East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Welcome!
If this is your first time worshiping with us, we welcome you. As a church we are committed to love Jesus Christ and to share His love. We offer three services: 8:30 and 11 a.m. are traditional, and 9:45 a.m. is contemporary. Our ushers and greeters are here to serve you. Please ask them for any help you may need. ~ Our Holy Grounds Caf is a place for light refreshments, coffee, and fellowship from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in our Fellowship Hall. ~ Our Infant and Toddler Nurseries are available every Sunday from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. They are located on the lower level of the church and are staffed with our full-time, professional attendants and parent volunteers. ~ Children's Church for ages four through third grade is offered at the 11 a.m. service and is guided by a parent volunteer. Children will be dismissed after the Children's Message. Please pick up your children from the lower level classrooms of the church following worship. Our Weekly News is a snapshot of activities in our church and community. The Weekly News is also posted on our website: www.esumc.net. Please make your submissions to the church office before 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Submissions can be emailed to koney@esumc.net or brought to the church office.

Church Staff
Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Congregational Care Church Administrator Lay-Led Ministries Childrens Ministry Youth Ministry Contemporary W orship Music - Organist - Choirs Administrator of Finances Financial Secretary Building Facilitator Sextons Nursery Attendants Edward C. Kimes ekimes@esumc.net Candy LaBar clabar@esumc.net Peggy Strack pstrack@esumc.net Sharmune Burgess sburgess@esumc.net Kelli Oney koney@esumc.net Sue Randall srandall@esumc.net Scott Kuhnle skuhnle@esumc.net Lindsey Scott lscott@esumc.net Pauline Fox foxes@esumc.net Norman Fox foxes@esumc.net Sue Mertz smertz@esumc.net Cyndie Faunce cfaunce@esumc.net Bruce Johnson bjohnson@esumc.net Eileen OBrien & Sal Lapadula Ana Price, Holly Lapadula, Katlyn Smith

Mission: To love Jesus Christ and to share His love. 83 South Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Church Office email: church@esumc.net Website: www.esumc.net 570-421-3280

Prayers and Praise If you have a prayer request, please list it either on the prayer sheet in the rear of the sanctuary or on the back of the friendship pad, making sure to include your name with the request. This aids us in updating weekly. Confidentiality is very important; we want to honor everyones right to privacy. Please be mindful of this in writing your requests. The person making the request is listed in ( ). Healing and Illness Nephew-Clark, car accident (Tricia Wingerter) Bill, healing, recovery & new adjustments (Candy LaBar) Dorothy, recovering from surgery (Liz Green) Jean, suffering from dementia (Liz Green) Dennis, beginning his fight with cancer (Betty Ladlee) Kitty Geary, comfort & healing (Candy LaBar) Gordon & Lois Lyons, strength & healing (Kelli Mercurio) Joanna, continued strength (John & Kelli Mercurio) C.M., upcoming surgery (John & Kelli Mercurio) Those with Cancer: Barb Counterman (Counterman family); Walter Price, Jr. (Our Sunday School students); Trish Walker & Angie Werkheiser (Rebecca Stager) Other Lisa, discernment & guidance (Nancy Carlson) Laken, understanding of others (Kelli Oney) Richie, guidance (John & Kelli Mercurio) Those Serving in Missions and the Military - Strength, safety and protection while serving. Mission Field: Megan Sanders, Ryan Moyer, Jas Poole, Ben Drake; Marines: Damon McHinney; Iraq: Kyle, August Jackson, Steven Post; Pacific: Faith Gibbs; Afghanistan: Jason Lamboy, Brandon Smith, Ryan Maciejczak, Everett Horton, Chris Stowe, Brad Martz, George VanWhy, Josh Kimple; Air Force: Dave Bennett; Army: Brad Poulson; Navy: Matt Spence.

Stewardship Update
General giving last week: $8,462 Average September weekly general expense need: $12,239 Monthly Renovation Obligation: $7,084 Attendance last week: (9-18-11) 318 last year: (9-19-10) 341 Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God.

