ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please take a few minutes to pray for our youth, youth leaders, adult volunteers and Scott for the summer.  Please pray for spiritual growth, safety, health and Christian bonding as the youth leave from July 27th - August 1st on the Sr. High Mission Trip to the Philadelphia Project.S.W.A.T TEAMThe SWAT Team will meet on Monday, July 28th in the conference room of the Office Building. Come and join us if you want to help do odd jobs around the church. They meet every 4th Monday. All are welcome to join.Women of Faith“Women of Faith” is taking place this year on September 5th and 6th. We still have tickets left. If anyone is interested they can call me 570-977-7839 or email me annosbun@hotmail.com. You can also stop by our table in Fellowship Hall between services for more information.

Staff Contact Information: 570-421-3280

Ext. EmailPastor: Jim Todd X14 jtodd@esumc.netChurch Secretary: Maria Ragonese X10mragonese@esumc.netCongregational Care: Peggy Strack X23pstrack@esumc.net Music & Worship: Andy Waddell X11awaddell@esumc.netYouth Ministry: Scott Kuhnle X13 skuhnle@esumc.netChildren’s Ministry: Pam O’Brien X17childrendirector@esumc.net Finances: Sue Mertz X15 smertz@esumc.netFinancial Secretary: Cyndie Faunce X25cfaunce@esumc.netMaintenance: Bruce Johnson X18 bjohnson@esumc.net Technology Support: Michael Corey X12mcorey@esumc.netAudio-Visuals: Joe Dorsch ---- josephdorsch@gmailOrganist: Pauline Fox ---- foxes@esumc.net

Out Reach

Members of ESUMC who are no longer able to attend church due to health concerns are always happy to hear from you! Cards and notes may be sent to Helen Howey, Whitestone Care Center, Room 119A, 370 Whitestone Corner Road, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360.Health Care EquipmentWalkers, crutches, canes, bath stools, adult potty chairs, wheelchairs, Depends, and other healthcare equipment is available to those in need. Contact Peggy Strack, 570-421-3280, ext. 23.Stephen Ministry

Receive God’s Blessings as a Stephen Minister! “Stephen Ministry has given me a way to serve God more faithfully by being His presence to

those in need. In the process God has blessed me with skills I didn’t know I had and enriched my life in more ways than I could ever imagine.” Gene, Aerospace Engineer – Manassas, Va.Beginning Sept.24, an in-depth training course will be offered for ESUMC members who desire to become involved in this life-changing ministry. For more information, contact Peggy Strack, 570-421-3280, ext. 23.Thank You: To all who have been completing the weekly communication cards found in your bulletins and have been placing them in the offering plates! Your completed cards have helped the Caring Caller Team to identify and reach out to regular attendees who have been missing from church.For those who have missed the former “pew pads” for signing in, please note that using the cards has

significantly increased the number of “confidential” prayer requests.Thank you again for helping us with the process of maintaining a “Caring Church”.

Opportunities

Family PromiseOur church will be hosting Family Promise the Week of August 3rd through August 9th. We still are in need of volunteers, especially cooks. If you are interested in serving in any capacity, please contact Jenn Dunne at dunnej2@gmail.com or 570-807-2369. We appreciate your support.The Annual “Upstairs” Bargain Basement will be held on Friday, August 8th and Saturday, August 9th. Drop off dates for donations are Wednesday, August 6th and Thursday, August 7th. We will also need people to help set up as well as work the sale. For more information, contact Linda Drake at 570-856-9395.Attention All Senior High Youth! Grab your Sunscreen, Bible, Towel, and a Friend! We are having a retreat to Brick, New Jersey August 22nd to the 24th. Paper work will be available in the youth room. A $40.00 deposit is due ASAP. Final cost TBD. Don't let cost get in the way, contact Scott Kuhnle for available scholarships. Children’s Ministry News

