Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 4

Block PartyThursdays in July 6:00 p.m.7:00 p.m.

Thursday Night Worship


7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.

THE TRUMPET CALL


July 17, 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

Sunday Movie: Secondhand Lions 6:30pm

Skype With Debi Nixon


You are invited to participate in a Skype
session with Debi Nixon from the Church of
the Resurrection on Wednesday, July 20 at
6:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Debi and Rev. Adam Hamilton developed
the CATCH church wide program for invitational evangelism.
This will be an interactive session in which Debi will answer
our questions and share her expertise to help us as we seek
to reach out to the least, the last, and the lost within our
community. We are called to cast our nets wide and fish for
the people of our community!
Please come!

Pastoral Corner - Stephen Ministry Sunday


July 17th is Stephen Ministry Sunday, a time to celebrate 10 years of being a Stephen
Ministry congregation! In April of 2006, Jenni Poole and I went to St. Louis for a week of
training to learn how to set up and lead a Stephen Ministry program at our church. Our
church leaders had caught the vision for becoming part of this organized system of lay
caring ministry and had provided the financial resources to make it a reality! In
subsequent years, Linda Johnson, Sharon Hachtman, Kathy Ravago, Flossie Coogan,
and Randy Ravago also attended week long training sessions to become Stephen
Leaders. Karen Todd will be attending a Leaders Training Conference in Pittsburgh later

this month!
Stephen Ministry was started in 1975 by Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who was called
by God to become a Lutheran pastor. When serving in his first church, he quickly realized that he did not
have enough hours in the day to provide all the caring ministry that was needed in his church. He drew
upon his psychology background and began training lay volunteers from his church in the skills of being
good listeners, the importance of maintaining confidentiality in relationships, the need to refrain from giving
advice to hurting people, and how to utilize Christian resources. This lay system of caring was so effective
in his church, that soon other pastors were asking Dr. Haugk to train folks from their congregations
Stephen Ministries St. Louis was born! Stephen Ministry is a trans-denominational organization that is
distinctively Christian. Stephen Ministry is active in Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches in every
state and many foreign countries. We were the first church in the Poconos to become a Stephen Ministry
congregation. Several years ago Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church also became a Stephen Ministry
congregation.
Over the last 10 years, our leadership team has trained 45 people from our congregation to become
Stephen Ministers. These Stephen Ministers have provided one-on-one caring ministry to 124 people in
(Continued on page 2)

(Continued from page 1)

our church and community who have benefitted from their Christ-centered
care. Stephen Ministers are not therapists or counsellors. They are
Christian people who have experienced Gods curative love in their own
lives during times of suffering and desire to share that love with
others. Stephen Ministers are caregivers. God is the curegiver!
In September, the Stephen Ministry leaders will begin training a new class
of Stephen Ministers to join the team. We invite you to celebrate 10 years
of Stephen Ministry at ESUMC this Sunday as many Stephen Ministers
participate in leading worship!
Blessings,
Peggy Strack

Read the Bible in a Year

This week we are reading the Book of Romans.


This is one of Pauls thirteen epistles (written
messages or letters) to the different churches and
individuals that he met on his three missionary journeys. The letter to the
Romans stands as one of the clearest and most organized reports of
Christian doctrine that we find in Scripture. I believe the primary theme is
the revelation of Gods righteousness and His plan for salvation. It also
provides a strong case for the importance of this book in the everyday
lives of us all. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of
God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to
the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to
faith; as it is written, But the righteous man shall live by faith.
(Romans 1:1617). Over and over, as we read through Romans, we
discover how this book helps answer our dilemmas of how we can apply
these words of scripture personally.
I remember some time ago shopping for a car at a dealership in
Bethlehem. There was a man there who caught my eye as he pressed
his face and hands against the showroom window. He then moved about
the new cars in the lot, kicking the tires of many as he walked by. (I never
have understood the point of that!). Occasionally he stopped in front of a
car, lifted up the hood, and banged on the fenders with his hand. Going
down the row he repeated the process again and again. I finally asked
one of the salesmen, Who is that guy? He responded, Hes a wheelkicker. He comes here a lot, but can never decide if he really wants to
buy a car.
When it comes to how we can grow in our faith, I believe that Pauls
letter to the Romans is very important for all of us. But we may struggle to
understand these words of scripture. What do we believe? What is the
price to make a commitment? Maybe were just out there kicking the
tires, wondering if the cost is too great! The truth is, Jesus has already
made the purchase for us. He has paid the price.
I embrace the words and promises of Romans Chapter 5 where Paul
writes Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained
access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in
the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
My friends, keep driving through the pages of Romans. God will steer
us truly. Ask Him to reveal what you need to learn, and to direct your path
to respond to His calling.
So my friends be encouraged and read on.
2
Pastor Bob

Stephen Ministry
Celebrating 10 Years!
My care receiver and I have
developed a deep spiritually-based
friendship with each other. I have
seen God at work in our caring
relationship as my care receiver
works through her concerns. I
know my care receiver has grown
spiritually during our time together,
and I have grown as well. I have
trouble putting into words how
absolutely fulfilling this ministry has
been to me.
Are you going through a difficult
time? Would you benefit from the
care of a Stephen Minister? Is
God calling you to begin training in
September to become a Stephen
Minister?
Contact Peggy Strack, 570-4213280, ext. 1023.
Members of ESUMC who are no

longer able to attend church enjoy


hearing from you! Cards may be sent
to:
June Nicholson
Chandler Estates 1569 Teels Road
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
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.

