Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/21/2019 Trumpet Call, 6-21-15
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trumpet-call-6-21-15 1/4
East Stroudsburg
United Methodist Church
The Trumpet Call
Pastor ’s Corner
Karen and I will not be with you on Sunday in worship, buwe will certainly be with you in spirit! Once again, you wbe blessed to hear a great preacher, Scott Kuhnle, in myabsence.
Some of you have asked my perspective on the listeningsessions and the process of discernment we are using aswe re-think Sunday mornings. First let me say that since on the Vision Team, I support their efforts. I want you to
know how committed the team is to “getting it right” by hearing from every perwho has a thought to share or question to ask.
Here are the three most common questions I ’ve been hearing, and my brief
responses: 1. Why don’ t you just tell us what the plan is for Sunday morning, and
then we’ ll respond to it? Because there is no plan yet! That is why thiscurrent discernment and prayer process is so important. We are trying toreceive direction from the Lord and from all of you, the congregation. Therare no foregone conclusions or secret plans in place, I assure you. To maksure you have full freedom to share your thoughts, neither I nor any otherpaid staff member are part of the listening sessions.
2. Why are we even thinking of this now? Why can ’ t we just keep thingsthe way they are? We see ourselves as a “Spirit-led” congregation, andHoly Spirit always keeps God’s people moving in new directions. Part ofwhat it means in being Spirit-led is being led by our vision, and by livingout our vision of “Growing, Connecting, Serving, and Praising,” we can bethe people God wants us to be. We believe we can enjoy more opportuniti
for growing as disciples, connecting with one another through fellowship astudy, and worshipping and praising God on Sunday morning. The VisionTeam has actually been talking about a new model for Sunday morningswhich better reflects our church vision for more than two years, or more tha year before I came to serve you. When the Vision Team shared with mewhat their concerns were and how these were tied to the overall vision, I gexcited about new possibilities for Sunday morning. I believe in theimportance of lay-led ministry, and since this was already being talked abobefore I arrived, it is vital that the laity be empowered to lead, and so they Still, it is important that you hear from me as your spiritual leader on this, aI believe God is leading us to some changes on Sunday morning which wienhance our overall mission and ministry.
3. Can you tell us definitively that we will still have at least one traditionservice and one contemporary service on Sundays? Yes! Even if we
decide to move from three services to two on Sunday morning, we will alwhave two styles of worship offered to the congregation and community.
If you haven’t been able to take time to express your thoughts yet, I urge you tdo so. Please see the article on p. 3 from the Vision Team, or the middle of thebulletin on Sunday morning, which explains the five ways you can share with tVision Team. Please know that neither I nor any staff member are part of anylistening session, but I am closely monitoring the questions and concerns comanonymously to me from those involved.
Please remember that this summer, we have tremendous opportunities to be iministry to and with our surrounding community. VBS is just around the corne(June 29 to July 3), and Children ’s Director, Pam, can use your help. The BlocParty occurs every Thurs. evening from 6:30-8:30 pm out in front of the buildin
hope to see you there! Blessings, Pastor J
Our Vision:
To challenge and encourage everyonein our congregation to know and fol-low Christ by:
Growing as disciples through Christ ’steachings
Connecting with one another inChristian community
Serving Christ by serving others
Praising God as we worship Christ
Sunday Services
8:30 a.m. Traditional
9:45 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional
East Stroudsburg United
Methodist Church
83 S. Courtland St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 421- 3280
www.esumc.net
8/21/2019 Trumpet Call, 6-21-15
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trumpet-call-6-21-15 2/4
Thanks to all of our church volunteers who supported theAmerican Cancer Society’s Relay for Life this weekend!There were many signed up to walk and to help in manydifferent areas. Team Pocono Fight, ESUMC’s relay teamwhich participated in the American Cancer Society’s Re-lay for Life, surpassedtheir goal of raising$5,000.00 dollars for theAmericanCancer Society!
Bruce and Ann Osbuncaptained the team of
walkers and runnerswho lapped thetrack at EastStroudsburg Univer-sity non-stop for 24hours! The totalraised by all of thecommunity teamsfor the American
Cancer Society was over $131,000.00!
Way to go teams!
