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East Stroudsburg 

United Methodist Church 

The Trumpet Call

Pastor ’s Corner 

 

This will be the final Sunday of our “old” schedule, as weprepare for a brand new Sunday morning schedule tobegin on Sunday, September 13. To make sure we havemissed anyone with this announcement, a letter went outhe entire congregation this week; to active and inactivemembers, and friends and visitors alike. The Vision Teahopes that you will also take a moment and let all yourfriends and neighbors know about our new schedule sothat there are no surprises next weekend! Please see th

box to the left which lists both our current services through this weekend, as was our new schedule beginning the following weekend.  

We will celebrate our new schedule on the 13th with a fellowship breakfast inFellowship Hall beginning at 9:45 a.m. In addition to some great food, we’ll alshave praise band members on hand to lead us in some informal singing of bottraditional and contemporary songs. The Vision Team will prepare the breakfaand the youth will serve. The food has been paid for with anonymous donationso all you need to do is show up and enjoy the breakfast and the fellowship. Ihope this will be well attended by all.

On September 20, we launch our new fall discipleship program. There will betraditional Sunday School for children and youth up to 8th grade (please seePam O’Brien’s article on p. 3 about the workshop rotation for children). For oldyouth and adults, there will be a variety of classes from which to choose. Herethey are:

The Stine class is using a study on the Book of Acts, which includesthese themes: Seeds of New Growth, Giving Bold Testimony, Spreadithe Gospel.

 

The Brown/Rosenberger class which has been meeting in the youthroom is continuing a study on prayer. 

 Arlene Staples will lead a study for women based on the book, Discoving God's Will for Your Life, from Women of Faith (Study Guide Series

Tim Malefyt will lead a series on Christians and finances, utilizing videfrom our RightNow Media library called, Life, Money, Legacy by populpresenter Dave Ramsey.

Cathy Saunders will lead a video study called, Believe as Jesus Be-lieved; the Transformed Mind taught by Rev. Bill Hull, which will helppeople to understand Scripture and live it out as did Jesus.

Sharon Hachtman will lead, "Face to Face," about discovering the truerichness of God's intention for persons in romantic relationships. How

does the Bible guide us to the Creation ideal of identity, not based ongender, but in our relationship with our redemptive God? 

Retired pastor Bob Hachtman will lead a study for leaders of CATCH, evangelism program designed to attract and connect visitors to ourchurch. Persons signing up for this must be willing and able to lead asmall group in the principles of CATCH.

 All of these classes, whether ongoing or brand new, are available for each of uto grow in our faith in Christ. Sign-up sheets will be in various places in thebuilding on Sept. 6 and 13 to register for these classes. This is also a great wfor persons from different worship services to get to know each other.

This Sunday, I’ll start a two part sermon series on the journey we are on asdisciples of Jesus. We’ll see a brief video clip of the new movie just out,  A Wain the Woods, based on Bill Bryson’s true life adventure on the Appalachian T

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Pastor Jim Todd (jtodd@esumc.

Our Vision: 

To challenge and encourage everyonein our congregation to know and fol-low Christ by: 

Growing as disciples through Christ ’s

teachings 

Connecting with one another inChristian community 

Serving Christ by serving others 

Praising God as we worship Christ  

Sunday Services 

8:30 a.m. Traditional 

9:45 a.m. Contemporary 

(10:45 a.m. starting Sept. 13) 

11:00 a.m. Traditional 

(ending Sept. 6) 

East Stroudsburg United  

Methodist Church 

83 S. Courtland St. 

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 

(570) 421- 3280  

church@esumc.net  

www.esumc.net  

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Thomas Aquinaswas quoted as say-ing; “If the highestaim of a captain wasto preserve his ship,he would keep it inport forever.” Ibelieve captains areindeed responsiblefor the safety of theircrew and ship, butnot at the total expense of completing their mission. So the case with invitational evangelism, which begs thisquestion of the church and believers in Jesus Christ:“What is our mission?

The demographics of our community indicate thatprobably 50 percent or more people do not have a churcfamily. They may consider themselves to be “spiritual, bnot religious”, raising another question: “What does Godexpect our church to do in order to reach out to them? ” 

We may question how successful our quest could bbelieve the answer to all these questions is found in scrture. The mission of our church is to continue the missioof Jesus Christ. We are meant to find the lost sheep, ware meant to continue to “fish” for people. This means oship must leave port and our focus must become a newadventure of bringing people to Christ. In order to set saEast Stroudsburg United Methodist Church will seekguidance from a program called “ CATCH,”  developed bPastor Adam Hamilton from the Church of the Resurrection. Hamilton assures us that as a church we alreadyknow how to plan, program, schedule meetings and keethe church going for people who already attend. He dire

us toward a new focus; that of responding to Jesus’ calreach people outside the walls of our church. 