ESUMC Junior High Youth Local Mission Event

We are in need of a counter.

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.

ATTENTION GRADUATES OF HIGH


SCHOOL OR COLLEGE: If you are

pursing or "think" God is leading you into


Ministry a.k.a. pastoral, missions, ESUMC
has a scholarship fund that might be able
to assist you in your financial situation. It
is called the Oberholtzer Scholarship
Fund. For further information on this
Scholarship, please contact the church
office for an application and further details.

Read the Bible in a Year

196Amos 1, Amos 2, Romans 2:17-29,


Romans 3:1-8, Proverbs 17:5-14
197Amos 3, Amos 4, Romans 3:9-31,
Psalm 85:8-13
198Amos 5, Romans 4:1-15, Psalm 86:1-10
199Amos 6, Amos 7, Romans 4:16-25,
Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 86:11-17
200Amos 8, Amos 9, Romans 5:12-21,
Proverbs 17:15-24
201Hosea 1, Hosea 2, Romans 6:1-14,
Psalm 87:1-7
202Hosea 3, Hosea 4, Hosea 5,
Romans 6:15-23, Romans 7:1-6, Psalm 88:1-9
203Hosea 6, Hosea 7, Romans 7:7-25,
Psalm 88:9-19
204Hosea 8, Hosea 9, Romans 8:1-17,
Proverbs 17:25-28, Proverbs 18:1-6
205Hosea 10, Hosea 11, Romans 8:18-39,
Psalm 89:1-8
206Hosea 11, Hosea 12, Hosea 13,
Hosea 14, Romans 9:1-21, Psalm 89:9-13
2071 Chronicles 1, 1 Chronicles 2:1-17,
Romans 9:22-33, Romans 10:1-4,
Psalm 89:14-18

Christian Overcomers at Spruce Lake Resort


The youth helped prepare and server the Community Meal, volunteered
at Christian Overcomers, performed outreach in downtown Stroudsburg
and East Stroudsburg, served donuts and coffee to Westgate & Milford
Manor residents, and will volunteer at the block party.
The youth are focusing on The Great Commission of Acts, Chapter
1: Jesus says to his disciples you will be my witnesses to Jerusalem,
Judea, Samaria and to THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. How can we as
disciples fulfill this great commission??
Thank you all who donated to help the homeless.
Our team, "In Their Shoes" raised $300.00. You
helped us exceed our goal. Candace and I gained
an experience that we will not soon forget.
After our soup kitchen meal we took part in an
exercise that had us pawning our valuables. We felt
what it was like to tell our "family" we were required
to take in money for parties and supplies for school.
When our "family" had little, even $3.00 caused
stress. Arrogantly, I thought the walk back to "camp"
would be pleasant, God decided to blast the area
with rain. I was soaked and cold, wishing for dry clothes.
We think we know the homeless issues, but listening to those who live it,
was eye opening. Over 280 people are currently homeless in Monroe
County. There are less than 120 beds for them. Those Candace and I
worked with wanted us to educate others about the issues facing the
homeless and those who work with them. It will be our honor to do just
that.
Our homeless friends asked us to spread the word that those people we
see panhandling around town are NOT homeless. Our friends
encouraged use to ask everyone not to give money to them. In fact, we
were told the panhandlers give the real homeless a bad name!
Thank you all again,Candace and I cannot see who donated to us, so
we can't thank you individually. We were overwhelmed to see the
amount of support. God is good.
Sincerely, Gloria Ladlee
Ask yourself before you speak or act, "will it help?"
3

Events

Contact Us

Many thanks to all who attended the Organ Concert last


week and welcomed our many community guests, and to
Linda Drake with the United Methodist Women and all
who provided hospitality at the reception. The Benefit
donations for Family Promise were very generous, and
deeply appreciated.
The next Organ Concert is September 25, with
Christopher Johnson from Riverside Church in New York City, in
ensembles with Joe Dorsch, Pauline Fox, and Wendy Wilson.
Also on September 25 will be our annual Fine Art Exhibit, coordinated by
Liz Green.

ATTENTION GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE:

If you are pursing or "think" God is leading you into Ministry a.k.a. pastoral,
missions, ESUMC has a scholarship fund that might be able to assist you
in your financial situation. It is called the Oberholtzer Scholarship Fund.
For further information on this Scholarship, please contact the church
office for an application and further details.

SUMMER DISCIPLESHIP CLASS

Andy Stanley: Recovery Road Sunday, 9:45 a.m.


Location: Conference Room in the office building Facilitator: Tim Malefyt

Chair Zumba class will be on 7/29 instead of 8/5.


Saturday Night Fellowship Dinner Cancelled on July 16th

Jesus Goes to Hollywood


Finding God in the Movies
Sundays 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
July 17th - Secondhand Lions

Rummage SaleDrop off and set-up on August 3rd & 4th 9-4
Sale Friday, August 5th 9-4 and Saturday August 6th 9-12.

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)


Keep It Simple

Scan QR to ESUMC Website

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church


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

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

UMW
July Dollar Challenge is clothing items for the
Ingathering. Place in UMW Donation Bin in
Oberholtzer Hall.

AA: Thursday & Saturday 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

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

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

You might also like