Many members of the Run For God team participatedthe Relay for Life and also ran the Josh Miller 5K inStroudsburg on Sunday! ESUMC medal winners for trespective age groups: Tim Visser, Blake Hollister, AmHollister, and Chris Perfetti. Congratulations to everyo
Finally, there were many in attendance at the OrganSeries Variety Concert held in the Sanctuary onSunday afternoon, June 14. More than $500 was raisefor Family Promise. Many thanks for all who helped,
especially Pauline Fox for organizing the event.
Opportunities/News
Summer Block Party Outreach MinistrWe are in need of the following donations: Containers of Ketchup, Mustard,BBQ Sauce & Relish
Paper Plates & Napkins—Casesof Water and/or Soda.
Or, sign up to bring a side dishor dessert on a designatedThursday- Contact Scott Kuhnle(610) 368-1240. AND… WENEED YOU! Show up andenjoy the food and fellowshipevery Thursday in June and July from 6:30-8:30 p.m
The lord is good, a refuge intimes of trouble. He cares forthose who trust in him. Nahum1:7
Both men and women experience
times of grief and pain. WhenChristians suffer, comfort is avail-able through Christ and throughothers who have found Christ;scare and comfort in the midst of
their sufferings. Stephen Ministers offer this Christ-likecare to those in need. Would a Stephen Minister beGod’s gift to you in the midst of a trying time?
For further information, contact Peggy Strack at thechurch office, 570-421-3280, ext. 1023.
Janett Raughley continues to recover at home fromhealth concerns. Cards and notes may be sent to her: 1080 Courtright Lane, East Stroudsburg, Pa. 18302.
Our Second Block Party on June
Outreach Opportunities
June 13-14: A Weekend of Wellness, Generosity, Music, and Fun!
8/21/2019 Trumpet Call, 6-21-15
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trumpet-call-6-21-15 3/4
Opportunities/News
Please Support our Pocono MissionConnexion and its Member Churches!
Pastor Candy LaBar of Faith UMC inStroudsburg will hold a summer bookdiscussion every Monday in July and August at Bovino’s Pizzeria (next toEast Stroudsburg South HS) beginning
at 6:00 p.m. The book used is PeterEnns’ new book entitled, The Bible TellsMe So: Why Defending Scripture HasMade us Unable to Read It. The book is
available in hardcover for $18 or as a download from Amazonfor $14. Participants are invited to have dinner and enjoy pizzaduring the sessions. Please contact Pastor LaBar at [email protected] or 570-466-5866 by June 22 to reserve yourspot and (if needed) to order your book.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Attend a ListeningSession About Possible Changes to our SundayMorning Schedule
The Vision Team is conducting a series of listening ses-sions to hear your ideas and thoughts on worship at ESUMC.This is your chance to voice an opinion on reshaping worshipand strengthening our relationship with God. Join one of theMid-Week group sessions or have a One on One session be-tween services with one of our Vision team members.
Sign-up sheets are in Fellowship Hall or visit the ChurchFacebook site and reserve your space. Mid-Week Sessionsare: June 23rd 10am or 7pm, June 26 th 3pm. Can’t make amid-week session? Grab a 15 minute slot on Sunday, June21.
Your voice is important to us! We have convened a dis-cernment team along with a subset of Vision team members
and representatives from each of the services to review all input and make a decision in July. Your prayers and suppowill be needed in the weeks leading up to that decision andthe time of implementation afterwards. Feel free to reach oto the members of the Vision team at any time. They are:Richard Mayers, Cathy Saunders, Sandy Olberholtzer, PegStrack, Homer Lee, Lynn Pappalardo, Jeff Durney, DaveThompson, Linda Drake, Dana Malefyt, Blanche Jackson, Visser, Brianna Ragonese, and Mike Ragonese.
Serving on the Vision Team is a privilege that presents thopportunity to examine how the church can best serve Godand carry out the Mission for which God has called us. It requires that each of us maintains an attitude of humility, a cotinued commitment, and a fervent desire to serve God in oucommunity. Most importantly, we need and covet your praers.
