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 IV Issue 48 December 2, 2018

Ministry Corner-Children’s Ministry

Clomp, clomp, clomp, this is the sound of little footsteps running down the
stairs, eager to get to Children’s Church or the Preschool/Toddler nursery. The joy on their
excited faces as they prepare to learn more about Jesus is contagious.
Children’s Ministry has been blessed to welcome many new babies, infants,
preschoolers, and children to our Sunday morning programming. Their presence
has been seen and felt all around the church. Our preschoolers have been very
busy with their “Giving Thanks Tree” and we want to thank you, the congregation,
for your assistance in making this lesson a success. With your help the children
were able to see what other people are thankful for and how our thankfulness
blooms and can grow.
As we continue to give thanks and praise to God for all of the blessings He
has given to us, we look forward to His most precious gift; the gift of His son.
The children will have several opportunities this year to learn about Jesus’ birth; not only here at
church, but also in the community. We are blessed to have formed a wonderful partnership with
Pocono Community Theater and will be showing the movie, “The Star”
on Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23. This movie is
free and open to everyone in the community. What an amazing
opportunity to share the story of Jesus’ birth with the families and
children in our community!! Our children will also be able to share what
they have learned about Jesus’ birthday during our 4:00 pm Christmas
Eve service. This is a child led service, where our preschoolers and
children will be participating in a Christmas play entitled, “Just A Little Christmas”. We will see Mary
and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem, hear from the
Angels, and let’s not forget about those adorable
animals that welcomed baby Jesus into the world. This
service is filled with pure joy, smiles, and lots of proud
mommies, daddies, and of course the children!!

E S U M C Sunday Services and Studies

Traditional 8:30 AM Contemporary 10:45 AM
Sunday School 9:45 AM
Discipleship 9:45 AM
 Merry Martha’s
Our next meeting will be a festive one. We will
gather on Friday December 7th at 6:00 pm in
the kitchen/fellowship hall. I am asking
everyone to bring your favorite appetizer or
dessert to share. We will be doing a holiday
type craft. There will be a small fee.

Please RSVP and let me know if you are

bringing a dessert or appetizer. momma mertz@gmail.com
or call and leave a message 570-629-4069.

"Doesn’t everyone love time with family and friends at the Holidays?
This Christmas, ESUMC’s Outreach & Evangelism Team invites YOU
to share in a phenomenal experience with your family and friends at
Pocono Cinema!!! Join us on Saturday, December 22nd at 10:00am
and 1:00pm, or on Sunday, December 23rd at 6:30pm for a FREE
MOVIE SHOWING (and $3.00 off a small soda/popcorn combo) of
the Children’s Christmas film: The Star!!!! Invite others to experience
and know the most amazing gift you've ever received: Jesus
Christ!!!!
The Star is an animated, fictionalized depiction of the story of the first
Christmas and baby Jesus’ birth. We highly encourage you to attend
and invite all the young families you know!!! ***Doors open 30
minutes prior to each showing. Admittance is on a first come, first
serve basis as Pocono Cinema can only accommodate 300. Over-
flow is scheduled to take place in Oberholtzer Hall.*** To serve at
this event, or attain more information, please contact Bethany Mills
at bmills@esumc.net.”
Olde Time Christmas at Quiet Valley
Living Historical Farm
Our choir is participating as Christmas Carolers at Quiet Valley Living
Historical Farm in Stroudsburg (347 Quiet Valley Rd) on Sunday,
December 2nd, from 3pm-5pm, and invites you to attend this
wonderful program that shares the true spirit of Christmas. The
admission is $10 Adults, $5 Children which supports the non-profit
farm museum.
Experience Christmas in the 1800s with a winter evening on the
farm. Guides dressed in period clothing lead you by
lantern on a candlelight tour including a Live Barnyard
Nativity, Schoolhouse with Caroling, and Storytelling in
a cabin. There will be complimentary refreshments,
and a holiday gift shop of handcrafted items. The tour
is an 1-1/2 to 2 hours long, so come early to hear our choir!

Advent Study
The Gospels &
the Birth of December 17th 6:30-8:30
Christ Beer House Cafe

Convenient for
YOUR Needs.
It takes place
before dark, and
just before the
community Meal
on Mondays.

