East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

Sunday, August 28, 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

Journey of Faith Weekend October 14-15-16, 2011

(Lay Witness Mission Weekend)

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

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

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 ( ).

Stewardship Update General giving last week: $6,788 Average August weekly general expense need: $12,239 Monthly Renovation Obligation: $7,084 Attendance last week: (8-21-11) 300 last year: (8-22-10) 283 Altar Flowers are given to the Glory and Pulpit Swap - Today we welcome The Reverend Kofi Ashley, pastor
of Richmond United Methodist Church while Rev. Candy LaBar heads to Richmond UMC. Kofi is well known to our congregation; he served as our pastoral intern until 2006 when he received his first appointment to Portland UMC. We thank his wife, Sarah, for sharing her message in song at our services today.

Healing and Illness

Mike & Christine Warner (Parents) Kaitlin, Howard, Allen (Dinkle family) Matthew Miggins, 2-month old, unable to gain weight & for the parents Dave & Sue, strength (Toni Heller) Bob Cassieri, successful surgery 9/6 (Donna Marie Cassieri) Jaden Forsyth, seizures (Donna Marie Cassieri) Loida Ziss (Janett Raughley) Jason, recovering from plane crash (Bobbie Wolf) Mike & Trish (JoAnne Scott) Jenny Hart (Hank Hart) Susan B, comfort & healing (Pat Dillensnyder) Mike Tabery (Bob Staples) Those with Cancer: Trish & Angie (Rebecca Stager); Barb Counterman (Counterman family); Walter Price, Jr. (Our Sunday School students); Stacy Forsyth (Donna Marie Cassieri); Florence (Ed & Sue) Other David, conflicts at work (Ragonese family) Myself, balance & grace (Nancy Carlson) Kenneth, strength (Ed & Sue) Andrea, comfort (Faith)
.

Worship
Ushers and Greeters: 8:30 a.m. Bill & Edie Williams, Herb Jacobs, Bryan & Sonji Bensley, Richard & Carol Phillips 9:45 a.m. Joyce Heller, Jean Snyder, Ross & Nancy Transue, Bill & Pat Cunningham 11 a.m. Rich Mayers, Bruce Osbun, Bob & Winnie Repsher, Denna Perfetti, Betty Ladlee Scripture Reader: 8:30 a.m. Linda Johnson 9:45 a.m. .Joyce Heller 11 a.m. Denna Perfetti Acolytes: 11 a.m. Ashley Mayer Children's Church: Mrs. Randall Church Driver: Janett Raughley Last Introductory Class for learning to ring bells and chimes is today from 9-9:40 a.m. in the Bell Room for adults, teens, and children entering at least third grade. For further individual instruction before seasonal rehearsals resume, contact Norm Fox. Today in Fellowship Hall - Help prepare for our next organ concert by young virtuoso Aram Basmadjian Sunday, September 25. Take fliers to post or share, sign up to greet or to help with a reception. Seasonal Music will be featured next Sunday in an extended postlude after the 11 a.m. service. Pauline Fox and Joe Dorsch, sax, will offer a variety of familiar end-of-summer and early-autumn songs. Come, enjoy, and be blessed! 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.

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, Josh Kimple; Pacific: Faith Gibbs; Afghanistan: Jason Lamboy, Brandon Smith, Ryan Maciejczak, Everett Horton, Chris Stowe, Brad Martz; Air Force: Amelia Gordon, Dave Bennett; Army: Brad Poulson; Navy: Matt Spence.

Information and Events Weekly Adult Recreational Basketball meets Monday at 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For information call John at 426-7574. United Methodist Women will be meeting Saturday, September 10 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. in the Bridal Lounge. Program: The Churchs Response to Crisis in Haiti. For information, please email Connie Godleski at bcgod@ptd.net. Saturday Night Fellowship will have a pot-luck dinner September 17 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring a friend and a dish to pass. Questions call Mary at 570-604-9253. Older Kids, our retiree group, will have a day at the movies in Fellowship Hall. Come Monday, September 12 at 11:30 p.m. to enjoy pizza, popcorn and fellowship! For food planning purposes, please contact Kelli at 421-3280 or koney@esumc.net if you are coming. Congregational Care
Blood Pressure Screenings will be done after each service on Sunday, September 11 in Fellowship Hall. Stop by to have your blood pressure taken, speak with a nurse, and pick up literature from the American Heart Association. Don't be a victim of the Silent Killer! Our Homebound and Care Facility Members are always happy to be remembered by the church family. Encouraging cards or notes can be sent to: Brad Stoddard, Room 217 A Wing, Pleasant Valley Manor, 4227 Manor Drive, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360. Wellness Ministry Tip for Losing Weight: Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals. Studies show that you will tend to eat less, but even if you eat the same number of calories distributed this way, your body releases less insulin, which keeps blood sugar steady and helps control hunger. Pocono Medical Center is hosting a heart disease screening Thursday, September 15 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and free skin cancer screenings through September 30. See the Congregational Care Bulletin Board in Oberholtzer Hall for further information. Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b As the weeks go by our Stephen Ministers are meeting with their care receivers, listening to their needs, and lifting them up in prayer. Stephen Ministers pray for God's mercy and cure for the care receivers concerns, pain, and suffering in their lives. We ask you, our congregation, to continue to support the Stephen Ministers by including them and their care receivers in your prayers. For more information about Stephen Ministry, please contact Peggy Strack at the church office at 421-3280.

