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

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
church@esumc.net
www.esumc.net

July 5, 2015

The Trumpet Call

Pastors Corner

We are in the midst of several personnel changes here

at ESUMC. Denny Parsons is officially retired as weekday church sexton as of July 3. We have appreciated
his work in our church and wish he and Barb much
happiness in retirement. Fortunately, as was the case
with Bruce Johnson who previously retired as our
Facilities Manager, Denny is still active in the church
as a member and we will still see him on a regular
basis. Joining our team on July 6 as weekday sexton is Mr. Anthony
Zastenik, who currently works as part-time sexton at Stroudsburg
Presbyterian Church. He will continue to work there for 20 hours per week,
and will give us 21 hours per week. Stroudsburg Presbyterian is thrilled
that Anthony will now be working full-time and is happy to work with us to
make sure he can fulfill duties at both churches. Of course, we have the
challenge of having two sextons named Anthony. Anthony James is our
weekend sexton, and Anthony Zastenik will be our weekday sexton. So,
just to keep them straight, well call them Anthony J. and Anthony Z.
Well provide a brief bio and photo of Anthony Z in next weeks Trumpet
Call. We are also moving closer to hiring a new Facilities Manager, and
well keep you updated on our progress.

At last Sundays 11:00 a.m. service, there was a brief disturbance when a
man in the congregation walked up the aisle shouting at me in the
beginning of my sermon. Though I knew who he was and didnt believe he
would cause me any harm, it was still comforting to see some of our men
in the congregation spring forward and keep him from coming into the
chancel area and seek to calm him down. Until the service was over, there
were no more outbursts, and I know it was the presence of these men who
kept him calm and under control. To those men in our church who
responded so quickly and efficiently, I say, Thank you!
In light of the shootings in Charleston, SC, we are all on heightened alert,
wondering if something like that could happen anywhere else and
especially here. Also, the recent Supreme Court decision has unleashed a
great deal of emotions on both sides of the debate, and it was the part of
my sermon dealing with this issue that triggered the reaction it did from
this young man.
Therefore, we are going to put together a security task force to examine
how we can protect our church members and visitors as well as we
possibly can, while still maintaining our Open hearts, open minds, open
doors posture toward the community. Already, a person with extensive
security experience has stepped forward to help us develop policies for
security throughout the building, including the nursery for the youngest
and most vulnerable of Gods children. Well keep you informed of our
progress and the list of policies we develop. If this is an area where God is
calling you to serve, please send me an email.
On this holiday weekend, I pray that you stay safe around fireworks and in
holiday traffic. I hope to see you on Sunday as we explore the covenant of
marriage.
Blessings, Pastor Jim (jtodd@esumc.net)

Outreach Opportunities
Each persons suffering is a
separate story. Some people
are ambushed by a sudden
crisis. Others are shackled
with chronic problems. Some
have quiet, nagging pain that
has accumulated over decades
and is only now recognized.
Since each persons pain is
unique, each possible care receivers story is distinct. Each person will need an
explanation about Stephen Ministry that is appropriate to their own situation.

Summer Block Party Outreach Ministry

We are in need of the following donations:

Hamburgers and hot dogs!
Or, sign up to bring a side dish
or dessert on a designated
Thursday- Contact Scott Kuhnle
(610) 368-1240. AND WE
NEED YOU! Show up and
enjoy the food and fellowship
every Thursday in June and
July from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact Peggy Strack at the church office: 570-4213280, ext. 1023. Please dont suffer in silence!
Happy Birthday Hazel! Hazel Kaniper will be
celebrating her 104th birthday on July 13th.
Cards may be sent to her at 2017 North 5th
Street, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360.

Our Third Block Party on June 25

Opportunities/News
The next meeting of the OKs
will be July 8th at 10:30 a.m.
This months program will be
Assistance for Senior Years
and will provide information on
service options in your home.
It will also cover Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Programs. This is open to all folks who are interested.
Assistance for Senior Years
Schedule of Events
10:30 amCoffee
10:45 amPersonal Emergency Buttons
11:00 amGentiva Home Care Services
11:30 amBright Star Home Care
NoonLUNCH
1:00 pmTranquil Gardens Assisted Living Programs
1:30 pmHospice: What it is and what is does
2:00 pmBrookmont Nursing Home
You can come for the whole program or just to hear the
speakers that interest you, however, if you plan to stay
for lunch, please register so adequate food will be available. Sandwiches, coffee & tea will be furnished, please
bring a food item to supplement the sandwich; desert,
chips, etc. RSVP to Erma Powell 570-421-1422 by July
6th.

Large Print Bulletins

If you attend traditional worship
and have difficulty reading the wall
screens, large print bulletins are
now available in the narthex and
outside Eaton Chapel. These bulletins will include the call to worship and the prayer of confession.
Pick up one today and share the
news with others!
SAVE THE DATES!!!
Ice Cream Social & Movie Night
Saturday, July 25th
ESUMC Carnival
Saturday, October 3rd
2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, November 14th
Please mark your calendars so you can be sure to
join us for these fun-filled events!! More details will
follow from the Fun & Fellowship Committee.

