the terms of the Pastor‟s Call for 2014. Please plan to attend ... The Men‟s
Group will meet on Thursday, .... Samurai‟s Garden” by Gail Tsukiyama. It is a
story.
Presbyterian Church 55 Smith Street E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-421-5821
[email protected]
NOVEMBER 2013 From Our Pastor
Sponsor This issue of the Nexus is being sponsored by Charlotte and Quentin Currie. We thank you for your support. If you are interested in sponsoring an issue of the Nexus for $35.00, please call Jen in the church office at 421-5821. We are currently in need of sponsors.
Dear Friends, November is a busy month. We call the congregation to its 2014 stewardship commitment. We elect officers at one of our two annual meetings. We begin preparations for Advent celebration. We join with friends in our community in celebrating Thanksgiving.
Congregational Meeting
One of my favorite hymns is a Thanksgiving Hymn: “Let All Things Now Living”.
There will be a congregational meeting after the worship service on Sunday, November 10th. The purpose of the meeting is to nominate and elect church officers for 2014 and to vote on changes in the terms of the Pastor‟s Call for 2014. Please plan to attend the meeting.
Let all things now living a song of Thanksgiving To God, our creator, triumphantly raise; Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us. By guiding us on to the end of our days, God’s banners are o’er us, pure light goes before us, A pillar of fire shining forth in the night; Till shadows are vanished, all fearfulness banished, As forward we travel from light into Light.
Adult Sunday School- The Bible Join Tim Swanson for the final two classes of his series..
I remember singing this hymn as a child in children‟s choir. I tremendously enjoy singing it today. It reminds me that thankfulness to God should be one of the distinctive characteristics of my life. Thankfulness or gratitude should be one of the propelling energies behind all that I do. In worship, stewardship, and Christian service, let us sing such hymns and songs. Let us serve the Lord with thankful hearts.
From Religion to Relationship- November 3 & 10 From Darkness to Light- November 17 & 24 Pastor Ed will hold his second Simple, Practical, Christian Spirituality Adult Ed class on Sunday, November 3rd after worship at 11:15 a.m.
REMINDER:
Sincerely,
THE DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER NEXUS ISSUE IS MON., NOVEMBER 25th.
Pastor Freeborn
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Treasurer and Stewardship Report, through September 30, 2013 Income $158,425 (YTD) Expenses $161,194 (YTD) Net
$ -2769.31
Hanging of the Greens
Year-to-Date Giving:
ESPC will welcome the Advent Season on Sunday, December 8th with a special dinner and program for the entire congregation. Come for some or all of the following activities: 4 p.m. - Hanging of the Greens: Gather for preparation of greens and decorations, put lights on the sanctuary Christmas trees, and decorate the church for the season. Materials will be provided. 6 p.m. - Service, Lighting of the trees in the sanctuary, followed by the Advent Ham Dinner, the congregations is asked to provide side dishes and desserts.
Pledge giving: $101,506.00 Non-Pledge: $18,293.00
Thank You Deacons! The Deacons recently led the congregation in a successful food drive to benefit the Salvation Army food pantry. Thank you, Deacons and Congregation!!
Tickets will be needed for this dinner. To order your (free) tickets, please fill out the insert in the bulletin and return it to the main office.
This Is My Father’s World
Birthdays
We are wrapping up our Stewardship Pledge Campaign for next year. November 10 is Pledge Sunday and we ask that you turn in your pledge form. Please submit a form whether or not you are pledging.
Celebrating birthdays during the month of November: Sam Huffard, Lisa Finelli, Tim Swanson, Kathy Kauderer, Allan Erbe, Sandy Gordon, Donald Hopkins and Linda Schaller.
Thank you for giving your time, talent and financial support to East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church. We continue to grow and bear witness to the power of the Lord as we serve as stewards of God‟s many gifts.
November Men’s Group The Men‟s Group will meet on Thursday, November 7, in the church lounge at 12:00 Noon. Please let us know whether you plan to attend the lunch by contacting the church office, Pastor Freeborn or Allan Erbe at least two days before the meeting date. Fellowship, along with a cup of soup, a sandwich and a guest speaker, will be provided.
Wedding Anniversaries Celebrating wedding anniversaries during the month of November: Robert & Diane Huffman, David & Barbara Braithwaite, Greg & Lisa Menio, and Bob & Kelli Burlingame. 2
Brighter Christmas The Mission Committee is planning to make a “Brighter Christmas” for local East Stroudsburg families again this year. We will be given the age, sex and suggested gifts for children in the families. Members of our congregation are asked to sign up to purchase the gifts. We have always had an excellent and generous response from our congregation in the past, and hope the tradition will continue this year.
