THE TRUMPET CALL

Our Mission: To love Jesus Christ and to share His Love

Our Vision: To be a Christian community where Christ is transforming lives
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Volume IV Issue 22 June 3, 2018

Pastor’s Corner
The last few Sunday mornings, I’ve been sharing during the announcement time that we
have some great opportunities for outreach and evangelism this summer, starting with the
Carnival on June 2, and continuing with the block parties each Thursday during the months
of June and July, not to mention VBS from July 9-13. Sometimes when I or someone else
says, “Evangelism,” knees start to buckle, sweat starts to bead up on foreheads, and people
begin muttering in low voices that “Evangelism is not my area of giftedness.”

As it turns out, God has gifted most of us with clear, strong voices, hearts of compassion, and the ability to
listen with empathy to others. Evangelism is merely the sharing of the Good News which God has given us
in His Son, Jesus Christ. I say “merely,” but we all know it can be intimidating, even for pastors (and my left
knee is buckling, but for other reasons which I won’t go into here). Evangelism is ultimately not about using
the right technique, but is about being filled with love for all of those who don’t know Christ as Lord and
Savior and having a burden to reach them with the Good News.

It is true that there are people with the spiritual gift of evangelism, but that leaves none of the rest of us off
the hook. We are all called to share our faith in authentic ways with whomever God brings in our path.
Sometimes it is through the actions we take and the example we set, but there comes a time when we must
also share the faith story God has given to each of us.

Bethany Mills, our Director of Spiritual Life and Congregational Care is now back part-time from maternity
leave, and she and I will team up to help us begin the conversation about how our witness can become
more a part of our everyday lives. Rather than have this conversation on Sunday mornings when we have
so many other quality studies just starting up, we’re going to try a new approach which involves “Praxis.”

The term praxis was used by Plato many millennia ago, but it’s a term used by many in the Christian church
today and the definition is very simple: “practice.” When we learn a new skill, we practice it, and that’s
exactly what we intend to do on Thursday nights. We invite all who are interested, whether or not they have
the spiritual gift of evangelism, to come at 6:00 pm each Thursday night to view a brief but very informative
video as part of the Soul Whisperer series, and have conversation about how we might put into practice
what we have just learned. Then, the doors will open and we will go out for a time of praxis with the people
whom God has brought to the block party that particular night.

We’re calling it Witness Workshop, and it begins next Thursday at 6:00 pm in Oberholtzer. We will have a
sign-up sheet out this Sunday, but please come even if you don’t sign up. We want this to be fun and
informative, so come even if you feel slightly intimidated (most of us do!). Please see the description on
page 3, and let us know if you have any questions.
Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim

kellimercurio@gmail.com or annosbun@gmail.com
Graduation
Please submit your family’s High School or
College graduation announcements for publication
in
Trumpet Call. Deadline: June 6th!
Send Name, Institution, and degree conferred,
To trumpetcall@esumc.net
Community Block Party
Hi Friends,
The Block Party Outreach Events
are starting up again on Thursday
June 7th. The block parties will run
every Thursday in June and July
(weather permitting) from 6:00 –
7:30pm. Each week, we will offer
free food (burgers, hot dogs, side
dishes) and a worship opportunity
from 7:00 – 7:30. This is a great
opportunity for all of us to invite
family, friends, and neighbors to
check out East Stroudsburg UMC! These summer outreach
events are designed to reach out to our neighbors in the
community with the love of Jesus Christ and present the gospel
through the weekly worship and message.
If you would like to support the Block Party Outreaches, you
can do so by:
1. Attending on Thursdays. Your presence and hospitality to
our neighbors shows you care about reaching the lost in our
community.
2. Inviting your family, friends, and neighbors. What a perfect
opportunity to invite people!
3. Donating. We are in need of paper plates, plastic forks,
bags of potato chips/pretzels, cases of water bottles, and ham-
burger/hot dog buns. If you are willing to donate any of these
items, you can bring them to the church kitchen on Sunday
mornings, or Thursdays before the block parties. You can also
drop off donations to the church office Monday through Friday,
between 9am-1pm.
Thank you for your support! Let’s keep reaching out to people
in our community with the love of Jesus Christ!
Scott Kuhnle
Director of Youth Ministries
Summer Equipping Classes for Adults ~ 9:45-10:35 Sundays
JUNE DOLLAR
Drop in for one session, many or the entire series! CHALLENGE

T h e Tr e a s u r e P r i n c i p l e
The United Methodist
Jesus told a story about a hidden treasure that, once discovered,
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best-selling book, The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn unearths baby toiletries, bibs,
a simple yet profound principle that will radically change your and wipes to benefit the
concept of stewardship. Short on guilt, Alcorn illuminates the
liberating joy of giving and its impact, not only for today but for Pregnancy Resource
eternity as well. Center. I encourage
4 Week Series families to get involved
Randy Alcorn in this dollar a month
If ministry. . .