Opportunities/News
Sonday Summer Seekers
Children in Preschool through 5th
grade are welcome to join us every
Sunday during the summer for this
childrens program. Instruction will
take place in a large group setting
while children seek to find Gods
Wonders in the summer season. Pastor Jim will dismiss the children from the 9:45 a.m. service so they can meet their teachers at the back of the
church. Sonday Summer Seekers is also looking for
adults to instruct this large group. If you can help out,
please sign up on the sign-up sheets located downstairs
on the table below the television. If you have any questions regarding Sonday Summer Seekers, please
email Pam OBrien at pobrien@esumc.net.

Vacation Bible School 2015: Everest

STAND
DOWN
DAY
By Vets for Vets

July 12, 2015

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At the Pavilion in Dansbury Park, East Stroudsburg
FREE FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTH CHECKS & HOUSING
REFERRALS FOR THE HOMELESS
Help American Veterans who gave so much for us all!
We hosted about 80
children and many
dedicated adult helpers!
Nickey Baxter led the
opening and closing
each day in the Sanctuary. Below, the crew
leaders prepare for the
day by praying together.
More photos next week!

The Faith Promise team has an update for 2015. Many Partners remain as
Partners. The team has been in touch with them and they continue to share in the
Faith Promise Mission Statement: to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our
community, nation and world through our support of individuals and organizations
who are motivated by the love of God to serve in Missions.
The Update is that three new Partners will receive support. One of these is the
local Pregnancy Resource Center. Many ESUMC folks volunteer in this outreach
program of education, spiritual discussions, life step sessions and more.
Shores of Grace is a Partner in Brazil. The Billmans have spoken in Church a couple of times. Their ministry is to
reach out to those enslaved in prostitution and abuse and set them free and to walk with them through their restoration. In these unloving circumstances, they are taking the love of the Father to the poor and the broken and helping
them see their true value. shoresofgrace.com offers a lot of information on their ministry.
The third new Partner is the Philadelphia Project. This is the organization where the Youth have gone a number of
times for work projects, spiritual enrichment, and learning about others in the inner city. The Smiths have been led
to reach out in various ways to the community and to bring others into their vision of Gods mission.
2015 will be exciting as we share in the ways God works through these Partners to bring life, love and hope to many
who only know pain, struggles and despair. Your prayer and financial support is greatly appreciated. You may
donate today with the envelopes in the Bulletin or anytime noting your donation for Faith Promise or Missions.

From our
Vision
Team

July Dollar Challenge

Clothing is Julys challenge, and
will be used for UMW Ingathering.
Most needed are socks, underwear and baby clothes.

UMW Upstairs bargain

basement will have collection of items on Wed. & Thur. Aug. 5

th

& 6th. Help is needed to set up on those days from 9 am-4 pm.
Help to tear down is needed Saturday at noon. The sale is Friday,
Aug. 7th 8 am-3 pm & Saturday, Aug. 8th 8 am-12 noon. For information, please contact Linda Drake at (570) 856-9395.
Staff Contact Information Main Office: 570-421-3280
Pastor: Jim Todd
Church Secretary: Maria Ragonese
Congregational Care: Peggy Strack
Music & Worship: Andy Waddell
Youth Ministry: Scott Kuhnle
Childrens Ministry: Pam OBrien
Technology Support: Michael Corey
Finances: Sue Mertz
Financial Secretary: Cyndie Faunce
Maintenance:
Fellowship Hall Kitchen
Church (Inside Breezeway)
Organist: Pauline Fox
Audio-visuals: Joe Dorsch

jtodd@esumc.net
mragonese@esumc.net
pstrack@esumc.net
awaddell@esumc.net
skuhnle@esumc.net
pobrien@esumc.net
mcorey@esumc.net
smertz@esumc.net
cfaunce@esumc.net

1014
1010
1023
1011
1013
1017
1012
1015
1025

foxes@esumc.net
josephdorsch@gmail.com

1030
1031
-------

The Vision Team is

delighted to see that so
many people have
signed up for the prayer
vigil on Sunday, July
12th. Yet we cannot help but think how much more
powerful our prayers woud be if even more people
signed up to pray at the same time in the chapel.
According to God's word, "For where two or three
gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matt
18:20). Whenever we pray together, we experience
a whole new dynamic of Christian fellowship, being
truly united in spirit. God loves when his children
are united in purpose. According to Elisabeth Elliot,
"Prayer lays hold of Gods plan and becomes the
link between His will and its accomplishment on
earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given
the privilege of being the channels of the Holy
Spirits prayer." So if you haven't signed up yet, or if
you feel led to sign up for more time, please join us
as we set aside a special time to come into God's
presence to ask for direction and that he leads us
by and through his Spirit into his perfect will for our
church. As you continue to pray for the Vision
Team this week, think upon these words from
scripture:
Therefore if you have any encouragement from
being united with Christ, if any comfort from his
love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy
complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, not looking to your own interests but
each of you to the interests of the others.
(Phil.2:1-4)
Without your prayers, then our plans are just plans
and nothing more. There is nothing greater than
knowing and experiencing the effect that prayer has
on God's people as they seek to serve Him in every
aspect of life, in even deeper and more profound
ways. Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for us
as we seek God's direction for ESUMC.
In His service,
Cathy Saunders/ Vision Team Member

Blood Drive
A Blood Drive sponsored by the American Red Cross is scheduled for Tuesday,
July 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please visit
www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800 RED-CROSS to schedule an ap appointment.
We also need volunteers to help unload and load the truck for the Red Cross.
We are seeking 2 helpers at 12 noon and 2 helpers at 6pm on July 14 th. Please
contact the church office if you can help.