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 8 February 24, 2019

Cold Weather Shelter Ministry Corner

Dear Friends,

As you already know, ESUMC hosted the

Cold Weather Shelter the week of
February 10-16,2019. A big thank you to
everyone that was an Ambassador,
washed laundry, helped make a meal,
sponsored a meal, helped with showers,
set up cots, prayed for the week and the
guests. As always, the members of
ESUMC saw the need and you
responded. Thank you from the bottom of
my heart and on behalf of the guests too.

The week started in a great way and the

clients were able to get much rest. They
averaged an additional 2-3 hours more of
sleep per day. Wednesday brought snow
and ice, but the shelter remained open.
Throughout the day clients helped shovel
snow, spread salt throughout the property,
took out trash, whatever needed to be
done, they did. Folks would go out, come
back in, warm up, and back out they went. They wanted to pay it forward for the hospitality they had been shown. Lunch time came and
as they were sitting down the long tables together, I saw at that moment brothers and sisters feasting at God’s table. I started to tell
everyone about what I was thinking, some said, she’s gonna cry!!! There were a couple people sitting off to the side, but when I asked if
I could take their picture of their beautiful faces, the couple people yelled I want a picture sitting at God’s table. Dinner was sponsored by
the Marek family and in the middle of the storm Alex delivered a beautiful meal from Olive Garden. For the guests, they saw an
overwhelming gesture of kindness and love. Thank you, Marek Family. God had once again filled the room with so much love and
blessings. That’s so like God…right?

As I sat around with them throughout the entire week guests couldn’t stop thanking
us about what we were doing for them. At one point, a few said, you give up your
comfy homes and family time to be with us…thank you so very much. If you know
me, you know that I did plenty of crying, but they were tears of joy. We were all
expressing the love that God shows us each and every day to the wonderful
guests occupying our Fellowship Hall. Matthew 25:40…” Whatever you did for the
least of these, you did for me.”

On Valentines Day all the Guests received the socks from the youngest church
members and the guests were thrilled. They were so happy to hear and see that
even the smallest of our congregation members took the time to care for them…
Thank you, Michelle and Erica.

It was a long week, but so blessed to have had the opportunity for folks to see the
love that ESUMC shares with everyone that comes into our building or meets in
the community. I often say, if I could scream from the highest rooftop of the love
that our Heavenly Father shows us each and every day, and the amazing church
that I am blessed to belong to, I would…God did better than that…He brought us
44 people to share it everyday right inside our building…Thank you everyone and
God bless each and every one for always stepping up and answering the call.

A HUGE thank you to all the ministries that cancelled or moved their functions to
accommodate the shelter. Blessings, Ana
 Bring A Friend to church Sunday, is coming up FAST! Will
you fully support this outreach by taking a postcard home
and inviting your friends and neighbors to come with you
to Church on Sunday, March 10th? Folks, this is going to
be an awesome day! We’re preparing to “pull out all the
stops” and welcome them properly by kicking-off our
Church-Wide Study: Not A Fan, presenting your friend
with a special welcome gift, and inviting them to join us for
a lunch following the 10:45am service! Be a bold witness
for Christ! And bring a friend on March 10th!

"In benefit of our 2019 Missions Trip to Volgograd,

Russia, ESUMC is hosting a Fish Fry & Silent Auction on
March 8th from 5:00-7:00pm!

