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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 14 April 7th, 2019

I call it “God’s Ripple Effect.” As I shared in worship at both services last Sunday, our retreat
leader last Saturday, the Rev. Amy Banka, boldly stepped out in faith at the close of the
Spiritual Life Retreat and offered a gift of $1000 toward Pocono Plateau camperships if
someone else would match it. She said, “I haven’t thought this through, but I’m just going to
do it because I believe God is behind it.” If there was ever a question in anyone’s mind
about whether God was behind it, let me state unequivocally that God was and is!
Several of our members came forward and pledged a total of $2000. I announced this last
Sunday morning and thought this was the end of it. No, God had not yet closed the book because of God’s
Ripple Effect. After the 10:45 am service, a visitor who has been at ESUMC several times but whom I had never
met, walked up and introduced herself. We talked about many things in the course of our conversation, but then
she handed me seven $20 bills and explained that someone the day before had given her that money in
Brooklyn and told her to use it for God’s Kingdom. When she heard the story on Sunday morning, she was
motivated to give it to us to use for camperships. I thought THAT was the end of the story, but God had much
more in mind…
On Monday afternoon, I was sitting in my office when a long-time member came to see me and as we sat
together he shared how much the ministry of Pocono Plateau had meant to him and his family over the years.
ESUMC Community He then made a pledge of another $1000; praise God! I looked through the receipts from Sundays offerings,
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church EastStroudsburgUMC @ESUMC
and discovered there had been more designated giving for camperships, raising the total even higher. God are
you done yet?
Sunday Services & Studies
Nope! The ripple goes on and on, because it’s a very big pond. At the Wednesday night Lenten service at
8:30 AM Traditional 9:45 AM Equipping Hour 10:45 AM Contemporary Cherry Valley UMC, I was invited to stand up and tell this whole incredible story to see how far God’s Ripple
Effect would go out into the community. The preacher of the night, Bill Kuntze (serving Cherry Lane UMC) told a
Church Office story about a donor who once gave him a blank check for his ministry, then Bill offered the audacious challenge
Director of Student Ministries Director of Congregational Care
Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm
Rachel Thompson
to the congregation made up of people from all nine cluster churches to in essence put blank checks in the
church@esumc.net Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net rthompson@esumc.net offering plate to allow each of their own pastors to fill in the amount God wanted from them. I’ll admit that
(570) 421-3280
Ext. 1013 Ext. 1011 thought scares me to death, but when the Holy Spirit is turned loose, you never know where you’re going to go
Pastor next. Is God done yet? Not by a long shot, because the ripple keeps going and going. The ripple extends
Director of Children & Family Ministries Audio/Visual Technician
Jim Todd
Erica Dorsch Charles Rajnai through all of the giving, through the many children and youth going to camp and hearing about Christ (many for
jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014 edorsch@esumc.net charlesrajnai@gmail.com the first time), and through lifetimes of transformed lives because people made commitments to Christ during
Ext. 1017 those camp experiences. And to think…all that happened because one person stepped out in faith and made a
Church Administrator Financial Secretary bold pledge because she believed God wanted her to do something. Thanks, Amy, and thank you, God, for
Jill Teaford Director of Traditional Music/Organist Accepting Applications
Pauline Fox esumcjobs@gmail.com working through her and ALL of us!
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015 foxes@esumc.net
Facilities Manager God is doing something else and there’s another ripple in the pond. We are in the process of forming a
Administrative Assistant Director of Contemporary Music Rob Coyle Generosity Team here in our church, and the timing couldn’t be better given the story above. We’re going to be
Doug Malefyt rcoyle@esumc.net
Kathy Ravago
dmalefyt@esumc.net Ext. 1018 looking at how we can turn up the generosity level in our church and community in all areas: through financial
kravago@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
gifts, spiritual gifts and talents, gifts of time, gifts of prayer, and gifts we haven’t even thought of yet. If this is
Director of Choir Weekday Sexton where your passion lies, we invite you to attend a Generosity Workshop from Noon to 1:30 pm on Sunday,
Director of Communications Joe Dorsch Bob Lee April 14 in Fellowship Hall to hear more of what we believe God has in mind for us. Let us praise the God who
& Spiritual Life Development josephdorsch@gmail.com rcoyle@esumc.net
has been so generous to us, and may we always seek to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our
Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net Director of Bells Sunday Sexton lives!
Ext. 1023 Chris Perfetti Craig Banner
perfetti3@ptd.net rcoyle@esumc.net Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jim
ESUMC Youth Ministry Update
Hi Friends!

It has been a busy and rewarding winter for the Youth Ministry Program here at East Stroudsburg UMC! This year’s
confirmation class visited Pocono Plateau twice for weekend retreats. Teaching and discussion topics for the class
have included: death through Adam, life through Christ; the early church; worship; living a life of worship; faith and
works, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Up next for the confirmation class is the spiritual gifts inventory
and discussions with mentors regarding how we can use our spiritual gifts to glorify God.

