THE TRUMPET CALL

May 15, 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

Sunday Services and Studies

Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am
Sunday School 9:45 am

The $20 Challenge

offerings are due back
this Sunday, May 15.
Baskets will receive your
offerings at the Altar
railing, in a separate
collection, following the
regular offering. Please
use the envelopes you
were provided with the original $20, and if you've misplaced
yours, please find extras around the church.
Please tell your story!
Thanks to all who participated!

Pastors Corner
Sometimes we throw around "churchy" words and language assuming that everyone
knows what we're talking about. In an increasingly secularized culture, we can't assume
that people outside the church or even those inside the church for a brief period would
have any idea what we're talking about. Just because I'm excited about this Sunday being
Pentecost doesn't mean that most people even know what that is. Also, I need to
remember that even though I've been immersed in theological education for 35+ years, it
doesn't mean that I can't still learn many things. Humility is called for all the way around!
For instance, I didn't know until I did a little research, that whereas in the western church tradition
(including Roman Catholics and Protestants), Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church, in the
eastern orthodox traditions, it is not. Why? Because in those traditions, the church of God has always
existed, even before the earthly appearance of Jesus. We United Methodists believe that when the
tongues of fire came down from heaven, showing forth the coming of the Holy Spirit, the church was
inaugurated here on earth, and hence we celebrate its birthday on Pentecost.
Many Christians know the story from Acts 2 about the Holy Spirit descending on the gathering of believers
and that they spoke in other tongues, but did you know that Pentecost was also a "holy day" in the Old
Testament? The word "Pentecost" means 50 days in the Greek language, meaning the days between
Easter and the day Pentecost is celebrated. In Hebrew, the word is "Shavuot," and this was a harvest
celebration called the "Feast of Weeks." More than that, it was the day the Jewish people believe Moses
received the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. Jewish legend also had it that King David was born as well
as died on this particular day. I believe it is no coincidence that in Peter's first sermon on the Day of
(Continued on page 2)

(Continued from page 1)

Pentecost he uttered these words: Fellow Israelites, I may say to you

confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and
his tomb is with us to this day" (Acts 2:29). Peter linked the life, death
and ascension of Jesus to King David's death, burial and hope of
immortality. Pentecost reminds us that though Jesus ascended into
heaven, God did not leave us orphaned; the Holy Spirit is always with us!
Red is the liturgical color for Pentecost Day, and you are invited to wear
something red to church this Sunday as part of your Pentecost
celebration. Of course, I hope you will also bring your $20 Challenge
envelopes back as we celebrate what the Holy Spirit has done among us
these past nine weeks through the Challenge. Get ready for Spirit-filled
worship on Sunday!
Blessings,

Pastor Jim

Stephen Ministry
In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John we find
Jesus back in Jerusalem at an unspecified feast.
He visits the pool at Bethesda (at the northeast
corner of the city) where people with various
illnesses have gathered to seek healing. Now in
many of the healing stories of the Bible, we often
see Jesus using our physical illnesses to address
our spiritual condition.
In this situation Jesus takes the initiative and approaches a man who
has been ill for thirty-eight years. It is the mans daily practice to lie at the
poolside and beg others to carry him into the pool. According to tradition,
healing properties of the water were released when bubbles appeared
from angels stirring the water. So Jesus, who knows this mans true
condition, asks him this question: Do you want to get well? Perhaps
what is also implied is this: Do you really want to change, or do you just
want to remain where you are and stay in your current state?
Now one thing I know about Jesus is that he knows our hearts. He
can hear what were saying, but he also knows whats happening down
deep inside. And he knows our excuses: Im too old, Im too young, Im
too busy, I cant afford to. You name it; the excuses go on and on. And
like the man at Bethesda, over time we learn to become comfortable in
our current state. It becomes the accepted norm.
As we read on we see that Jesus tells the man, Get up, pick up your
mat and walk. Now in the Greek - the verb for get up indicates that the
healing took place through his faith action of rising out of his comfortable
place and making the effort to move forward.
There are always two parts to a miracle - divine intervention and faith
action. I believe we all have a part to play by acting on Gods directive.
Jesus asks us the same question that he asked the man: Do you want to
get well? Do we really want to change or do we just want to remain
where we are and stay in our current state? So how will we change, how
can we grow deeper in our walk of faith? I believe we can find Gods
directives in so many places - through prayer, reading the Bible,
corporate worship and being part of the community of believers.
So my friends read on.

Be An Encourager!

In 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul writes,

Therefore encourage one another
and build each other up.
Encourage the timid, help the
weak, be patient with everyone.
God has called us all to build up
and encourage one another. For
those who are experiencing a
really difficult time, our Stephen
Ministers can provide the special
encouragement, care, and support
that is needed. If you would like
more information about Stephen
Ministry for yourself or someone
else, contact Peggy Strack at 570421-3280, ext. 1023.
Members of the ESUMC family who
are no longer able to attend services
always appreciate hearing from you.
Cards may be sent to:
Joyce Keiper
1244 Sylvan Lane
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
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.
Healthcare Equipment available:
Canes, crutches, walkers, adult potty
chairs, shower stools, Depends and more!
Contact Peggy, 570-421-3280, ext. 1023.

Pastor Bob Hachtman

2

We are in need of a counter.