On Sunday, July 12th, there will be a 12 hour prayer vigifrom 8 am ‘till 8 pm. The team asks that you will support ussigning up for a 20 minute slot to come to Eaton Chapel anpray to pray for the Vision Team as we compile all of your iput from the listening sessions. You may sign up for morethan one time slot if you so desire, and if you are unable tocome to the chapel, you may sign up and pray at home. Wealso encourage everyone to attend the Wednesday night per group that meets from 7 till 8:30 in Eaton Chapel. Prayeour immediate access into God's presence. As you pray thiweek focus on the these powerful facts about God's wordfound in Hebrews:
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than adouble-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul anspirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentioof the heart." Heb 4:12
Pray that the entire body here at ESUMC will direct theirhearts and minds toward God, and that we will seek ways tserve and grow closer to Him.
To God be all the glory. . . The Vision Te
EverestVBS
June 29 – July 3
9:00 a.m. to Noon
Sign up to be aparticipant or volunteer by going to http://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/EverestESUMC. Donations snacks, decorations, curriculum and other odds and endsalways make our Vacation Bible School much more fantasti
Please check the VBS bulletin board located in OberholtzerHall if you are interested in donating to Vacation Bible SchoMany of the materials needed for VBS needed to be boughtthrough the Publisher because of their uniqueness. You cabuy a “befuddler ” in your local store! If you would like to maa monetary donation to cover the cost of these materials,please drop your monetary donation off in the church office an envelope labeled “VBS Monetary Donation” or you canplace it in the offering plate. Bring your other donations toeither the church office or drop them off in the bins under theVBS bulletin board. Please label the items “VBS”. EmailChildren’s Ministry Director Pam O’Brien [email protected] if you have any questions.
Sun & Sand: SondaySummer Seekers
Children in Preschool through 5th gradeare welcome to join us every Sunday dur-ing the summer for this children’s program.Instruction will take place in a large groupsetting while children seek to find God’s
Wonders in the summer season. Pastor Jim will dismiss thechildren from the 9:45 a.m. service so they can meet theirteachers at the back of the church. Sonday Summer Seekersis also looking for adults to instruct this large group. If youcan help out, please sign up on the sign-up sheets located
downstairs on the table below the television. If you have anyquestions regarding Sonday Summer Seekers, pleaseemail Pam O’Brien at [email protected].
A Note from our Church Bookkeeper At this time, ESUMC is having our financial accountsreviewed by Riley & Co. If your group has anaccount that uses the tax ID number of the churchyour account must be included in this review. Pleasebegin gathering the following information - yourDecember 2013 proof, all deposit records, all re-ceipts for all checks written in 2014 to present, your2014 proof, and all statements from Dec 2013 topresent. Someone from the finance team will contact you to set upa meeting for your review.
Thank You, Sue Mertz
8/21/2019 Trumpet Call, 6-21-15
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trumpet-call-6-21-15 4/4
Staff Contact Information Main Office: 570-421-3280
Pastor: Jim Todd [email protected] 1014
Church Secretary: Maria Ragonese [email protected] 1010
Congregational Care: Peggy Strack [email protected] 1023
Music & Worship: Andy Waddell [email protected] 1011
Youth Ministry: Scott Kuhnle [email protected] 1013
Children’s Ministry: Pam O’Brien [email protected] 1017
Technology Support: Michael Corey [email protected] 1012
Finances: Sue Mertz [email protected] 1015
Financial Secretary: Cyndie Faunce [email protected] 1025
Maintenance: Foundations Preschool [email protected] 1019
Fellowship Hall Kitchen 1030
Church (Inside Breezeway) 1031Organist: Pauline Fox [email protected] ----
Audio-visuals: Joe Dorsch [email protected] ---
Pregnancy Resource CenterBaby Bottle Boomerang
You can return your baby bottlesto Jill Malefyt or Jenni Poole atthe table in Fellowship Hall onJune 21 or 28. All proceeds helpto support the PregnancyResource Center of the Poconos.
June Dollar Challenger for Pregnancy Resources
We are looking for lotion, sham-poo, bibs, baby wipes, teethingrings, etc. Most items can befound at Dollar Tree in the babyaisle. Please help us supportthis wonderful organization.
The next meeting will be held July 8th.Information of things you can do to
prolong not going into a nursing home willbe presented. Also, differences betweenvarious types of nursing homes. While
you may never need this information, you may be able to helpyour friends or relatives. Watch the Trumpet Call for a completeschedule of the program.
Many thanks to Joe, Doug, and Andy, plus ourguests, the Back Family, for a very entertainingmusical program last Sunday afternoon, to UMWfor the lovely reception, and to the audience forgenerously donating over $500 to Family Promise.