What: An examination of what each Gospel says about

the birth of Jesus, why they are different, and what each
Gospel writer emphasizes important for Christian living.
When: Mondays: Dec 3, 10, 17, from 3:00-4:15pm.
Where: Oberholtzer Hall, adjacent to the gymnasium.
On the final Monday, a brief Memorial service will be held
to remember those from the Community Meal and family
members who have passed away in 2018, December 17,
4:00 –4:30 pm.
 Save on Income Taxes by Donating Stock
The Steering Team and Finance Team have voted to
establish a brokerage account to receive donations of stock.
Stock donations are not only for the rich. Anyone could see
tax benefits.
When you donate stock that has grown in value, you will likely
bypass taxes on the gain, while you may also be able to
deduct the full value of the donation.
If you are taking a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from
retirement savings, the stock donation from that account can
count toward the RMD. That could lower taxable income, and
associated taxes. It could also potentially
provide a deduction if you itemize
deductions.
Everyone's situation is different, so
please check details with your investment
or tax adviser. Detailed instructions for
making these donations will be available from the church
office soon.
Decorating Angels Needed
If you have an eye for decorating and would
like to help decorate the church for the
Christmas season, please see Ana Price.
570-460-8423
Saturday 12/8/18
Dear friends, last Sunday few were so pleased to see the names of 22 Angel
Tree children taken home to be shopped for!!! Unfortunately, we had a few
Angels that “wandered off" without being signed out though!!! If you happen
to have one of these little angels at your house (that wasn’t signed out),
please call the Church Office or email Bethany Mills at bmills@esumc.net so
we know the names of those purchasing gifts for these sweet, little children!
As a reminder, all Angel Tree gifts should be wrapped, labeled and returned
back Oberholtzer Hall on Sunday, December 2nd, 2018!!!
Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with these
precious children!
ESUMC! Start
Your Engines!
Do you drive to church?
Are you willing to be a good neighbor and offer a ride on Sunday mornings?
If so, we need YOU for Transportation Ministry. Our congregation is also in
need of people with flexible schedules during the week to assist those who
are not able to drive. Please contact Rachel Thompson 973-590-1176.
Buy a Poinsettia and give to Faith Promise!
Help us decorate the Altar for Christmas! We are
now accepting orders for Poinsettias thru December
16th. Each plant is $8.00 with proceeds donated to
Faith Promise. Additional donations to Faith Promise
are welcome. Look for the green envelopes, the
order form is on the envelope. DEADLINE: for flower orders is
12/16. Donation dedications need to be received by 12/19 to be
included in the Christmas Eve Bulletin. Flowers will be displayed on
the Altar December 21st through Christmas Eve.
OK55’s Annual Christmas Luncheon
Dec 13th, 11:30-2pm Fellowship Hall
Ham and beverages will be provided.
Please bring your favorite holiday dish
to accompany the ham. Also, please
bring 1 or 2 small gifts to be used as prizes.
We will collect pet food to give to Meals on Wheels for
the shut-ins to feed their animals for our charity
contribution. This is a covered dish to pass event, with
a snow date of: 12/20/2018. Please RSVP
to Karen Dudley by 12/12/2018 at 570-424-9896. For
transportation assistance please contact
Larry Gerberich at: (570) 234-5351.
 CHURCH CONTACT LIST
THIS WEEK AT ESUMC Office
(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9am to 1pm
Monday thru Friday

Pastor
Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014

Church Administrator
Jill Teaford
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015

Administrative Assistant
Kathy Ravago
kravago@esumc.net
Ext. 1010

Director of Spiritual Life &

Congregational Care
Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net
Ext. 1023

Director of Student Ministries

Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013

Director of Children & Family

Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017

Director of Traditional Music/

Organist
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net

Director of Contemporary
Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net

Director of Choir
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com

Director of Bells
Chris Perfetti
perfetti3@ptd.net
United Methodist Women
Financial Secretary
December Dollar Challenge Michael Corey
Hats, mittens, scarves and socks are mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012
needed for guests of the Community meal,
and others in need! All may be Technology Support
purchased at a local dollar store. Thank Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
you always for your generosity! Ext. 1012
Audio/Visual Technician
Charles Rajnai
Scan QR charlesrajnai@gmail.com
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church to ESUMC
83 S. Courtland St. Website Maintenance Sunday
Bob Lee Sexton
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 rlee@esumc.net Craig Banner