May Dollar Challenge is paper products for

VBS. Needed-napkins, 9 ounce cups, clear
plastic cups, paper towels , small and large paper
plates.

Two counters meet Monday mornings

from about 9-11 a.m., and work with the
Financial Secretary to count the gifts.
Job Requirements: Honest , good with
basic math skills, ability to maintain
privacy and confidentiality, and able to
commit to this job on a weekly basis.
If interested, contact the office at
(570) 421-3280, ext. 1025.

Data Entry Person needed to

enter attendance card data each week.

May be done at home or at the church.
Cards can be picked up on Tuesday.
Task takes no more than 30 minutes per
week. Training provided. Contact Kathy
Hinkey, (570) 236-8183 if interested.

Save the Date - We will have an

intergenerational mission event on
Saturday, September 24.

Please pray for the youth and

chaperones on the Senior High
retreat this weekend.
Read the Bible in a Year

132Judges 14, Judges 15, John 7:14-44,

Proverbs 11:29-31, Proverbs 12:1-7
133Judges 16, Judges 17, John 7:45-53,
John 8:1-11, Psalm 60:1-4
134Judges 18, Judges 19, John 8:12-30,
Psalm 60:5-12
135Judges 20, Judges 21, John 8:31-59,
Psalm 61:1-8
136Ruth 1, Ruth 2, John 9:1-34,
Proverbs 12:8-17
137Ruth 3, Ruth 4, John 9:35-41,
John 10:1-21, Psalm 62:1-12
1381 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 2:1-26,
John 10:22-42, Psalm 63:1-11
1391 Samuel 2:27-36, 1 Samuel 3, 1 ,
Samuel 4, John 11:1-44, Psalm 64:1-10
1401 Samuel 5, 1 Samuel 6, 1 Samuel 7,
John 11:45-57, John 12:1-11,
Proverbs 12:18-27
1411 Samuel 8, 1 Samuel 9,
1 Samuel 10:1-8, John 12:12-26,
Psalm 65:1-13
1421 Samuel 10:9-27, 1 Samuel 11,
1 Samuel 12, John 12:37-50, John 13:1-17,
Psalm 66:1-12
1431 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 14:1-23,
John 13:18-38, Psalm 66:13-20

Whether you walked, donated, prayed for good weather or continued

your year-round support, WE THANK YOU! The Toms Trekies 2016
Walk was a new venture. Some hearty soles walked to ESU and
back in the drizzle while other soles trekked around inside
Fellowship and Oberholtzer Halls. Your support is deeply appreciated
by our family. We will keep you posted on the final amount raised for
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society over $1,350 to date!

The Wellness Committee announces some SAVE THE DATE

fun/fitness activities:
June 4th - Bike Ride to Lehigh Gorge State Park, Jim Thorp PA
(10 MILES) leave church 9:00 am and August 6th - Bike Ride Lehigh
Towpath near Easton - leave church 9:00 am
July 23rd (rain date July 30th) kayaking with Roseann - details to
be announced.
--- Contact Ray Moeller or Darleen Mostellar (570) 460-9160 for more
information.

Fun & FellowshipSave the Date

CarnivalSaturday, June 25th
Save the date for VBS
Coming June 20-24 from 9-12
To register go to link below:
http://www.esumc.net/vacation-bible

Events

Contact Us

Save dates to enjoy Organ Series concerts:

July 10 Variety of styles with Joe Dorsch and professional

guest singers Nicole Snyder Rideout and Vale Rideout, with
Offering to benefit Family Promise
September 25 Ensembles with Christopher Johnson, Organist at
Riverside Church in New York, Joe Dorsch, and Pauline Fox
Both events are at 3:00 p.m., free and public.

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

SWAT Meeting: We always try to schedule SWAT on the fourth

Monday of the month, as we do this month, May 23, at 9:00 a.m. Thanks
to all who committed to this worthwhile work around our Church. We will
be painting upstairs in the office building. See you on the 23rd at 9:00 a.m.
in the conference room

Secretary
Maria Ragonese
mragonese@esumc.net
Ext. 1010

The next hike will be on Sunday, May

22nd. Please meet at 12:15 in the parking
lot. We leave at 12:30 SHARP. (note new
times). Please pencil in above date and
commit to this very worthwhile activity.
Any questions,
call Bob at (570) 223-7076..

Congregational Care
Peggy Strack
pstrack@esumc.net
Ext. 1023
Youth Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013

Cancer patients need your help to get to

treatment. The American Cancer Society
needs volunteers to drive cancer patients in our
community to and from their treatment appointments. To learn more
about how you can get involved and help make a difference in
someones life, call the American Cancer Society at

Childrens Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017

New Church Directories

Remember Your Appointment

Financial Secretary
Cyndie Faunce
cfaunce@esumc.net
Ext. 1025

A photographer from Re:Member Church Directories will be here to

take your photograph for a new church directory during the weeks of
May 16-21 and May 23-28. If you are photographed for the directory,
you will receive a FREE 8X10 portrait and a free copy of the directory. You will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits if desired. Please help us draw our church family closer!
Recovery Meetings Available in The Community Room of Office
Building Basement
NA: 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: 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

Finances
Sue Mertz
smertz@esumc.net
Ext. 1015

Maintenance
William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
SextonJude Porter
jporter@esumc.net
Organist/Traditional Music
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net
Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com
Technology Support
Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net