Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Our Vision
To challenge and encourage everyone in our
congregation to know and follow Christ by:
Growing as disciples through Christs
teachings
Connecting with one another in Christian
community
Serving Christ by serving others
Praising God as we worship Christ
Pastors Corner
As we continue on our
slow and steady journey to the
manger on Christmas Day,
God is showing us many good
things which remind us of the
true meaning of Christmas.
This past week, we had our
"Night in Bethlehem." More
accurately, it was "Nights in
Bethlehem," because the snow
last Sunday afternoon and evening did affect
what was to be the true "Night." Despite the
snow, we were delighted to welcome about 25-30
people to our church, families with children, who are not regulars here. We also had a smattering of our own
church members in addition to the many who were in costume in the various tents in Fellowship Hall.
Because of the lighter than expected attendance, we made the decision before we closed early on Sunday
night to extend it to another night, Tuesday night. Not all of the volunteers could return, so others were
recruited. Between Sunday and Tuesday night, of course, was our Monday evening Community Meal. In faith,
Ana Price declared that the tents could all stay in place and the tables for the meal would be set up around the
tents. One of the homeless, on seeing the magnificent display upon arriving Monday afternoon asked, "Did you
do this just for us?" No one dared say it was not done for them, and in fact, we had decided that Night in
Bethlehem could be used as a witness tool for all who came on Monday night. Reprising their roles as Mary
and Joseph on Monday night were Ashley Mayers and Connor Lord, and at least 25 children came back to the
manger in Oberholtzer to hear them say their lines. When I asked, "Who has never heard this story before?"
most of the hands went up.
(Continued on page 2)
Tuesday night came, and our volunteers were back in costume and in
character in the metal shop, bakery, scribe's tent, woodworking tent, and
others. We welcomed some more families from the area, before it was all
packed away...until next year. I heard people remark, "This was the true
meaning of Christmas for me." A leader from another church said, "You
folks truly live the Gospel in deed and in action." Another of our own
said, "We witnessed a miracle with each and every person, we were able
to share God's love one on one. That's exactly how God works." I want
to offer special thanks to Erica Dorsch for bringing this idea to us and all
that she did to organize it. Liz Green did so much to physically put it all
together; thanks, Liz! Many people emptied half their living rooms and
brought things out of storage to display in the various tents to make it all
look authentic. More than 25 were in costume, welcoming people,
sharing God's love, and being humble servants all the way through.
Thank you, one and all! You have truly brought the message of
Christmas to our community!
Ella Hovey
238 Amber Lane
East Stroudsburg, Pa. 18301
Thank you!
Hearing Assistance
Devices are Here!
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!
December Dollar
Challenge will be hats,
gloves, scarves and socks
for Community Meal
distribution in January. As usual, all may
be purchased at Dollar Tree. Thanks to all
who have made the Dollar Challenge a
There will be no
Zumba Gold or Zumba
Chair Classes on the
following dates:
12/22, 12/23, 12/29 and 12/30
Classes will resume again the week of
January 2nd.
Christmas Carols in
Oberholtzer Hall balcony this
Sunday December 18, 9:309:40 and 10:35-10:45, by
wind and string players grade 5 - adult.
Meet in balcony at 9:20 a.m.. New players
may contact foxes@esumc.net
Contact Us
Church Office
(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Mon thru Fri
Pastor
Jim Todd
jtodd@esumc.net
Ext. 1014
Night in BethlehemManger
(Continued from page 3)
God. He prayed long before the crisis hit, long before he was staring hungry lions
in the face.
So the question is this: How is Daniel able to be so bold in his faith even when
hes threatened with such a gruesome death? Think about it! All he had to do was
worship Darius, but he didnt do it. He stayed strong and I believe the answer to
how he did this is found in Daniel 6:10. Now even though Daniel was aware that
the King had signed the ordinance into law, he continued to do what he always
did, he would go home and ascend the stairs to the upper room with the windows
facing toward Jerusalem and he would get down on his knees and three times a
day he would pray to his God just as he had done before.
So what did he do? He did what was second nature to him. He continued to do
what he always did - he prayed. So when this crisis hit, Daniel didnt have to throw
up a last-minute prayer: Oh God, I hope youre out there, I hope youre
listening.(Now dont get me wrong; God hears those prayers its just that Daniel
doesnt have to do it because hes already current with God.)
So my question is this - what do we do when the stuff in our lives hits the fan?
You know we do what is second nature to us; we do what we always done. The
question is what have we always done?
Let us resolve to stay current with God; to faithfully pray, read scripture, and be
in community with other Christians. Because when we put all these faith
disciplines in action we will always come closer to our relationship with God.
So my friends be encouraged and read on. Pastor Bob
Keep It Simple
Church Administrator
Jill Teaford
jteaford@esumc.net
Ext. 1015
Secretary
Maria Ragonese
mragonese@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
Congregational Care
Peggy Strack
pstrack@esumc.net
Ext. 1023
Student Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
skuhnle@esumc.net
Ext. 1013
Childrens Ministries
Erica Dorsch
edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
Financial Secretary
Cyndie Faunce
cfaunce@esumc.net
Ext. 1025
Maintenance
William Mack
wmack@esumc.net
Ext. 1018
SextonsJude Porter
jporter@esumc.net
Kenny Fenston
fenstonkenny@yahoo.com
Organist/Traditional Music
Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net
Contemporary Music
Doug Malefyt
dmalefyt@esumc.net
Audio/Visual
Joe Dorsch
josephdorsch@gmail.com
Technology Support
Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
Ext. 1012