Many people have a tough time believing that God still speaks. Call Linda Drake at
We’ve learned from Scripture that God spoke to His people in
ancient times and in mysterious ways, but how do we hear His 570-856-9395
voice now? The truth is God still communicates with His people,
but He often speaks in a whisper—not to make it difficult to hear
Him, but to draw us close. for more information
4 Week Series
Mark Batterson
Wa t c h Yo u r M o u t h
OK’s 55+ Next Event
Watch Your Mouth, the video series, is based on bestselling
author Dr. Tony Evans book by the same name. This compelling
resource will help you learn to tame your tongue. With real-life
July 3- Kutztown Folk
stories and life-changing insights shared through engaging Festival
teaching, you'll learn what the Bible teaches about talking. Aug 16 - Picnic
4 Week Series Sept 6 - Kettle Creek
Tony Evans Oct 18 - Pocono Plateau
(Pending)
Soul Whisperer Nov 12 -Vocational Tec
Thanksgiving Lunch
This series focuses on the art of relational influence. Like Jesus,
the original Soul Whisperer, learn to read others and share the
Dec 20 - Christmas Party/
gospel at deeper, more resonating levels. The Soul Whisperer Lunch
paradigm teaches how to reach people from unique and distant
starting points.
Questions, call Linda
11 Week Series—Gary Comer (Please note: this series will NOT Drake 570-856-9395.
take place on Sundays but will be concurrent with the weekly
block parties on Thursday nights, 6:00-6:45 pm in Oberholtzer)

OUTRAGEOUS HOSPITALITY
As a church family, we are seeking to extend outrageous hospitality to all who enter our doors, for all reasons! Many folks who
are not familiar with our church find themselves here when the funeral of a friend or loved one is held at ESUMC. Would you be
willing to occasionally serve as an usher/greeter/welcoming presence when funerals are held at ESUMC? Responsibilities would
include welcoming people, handing out bulletins, asking them to sign the guest register, giving them guidance and direction as
needed. Please contact Kathy Hinkey, 570-236-8183, or k_hinkey@hotmail.com.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” Romans 12:13
 Farewell Contact Us
Gertrude Wilson, a faithful member of our congregation Church Office
for over 40 years, is moving to North Carolina. She is (570) 421-3280
leaving the area June 7th, relocating close to her church@esumc.net
daughter Maria, son-in-law Chris, and granddaughter, Hours: 9am to 1pm
Emma. Gertrude would love to stay in touch with her Monday thru Friday
ESUMC Family. Pastor
Her new address: Gertrude Wilson Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
4369 Orchid Creek Road
Ext. 1014
Oriental, North Carolina 28571
Church Administrator
You will be missed, Gertrude. Auf Wiedersehen! Jill Teaford
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
Administrative Assistant
Prayers and Cards for Linda Kathy Ravago
kravago@esumc.net
Let’s show our love & support to Ext. 1010
Linda Drake during her treatment. Spiritual Life &
Her address is: Congregational Care
Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net
Jeanes Hospital Ext. 1023
Patient Care Center, Student Ministries
5th Floor, BMT Rm 531 Scott Kuhnle
7600 Central Ave. skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Children & Family
Attn: Linda Drake Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Can you give Joe a ride?
Financial Secretary
Joe Shubelky is a resident at Milford Manor which is located Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
at 2200 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg. Joe is very anxious Ext. 1012
to come to our church. He has called the church office Maintenance
looking for a ride to our service. Are you able to give Joe a William Mack
ride to, and from the10:45 service? You can reach Joe at wmack@esumc.net
570-424-0343, Room 110. What a great way to Evangelize. Ext. 1018
If you are able to assist Joe, please call the church office to Sunday Sexton
let us know. Thank you!! Craig Banner
Organist/Traditional Music
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net
ESUMC Sunday Services and Studies
Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
Traditional 8:30 am dmalefyt@esumc.net
Contemporary 10:45 am Choir Director
Sunday School 9:45 am Position Open
@esumc.net
Discipleship Groups 9:45 am
Audio//Visual Technician
Joe Dorsch (Temp)
josephdorsch@gmail.com
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Scan QR to Technology Support
83 S. Courtland St. ESUMC Michael Corey
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Website mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012