THE TRUMPET CALL

November 8, 2015

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

Our Vision

INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:

To challenge and encourage everyone in our congregation to know

and follow Christ by:

Stephen Ministry

Youth Praise Band

Thanks

College Care

Growing as disciples through Christs teachings

Connecting with one another in Christian community
Serving Christ by serving others
Praising God as we worship Christ

Youth Program

4&6

Sunday Services

Calendar

Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am

Staff Directory

Sunday School/Discipleship Classes 9:45 am

Pastors Corner
This Sunday, November 8, we will present our commitment cards in
worship in both services. Over the past several weeks, you should
have received two mailings from the church. Each contained letters
from Robin Braun, who chairs our stewardship program this year. The
first letter contained a one page commitment card to indicate the areas
of interest you have in serving in the church and the community. This
was also part of the second mailing so that both husbands and wives
could fill out separate cards, and we have more available for pick up in
Oberholtzer Hall and the Narthex behind the Sanctuary.

In the second mailing, there was also a smaller financial commitment

card. On that, we are invited to indicate our expected financial giving
for 2016. It has a tear-off feature on the side to help you remember
your pledge to the church. Your Ministry Placement and Stewardship
Team (MPST) sees this pledge primarily as an act of faith and part of
your personal covenant with God. Therefore, these pledges will go
directly to our Financial Secretary, Cyndie Faunce, without passing
through other hands (and past other eyes!). Secondly, this means that
what we write on our cards is our best faith estimate of our giving for
the following year. We will all certainly strive to keep our commitments,
but if there is a downturn in our household incomes, the church will
never require a person or family to give the full amount committed.
Continued on page 2

Pastor Jim Todd

Pastors Corner cont.

One of the great things for me as your pastor has been to see the
joy on peoples faces as they bring their commitments forward. It
truly is a sacred moment in the worship service, and our
congregation has made this an important annual tradition. Thank
you for both the seriousness and the joy with which you approach
this annual opportunity!
In preparation for the bringing of our commitments forward, we will
take a brief look back at the past four Sunday themes, which are
also the building blocks of our churchs vision: Grow, Connect,
Serve, and Praise. May God prepare all of our hearts for these
special services!
Switching gears for a moment: though it has not been widely
advertised, I am offering a weekday Bible study on the Epistle of
James in the New Testament. It meets every Wednesday for the
next three weeks in the Bridal Lounge next to Oberholtzer Hall,
from 3:00 -4:15 pm. It was important to have it during daylight
hours for those who had expressed interest in the study. This past
Wednesday was our first study, and we looked at the background
and authorship of James. Over the next three Wednesdays, well
get into the book itself and look at each of the five chapters. If you
have time free on Wednesday afternoons, you are cordially invited
to come and join the eight who are a part of the study!
On Saturday, November 21, our church will be hosting a Safe
Sanctuary training for all persons wanting/needing more
information on working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
In light of changes in PA state law related to the Sandusky scandal
of a few years ago, it is important that all persons working with the
young and most vulnerable receive updated information. We have
invited persons from the eight other churches in our Mission
Connexion to come for this important training, and wed like to have
a good representation from our own church as well. It will take only
two hours of your time, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Please spread the
word!
Special words of thanks go to Liz Green and Kelli Oney for their
work in putting together the Information Fair last Sunday. Also, I
want to thank Robin Braun and all of the members of the MPST for
the hard work on this years commitment campaign. Finally, a
special word of thanks to Scott Kuhnle for his excellent sermon on
November 1, looking at the heart of Christian service. Ill see you
this Sunday!
Pastor Jim Todd (jtodd@esumc.net)

Photo Caption
Stephen Ministry

The Lord is good, a refuge

in times of trouble. He cares
for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7
God cares for us in many ways
during our times of trial. He
speaks through the Holy Scriptures, His still small voice comforts, He sends members of the
family of God to walk beside us.
Stephen Ministers are trained to
be Gods representatives to
those who are hurting. If you
would like further in formation
about Stephen Ministry for yourself or someone you love, contact Peggy Strack, 570-421-3280,
ext. 1023.
Members of ESUMC who are no
longer able to attend church, always enjoy hearing from
you! Cards and notes of encouragement may be sent to:
Tom Hinkey
348 Jade Ave.
East Stroudsburg, PA
18301
Hearing Assistance
Devices are Here!