Adult Discipleship
Mens Bible Study will meet weekly Saturday mornings, from 8-9 a.m. starting September 10. The study is If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. Deep inside all of us is the faith that sent Peter walking across the sea. Come and find out how God is calling you to make that step. Contact John Hollister at johnbhollister@gmail.com by Sept. 1 if you want to participate, so materials can be ordered. Membership Classes - If you identify yourself as a part of ESUMC here are the steps towards membership. You are asked to attend all three classes as they fit your schedule. New members will join church Sunday, December 11. To participate in any of these classes, please contact Kelli Oney at 421-3280 or koney@esumc.net Pastors Class - September 18 at 11 a.m. - Pastor Kimes will talk about our sacraments, doctrines, expectations of membership and history of our church in an informal setting. Come and have your questions answered and meet others who are pondering membership. Pastoral Study - Pastor Candy leads this three-week study Three Simple Rules the Wesleyan Way of Living starting Sunday, September 25 at 9:45 a.m. Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts - Sue Mueller will offer this four week class that will measure your strengths and identify your Godgiven spiritual gifts. Classes start Sunday, October 23 and meet from 11-12:15 p.m .

Childrens Ministry - Birth to 6th Grade To register for events or for information, please contact Sue Randall at
srandall@esumc.net. Sunday School News - Large group Summer Sunday School will continue through September 4. Regular Sunday School Classes will begin on September 11. Sunday School Staff Organization Meeting is Sunday, September 11 from Noon - 1:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Plan for calendaring, re-grouping, and classroom set-up. Please RSVP to srandall@esumc.net Foundations Christian Preschool Welcomes Mrs. Pam O'Brien as our new preschool teacher. Pam is a church member, married to Bill and together they have four children. She is a certified elementary school teacher with a Master's Degree in Reading. Our school is blessed to have Pam join with our wonderful teacher's aide Mrs. Gail Corey. We also welcome again this year, Mrs. Julie Aldridge as regular substitute teacher. Open House is September 6 at 9:30 a.m. Children's Choir for children in Kindergarten - 5th grade will begin on Sunday, September 18 at 9 a.m. in the Choir Room under the direction of Mrs. Joanna Gambill and Mrs. Melissa Ritchie.

Snacks Needed: Our after-school outreach programs are also in need of snack and drink donations. If you would be willing to make a donation, please contact Scott Kuhnle. Youth Praise Band will be starting up again this September. Anyone interested in playing an instrument or singing should contact Scott. Service Saturday Returns! This is a great way for youth (and adults) to serve the Lord, by serving others, all year round. Our first project is Saturday, September 24. See the article on Mission Trip. Mark Your Calendars: JAM, Fellowship Meal, and Small Group Bible Studies will all start Thursday September 22, and will run every Thursday during the school year. The schedule each Thursday is as follows: 2:30 - 5 p.m. JAM (Jr. High Outreach: 6th - 12th grades) 5:00 - 6 p.m. Fellowship Meal (6th - 12th grades) 6 - 7:30 p.m. Small Group Bible Studies (7th - 12th grades)

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 permission forms and information on trips and events. Sunday School is held this Sunday in the Youth Room at 11 a.m. During the summer months we will combine the Jr. High and Sr. High Sunday School Classes. Sunday Night Youth Program Tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Bring a friend. This is a time for fellowship, games, worship, message, and small group discussion. Adult Drivers Needed: The Youth Ministry After-school Programs are about to start. Over the past two years, these programs have been a great outreach to students in our community. We are in need of adults 25 years and older to pickup students (using the church van) on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons, typically around 2:30 p.m. If you would be available to help, please contact Scott Kuhnle.

