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 V Issue 6 February 10, 2019

Pastor’s Corner
Philippians 4:6-7 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.” With this scripture in mind, everyone is invited to a special time of Praise and Prayer
in preparation for the 2019 Special Called General Conference of the UMC which will be held Feb. 23 – 26, 2019, in
St. Louis, Missouri. We will be meeting together in our Sanctuary on Saturday, February 16th, at 10:00 am for an
hour or so. We are inviting community members as well, so please join us for this important prayer time. I want to
thank Jenni Poole for suggesting this special prayer time for our church and our whole denomination.

Prayer is important in every aspect of our lives, and especially for something so critical as this upcoming General Conference which will
set a course for the future of our denomination. We have struggled here at ESUMC in recent years to establish a time of corporate
prayer different from Sunday morning prayer in our two worship services. We have experimented with middle of the week morning
prayer times and other times. We all lead very busy lives and it’s hard to find that special time that the most number of people can come
and participate, but the struggle is worth pursuing because prayer is so important.

As I have started a new weekday Bible Study (see the “Weekstart Fellowship” announcement on p. 2), we are incorporating a special
prayer time, a “prayer circle” at the close of the Bible Study. This will be held either in the new Family Comfort Room off of Oberholtzer
or Oberholtzer itself, depending on the size of the group. The Bible Study begins at 3:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm, and the Prayer Circle
begins at 4:00 pm and ends at 4:30 pm. Participants have the opportunity to come for the Bible Study and stay right through the
Community Meal which begins at 4:30 pm in Fellowship Hall, or to pick which event(s) they wish to attend. Come just for the study,
come just for the prayer, come just for the meal; come for all three and be “triple-blessed.” It’s completely up to you, and ALL are
welcome!

I’m excited about the Bible Study! We are using a Francis Chan video study on the Gospel of Mark, and we will speed through Mark in 5
weeks. The videos give us a good introduction and show us some important places in the Holy Land where key events in Mark took
place. The heart of the study is in the discussion and delving into passages of Mark. The great news is that if a participant misses a
study, the video portion is always available on RightNow Media, which is a free service offered to everyone in the church and
community. If you have never registered for RightNow Media or have lost your login information, Mike Corey (mcorey@esumc.net) will
be glad to help get you on the service.

This Sunday, I will continue in the series, “Conversations with a Skeptic” as we look at how we can answer those who point to disease,
war, natural disasters and other so-called evidences of the non-existence of God. How do you address the questions of evil and
suffering with non-believers? I hope you’ll be able to attend either at 8:30 or 10:45 this Sunday.

Blessings, Pastor Jim

As the new Chairperson of Staff Parish Relations (SPR) for ESUMC, I want to take this opportunity to thank Jill Malefyt for her
MANY years of faithful service first as Lay Leader and then as Chairperson of SPR. During the past 8 years, Jill set a wonderful course
for caring for our staff and their families, along with helping our congregation to support and encourage our Pastors, their families and
all of our staff. Thank you, Jill, from all of us!
Your SPR team desires to continue to serve our church to the best of our abilities. To accomplish some of our objectives, we appoint
“Staff Liaisons” to connect regularly with our staff to keep abreast of their needs and progress.
With the goal of meeting both our congregation’s needs and our staff needs, we would like you to know the Biblical model we follow of
addressing any concerns you may have. First of all, we encourage you to speak directly to a staff person with any specific thoughts. If
additional assistance is needed, you may contact me, and I will connect you with the SPR liaison who may be able to go with you to
again address any concerns you have.
We are blessed to have a dedicated and talented staff and want to assist them in continuing to serve God through our church. Thank
you and God bless.
In His service,
Jenni Poole
 ESUMC SPIRITUAL LIFE FAMILY RETREAT
Hello ESUMC family! Sandy and I were away for a few days
on a short road trip to places warmer than the Burgs. While
we feel blessed to be able to take that time and travel together,
we would often “check in” with our church friends back home to
see how everyone was doing.
We enjoyed the trip and saw some places in our country we
had not been to before, but guess what? We missed our
ESUMC family and our worship times together. You see over
the years God has created a special spiritual bond for us with
this church family and that is why we look forward to the Spir-
itual Life Family Retreat. This is a special day for us to contin-
ue to allow God to build our spiritual bonds with our church
family. So consider this our invitation to you to join us at the
Plateau. (details below).

See you there! Ken Brown

ESUMC will be hosting

the Overnight Cold
Weather Shelter
THIS week
February 10th—16th
This is a wonderful
opportunity to find
out what the cold weath-
er shelter is all about …
right in our own Fellowship Hall.
Share Jesus’ love. Great opportunity for
covenant study groups to serve.

