THE TRUMPET CALL

Our Mission: To love Jesus and to share His Love

East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Volume III Issue 19 May 7, 2017

Oberholtzer Scholarship Fund Update

Our Vision
To be a Christian community
where Christ is transforming lives
Our goal is to grow Gods way;
Upward through worship and prayer
Inward through prayer and bible study
Outward through evangelism, service,
fellowship and stewardship
Sunday Services and Studies
Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am
Sunday School 9:45 am
Discipleship Groups 9:45 am
The Oberholtzer Scholarship fund has recently encouraged
a young man who is entering the process of ministry by
rewarding him with $1000.00 gift for his education. This
young man has completed the application process,
recommendations from our congregation as well as all the
pertinent school information that is required. As everyone
knows, tuition for continuing education is costly. We were
so happy to help with this gift.
Our church has been so blessed and gifted with many in
our congregation who have gone onto the pastoral ministry
and service ministry in so many various ways spreading
Gods message to others. The scholarship fund originated
shortly after Pastor Bob Oberholtzer passed away. This
fund has helped many of our congregation pursue their
education and ongoing ministry.
(Continued on page 4)

Pastors Corner
On Wednesday, May 3, we welcomed to our church two United Methodist pastors from
Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), Russia. On the left is Vladimir, whose English is very
limited, and on the right is Valeri, whose English (French, too!) is great. While other
American churches support Vladimir, our support from Faith Promise goes to the church
which Valeri pastors. Believe it or not, these are the only two United Methodist pastors in a
city of more than one million people, and Valeri tells me that Protestants of all kinds in his
city number only about 5000 people. Thats an incredibly small percentage, up against the
huge Russian Orthodox Church.
Vladimir and Valeri met first with pastors in our Mission
Connexion over lunch, then enjoyed dinner with about 20 of our
members on Wednesday night. They each shared their
compelling salvation and call stories. They also shared much
about life in a large Russian city, where they are more than 400
miles from the nearest United Methodist church, and 700 miles
from Moscow which is where the UM headquarters is in Russia.
Valeri spoke with me quite a bit about freedom. He has known
few freedoms in his life, growing up as he did under communist
rule. In the 1990s, under Boris Yeltsin, freedom did blossom for
about seven years in the former Soviet Union. Then, under the
countrys leadership of Vladimir Putin, many of those freedoms
began to erode, perhaps not to the extent of the communist era, but still curtailed nonetheless.
What was most disturbing to hear was that Russian leaders who formerly used communism as a tool of control
(Continued on page 2)
(Continued from page 1)
the people, now use the Russian Orthodox Church to do the same. It is
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry
the official church of Russia, and therefore favored in every way. Hostility
is so great toward competing Christian faiths that Islam and Buddhism
are held in much higher esteem by Russian leaders (who are all Russian
Orthodox) than is Protestant Christianity. Vladimir, Valeri, and all other
Protestant leaders face huge opposition, bordering on persecution, in
most everything they do. We need to continue to pray for their ministries
each day, and by all means to continue to financially support the UMC in
Russia, because without our contributions to the Russian Initiative, Valeri
would not be able to sustain his ministry (Vladimir has a factory job to
supplement his meager income).
Our Leadership Summit is coming soon on Saturday, May 20. All those
We all go through times in our lives
who chair teams are strongly encouraged to attend, as are members of
those different teams. Please see me or Lay Leader Mike Ragonese if when we need a little extra care, at-
you have any questions or concerns. This Sunday, May 7, we begin a tention, support, and prayer. Thats
new sermon series called, Living as Easter People. In light of the what Stephen Ministers are for. If you
Resurrection of Jesus, we live our lives differently, and this Sunday, we would like to find out more about Ste-
will talk about how our faith began as a movement, not an institution. phen ministry for yourself or someone
Please remember to sign up for new discipleship classes which begin on you know, talk with Peggy Strack at:
May 21. 421-3280, ext. 1023.

Blessings, Pastor Jim Please Inform the Office!