Donations are still needed for this important event, so please

consider donating a special service such as photography,
handyman repairs, lawn clean-up, etc., or themed gift baskets,
gift cards and gift certificates, art and decor, or a weekend stay
at your vacation home or a nearby resort! All donations can be
dropped off at the Church Office Monday-Friday, from 9am-1pm,
or at the donations table in Fellowship Hall on Sundays! Please
be sure to include a suggested minimum bid with each item. For
more information, contact Bobbi Snyder or Michelle Dodoo! Are
you a business owner? Increase local awareness by promoting
your small business and contributing your services and/or
merchandise! Do you frequent a lot of local businesses? Contact
Bobbi Snyder for a copy of our donations letter and help request
donations for this event. Thank you always for your prayers & Food Needed for Bring a Friend Sunday!
support! - ESUMC’s Mission Team
A delicious meal is being planned for our congregation and
guests on Sunday, March 10th after the 10:45 service.
Meat and a few sides are being prepared by chef Ana, but
help from you would be greatly appreciated! Would you
bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share? Signup in
Fellowship Hall, indicating what you will bring! Many
hands make light work.
 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 small packages to 50 students
and soldiers 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
Pictured are the participants in the 2019 summer
Mission rip to Russia:
Left to right, Top Row: Kristin Grubb, Nee Dodoo,
Bobbi Snyder, Alberta Deiter, Peggy Strack.
Left to right, Bottom Row: Mike Ragonese,
Lynn Pappalardo, Jim Todd, Karen Todd
Inset: Harriette Fulmer
Kristin Grubb is an active member of Mt. Pocono UMC,
one of the three churches in our area which supports
the Russian Initiative at the Transfiguration United
Methodist Church in Volgograd, Russia. The trip will
take place in mid-August, and the participants solicit the
prayer and financial support of the congregation. The
purpose of the trip is to show our love for our Russian
brothers and sisters in Christ and to provide
encouragement to them in their important mission in
Volgograd. Funds will be offered to the church for the
purchase of much needed Russian language Bibles.
Brochures are available to allow you to pledge financial
support and prayer for the mission. You are invited to
participate in the first fundraiser for the trip: the Lenten
Fish Fry and Silent Auction on Friday, March 8, 5-7 pm.
One Day Mission Trip to
Pocono Plateau
“A one day mission trip to Pocono Plateau” is planned as a
THANK YOU for all they have done to spread the gospel.
We will be going on Saturday March 23rd. We will leave
from ESUMC at 8:00 AM and be returning around 7:00 PM.
The camp will provide lunch and dinner. No skills required
but appreciated if you have one. Please call or text Ray at
570- 369-3131 if you are interested.
A Word from Pastor Amy Banka
Hear the thoughts of Pastor Amy Banka as she
prepares to be the adult leader at
ESUMC’s Spiritual Life Retreat on
Saturday, March 30th at Pocono
Plateau:
“As I read through Paul’s letter to the
church in Corinth, I realize Paul is
writing to a passionate church. They
have passionate gatherings,
dialogues, and issues. They don’t all
agree, but they are committed to Christ. Just like
us. And Paul, because he loves them so, offers a little
redirection so they can keep the main thing, the main
thing.”
Transportation and scholarships available! Programming
for all ages! Extremely reasonable cost! To register or for
further information, stop by Fellowship Hall any Sunday or
visit www.esumc.net. To help us in our planning, please
register your family today! Deadline March 20th.
Thank you all so much for your
thoughts and prayers, encouragement,
well wishes and flowers during my time of
need. Please continue to pray as I move
forward in the next phase of treatment.
In Christian Love ~ Lee Karchner
 CHURCH CONTACT LIST

THIS WEEK AT ESUMC Office

(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9am to 1pm
Monday thru Friday

Pastor
Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014

Church Administrator
Jill Teaford
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015

Administrative Assistant
Kathy Ravago
kravago@esumc.net
Ext. 1010

Director of Spiritual Life &

Communications
Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net
Ext. 1023

Director of Student Ministries

Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013

Director of Children & Family

Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017

Director of Traditional Music/

Organist
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net

Director of Contemporary
Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net

Director of Choir
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com

Director of Bells
Chris Perfetti
perfetti3@ptd.net

Director of Congregational
Care
Rachel Thompson
rthompson@esumc.net
Ext. 1011
Continued on page 2
Financial Secretary/IT Support
Recovery Meetings Community Room Michael Corey
of Office Building Basement E S U M C Sunday Services mcorey@esumc.net
and Studies Ext. 1012
NA: Mon-Sat, 12:00 to 1:30 PM Just for Today; Traditional 8:30 AM Audio/Visual Technician
Wed, 6:00 to 7:30 PM New Beginnings (Women) Contemporary 10:45 AM Charles Rajnai
AA: Thurs & Sat, 8:00 to 9:00 PM Keep It Simple Sunday School 9:45 AM charlesrajnai@gmail.com
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
East Stroudsburg United Ext. 1018
Methodist Church Scan QR
Sextons
83 S. Courtland St. to ESUMC Weekday Sunday
Website Bob Lee Craig Banner
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301