Saturday, September 24 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Bensalem, PA Pat Braun will be leading a one-day outreach trip to Lower Bucks County, PA. Our mission will focus on a property that will be designated for homeless ministry. All skill levels are needed for this project, so all are welcome! If you have felt called to serve in missions but have been unable to set aside the time for a week-long mission trip, this one-day program is perfect for you! This is a great opportunity for youth and parents to partner together in service to God and the community. Our outreach volunteers will assist The Volunteers in Missions in refurbishing cottages to house this community. Their hope is to have this project complete by mid-October so that families can move in before winter. If you would be interested in serving, please contact Pat Braun at Arbymail@yahoo.com or 424-5481. A breakfast is being planned for Sunday, September 11 between services to raise funds for supplies. Come and let us fill you up!

This Week at East Stroudsburg U.M.C.

Sunday, 8-28 9:00 a.m. Ringers, Bell Rm 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Marriage Class, Rm 3 11:00 a.m. Jr. & Sr. High Sunday, School, Youth Rm Marriage Class, Rm 3 6:30 p.m. Youth Program, Youth Rm Monday, 8-29 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 8:00 p.m. Basketball, Fellowship Hall Tuesday, 8-30 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 7:00 p.m. FOG, Leslie Howes Home - Praise Team, Sanctuary Wednesday, 8-31 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 5:30 p.m. NA, Community Rm 7:00 p.m. Basketball, Fellowship Hall Thursday, 9-1 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 6:30 p.m. Prayer Group, Chapel 8:00 p.m. AA, Community Rm Friday, 9-2 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 6:30 p.m. Scouts 542, Community Rm Saturday, 9-3 12:00 p.m. NA, Community Rm 8:00 p.m. AA, Community Rm 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. Ask the Lord if He wants you to host a Saturday morning coffee at your home on October 15. If you desire to help in this way, call the church office or Deena Boback at 420-0611. 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. 4. Mark your calendar now to attend a congregational prayer gathering Wednesday, September 14. Come pray in the sanctuary any time between 6:30 - 8 p.m., with a time for corporate prayer from 7:15 - 7:30 p.m. Child care provided.

Womens Day Out

All women of our church are invited to an informal time of fellowship at the church, Saturday September 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come and watch the Women of Faith Conference Imagine. Light breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. For more information or to register for this event, please contact Mary at MBS1058@aol.com or call 570604-9253.

This week's Pause for Prayer from Psalm 5:3,11-12 All of us, no matter what stage of life, can benefit from time spent with God. If we're not careful we find ourselves hurrying through our prayers and reading God's Word. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a stronger relationship with God. We encourage you this week to pray as the Psalmist prayed: This morning, O Lord, I know you hear my voice; I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Renew my mind and my heart as I commit this day to you, O God. May the power of the Holy Spirit be evident in all I do and all within East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. I ask that you spread your protection over the congregation and the church leaders. Surround us with your favor as like a shield. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

FAITH PROMISE UPDATE

Sometimes it is difficult to feel that prayers and/or small donations to a Faith-based organization make any difference in peoples lives. Mother Teresa once said, Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. In supporting FAITH PROMISE, its good to realize that if enough of us give of our resources, and enough of us give what we can of our time, and enough of us give our prayers and our love, big things just begin to happen for the building of Gods kingdom with our Faith Promise Partners. As we join others in our congregation with the support of presence, prayers and gifts, all in thoughtfulness and love, we trust in Gods goodness to touch people and bring hope and strength and guidance to their lives. Ryan Moyer, with InterVarsity at Temple U., directed a six-week summer urban project in Phila, and asks for prayers for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) leaders as the school year begins; Habitat for Humanitys Fund Raiser, Raise the Roof, will be September 18; Ben Drake has been called to Hong Kong with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and is participating in dramas and is going to outreach locations in southeast Asia (see his complete letter on Mission Bulletin Board in Oberholtzer Hall); and Spanish Health asks for prayer for Alex having hip surgery. Family Promise currently spent a week at our church and we helped three families towards establishing permanent housing. Our support is surely a witness that we can do small things with great love to make a difference in peoples lives. You can give to Faith Promise today by using the enclosed envelopes or anytime by marking your donation Missions - Family Promise. If you have any questions regarding our Faith Promise program, please contact Linda Kissel at lskisl@ptd.net