The youth group continues to offer the following weekly programs: Sr. High Bible Study (Mondays); Foundations
Afterschool Homework Help Outreach Program (Tuesdays and Wednesdays); and JAM Jr. High Outreach and Jr.
High Bible Studies (Thursdays). In addition to these weekly programs, the youth have participated in the Youth Rally
to Ocean City, MD in January, a Sr. High Retreat to Brick, NJ (Pat and Robin Braun’s home), and a two day trip to
Don’t forget to stick around for a few minutes longer this Washington D.C. led by Robin Braun, Pat Braun, and Pastor Jim. In Washington, the youth had the opportunity to
Sunday! Consider joining us for “The Worship Design meet Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito! Perhaps you also saw a group of our youth representing ESUMC (and
Team/Contemporary Worship” meeting, in the marching with the adults) in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade? How great was it to see our church represented in the
parade?!
Sanctuary, at 11:45am.
I also want to highlight the Sr. High Overnighter Outreach event that occurred on Saturday night February 23rd. A
group of our Sr. High student leaders organized, planned, and carried out this outreach overnighter. These students
took the time to invite their friends from school, who do not currently attend our youth group or church. I know you
will rejoice with me, when I tell you that 42 youth were present at this outreach event!! What an encouragement to
see our youth inviting other youth to come experience what they have found here at ESUMC!! Praise God!

Foundations Afterschool Outreach Program (Homework Help/Tutoring)


Every week at ESUMC, the Foundations Afterschool Program provides a safe and fun environment where middle
school students have time to finish their homework, receive math/language arts tutoring, and enjoy a dinner before
heading home at 5:30pm. In addition, every day the students participate in a 10-15 minute “personal integrity/
values” lesson. This past week, our lesson focused on “encouragement and the power of our words.” Students
were encouraged to share about their favorite teacher (from a previous year) and then were given the opportunity to
write a thank-you note to that teacher!
Beginning this Sunday, Easter Lilies will be available for As always—THANK YOU for your prayers and your support! We are making an eternal difference in the lives of
purchase at $8/plant. Lilies will be displayed on the alter the next generation!
for our Easter Services, and may be taken home
following the service. Scott Kuhnle
Director of Student Ministries
“Donations only” are also being accepted for Faith
Promise Missions. Please use the green envelope
inserted into this week’s bulletin to place your order and/
or Faith Promise donation. The envelope has a place to
indicate your dedication. Dedications will be published in
the Easter Sunday Bulletin. All lily orders must be
submitted by Monday, April 15th.

Donation only dedications will be accepted until


Thursday, April 18th. For more information, please
contact the Church Office, Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm

Join us next Sunday as we welcome


and commission our newest Stephen
Minsters:
Michelle Dodoo, Ann Osbun,
Bobbie Snyder & Bryce Williams
THIS WEEK AT ESUMC
Would you be willing to
Recovery pick someone up on your
Meetings way to church?
at ESUMC The Congregational Care Team is in need of drivers to give
All meetings are rides to homebound church members before the 8:30 and 10:45
held downstairs in services, particularly from Shirley Futch Plaza (which is literally,
the Community Room of
the Education Building right across the street!). All pickups will be conveniently
coordinated based on location. For more information or to
volunteer, please contact Rachel Thompson at

AA
Keep It Simple
rthompson@esumc.net.
Monroe County United (MCU) will be leading a community
prayer event at Stroudsburg Courthouse Square at 12pm on
Thursday, May 2nd, 2019.
Thursdays & Saturdays
Our Outreach & Evangelism Team desires to participate and
8:00pm-9:00pm invites ESMC to join us around the flagpole. We also invite you
to wear your ESUMC t-shirts, and to join us in prayer for our
Serenity House Country at noon (even if you can’t be there in person). For more
information, please email Bethany Mills at bmills@esumc.net
Saturdays
5:30pm-6:30pm “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am
there in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
Sundays
4:30pm-6:30pm

Now that Spring is here, we know you’re itching to get out of the
house and for some fresh air and fellowship! Here’s a great

NA
Just For Today
opportunity to do just that:

ESUMC’s “kids” over 55, also known as the Older Kids (or
“O.K.s” for short), are taking a trip to Monroe Vo-Tech for lunch
Monday-Saturday on Wednesday, April 17th at 12pm! Admisssion is just $10/
person. The choice of entrees: Shrimp Scampi or Chicken
12:00pm-1:30pm Parmesan. This a GREAT opportunity to catch up with old
friends or may even make a few new ones—so don’t miss out!
New Beginnings
Interested in coming? RSVP to Erma Powell at (570) 421-1422
(Women’s Group) or Karen Dudley at (570) 424-9896 by Wednesday, April 10th. Spring Cantata: Help still needed!
Wednesdays Please be sure to indicate the number of people attending, their
6:00-7:30pm meal choice, and if anyone will be needing transportation! ESUMC’s Music Ministry is in need of a wide variety of
Please note: A valid ID is required for admission into the school!
skills and invites anyone who can sing, or feels
Again, this event is open to anyone 55 or older—so be sure to comfortable reading aloud! If you’re interested in

OA
Wednesdays
mark your calendar, RSVP, and come on out! assisting in any of these ways, please contact Pauline
Fox at foxes@esumc.net or (570) 223-9889.

Our Cantata, Prayer: Lord, I’m Listening, is scheduled


8:00pm-9:00pm for Sunday, May 5th, at Traditional & Contemporary
Worship Services. Rehearsal information is as follows:
Thursday, April 4th and 11th, from 7-8pm. Rehearsal will

GRIEF not be held on Thursday, April 18th, due to our Maundy


Thursday service. Rehearsals resume Monday, April

SHARE 29th, at 6:30pm, and continue Monday-Thursday


evenings, from 6:30-8:00pm, until May 2nd.
Thursdays
6:30-8:00pm Please note: Participants are required to attend the final
Begins 05/30/19 dress rehearsal on Saturday, May 4th, from 10am-12pm.
Meal served 5:00-6:30pm, Service from 7:00-8:00pm

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