Volunteers & Ambassadors needed

during the following hours daily:

8pm - 10pm...
fellowship, help with providing snacks,
make coffee, assist in escorting clients
to showers, and set up cots.
Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 pm:
Help in serving a meal to clients.
Saturday 7:00 am:
Help in serving Breakfast to our clients.
A Silent Auction is being held on Friday, March 8th
in conjunction with the Fish Fry.
This will be to benefit the Russia Mission Team.
If you have items to donate, please contact
Bobbi Snyder - 303-854-7481 or
Michelle Dodoo - 973-202-5993

Sunday 7:00 am:

Breakdown of cots and pack church van
OVERNIGHT AMBASSADORS
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK NEEDED

For any questions or to sign up,

please contact Ana Price, at 570-460-8423.

“Jesus never asked us to sit on the sidelines and
cheer for his cause.” — Craig Groeschel,
Senior Pastor of LifeChurch
Are you a fan or a follower? The dictionary defines a fan as
“an enthusiastic admirer.” Fans want to be close enough to
Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires
sacrifice. Fans may be fine with repeating a prayer, attending
church on the weekend, and slapping a Jesus fish on their
bumpers. But is that really the extent of the
relationship Jesus wants?
Jesus was never interested in having admirers! It’s not
“fans” he's looking for! Not A Fan challenges you to
consider what it really means to call yourself a Christian.
With a direct frankness that you’re not likely to hear in
Sunday school class, Kyle invites you to take an honest look
at your relationship with Jesus. His call to follow may seem
radical to us, but Jesus desires it for every believer.
This months’ meeting
of the OK’s will be
Feb. 13 at 11:30am for
lunch and “Pastor
Jim’s Variety Show.”
Please bring your
sandwich we will provide beverage, ice
cream and cherry pie to honor George
Washington.
Remember to call Karen Dudley at (570-
424-9896) or Erma Powell (570-421-1422)
by Tuesday the 12th to let us know if you
will attend. We need to know so we can
adequately prepare for the meal. If there
are under 5 people planning to attend, we
will cancel.
Thanks, Karen and Erma
Care Packages
Now that all the kids have started their
spring semester it is time to start our
spring collection for the college and
military care-packages.
Twice a year, our church sends just over 50 students and
soldiers a small package to let them know we are
supporting and thinking of them. We are currently
collecting $10 gift cards to include in our packages. If you
would like to show your love to our students and military
personnel, please place gift cards in the box in Oberholtzer
Hall or in Sunday’s offering plate.
Top favorite include: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Wawa,
Turkey Hill, Friendly’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Panera
among many others.
If you do not have time to pick up a gift card, we will also
be accepting donations to use towards gift cards. Let’s
show them that we are thinking of them as they continue
on in their studies and service.
We will be collecting through Sunday, March 17. Any
questions email Sue Mertz at: mommamertz@gmail.com
United Methodist Community
Prayer Meeting
Join us February 16th, 10-12 noon in
the ESUMC Sanctuary for a Community
Prayer Meeting led by Pastor Paul
Crikelair. As a United Methodist community we will be
lifting our prayers for the denomination vote taking place
later this month. Come and pray with fellow United
Methodist clergy and members for the future of our
churches.
 THIS WEEK AT ESUMC
CHURCH CONTACT LIST
Office
(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9am to 1pm
Sunday, 10 February 2019 Monday thru Friday
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM Traditional Worship Sanctuary
9:45 AM to 10:45 AM Drop-In Study Classroom 10 Pastor
10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Contemporary Worship Service Sanctuary Jim Todd
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Confirmation Class Youth Room jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM FPU Flex Group Conference Room
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Russian Mission Trip Meeting Classroom 10 Church Administrator
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Overnight Shelter Week at ESUMC Fellowship Hall Jill Teaford
Monday, 11 February 2019 jteaford@esumc.net
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Community Meal Fellowship Hall Ext. 1015
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Bible Study with Pastor Jim Oberholtzer Hall
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM Open Prayer Eaton Chapel Eaton Chapel Administrative Assistant
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Core Strength Training Oberholtzer Hall Kathy Ravago
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM SPR Mtg Classroom 10 kravago@esumc.net
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Sr High Bible Study Grandview Parsonage Ext. 1010
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Men's Basketball Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Steering Team Mtg Classroom 2 Director of Spiritual Life &
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Homeless Shelter at ESUMC Fellowship Hall Communications
Tuesday, 12 February 2019 Bethany Mills
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Staff Mtg Conference Room bmills@esumc.net
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Foundations After school Program FH Fellowship Hall Ext. 1023
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Foundations After School Program Classroom 10
Director of Student Ministries
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Finance Mtg Conference Room
Scott Kuhnle
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals Bell Room skuhnle@esumc.net
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Financial Peace University Oberholtzer Hall Ext. 1013
6:45 PM to 9:15 PM SM Leaders Mtg Stephen Ministry Room
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Overnight Shelter Week at ESUMC Fellowship Hall Director of Children & Family
Wednesday, 13 February 2019 Ministries
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM Christian Men's Breakfast Fellowship Hall Erica Dorsch
11:00 AM to 2:30 PM OK'A 55+ Variety Show Classroom 10 edorsch@esumc.net
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Foundations After school Program Fellowship Hall Ext. 1017
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Foundations After School Program Classroom 10
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Core Strength Training Fellowship Hall Director of Traditional Music/
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Spiritual Life Retreat Mtg Conference Room Organist
6:45 PM to 9:15 PM Stephen Ministry Training Stephen Ministry Room Pauline Fox
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Membership Assim/Hospitality Team Conference Room foxes@esumc.net
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Overnight Shelter Week at ESUMC Fellowship Hall
Thursday, 14 February 2019 Director of Contemporary
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Women's Bible Study Conference Rm Music
Doug Malefyt
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Zumba Fellowship Hall
dmalefyt@esumc.net
2:30 PM to 5:00 PM JAM Afterschool Program Fellowship Hall
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship Meal Kitchen Director of Choir
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Jr High Bible Study Jan-May Youth Area Joe Dorsch
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Choir josephdorsch@gmail.com
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Homeless Shelter at ESUMC Fellowship Hall
Friday, 15 February 2019 Director of Bells
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Second Harvest every other Friday Event Chris Perfetti
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cub Scouts - Tigers (1st Grade) Classroom 10 perfetti3@ptd.net
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Cub Scouts - Webelos (4th Grade) Community Room
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Overnight Shelter Week at ESUMC Fellowship Hall Director of Congregational
Saturday, 16 February 2019 Care
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Men's Bible Study Conference Room Rachel Thompson
8:00 PM to 6:00 AM Overnight Shelter Week at ESUMC Fellowship Hall rthompson@esumc.net

