THE TRUMPET CALL

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

Our Vision

December 11, 2016

THIS EVENING IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

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
Discipleship Groups 9:45 am

Pastors Corner
This past Tuesday night, I was to make a presentation to our Stephen Ministers about
sadness and grief during the holidays. Because of the snowfall on Tuesday evening, the
Stephen Ministers meeting was cancelled as were two other events at church. I was sorry
not to have had the opportunity to share some learnings with the Stephen Ministers, but that
gives me the chance to share them in a nutshell with all of you.
Last year, I participated in a Blue Christmas service at Cherry Lane UMC on the longest
night of the year, the Winter Solstice of December 21. That night was deliberately chosen,
because it symbolizes the darkness that many people feel this time of year as they reflect on
the loss of loved ones, especially when those losses occur near the holidays. Our own family is not immune.
Next week on December 12 and 13 respectively, we will remember Karen's father, Ralph, who passed away in
2008, and our sister-in-law, Shelley, who passed away in 2004. Perhaps you can remember a significant loss
in your own family at this time of year. It doesn't even need to be a passing during December; we acutely feel
the loss of any loved one when Christmas comes and he or she is not here with us.
The Blue Christmas service was put together specifically for those who have suffered loss, whether recent or
long ago, who continue to struggle with pain and grief. The service acknowledges that grief, while at the same
time helping loved ones to find some measure of healing and hope. In his book, Where is God When it
Hurts? author Philip Yancey shares that when pain is acute for someone, there are four frontiers of recovery
which must be addressed in order for that person to move forward. The first is fear. People may fear the
unknown, such as how will they live out their lives when a husband or wife, father, mother, or child is suddenly
gone from their lives. Helplessness is another frontier. They need to find resources in order to cope, as they
realize they can't walk through the valley alone. Third, they must regain a sense of meaning in their lives after
their loved one has passed. Fourth, they must regain hope for the future and believe that there is purpose for
(Continued on page 2)

(Continued from page 1)

them to keep living.

These are important considerations when we are close to someone

going through grief after the death of a loved one. Yancey says that there
is no perfect thing to say to someone who is grieving, and that even a
PhD in human behavior is no more qualified than you or me to help
someone. The most important thing we can do is to offer the gift of
presence. Oftentimes, simply being with someone and listening is the
very best we can possibly do. That is why I love our Stephen Ministers
so much; they are trained to listen.
I invite you to this year's Blue Christmas service which will take place
again at Cherry Lane UMC. It will be a week earlier, on December 14, at
6:30 pm, and I will be participating. If you are grieving, know of someone
who is, or are simply curious about what this service is about, I
encourage you to come. If we have enough people interested in going, I
will take one of our church vans next Wednesday night to Cherry Lane.
Please meet in the parking lot of ESUMC by 6:00 pm. It's best to call the
church office and let me know you are coming. I invite each of us to think
of those who are grieving this time of year and to reach out with the gift
of presence. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those
whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18
Pastor Jim

Read the Bible in a Year

(Psalm 28:7)

Are you in a time right now where

singing Joy to The World seems impossible? Whatever your trial, Jesus
has not forsaken you. May your joy be
renewed as you rest in His love. And
pray: Is this the time for you to accept
a Stephen Minister?
For more info visit our web page
http://www.esumc.net/stephen-ministry/
Or callPeggy Strack
(570) 421-3280 Ext 1023

Please Help Us!

Out of the one hundred and fifty Psalms in our Bible, I believe
Psalm 139 is the one that best describes Gods personal
relationship with us. It carries the idea that God is not far off, but
rather He is near to each one of us. You have searched me,
Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you
perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord,
know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4) We have self-will. We can make our own
choices, but do we know that God is always near us?
A friend of mine who works as a translator in China shared this story with me.
One day a man was swimming in a river. He got a cramp in his leg and began to
sink. Mr. Nee, the camp coordinator, couldnt swim. He motioned to one of the
other men, an excellent swimmer, to help the drowning man. To Mr. Nees
astonishment, the man did not move. He just stood there and watched the
drowning man struggle.
Now Mr. Nee was very upset, and said a few choice words in Chinese.
Meanwhile, the voice of the drowning man grew fainter and more desperate. Mr.
Nee could not understand why the man on the shore did not jump into the river.
But as the drowning man went under for what looked like the last time, the
swimmer was there in a flash, and soon both were safely on shore.
After the rescue, Mr. Nee chewed out the rescuer, accusing him of loving his
life too much and being selfish. The response of the swimmer however, revealed
he knew what he was doing. He told him that if he had gone too soon, the
drowning man would have put a death grip on him and they would have both
drowned. He told Mr. Nee that a drowning man cannot be saved until he is
utterly exhausted and ceases to make the slightest effort to save himself.
Such is the case with our walk of faith. Through developing spiritual
disciplines of prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, etc. before we get into the
deep waters, we become so much better equipped to surrender when we are
overwhelmed. Our rescuer stands by to save us from deep crises that threaten
to drown us, awaiting only our surrender. My prayer is that we can Let Go and
Let God.
So my friends be encouraged and read on.
Pastor Bob

The Lord is my strength and my

shield; my heart trusts in him, and I
am helped. My heart leaps for JOY;
and I will give thanks to him in
song

Pastor Jim, Sharon Gerberich,

Ana Price, Sonia Lopez, Bob
Rosenberger and Peggy Strack have
been faithfully providing daily visitation
coverage to Pocono Medical Center
for church members who have been
hospitalized. We now have a second
hospital in Monroe County as St.
Lukes has recently opened their
facility on Route 611. We will not be
able to go to both hospitals to check
their rosters. If you or a member of
your family is admitted to ANY
hospital, please notify the church
office, 570-421-3280. We are happy
to visit, if we are informed! Thank you

Cards for Ashley

Ashley Terwilliger is a young wife and
mother whose family has been
attending ESUMC. Ashley is awaiting
a double lung transplant at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Please send cards of encouragement
to

Ashley Terwilliger
15 Smith Street
East Stroudsburg, Pa. 18301.
Thank you!