Golf Outing Fundraiser this past Sat-
urday was a big success! We raised
over $2,300 for youth summer missions
and spiritual growth trips! New (LOWER)
prices for the Sr. and Jr. High Mission Trips will be coming out next
week. See Trip info on facing page under Youth News...
If you or a member of your family is
admitted to any hospital, please inform
the church office, 570-421-3280.
Pastor Jim, Peggy Strack, and
volunteers are happy to visit if we are
aware of the need!
Will You Pray??? ESUMC recently
received the amazing news that we will
be receiving a large sum of money
from the estate of John Kistler. Will
you commit to pray on a regular basis
for Gods guidance for our church
leaders? Your prayers will unify the
responsible teams and pave the way
for Gods divine guidance!

Members of ESUMC who are no

longer able to attend church always
appreciate hearing from you. Cards
may be sent to:
Next Session May 21- June 25 Doris Cramer
James - Deanna Mayer. Pleasant Valley Manor
Justin Searle - John Macarthur on 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Titus 4227 Manor Drive
What on Earth am I Here For? - Rick Warren - Liz and Warren Green Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Finding I Am - Kelli Mercurio Thank You!
TBA - Scott Kuhnle
New members - Pastor Jim/Mike Ragonese Hearing Assistance
CS Lewis Study - starting April 17th monthly basis, led by local pastors Devices are Here!
(daytime or evening) ESUMC now owns several hearing
assistance devices which can be worn to
improve your ability to hear our worship
Sign-ups in Fellowship Hall services. Please contact an usher to pick
May 7 Mike Ragonese/Rich Poole & May 14 Scott Kuhnle up your hearing assistance device and
return to an usher after use.
(For information on facilitating a class, Healthcare Equipment available:
please contact Deanna Mayers or Jackie Visser.) 2
Canes, crutches, walkers, adult potty
chairs, shower stools, Depends and more!
 Many thanks to
the more than
80 people who
participated in
the cantata, arts
exhibit, and all hospitality on April 30! We
pray all words, music, art, and welcome
will be steps that transform people to
walk with the Lord.
Congratulations
to Nikki Weaver
for graduation
from Moravian
College
on May 13! As a student musician, Nikki
helped in our services at guitar, bass,
oboe, organ, piano, and conducting. We
pray Gods leading and blessing in her
future.
Church Nursery News. If you are in
need of the church nursery for a church
sponsored event, please contact Erica
Dorsch at (828) 455-7332 or e-Mail
edorsch@esumc.net
Church OfficeThere is a new mailbox
in the office front door. If you need to
get orders, payments, etc. to office
personnel or pastor during hours when
office is closed, place in box. Thank you!!
Altar Flowers
A poster for scheduling altar
flower donations for 2017 has
been placed outside the church
library. If you would like to
donate flowers in honor of or in
memory of a loved one, please write your
name on the date of your choice and
indicate your wishes. You will be contacted
by the office staff with further details. You
may also send your flower request to the
following e-Mail:
flowers@esumc.net
The Saturday
Night Fellowship
Dinner is starting
again on the third
Saturday of each month,
beginning May 17,
2017. We will provide the Turkey, and
participants will bring the potatoes,
vegetables and deserts.
Contact Mary Schneider for further
information at (570) 604-9253 or
mbs1058@aol.com.
The Pregnancy Resource
Center of the Poconos, one of
our Faith Promise partners, is
having their annual baby bottle
fundraiser from Mothers Day,
May 14 to Fathers Day, June 18.
Pick up a baby bottle from the table in Fellowship Hall, fill it with
change, dollars or checks payable to the PRCP, and return the bottle
by Fathers Day. Thank you for your support of this life-changing
ministry.
"Mother Knows Best: The Power of Intuition
"- On May 13 our United Methodist Women group
is hosting the Northeast District Day Apart meeting
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All women of the church and community are invited.
The guest speaker is Alisha Gordan, Executive Director of Spiritual Growth
at the National Office of UMW in NYC. Our mission for the day will be our
local Angel's Closet. Please bring layette baby items to be used in Baby
Bundles that are given to needy mothers in Monroe County. Bring a
sandwich for lunch- beverage and dessert provided. Any questions contact