Financial Secretary/IT Support

Michael Corey
Recovery Meetings Community Room mcorey@esumc.net
of Office Building Basement E S U M C Sunday Services Ext. 1012
and Studies
NA: Mon-Sat, 12:00 to 1:30 PM Just for Today; Traditional 8:30 AM Audio/Visual Technician
Charles Rajnai
Wed, 6:00 to 7:30 PM New Beginnings (Women) Contemporary 10:45 AM charlesrajnai@gmail.com
AA: Thurs & Sat, 8:00 to 9:00 PM Keep It Simple Sunday School 9:45 AM
Saturday, 5:30 to6:30 PM. Discipleship 9:45 AM Facilities Manager
Sunday, 4:30 to 6:30 PM Serenity House Rob Coyle
rcoyle@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
East Stroudsburg United
Methodist Church Scan QR Sextons
Weekday Sunday
83 S. Courtland St. to ESUMC Bob Lee Craig Banner
Website
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
On the weekend of February 1st—3rd, our Sr. High Youth participated in a weekend retreat to Brick,
NJ. Brick has become a popular spot for the youth group, as Robin and Pat Braun continue to gen-
erously open their home to the ESUMC youth group. On this retreat, our programs centered around
the idea: In 10, 20, 30 years—Who do you want to be and who does God want you to be? The dis-
cussions, the critical thinking and the participation by this group of youth was very encouraging. In
addition to our sessions, we attended worship together on Sunday morning, enjoyed fantastic food,
and got a little crazy playing some late night card games!
Friends, we are so blessed by the youth at ESUMC! We are ALL working together to walk
alongside these youth as they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grow in their faith. Your support
and your prayers make this ministry possible!
Scott Kuhnle
 We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for an update on Super Sock Sunday. Super Sock
Sunday was held on February 3rd, Super Bowl Sunday, and was hosted by the ESUMC preschool nursery class.
This class had been in training to learn how to take care of His sheep. They learned the Lost Sheep Parable,
created sheep snacks, cotton ball sheep and played “herd the sheep” games and much more. Once the game
date approached, they dressed in team and stadium vendor gear, and they suited up to take on the sock
collection. It was a well fought battle with the little guys and the community as the victors. We are happy
to report that Super Sock Sunday was more than SUPER... The ESUMC Congregation, and their SUPER SIZED
hearts collected 535 pairs of socks! Yes fans, you read that right… 535 pairs!
These socks will be packaged (by the kids) with a kind message label, a valentines card, and a heart lollipop and
given to the homeless individuals staying with us the week of February 10 th. They will also be offered a warm,
soft, cuddly or woolen sock for the chilly nights. The rest of the socks will be shared at our Community Meal
with the remainder being available as needed for the rest of the year. MVP honors were shared between the
generous congregation and the hard working preschoolers with teamwork and the example of Jesus Christ as
the successful game plan that was followed to victory! The preschool class, nursery staff, and children’s minis-
try would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for all of your support! Thank you for being so SUPER!
Michelle Traub ESUMC Nursery Coordinator