Worship
Ushers and Greeters: 8:30 a.m. Don Repsher, Tom Balcik, Christine Sinclair 9:45 a.m. John & Kelli Mercurio, Dave Saunders 11 a.m. Harry & Gloria Ladlee, Ed Jackson, Justina Moses, Adalberto & AnnMarie Guerra Scripture Readers: 8:30 a.m. Leigh Balcik 9:45 a.m. Gloria Ladlee 11 a.m. Bob Rosenberger Acolytes: 11 a.m.: Ashley Mayers Children's Church: Story Hour with Mrs. Randall Church Driver: Bruce Johnson Welcome to the adult bell and chancel choirs starting the Fall season! Many thanks also to Joe Dorsch and Brianna Osbun for instrumental parts during the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services today. Today at 3 p.m. - Virtuoso Aram Basmadjian will perform his own versions of light classics, hymns, and a few masterworks. Fancy footwork on pedals will be shown on video screens. A reception will follow. Bring your friends, and come to help welcome our community guests to this free event. Choirs Have Started - New singers and ringers welcome! Tuesday - Chimes, grade 3-up, 5:-5:30 p.m.; Youth 5:30-6:15 p.m.; Adults 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bell Room. Thursday, - Chancel Choir for adults and teens, at 7:30 p.m., in Choir Room. For details or individual instruction for new ringers, see Norm Fox. Children's Choir for children in Kindergarten - 5th grade begins today 9 a.m. in the Choir Room. This choir is under the direction of Mrs. Joanna Gambill and Mrs. Melissa Ritchie. Did you know? Weekly audio sermons are available at www.esumc.net for those occasions when you cannot make church or when you want to share the message with others.

Information and Events

Directory? If you had your picture taken and did not receive your church directory, please stop by Fellowship Hall today. We thank Eileen White, Lindsay Randall, Linda Drake, Warren & Liz Green and Dawn Walker-Hoffman for their help with pictures, layout and design. SWAT (Seasoned Workers Action Team) meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m. in Bruce Johnsons office for coffee and donuts, then work until noonish. Men, Women, all are invited for this three hours of service to beautify our church. We do things like painting, minor repairing, etc. Give it a try, the blessing will be yours. Questions: Call Bob Rosenberger, 223-7076. Fifty-Five Plus Group will go to Pocono Plateau from 10:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Monday, October 3. Join them for roasted hot-dogs, smores and the beautiful fall foliage. Cost is $6 including transportation from the church. The Plateau requires a head count so, please RSVP to Erma at 421-1422 or the church office at 421-3280 by Friday, September 30. Weekly Adult Recreational Basketball meets Monday at 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For information call John at 426-7574. Third Day/Tenth Ave North concert event is Sunday, November 6 at 6 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre. All youth and adults are invited. Tickets are $35 and need to be purchased by October 8. If you want to join them, please contact Linda Drake at 424-6038 or lindadrake49@hotmail.com. Church van transportation provided. Older Adult Tea with the Bishop from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, October 4 at Calvary UMC, Easton. Come and meet the Bishop and enjoy a time of devotion and fellowship with other United Methodists. Contact Kelli at 421-3280 or koney@esumc.net to go with others from our church. The British Are Invading.... just kidding but actually, we are having visitors, David and Gillian Collins from Falmouth UMC in Cornwall from October 1 -12. David is the church organist and Gill is the senior steward, a combination of SPR chair and Lay Leader. If anyone would like to invite them to an event that might be of interest to them or have to your house so that they can share and ask questions about America, please see Pastor Ed.

Mission and Outreach "We're Hungry!" and "We Miss Home Just a Little." Our college
students would love to receive care-packages and know that they are missed. Help is needed in purchasing or making treats and packing them to be mailed. If interested in helping, please contact Faith Kimes at fwaters@esu.edu, 421-5113 or you can text 570-242-6405. A box for snack donations will be in Fellowship Hall Sundays, October 3,9 and 16. Cleaning Buckets and Bed Kits are needed to help those affected from the massive flooding. A list of items needed are in todays Weekly News and a Collection Box can be found at the Information Center in Oberhotlzer Hall. Family Promise is hosting a proper English tea Sunday, October 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pocono Inn Towne. Wonderful treats and a fashion show by Dunkelberger's will be the highlights. Cost is $22 with all proceeds benefitting this needed homeless ministry. Just recently, one of the moms was accepted at Northampton Community College, and a second family completed the program and moved to their new home! Tickets can be purchased by calling the Family Promise office at 420-8589, Clarice Wilkens at 421-0391 or Faith Kimes at 421-5113. Stine Class Collecting Used Cell Phones for Soldiers Project will begin in October and continue through January. Place your phones in the red box entitled used cell phones for soldiers in Fellowship Hall any Sunday or in the Church Office. Questions, call Eileen at 420-8165. Pregnancy Resource Center of the Poconos annual volunteer training starts Tuesday, October 4 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and meets weekly. To register, call 424-0373 by September 26. They will be having a Walkfor-Life fundraiser. To sponsor a walker from our community, please see Jenni Poole or Jill Maylefyt in Fellowship Hall.