Save the Date! Sunday- September 7th

Fall Family Fun Days Church PicnicKick off Celebration of Christian Education for all Ages!Games, food, lots of fun! Bring the Family and invite your friends and neighbors. Please make plans to join the celebration! More information to come on the Esumc.net website

New Sunday School Format

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

We have an exciting, all new Sunday School planned for this year. Come see what we are all about. Workshop Rotation, our new model for Sunday School, will begin on September 7th at 9:45 a.m. If you enjoyed the structure of VBS, then you are sure to like Workshop Rotation. Are you able to devote about 4 or 5 hours a month to teach or shepherd students in the classroom? The kids of the congregation could really use you!

Please fill out the insert in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate if you want to join our teaching team (even if you are thinking about it and want to inquire about it). There will be an informational teacher meeting on August 11th at 7 P.M. to discuss Workshop Rotation. Please plan on joining us that evening! Please email Pam O’Brien if you plan on attending (childrensdirector@esumc.net). In the next few weeks look for more information on the website regarding Workshop Rotation.Packs for Backs Project This will be the eleventh year for the Packs for Backs Project. Last year, from a suggestion from a student, we included insulated lunch cases with the backpacks. Due to the cut backs in the caloric content of the hot lunches; students who participate in after school activities need to take along a substantial snack in order to have the energy to compete in sports, march with the band and other endeavors. The lunch packs were so well received we will continue with them.If you would like to participate in this worthwhile aim you can do so by choosing the method that pleases you the most. You can buy a backpack, lunch container or traditional school supplies and take them to the First Presbyterian Church’s Office at 575 Main Street in Stroudsburg Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Trapper Keepers do not fit into the students’ desks and we avoid using them. Useful pieces include glue,

glue sticks, tooth brushes, toothpaste, crayons, washable markers, erasers, spiral notebooks, notepaper, pencils, pens and similar products. If you would like to donate the funds to purchase the backpacks at a reduced price you can use a check, which is a tax deductible donation, made payable to Pack for Backs Project and mail it to 1119 Beacon Hill Road, East Stroudsburg, PA. The items will be purchased and taken to the Clothing Room for distribution.Your participation is greatly appreciated and we thank you for it. If you have any questions about the program please call Margie Good at 424-5251.

FAITH PROMISE UPDATE

We have received the Prayer Letter from Spanish Health Ministry which shares some wonderful news of some of their special needs children. One of them is Alex. “Alex is a 10 year old who has Cerebral Palsy and a smile that lights up the room.” He had surgery and his health is improving. He now has a special computer that responds to his eye gaze and he’s doing reading and math at school.

He is cared for by his grandparents and Willowdale Chapel generously provided funds for a used handicapped van. Maria Elena, his Grandmother, called Dona Sensenig with tears of joy and praise to God for this incredible gift. Both Grandparents have come to Christ through the Spanish Ladies Bible Study and the Hispanic Bible Conference. Please pray that Alex’s parents would come to faith and accept responsibility for Alex’s care.

The letter also tells about the steps to the improved conditions for Jesus, Paola and Julian. The Letter is posted on the Bulletin Board in Oberholtzer Hall. We cannot imagine the blessings given to the families served by Spanish Health Ministry in Kennett Square, PA. You can access their website with the address: www.spanishhealthministry.org. Amazing!

ESUMC will host Family Promise August 3rd to 10th. Jenn Dunne has posted a call for volunteers to help that week. You can contact Jenn Dunne by phone: 570-807-2369 or email: dunnej12@gmail.com with questions or a response.

Pocono Plateau is serving children and youth with camping experiences filled with activities and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Many adults from churches in the area serve as leaders and counselors. Children and youth from ESUMC attend this Christian Camp in Cresco, PA every year. Pray for their Ministry this summer.

Donations for all of our 12 FAITH PROMISE Partners may be placed in the envelope today, in your weekly envelope or a designated gift to Faith Promise or Missions any time and continue to support them with your prayers.