News and Notes from Sweetbriar Preschool This fall has been busy at Sweetbriar Preschool! Since the beginning of October, we have had a group of very happy, active 2 year-olds coming to participate in our Hand in Hand program with their parents and grandparents. We have been singing, reading, playing and praying together while we make new friends. A special thank you goes out to the Fellowship, Outreach and Mission committee for providing snacks after our fun Halloween parade on October 29!
Sign-up sheets will be available beginning on Sunday, November 24th. Wrapped gifts should be brought to the church by Sunday, December 15th for delivery to families before Christmas.
KING FOR A DAY I’m resting here quite regally
The first session of Pre-K Prep is set to start on November 8. We have space for just a few more 3 and 4 year-olds to join us, so please pass along information about Sweetbriar to any families you know who have little ones at home. Take a brochure and share it with someone today!
The feature of the table
Surrounded by potatoes that I’d taste if I were able.
My subjects, scrubbed and beaming,
Our Bible verse for the month of November: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!” Psalm 107:1
Circle round the royal platter They seem to be adoring me
But something is the matter.
We are indeed thankful for the joy that these little ones and their families bring to the church while they are here. If you have any questions about Sweetbriar Preschool, please contact Amy Geiser-Getz by phone at 421-5821 or email:
[email protected].
See me basking in the candlelight My skin so nicely tanned
The reason for this treatment I do not understand.
While I’d love to peck that dish of corn
F.O.M. Committee News
And gobble down a berry
I find this jolly atmosphere
CANDY!!! We will be making and selling candy again this year in time for Thanksgiving. Choices will be Peanut Butter, Coconut and Butter Cream. Candy making will take place on November 9th, and will be available for purchase on Sunday, November 20th. Look for us in the Narthex!!!
To be a trifle scary.
These human creatures were my friends They filled me up with bread
But now I have suspicions that They’re cannibals instead!
Our church will be hosting Family Promise the week of November 24th through the 30th.
Jo McNally 3
Pastor Freeborn is busy! Pastor Freeborn is participating in Remembrance Day at ESU at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1st for All Saints Day. He has also been asked to speak at the annual ESU Holiday Tree Lighting in December and offer the Invocation at the President‟s Holiday Dinner.
Book Club News Our Church Book Club recently met for coffee and conversation. The book we read was „Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger. Our next book is “The Samurai‟s Garden” by Gail Tsukiyama. It is a story about a young Chinese college student who becomes ill with tuberculosis in the years just before World War II. His family sends him to recuperate in his family‟s summer home in Japan, though China and Japan are already at war. It is a story about belonging, love, devotion and beauty.
Pastor Ed continues to serves Pocono Medical Center as an on call Pastor Chaplain (volunteer). This usually involves 2 evening shifts, from 10 p.m. until 6:30 a.m., per month. He will be attending the Pocono Presbyterian Pastor‟s meeting on November 13th at the Church of the Mountain and also the County Clergy Association meeting from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. on the 20th.
We will gather once again for coffee and sharing on Tuesday, November 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Come join us!
Parish Nursing
The first CPR class will be November 2nd. The first 6 people will become certified. There are already several people signed up for a second class to be held in Jan. or Feb. Please let Norene or Jen know if you are interested and we will keep you informed. Blood pressure screening will be on Sunday, November 3rd after worship service. We had a very successful and educational program on October 13 from Betsi Olmstead on “Retirement Options”. Twenty-six people received some new and exciting information to make informed decisions. Betsi states that tours are available any time or if any group would like to hold a group luncheon or dinner at Pocono Tranquil Gardens, let her know. Thanks to all who attended. Our next program is on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. This will be on medications and medication safety, storage, etc. It will be presented by hospital pharmacists. Come and receive some very important information. There will be a “Coping with Loss Workshop” on Tuesday, November 12th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Hughes Cancer Center. For more information, see the notice on the bulletin board.
Thanksgiving Service There will be a Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church. All are welcome.
The office will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving.
Church Mission Statement: With the grace of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the transforming love of Jesus Christ, we, the congregation of East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church, have a shared mission to serve humbly as the voice and hands of God in our church family, in our community and in our world.
Nexus Staff Pastor: Rev. Edmund T. Freeborn Editor: Jen Carmella Contributing Editors: Allan Erbe, Amy Geiser-Getz, Jo McNally, Bonnie Miller, Norene Rosso, Judy Schreck, Karl Schrick 4