Congregational Care
Our Homebound and Care Facility Members are always happy to be remembered by the church family. Encouraging cards or notes can be sent to: Helen Staples, Wesley Enhanced Living, 30 Weir Lake Road, Brodheadsville, PA 18322. Free Mammogram Program is offered through Pocono Medical Center for eligible women. Call 476-3488 for information

Wellness Ministry Tip for Losing Weight: Use flavorings such as hot sauce, salsa, or Cajun seasonings instead of butter, creamy sauces or sugar. The spicy seasonings provide flavor with few calories and turn up your digestive juices, causing your body to temporarily burn more fat! Ready to Quit Smoking? Pocono Medical Center is offering a FREE smoking cessation program. Call 476-3680 to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a trained tobacco treatment specialist. Where two or three are gathered in my name I am among themIn Matthew 18, Jesus promised to be with us. That's one of the great miracles of Stephen Ministry. When a Stephen Minster meets one-to-one with his or her care receiver, Jesus is present too. He brings the power of His transforming love, and the peace, healing, and comforts that only God can give, and we all know what happens when we meet God! For information about Stephen Ministry for you or someone you know, contact Peggy Strack at 421-3280.

The Book of Revelation: A Story of Hope Led by Pastor Candy LaBar Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nine weeks starting Oct. 6 through Dec. 8 (No class 11/24) The Bibles closing Book of Revelation has long had a reputation for being a violent story about judgment and dread but this book is actually a powerful story about Gods hope overcoming all things! Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts - Sue Mueller will offer this four week class starting Sunday October 23. Come and measure your strengths and identify your God-given spiritual gifts. Classes meet from 11-12:15 p.m. This class is a part of our new member process. To participate, please contact Kelli Oney at 421-3280 or koney@esumc.net. Women of Faith 2012 - We had nine women attend the conference this year and are ready to go September 7-8, 2012. They have reduced the schedule to Friday Night only and Saturday. For information or to reserve a ticket for next year, please see Ann Osbun in Fellowship Hall or email annosbun@hotmail.com.

Adult Discipleship
Growing Deeper Disciples - Sign-up today in Fellowship Hall! Dont miss out on a short-term studies or book discussions. Come grow in your faith as you connect with others. For information, or to register for a study, please contact Pastor LaBar at 570-421-3280, x. 12 or clabar@esumc.net. Book Discussion: The Screwtape Letters Led by Jeff Durney Sundays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Seven weeks starting Oct. 9 through Nov. 20 C. S. Lewis most popular books! In this humorous and perceptive exchange between two devils, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good vs. evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. Through this wonderful tale, the reader emerges with a better understanding of what it means to live a faithful life. Process Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding Led by Mike Corey Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Seven weeks starting Oct. 4 through Nov. 15 A new way of looking at some of the oldest questions of the Christian faith. This study will help you wrestle with your own faith questions as you explore new ways of growing closer to Christ.

Youth Ministries - 7th - 12th Grades

For information, please contact Scott Kuhnle at skuhnle@esumc.net or check out the youth website www.esumc.net/youth where you can find all permission forms and information on trips and events. Sunday School is held in the Youth Room at 11 a.m. with classes for Jr. High and Sr. High students. Sunday Night Youth Program Tonight for Jr. & Sr. High students is from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. here at the church for games, hangout time, praise and worship, a message, and small group discussion time. Fall Retreat is scheduled for October 7-9. All 7th-12th grade students are invited to participate. Cost for is $57. A full information sheet and permission form can be found on the youth website. Youth Praise Band will be starting up again this September. Anyone interested in playing an instrument or singing should contact Scott. Drivers Needed: Our After-school programs are great outreach to students in our community. We are in need of adults 25 years and older to pickup students at school in the church van either Wednesday or Thursday afternoons around 2:30 p.m. If you can help see Scott Kuhnle.