Beginning on September 20th (during the Discipleshtime between the two services) we will be offering a fiveweek Sunday training session on invitational evangelismWe will learn how to rig our ship and sail it in open wateThe CATCH  program will help us learn how to cast ournets out wide. We will be looking to answer three im-portant questions:  Why do people need Jesus Christ? 

Why do people need the church? 

Why do people need to come to our church? 

In conjunction with the Catch program Pastor Jim

Todd will be offering a three week Sunday sermon serieon evangelism. Following this a four -week small groupvideo study will be offered as additional training in how tattract people and be a welcoming church as we invitethem to grow, along with us, in faith. As we prepare for tion let us realize that this is not just another church groprogram. Our goal is not to be the biggest, coolest churin the community. Our goal is simply to reach out to theleast and the lost and take every step necessary to shathe depth of love God has for each one of them. Please

 join us as we set sail on this new voyage with a renewevision.

Shalom, Pastor Bob Hachtm

Outreach/Opportunities 

Stephen Ministry 

“ O Lord my God, I called to you for helpand you healed me.” Psalm 30:2  

Who might receive care from a StephenMinister? Care receivers may be hospi-talized, grieving the death of a lovedone, separated or divorcing, home-

bound, unemployed, adjusting to thebirth of a child, or otherwise experiencing difficulties.Think about your life and the lives of the people aroundyou. If you or someone you know could benefit from thecare of a Stephen Minister, please contact Peggy Strackat the church office, 570-421-3280, ext. 1023. 

Members of ESUMC who are no longer able to attendchurch, always enjoy hearing from you! Cards and notesof encouragement may be sent to Don and ThelmaPredmore, 156 Joel Street, East Stroudsburg, PA18301. 

The OKs are invited toPastor and Mrs. Todd’shome for a picnic onSeptember 9th at 11:30a.m. Please bring a dish

o share that will accompany Pastor Jim ’s chicken-on-

he-grill. RSVP by September 6th to Mrs. Karen Todd at215-206-5158 or Erma Powell at 570-421-1422. Wehope to see you there! 

No doubt you’venoticed the scaf-folding in front of

the building forthe last month orso. Due to deteri-oration and harshwinter weather,repairs are beingmade to thebuilding face.Our contractor,Tony Ascherl,has worked onthis projectthrough the heatof the summer.

Please pray forTony’s continuedsafety as hecompletes the job, and for Tonyand his family asthey mourn therecent loss of hismother, LoisIlene. Tony’sfather passedaway in August2014, so this hasbeen a difficult

time for him! 

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From Our Vision Team 

Once in an elementary science class, we conducted a

experiment on growing plants. We each had threeplastic cups, some dirt, and some seeds. We planted seeds in the dirt of all three cups; one cup we were toput in the sun and water every day. The second cup wto be placed in a dark room and receive water only, anthe third cup was to be placed in a dark closet andreceive no water or sunlight. A small child may notunderstand why only one of these plants, that whichreceived both water and light, was the only one to groand thrive, but as adults, we take such basic knowledfor granted. Maybe that is why Jesus spoke in parable

 Although there is an obvious outcome in the stories,such as the Parable of the Sower, it is often the hidde

or deeper meaning that escapes us, or fails to take roin the minds of the hearers. The important thing toremember is that Jesus was always seeking disciplesand commanding them to turn away from their formerways and follow Him. When we give our lives to Chriswe are also responsible to grow in our knowledge ofHim. Some of us are like the plant that is watered andreceives light: we take part in Bible studies, readscripture, pray daily, attend church regularly, andcontinue to grow in grace and knowledge of our LordJesus Christ. Others go to church regularly but fail tonourish their souls by studying God's Word, and someunfortunately fail to thrive at all. It's as if they are on a

shelf in a dark place, receiving nothing that will promospiritual growth. This week, the Vision Team asks thatyou pray and consider taking part in the discipleshipofferings for Sunday morning. There is a variety ofstudies from which to choose, and all of these classeswill foster spiritual growth. Focus on these passages oscripture as you consider where you will plant yoursethis fall: "So he came and proclaimed peace to you whwere far off and peace to those who were near; forthrough him both of us have access in one Spirit to thFather. So then you are no longer strangers and alienbut you are citizens with the saints and also membersthe household of God, built upon the foundation of theapostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as thcornerstone. In him the whole structure is joinedtogether and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; inwhom you also are built together spiritually into adwelling - place for God" (Ephesians 2:17 -22). I and threst of the Vision Team members will be praying for ahundred percent participation. There is nothing moreimportant than spiritual growth, and nothing pleasesGod more than to see his children flourishing in theknowledge of his Son and his Holy Word. Thank you fyour continued prayers.