Linda Drake (570) 856-9395.
(Bakers are needed for breakfast items for May 13 between 8:30 and 9 AM)
Dollar ChallengeUnited Methodist Women
The April Challenge is packaged snack items for Cherry Lane
UMC's Friday Backpacks for school children.
These items are available at most dollar stores in the area. I
hope everyone who has been participating continues, and that new
people join this great and easy ministry. Put items in basket in
Oberholtzer Hall.
Thanks, Linda
IT IS TIME! Please
start emailing me and
getting trip deposits
in THIS WEEK!
Creation Fest: Wednesday June 28th (6:00am) Sunday July 2nd
(12:30pm). ($150 per person) Open to students entering 9th grade
through 2017 HS graduates.
$75 deposit due upon signup
Jr. High Local Mission Trip: Wednesday July 12th (11:00am)
Sunday July 16th (12:30pm) Open to students entering 6th grade up to
students who have just completed 9th grade.
$80 per person.
$30 deposit due at time of signup.
Jr. High Retreat: Monday July 24th 8:00am Wednesday July 26th
5:00pm ($70 per person) Amt. will be lowered after the golf outing
dollars are calculated. No deposit due at time of signup. Open to
students entering 6th grade up to students who have just completed 9th
grade.
Signup by emailing Scott and/or turning in paperwork.
Sr. High Mission Trip to The Philadelphia Project: Sunday July 30th
(10:15am) - Friday August 4th (3:30pm). $350 per person (amount
will be less after the golf outing $ is calculated).
$75 deposit due at time of signup
3
Events Contact Us
The OKs will go to the WNEP TV Station for a
tour and to see the 12 oclock news produced on Church Office
May 17. The TV station is limiting us to 25 (570) 421-3280
people for this tour. When Kurt Aaron finishes church@esumc.net
with the twelve oclock news, he will take us on a Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
tour of the station. Afterwards, we will stop along the way for Mon thru Fri
lunch. Lunch is at your own expense. Pastor
Jim Todd
Due to the limitations, I need you to call me at my house. DO NOT jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014
TELL ME YOU ARE COMING WHEN YOU SEE ME AT CHURCH. My
memory is very short these days and I dont want to forget anyone, so call Church Administrator
me at home so I can write your name down immediately. Im sure most of Jill Teaford
you understand this. Leaving a message is acceptable. jteaford@esumc.net
Thanks, Erma Powell 570-421-1422 Ext. 1015
Secretary
(Continued from page 1)
Maria Ragonese
There is another application in process, however after this gift; our funds mragonese@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
will be quite depleted. We encourage anyone who wishes to contribute to
Congregational Care
the fund to use the envelopes marked Oberholtzer Scholarship Fund
Peggy Strack
(found on the Welcome Desk) to help and encourage those being called by pstrack@esumc.net
God into His ministry.who knows, it could be you! Ext. 1023
Student Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
The Oberholtzer Scholarship Committee skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Childrens Ministries
Erica Dorsch
Cub Scout Pack 103 sponsored by ESUMC edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Financial Secretary
Pack MeetingSecond Wednesday of Month 6:30 p.m. Cyndie Faunce,
Wolf DenMondays at 67:00 P.M. cfaunce@esumc.net
Bear DenTuesdays at 68:00 P.M. (except 2nd Tue.) Ext. 1025
Maintenance
Tiger DenWednesdays at 68:00 P.M. (except 2nd Wed. ) William Mack
Webelos I & II DensFridays at 68:00 P.M.Den Meetings in wmack@esumc.net
Community RoomPack Meeting in Youth Room. Ext. 1018
SextonsRobert Lee,
Kenny Fenston
For more info call Cub masterMike Greene (973) 229-5641 fenstonkenny@yahoo.com
Organist/Traditional Music
Pauline Fox
Recovery Meetings Available in foxes@esumc.net
The Community Room of Office Building Basement Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net
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) Choir Director
AA: Thursday & Saturday 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Keep It Simple Julie Montes De Oca
Saturday 5:30-6:30 P.M. Sunday - 4:30-6:30 P.M. Serenity House choir@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com
Scan QR to ESUMC Website Technology Support
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Michael Corey
83 S. Courtland St. mcorey@esumc.net
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Ext. 1012

www.esumc.net 4