Snacks and Beverages Needed for our after-school outreach programs. If you would be willing to make a donation of, please see Scott Kuhnle. Mark Your Calendars: JAM, Fellowship Meal, and Small Group Bible Studies will all started, and will run every Thursday during the school year. The schedule each Thursday is as follows: 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. JAM (Jr. High Outreach: 6th - 8th grades) 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Meal (6th - 12th grades) 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Small Group Bible Studies (7th - 12th grades)

FAITH PROMISE UPDATE

In the midst of floods and electrical outage, it is difficult to think about the needs of our FAITH PARTNERS. However, their needs for prayer, presence and financial support continues each day. Global and domestic tragedies continue to need help through UMCOR-- United Methodist Committee On Relief. Ryan Moyer at Temple University asks for prayers for InterVarsity leaders as they reach out to share their witness to God's guidance and hope in these troubled times. Salvation Army, Spanish Health Ministries and Family Promise continue to work in ways to alleviate the distress and extreme needs of their clients. There is good news from Habitat for Humanity. Two houses have been completed in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The need for volunteers in all aspects of their mission to provide affordable housing is ever present. There are committees for Public Relations, Family Selection and support, Energy Host, Construction and others. Go to www.habitat.org or to their office at 912 Main St., Stroudsburg for more information. WORLD HABITAT DAY is October 30. Place Habitat for Humanity on your Prayer List on that day. ESUMC young adults are serving God around the world: Megan Sanders in Australia with immigrants to that country (her latest letter is posted on the Oberholtzer Bulletin Board); Ben Drake in Thailand with YWAM (Youth with a Mission); and Jas Poole in CA. Donations for FAITH PROMISE can be placed in the envelope in todays Weekly News, in your regular weekly envelopes for Missions, or any time with a designation for Faith Promise. Partners continue to work, let us help them.

From Our Prayer Coordinators: Jill Malefyt, Cathy Saunders and Lila Walker. It is an honor and a blessing to coordinate the prayer for our upcoming Journey of Faith Weekend, October 14-16.There are four areas we are placing before you as a church to be in prayer about: 1. Please pray that members of our congregation will make the Lay Witness Weekend a priority in their lives. 2. Listen for God to show you how you might be involved in the weekend and whom you might invite to come along with you. 3. Pray that the church would be united in fellowship and made one in God's love by the Holy Spirit moving through each of us. Pause for Prayer: Matthew 11:28-30 A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. Jesus calls us to lay our burdens down that sit on our shoulders and to pick up His yoke and learn from Him. Jesus frees us to enable us to have a relationship with God. A relationship with God changes meaningless wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose. Let us pray: Father, I come to you with a grateful heart acknowledging your goodness and mercy in my life. Thank you for the promise that when we come to you with our burdens you exchange them with the yoke of your Son, Jesus. This same prayer I pray for the people you called to minister to our church during the Lay Witness Weekend. I pray that you would remove their physical burdens in exchange for a gentle and humble heart. Thank you for the restoration of peace in their souls and the calling you have placed on their life to be an instrument of renewal at East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This Week at East Stroudsburg U.M.C.

Sunday, 9-25 Hall 7:45 a.m. Music Rehearsals - Praise Team Rehearsal, Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Childrens Choir, Choir Thursday, 9-29 Rm. 9:00 a.m. Foundations Preschool 9:45 a.m. Sunday School - Womens Bible Study, Bridal Marriage Class, Rm 3 Lounge - Three Simple Rules, Classroom 6 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 11:00 a.m. Jr. & Sr. High Sunday, 2:30 p.m. JAM, Fellowship Hall School, Youth Rm 5:00 p.m. Youth Dinner, Marriage Class, Rm 3 Fellowship Hall 3:00 p.m. Organ Series 6:00 p.m. Youth Studies, Youth Rm. 6:30 p.m. Youth Program, Youth Rm 6:30 p.m. Prayer Group, Chapel 7:30 a.m. Chancel Choir, Choir Rm Monday, 9-26 8:00 p.m. AA, Community Rm Staff Retreat Day 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm Friday, 9-30 - Davis Class, Bridal Lounge 9:00 a.m. Foundations Preschool 7:00 p.m. Ministry Placement, 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm Conference Room 6:30 p.m. Scouts 542, Community 8:00 p.m. Basketball, Fellowship Rm Hall - Wedding Rehearsal, Sanctuary Tuesday, 9-27 9:00 a.m. Foundations Preschool - SWAT, Bruce Johnsons Office 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 5:00 p.m. Chimes, Bell Rm 5:30 p.m. Youth Bells, Bell Rm 6:30 p.m. Adult Bells, Bell Rm 6:45 p.m. Stephen Facilitators, Office Bldg., 2nd fl. 7:00 p.m. FOG, Leslie Howes Home 7:15 p.m. Praise Team, Sanctuary Wednesday, 9-28 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 5:30 p.m. NA, Community Rm 7:00 p.m. Basketball, Fellowship Saturday, 10-1 8:00 a.m. Mens Bible Study, Conference Rm 11:00 a.m. Organ in Use 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 2:00 p.m. Trauger Wedding, Sanctuary 8:00 p.m. AA, Community Rm