East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Volume III Issue 52 December 24 & 31, 2017

Our Mission: To love Jesus Christ CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES

and to share His Love
10:00 AM Christmas Morning Service
Our Vision
4:00 PM Christmas Children Service
“To be a Christian community
where Christ is transforming lives” 7:00 PM Christmas Family Service
Our goal is to grow God’s way 10:00 PM Christmas Candle Light Service
Upward through worship and prayer
Inward through prayer and bible study
Outward through evangelism, service,
fellowship and stewardship.

New Years Eve Services

Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am

Pastor’s Corner
I want to make sure the entire congregation is clear about the times and the contents of the
services this Sunday. On Sunday morning, December 24, we will have one combined service
of worship at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. There will be elements of both our normal 8:30
and 10:45 services in this one joint service, and I hope you will come to that service to
celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, as we welcome Scott Kuhnle back to the pulpit.
That’s right: even though it is Christmas Eve, it is still the Fourth Sunday of Advent, a time of
preparation to receive the Newborn King, which will be remembered at the morning service.
In the afternoon and evening, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus at all three services. Our
service times in the P.M. are 4:00, 7:00, and 10:00 p.m.
I want to correct something misstated in last week’s Trumpet Call. You may have been led to believe we are
having Holy Communion at the 7:00 p.m. service. We are not. Communion will only be served at the 10:00
p.m. service, which is a service of lessons and carols. The 4:00 p.m. service is for the young and young at
heart. It is the “ABC’s of Christmas,” and will offer themes of Christmas based on each of the 26 letters of the
alphabet. Our 7:00 p.m. Family Service will be a blended service, much like the 10:00 a.m. service. It will
feature both traditional and more contemporary elements, and will be the only evening service with a sermon
(not a long one, I promise!). Finally, we will conclude Christmas Eve with our 10:00 p.m. meditative service
based on the traditional English “Lessons and Carols” service, with the addition of Holy Communion. Please
know that all three services will conclude with candle lighting during the singing of Silent Night. At the 4:00 p.m.
service, all congregants will be given LED candles. At the other two services, we will have LED candles
available for children under 10, and youth and adults will receive regular candles to light. Because all three
services are so different from one another, I know there will be a service which will be meaningful for you on
Christmas Eve, and will fit your family schedule.

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This is the time of year when I get wistful looking back over all that has happened the previous 12 months. Much
has happened in the life of our church. As I preached last Sunday, we all have unexpected twists, turns, and
detours in our faith walk. That’s even more true when you’re talking about an entire congregation full of people!
We’ve had both our heartbreaks and our celebrations this past year, but no matter whether it was difficult or easy,
whether we were moving up or down, God was with us. God is with us! That’s the meaning of the word
“Emmanuel,” a title given to Jesus. God will continue to be with us and will call us to be faithful to Him and to seek
His direction in all that we do.
Something else that is rock-solid true is that no matter what was going on in the life of our church, God’s faithful
disciples in this church were working hard. There are far too many to remember name by name, but I name you
often in my heart as I give thanks for your ministry. I am truly privileged each and every day to be working with so
many dedicated people of faith! Thanks for the many ways you inspire me to do my best on behalf of the Kingdom
of God.
One final word: this is the last Trumpet Call of 2017. As you see on the masthead, this edition covers two weeks.
Mike Corey has been doing a fantastic job putting the Trumpet Call together each week, and he needs a break to
be with his family between Christmas and New Year’s. In 2018, some important changes are coming to the
Trumpet Call and Mike will no longer be the editor, though he will remain as a key staff person. More about that…in
2018! In the meantime, as we close out 2017, thank you from our family for all the kind remembrances in this
season, and may God richly bless your family this Christmas and in the coming New Year!
Blessings, Pastor Jim

May you all have a blessed Christmas

And enjoy God’s will in the New Year
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15: 13).
Christmas Blessings from,
The ESUMC Stephen Ministry team
Please Inform the Office!
If you or a member of your family is admitted to any hospital, please
inform the church office, 570-421-3280.
Pastor Jim, Bethany Mills, and volunteers are happy to visit if we are
aware of the need!
Members of ESUMC who are no longer able to attend church always
appreciate hearing from you. Cards may be sent to:
Ernestine Bell
498 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
Evelyn Smith
302 Kunkletown Little Gap Highway
Kunkletown, PA 18058
Thank You!

