make the class permanent so please come
out if you are interested.
Mark your calendrers that Zumba Gold will be resuming every Thursday at 10:00 am. Join us to
welcome Cheryl back and bring the new year in dancing!!

Dollar A Month Challenge 2015

Thanks to all involved in the past year, we will continue with the same list for 2016.
Last years results were:
January235 food items for Salvation Army & Community Meal
February75 kitchen cleaning supplies for PATH
March105 toiletry and hair supplies for PATH & Community Meal
April - 72 girls craft/toy items for Angel Haven Orphanage, Thailand
May45 paper plates, napkins & cups for VBS
June53 baby items for Crisis Pregnancy
July86 clothing items for UMW Ingathering (Hazelton Clothing Bank)
August93 school supplies for Community Meal & Family Promise
September49 snacks for JAM
October - 17 boxes of childrens items for Operation Christmas Child
November12 stockings full of items for folks in nursing homes MCCWU
December 125 hats, mittens scarves and socks for Community Meal
Remember, it only takes $1 per month per person in your family to help
someone in need. Happy Shopping, and ther is not anything that cant be found
at the Dollar Tree.
United Methodist Women.
Recovery Meetings Available in The Community Room of Office Building Basement
NA MEETINGS Monday through Saturday 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. Just for Today
Wednesday 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. New Beginnings (Womens Group)
AA MEETINGS Thursday & Saturday 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Keep It Simple

Scan QR to ESUMC Website

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

83 S. Courtland St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
www.esumc.net

Church Office
(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Mon thru Fri
Pastor
Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014
Secretary
Maria Ragonese
mragonese@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
Congregational Care
Peggy Strack
pstrack@esumc.net
Ext. 1023
Youth Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Childrens Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Finances
Sue Mertz
smertz@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
Financial Secretary
Cyndie Faunce
cfaunce@esumc.net
Ext. 1025
Maintenance
William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
Organist/Traditional
Music
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com
Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net
Technology Support
Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012