Giving is a spiritual issue, reflecting our

beliefs and priorities. As we become
more intentional about giving of our time
and money, past habits lose their grip.
We can become more generous and it
feels good. We become cheerful givers and we participate in
changing lives for God.

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.
Information about Beverly Beck is
available in the e-blast this week.

Volunteer Opportunities
Youth Praise Band
We all have something to
offer. The Bible talks
about the parts of the
body and their differing
functions, and it draws a
parallel for members of
Christs church. It takes
all of us working in
concert for the church to
be as effective as it can
be changing lives for
God - and we ARE
changing lives!

From The
Finance
Secretary
Envelope orders for 2016
will be placed on Nov. 17.
If you want envelopes
and do not currently
receive them, call Cyndie
(x1025) or e-Mail
(cfaunce@esumc.net)If
you currently receive
envelopes and no longer
need them, please call or
e-Mail Cyndie.

Junior Church
We need 2 volunteers
each week.
It begins about 11 a.m.
when the children age 4
through grade 3 are
dismissed from the
Contemporary Service
and concludes at the end
of the service.

Doug Malefyt--director of contemporary worship, has agreed to work

with any youth who have an interest in singing or playing an instrument
in the youth praise band.
All levels are welcome, and we will start practicing and getting together
in a few weeks!
Practices will be on Wednesday evenings, typically twice a month. The
best part is that Youth Praise band will be practicing right before the
Adult Praise Team's practice time. This will allow for other adult leaders
to help as needed with the youth praise band.
Our first meeting will be Wednesday November 18th, from 6:00 7:00pm. If you are even considering it, come on out to the first meeting
to learn more and/or ask questions.
The next two practices will be Wed December 9th and Wed Dec 16th,
also from 6:00 - 7:00pm. If you would like to participate--please send
an email to myself or to Doug Malefyt (Doug.Malefyt@effem.com)

Thanks
On behalf of the Christian Overcomers I would like to thank
the following people for there tireless service to the disabled community. Bruce and Linda Johnson, Linda Drake and Robin and Pat
Braun spent many days at camp being friends to some people that
really need the love of God in their lives. The Overcomer's organization is very appreciative for the volunteer service these folks perform. Also, the talents of the Joyful noises were there to lift the spirits of not only the campers but also the volunteers and all the staff
that came to hear them sing. Bob, Pete, Doug and Tom were bringing joy to people that never get to watch talent like this upfront and
personal. The smiles on the audience were amazing and a big
thanks to these guys. Once again.....A big " Thank You "to all who
helped out at those many camps. It was very much appreciated !!
Peace and blessings to all,
Dennis Wilkens

Material will be provided

to conduct Childrens
Church.
Please pray and think
about volunteering for
this important ministry.

Thanks to Liz Green and Kelli Oney for organizing the stewardship
information event. Thanks also to all who manned the tables and
those who attended. - R Braun
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College Care Packages

Do you have a college student in the family?
Did you know that someone attending a Thursday Community
Cookout during the summer made
a commitment to Christ in our
prayer tent at that event? We are
God's hands and feet changing
lives.

Volunteer
Opportunities
Counter
We are in need of a counter, now
that Gertrude Blitz has moved to
Nevada.
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.
Of course you may take vacation!

Blood Drive
th

November 10 . 1 pm 6pm.
Need volunteers to help unload
and load truck around Noon and
then again at 6pm when drive is
over.

Bell Choir

The Bell Choir

is delighted to have a
director again! Chris Perfetti will
lead rehearsals for youth and
adult ringers together
every Tuesday at 6:30-7:30
p.m. in the Bell Room. New
ringers are invited to contact
Pauline Fox.

UMW

All women of the church are

invited to all UMW meetings and
events. November 10th will be
the Thank Offering meeting at 9
AM in the Bridal
Lounge. December 11th will be
set up for Breakfast with St
Nicholas which is December 12.
Hope to see many of you .
Questions contact Linda Drake at
570-856-9395.