Cathy Saunders / Vision Team Mem

Children’sMinistry News 

Sonday Summer Seekerswill not meet onSeptember 13th. 

Children’s Workshop

Rotation starts September20

th 

“ JESUS IS SWEET “ 

Psalms 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: Iwill be glad in the Lord. 

Sunday the 6th will be the final lesson for the summer.

It has been rewarding and fun to spend time with thechildren. We hope we have laid a foundation for them.We look forward to our new Sunday School year for allchildren from preschool age thru 5

th grade.

Please note that classes start in the large groupSunday School area at 10 a.m. and ends at 10:45.Children need to be picked up by a parent/guardian at10:45. Registration for Workshop Rotation will be sentto you via email. Please fill out the registration formpromptly so we can plan accordingly. 

The theme of this year ’s workshop rotation is Healing,Miracles, Compassion and Power  

Here are the stories/topics that will be learned: 

Four Friends (Luke 5: 17-26) The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12: 38-44) 

 Advent and Christmas (Matthew 1:18-25; 2: 1

-12)

 

The Call of Moses - The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-15) Moses, Plagues and Passover (Exodus 7: 14-

12:32) Easter - Trial and Crucifixion (Luke 19: 28-40; 22:14

-23:56; 24: 1-12) The Resurrection (Matthew 21: 1-11, 27:32-66, and

28: 1-10)

Teachers and Shepherds (aides) are needed tojoin the Workshop Rotation Team. Noexperience is necessary, we will provide you with

training. All you need to have is a love for children.Email Pam O’Brien at pobrien@esumc.net to join thisteam! 

Children’s Church for Children in Grades K-3starts on September 6th 

We need 2 volunteers each week. It will begin at about11 a.m. when the children in grades K-3 are dismissedfrom the Contemporary Service and concludes at theend of the service. Material will be provided to conductChildren’s Church. Please pray and think aboutvolunteering for this important ministry. Email Pam

O’Brien pobrien@esumc.net 

Opportunities/News 

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Staff Contact Information Main Office: 570-421-3280 

Pastor: Jim Todd   jtodd@esumc.net  1014 

Secretary: Maria Ragonese  mragonese@esumc.net  1010 

Congregational Care: Peggy Strack  pstrack@esumc.net 1023 

Music & Worship:Youth Ministry: Scott Kuhnle skuhnle@esumc.net  1013 

Children’s Ministry: Pam O’Brien  pobrien@esumc.net 1017 

Technology Support: Michael Corey  mcorey@esumc.net  1012 

Finances: Sue Mertz  smertz@esumc.net  1015 

Financial Secretary: Cyndie Faunce  cfaunce@esumc.net  1025 

Maintenance: William Mack  wmack@esumc.net  1018 

Fellowship Hall Kitchen  1030 

Church (Inside Breezeway)  1031Organist: Pauline Fox  foxes@esumc.net  ----

Audio-visuals: Joe Dorsch  josephdorsch@gmail.com  ----

Men’s Bible Study will beginon Saturday, September 12th at8:00 a.m. in the conference roomof the office building. Study hasyet to be determined. Thoseinterested in participating, pleaseemail John Hollister at johnhollis-ter@gmail.com 

On Saturday, October 3, 2015 the PregnancyResource Center of the Poconos will be holdits annual Walk for Life—a fundraiser for the centhat helps many facing crisis pregnancies. It is awonderful opportunity to take a stand for life withother churches in the area and support the minis Anyone can participate! You may call Lori at 90362-1688 for more information. 

SAVE THE DATE:

OCTOBER 18TH, 3:00 P.M. — 

ORGAN CONCERT AND

FINE ART EXHIBIT 

UMW NEWS: 

September DollarChallenge: 

Snacks for childrenand youth outreach(JAM). Chips, pret-

zels, crackers, cookies (all available at theDollar Tree) 

UMW Organizational Meeting: 

Sunday, September 20th, 9:30-10:00 a.m. ithe Bridal Lounge. All women invited. 

Stand Down Day 

September 13, 2015 

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Pavilion in Dansbury

Park, E.S. 

FREE FOOD, CLOTHEHEALTH CHECKS &

HOUSING REFERRALS FOR THE