ANNOUNCEMENTS

Instrumental Christmas Carols played in Oberholtzer Hall

balcony between morning services on Sunday December 21.
All wind and string players from 5th grade up through adult are
welcome. Students must be in a school ensemble; easy
arrangements of familiar carols. If this is your first year, Pauline
Fox will meet with you to go over the music. Contact
foxes@esumc.net or 570-223-9889.
The Joyful Noises Quartet will be performing Gospel, Christmas,
and Secular music at the Shawnee Resort on December 9th at 7:00
p.m. Come, enjoy, and support your favorite Quartet.
Christmas Gifts for Soup Kitchen Attendees Donations of duct
tape, mens and womens sox and gloves, and new or 2nd hand toys
are needed to provide Christmas Gifts to those attending the soup
kitchen. Please bring A.S.A.P. to Fellowship Hall or church office.
Relay for Life Fundraiser TODAY
Please stop by our table in Fellowship Hall to place an order for
Krispy Kreme donuts. Proceeds will raise funds for our Relay for
Life team called Pocono Fight. We are looking for people to walk
with us and join our team. Stop by for more information.
Christian Overcomer's Fundraiser
In an effort to help the Christian Overcomer's ministry and people in
underprivileged countries, we are collecting gently used shoes.
They will be distributed to countries like Haiti, Uganda, and Bolivia.
There is a collection box in Oberholtzer Hall. Thanks for your help
and if you have any questions, please call Dennis Wilkens at 570421-0391.
S.W.A.T.
There will be no SWAT meeting for the month of December due to
the Holidays. However, if you have time to spare and would like to
help with some projects around the church, feel free to contact
Bruce Johnson at the church office x18. The next official SWAT
meeting will be January 26, 2015. Many thanks for all the new
volunteers who signed up.

Out Reach
Memorial Service for Esther Neely
Esther Neely went home to be with the Lord on December 2nd. A
memorial service will be held at Green Pond United Methodist Church
(formerly Calvary UMC) at 7:00 p.m. December 12th in Easton, PA.
Folks who are no longer able to attend church are always happy to
hear from you! Cards or notes may be sent to Elinor Imbt, 924 Mt.
Zion Ave., Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360.
Stephen Ministry

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God

in him. 1 John 4:16b
Most Gracious Lord, we ask for your special blessing upon our
Stephen Ministry. Give our leaders the wisdom and discernment
they need as they nurture and guide others to give and receive
care. Be with our Stephen Ministers as they bear witness to your
unconditional love and show your unending mercy. Let their care
receivers experience the healing presence of your Son, Jesus, in
these relationships. Send forth your Holy Spirit to strengthen and
encourage each of us to love one another and to bear one
anothers burdens. Help us to work together to make ESUMC a
community where people feel welcomed, loved, and connected to
you. We ask this in the name of our loving Savior. Amen. For
more information, call Peggy Strack, 570-421-3280, ext. 23.
Health Care Equipment
Walkers, crutches, canes, adult potty chairs, shower seats, raised
toilet seats, depends, wheelchairs and more are available to anyone in
need. Contact Peggy Strack, 570-421-3280, ext. 23.

Cookie Deliverers Needed!

ESUMC members who are in nursing homes or are homebound will
be receiving plates of Christmas cookies and a craft as gifts from
the church family. If you are willing to help with the deliveries,
during the week of Dec. 7th, call Peggy, 570-421-3280, ext. 23.

OPPORTUNITIES
United Methodist Women need bakers, candy makers and
jelly/jam makers for Breakfast with St. Nicholas. The items we need
for the sale are cookies, candy, pies and any season novelties or
decorations. Items can be dropped off at the church on Thursday,
December 11th from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, December
12th before 12 Noon. Any questions, contact Linda Drake at 570856-9395.
BELL RINGERS Needed
ESUMC will be ringing bells for the Salvation Army at K-Mart during
the week of December 8-12, from 5:00-9:00 p.m.. Two volunteers
are asked to serve together for a one hour time slot. Find a friend
or family member to join you in this wonderful Advent ministry
opportunity! Sign up Today by calling Caroline Whitmore at 570421-1526. Evening hours are the best time to call!
Christmas Party for the OKs (or 55 Plus) will be held
December 10th in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 am (snow date Dec.
17th). Please bring your favorite holiday dish; salad, vegetable or
dessert. Ham and beverage will be provided. Also please bring one
(or more if you like) wrapped non-perishable food item to be used
for game prizes and then donated for food baskets to some who
need them. Your items should be foods that will make a happy
holiday dinner. For any questions, call Erma Powell @570-421-1422.

All are invited (children, youth, families and adults). Feel free to
bring Christmas cookies to share.
December 13 @ 1:30 p.m. - Grace Park
Come join us for some "concert-style" Christmas-caroling in Grace
Park's main hall. Arrive at 1:30 through the main entrance, and
prepare to sing from 1:40-2:25. Meet us there, or arrive at church
10-15 minutes early to the church ride van.
December 15 @ 6:00 p.m. - Pleasant Valley
Let's get together and sing some Christmas carols while roaming
the halls and interacting with individuals throughout the entire
facility! Arrive at 6:00 p.m. and plan to stay an hour. Meet us
there, or arrive at church 20-25 minutes early to ride the church
van.

Youth Ministry News:

Sr. High Bible Study meets every Monday Night from 6:30 8:30
pm: This is a bible study for Sr. High students (9th-12th grades) who are
looking to get deeper into their faith, and grow stronger as a disciple of
Christ. We will have girls and guys combined bible study for three weeks,
followed by girls and guys separate discussions in the fourth week of every
month.
JAM Jr. High Afterschool Program meets every Thursday
from 2:45 5:00 pm. Information and Permission forms are
available on the church website (www.esumc.net) and in the youth
room. Each week following the JAM Program is a free
Fellowship Meal for all students (from 5-6 pm), followed by Jr. High
Boys and Jr. High Girls Bible studies (from 6-7:30 pm).

December 16 @ 6:45 p.m. - Shirley Futch Plaza

Join the Stephen Ministry & choir members in the Lobby and sing
some Christmas Carols for the residents. Park across street behind
Dansbury Depot and meet in lobby.
Ushers Needed for Christmas Eve Services
If you are able to serve as an usher at the 7:00 p.m. or the 10:00
p.m. service on Christmas Eve, please contact the church office
and give your name to Maria. Thanks for your support.