We are getting ready to send out our traditional care packages to

our college kids from the church family. Please send an updated
address to the church office by next Sunday November 8 so
we don't miss anyone!
If you have leftover goodies from Trick or Treat, we'll take them!
Traditionally, we send items such as chap stick, gum, mints,
granola bars, popcorn, gift cards, encouraging notes or bookmarksanything that can pack in a (very) small box.
Boxes for donations of items will be in Oberholtzer and the church
office until Sunday, November 14.

Here's what's coming up at ESUMC Youth

Ministry--Sunday Night Program:
Sunday Night Program this week: The adult leaders and
myself will be running Guys and Girls Programs.
There will be a short message followed by small group discussions
led by our adult volunteers and leaders.
The Sr. High Boys will be with Dave Thompson and Pete Wilson
The Sr. High Girls will be with Sarah Kuhnle, Kim Ames and
Michelle Dodoo
The Jr. High Boys will be with Robin Braun
And the Jr. High Girls will be with Dawn Johns and Annette
O'Malley.
The next three Sunday nights will look like this:
Sunday Nov. 8th: Your Purpose and your Struggles Message-followed by Guys/Girls Sessions.
Sunday Nov. 15th (Robin, Kim, Scott and 12 youth will be in
Atlanta for the Charles Stanley Trip)
Dave Thompson is delivering the message--on a topic or passage
of his choosing.
Sunday November 22nd--Your Future Marriage

OK 55+ The OKs will be going to our annual Thanksgiving dinner at

Vo-Tech School on Nov. 16th. No transportation will be provided. Meet

there at 12 noon. To register, call Erma at 570-421-1422 . The deadline is
Nov.8th to register. Thank you, Erma

Labels & Box Tops Thank you for

continuing to save Campbell

Soup Company Labels and Box Tops for Education. This past June I
mailed 700 labels and a big bag of box tops to Red Bird Mission. Im sure
they could put them to good use. Please cut the labels down the front of
the can to avoid tearing the label. They will not accept the badly torn
ones. Thank you, Erma Powell

Calendar

Reminder - Please bring your

commitment forms and giving
cards to church on Sunday,
November 8, as we joyfully
celebrate Commitment Sunday.

Contact Us

Youth Events
This Sunday November 8th:
9:45 - 10:40am: Sunday School in the youth room.
10:45: Worship in the sanctuary
5:30 - 6:30pm Sport Ministry (Invite a friend!!)
6:30 - 8:30pm Sunday Night Youth Program.
This week we are leading boys and girls sessions (please see article on page 4 and e-mail sent to parents Thursday for all the details on this session)
Monday November 9th:
6:30 - 8:30pm: Sr. High Bible Study at Scott and Sarah's Home.
Thursday November 12th:
JAM Jr. High Afterschool Program 2:45 - 5:00pm
Fellowship Meal (Free meal for all participants) 5:00 - 6:00pm
Jr. High Boys and Jr. High Girls Bible Study: 6:00 - 7:30pm.
All Thursday Jr. High Programs are open to 6th - 9th Grade Students. It is an outreach program, so if your son/daughter would like
to invite a friend, I have included the information and permission
form as an attachment on this email.
Friday November 13th - Monday November 16th:
Road Trip Atlanta--Charles Stanley Trip.
Registration for this trip is now closed--we have 12 youth and 4
adults going! Please be in prayer for SAFE TRAVEL and for a time
of group bonding and spiritual growth/conviction from our time at
First Baptist Church in Atlanta!!
Sunday November 15th: Although some of us will be in Atlanta,
Sports Ministry (5:30 - 6:30pm) AND Sunday Night Youth Program
(6:30 - 8:30pm) will still be happening.
Dave Thompson will be giving the message on Sunday Nov 15th!!
If you feel an urge to try a new activity, please act on it. People
who reluctantly went on
one mission trip now
have a passion for these
trips. You could have a
similar experience. You
have little to lose and so
much to gain.

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
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
(Vacant)
children@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Finances
Sue Mertz
smertz@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
Financial Secretary
Cyndie Faunce
cfaunce@esumc.net
Ext. 1025
Maintenance
William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
Organist/Traditional
Music
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com
Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

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

Technology Support
Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012
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