December Dollar
Challenge will be hats,
gloves, scarves and socks
for Community Meal
distribution in January. As usual, all may
be purchased at Dollar Tree. Thanks to all
who have made the Dollar Challenge a

Children Dismissed from the 10:45 Contemporary Service

To meet in the Youth Room for Class

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!

JUMP
Jesus Understands Me
Jump into who God created

Ushers/Greeters Needed for

Christmas Eve Services
Please consider volunteering as a single,
couple or family to serve on Dec. 24th for
one of the services at 4, 7 or 10
pm. Contact Kathy Hinkey at
k_hinkey@hotmail.com or 570.236.8183.

Read the Bible in a Year

343Zechariah 9, Zechariah 10,

Zechariah 11, Revelation 1,
Psalm 140:1-5
344Zechariah 12, Zechariah 13,
Zechariah 14, Revelation 2:1-17,
Proverbs 30:1-10
345Esther 1, Esther 2:1-18,
Revelation 2:18-29, Revelation 3:1-6,
Psalm 140:6-13
346Esther 2:19-23, Esther 3, Esther 4,
Esther 5, Revelation 3:7-22,
Psalm 141:1-10
347Esther 6, Esther 7, Esther 8,
Revelation 4, Psalm 142:1-11
348Esther 9, Esther 10, Revelation 5,
Proverbs 30:11-23
349Malachi 1, Malachi 2:1-16,
Revelation 6, Psalm 143:1-12
350Malachi 2:17, Malachi 3, Malachi 4,
Revelation 7, Psalm 144:1-8
351Ezra 1, Ezra 2:1-67, Revelation 8,
Revelation 9:1-12, Psalm 144:9-15
352Ezra 2:68-70, Ezra 3, Ezra 4:1-5,
Revelation 9:13-21, Revelation 10,
Proverbs 30:24-33
353Ezra 4:6-24, Ezra 5, Revelation 11,
Psalm 145:1-7
354Ezra 6, Ezra 7:1-10, Revelation 12,
Revelation 13:1, Psalm 145:8-13

Annual Christmas Party is December 14 (snow date

December 21), 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall.
Please bring a favorite Christmas dish to share. Ham will be
provided. Please call and tell me what you are bringing. You dont
want all desserts or do you?
The sharing gift is scarves and socks, which Ana needs for
Christmas gifts to the homeless members of our community. We can
support them.
For our game, bring 2 or 3 small items for prizes.
I hope to see everyone there.
Thanks, Erma 570-421-1422

Christmas Services
December 24, 2016

4:00 p.m.Childrens Service

7:00 p.m.Family Service
10:00 p.m.Candlelight Service

Events

Christmas Carols in Oberholtzer Hall balcony on

Sunday December 18, 9:30-9:40 and 10:35-10:45.
Inviting all wind and string players from grade 5 through
adult. Must have experience in a school band, orchestra,
or other ensemble. For easy music and time to review, contact Pauline
Fox at foxes@esumc.net

Pocono Connexion events for this weekend

Faith UMC

Saturday, December 10, 2016 5:00 PM 7:00 PM

Drive Thru Bethlehem (church parking lot)
A drive thru living nativity (rain/snow date 12/11)
Collection (at the tax collector/census station
of financial donations to benefit Pocono Alliance
Charitable Energy Fund and collection of
non-perishables to benefit the Christ Episcopal
Church Food Pantry

East Stroudsburg UMC

Sunday, December 11, 2016 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

A Night in Bethlehem
A free family event .
There will be no SWAT for the month of
December. Enjoy your holidays and thank you
for your support this year.
Bill

Cub Scout Pack 103 sponsored by ESUMC

Pack MeetingSecond Wednesday of Month 6:30 p.m.
Wolf DenMondays at 67:00 P.M.
Bear DenTuesdays at 68:00 P.M. (except 2nd Tue.)
Tiger DenWednesdays at 68:00 P.M. (except 2nd Wed. )
Webelos I & II DensFridays at 68:00 P.M.
Den Meetings in Community RoomPack Meeting in Youth Room.
For more info call Cub masterMike Greene (973) 229-5641
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

Contact Us
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
Church Administrator
Jill Teaford
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
Secretary
Maria Ragonese
mragonese@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
Congregational Care
Peggy Strack
pstrack@esumc.net
Ext. 1023
Student Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Childrens Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Financial Secretary
Cyndie Faunce
cfaunce@esumc.net
Ext. 1025
Maintenance
William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
SextonsJude Porter
jporter@esumc.net
Kenny Fenston
fenstonkenny@yahoo.com
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
Ext. 1012