Hearing Assistance Devices are Here!

For more info visit our web page
http://www.esumc.net/stephen-ministry/
Or call—Peggy Strack
570-856-2131
ESUMC now owns several hearing assistance devices which can be worn
to improve your ability to hear our worship services. Please contact an
usher to pick up your hearing assistance device and return to an usher after
use.
Healthcare Equipment available:
Canes, crutches, walkers, adult potty chairs, shower stools, Depends and
more!
 Mission Moment
December 2017
Come out to hear one of our Faith
Promise Partners on New Year’s
Eve Sunday. Chris and Kelly Kulp
will be telling us about their work in
Cambodia with 100 Fold Studios and
bringing us the morning message.
One of our local ministries, the
Pregnancy Resource Center of the
Poconos just moved (moving day
photo below) to their new location
right across the street from our
church. Several church members
pitched in by helping with the move
this past Saturday. Please continue
to pray for all of our Faith Promise
Partners and consider making
regular donations to our Faith
Promise Program. Thanks for your
support to these ministries in
2017. MISSION ENVELOPES ARE IN BULLETINS & PEW POCKETS

Save the date!

Saturday, January 20th 4:30 to 7:30pm
Join us for
Chicken & Biscuits dinner, Silent Auction and Concert
Suggested donations:
Adults - $8
Children ages 4-12 - $4
Under age 3 - free
Proceeds benefit the Spiritual Life Retreat36
Donations for Silent Auction are welcome!

Women’s Ministries ~ Christmas in

March!
Brushes & Brunch Give your family a
Paint Party belated Christmas
gift! A one-day
Saturday, January 27 9:30-11:30
th
retreat ( 9:00 am-7:15 pm) for the
ESUMC Fellowship Hall entire ESUMC family is being
Save your spot by signing up Sundays in planned for Saturday, March 10th at
December in Fellowship Hall or on ESUMC’s Pocono Plateau. Guests speakers
website. will lead sessions for adults, youth,
and children. Babysitting
$25 includes a delicious provided. Cost (includes lunch and
brunch, friendly dinner):
conversation, and a under 3-free, ages 3-11-$10, ages
make-your-own wintry 12-adult-$30. Register in Fellowship
pallet! Hall after Sunday worship
services. Your registration should
* Childcare Provided
be accompanied by a deposit of $30
or full payment. This is a day you
will not want to miss! Mark your
calendars now!
Events Contact Us
United Methodist Women—December Dollar Challenge Church Office
Hats , scarves, gloves and socks for guests of Community meal and (570) 421-3280
others in need. church@esumc.net
All at Dollar Tree. Thanks in advance.
Hours: 9am to 1pm
Monday thru Friday
Year End Contributions Pastor
Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
All gifts received by Ext. 1014
Church Administrator
December 31, 2017 Jill Teaford
shall be credited to 2017 giving. jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
This includes gifts posted with a 2017 Administrative Assistant
Kathy Ravago
postmark and online giving with a 2017 kravago@esumc.net
transaction date. Ext. 1010
Spiritual Life &
Congregational Care
Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net
Ext. 1023
Student Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Children’s Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Financial Secretary
Michael Corey
Christmas – Closed Dec 25 & 26th th
mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012
Maintenance
New Years – Closed Jan 1st William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
Organist/Traditional Music
Pauline Fox
Recovery Meetings Available in foxes@esumc.net
The Community Room of Office Building Basement Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net
NA: Monday through Saturday – 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. Just for Today
Wednesday – 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. New Beginnings (Women’s Group) Choir Director
AA: Thursday & Saturday – 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Keep It Simple Julie Montes De Oca
Saturday – 5:30-6:30 P.M. Sunday - 4:30-6:30 P.M. Serenity House choir@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Tristen Gearhart
cgearhart@esumc.net
Scan QR to ESUMC Website
Technology Support
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Michael Corey
83 S. Courtland St. mcorey@esumc.net
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Ext. 1012
www.esumc.net