· Presbyterian Church

55 Smith Street

E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301

570-421-5821

NOVEMBER

2013HHHH


From Our Pastor

Dear Friends,

Peace,

Pastor Freeborn

Sponsor

This issue of the Nexus is being sponsored by

. 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.

Congregational Meeting

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.

Adult Sunday School- The Bible

Experience the life changing stories, characters, and principles in the Bible like never before! Join Tim Swanson as he leads a five-topic study of the Bible based on the epic T.V. miniseries, The Bible. Participants will experience the Bible in a whole new way as they view video excerpts from the miniseries while engaging in small group discussions. Participants will be given a guidebook.

From Religion to Relationship- November 3 & 10

From Darkness to Light- November 17 & 24

REMINDER:

THE DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER NEXUS ISSUE IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th.

Treasurer and Stewardship Report, through august 2013

Income $136,668 (YTD)

Expenses $142,221 (YTD)

Net $ -5553.93

Year-to-Date Giving:

Pledge giving: $86,435.00

Non-Pledge: $14,590.00

Birthdays

Celebrating birthdays during the month of November:

Wedding Anniversaries

Celebrating wedding anniversaries during the month of November:

Food Drive!

This year, we will help the Salvation Army with their annual food drive for Thanksgiving. They have dropped off a barrel for us in the Narthex. We will be accepting all non-perishable foods (cans, boxed items, etc.) for several weeks. The Salvation Army will then use this food to fill baskets for people in need during the week of Thanksgiving. Please help us collect for this worthy cause.

News and Notes from Sweetbriar Preschool

Simple Practical Christian Spirituality

It’s simple, not complicated. It’s practical, not theoretical. It’s Christian Spirituality. It feeds your soul, it keeps you grounded and anchored. It enhances your sense of connection to Christ. Periodically throughout the Fall/Winter, Pastor Freeborn will be offering half hour classes after Church. The first of them is October 27th. Come join us!

F.O.M. Committee News

Coming in November: CANDY!!! We will be making and selling candy again this year in time for Thanksgiving. Choices will be Peanut Butter, Coconut and Butter Cream. More information to come later.

KING FOR A DAY

I’m resting here quite regally

The feature of the table

Surrounded by potatoes that

I’d taste if I were able.

My subjects, scrubbed and beaming,

Circle round the royal platter

They seem to be adoring me

But something is the matter.

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

And gobble down a berry

I find this jolly atmosphere

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!

Jo McNally - 10/25/97

Church 4 U and College Ministry

On any given Sunday afternoon, beginning at 5pm, our Church is full of hustle and bustle as we host “Church 4 U”. Thanks to the generosity of our members, Church 4 U begins with a meal for our college students as we gather around the table, family style. (If you’d like to help with this, please contact Ellie Buff). Following dinner we celebrate worship with a contemporary service of Christian songs and hymns, prayer, sharing and Bible study /sermon. (We are working our way through the Gospel of John). The Church 4 U students connect with one another regularly throughout the week at Bible studies, Thursday fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Graduate students gather for “Table Talk” Martin Luther style on Friday afternoons, often with Pastor in attendance. Pastor also regularly attends FCA, is “serving on” ESU’s Homecoming Committee and will be speaking at ESU’s Remembrance Day. We have an active campus ministry. The students are grateful for ESPC’s love, support and encouragement. Please keep this ministry in your ongoing prayers.

Sunday School

The Children Sunday School classes, which include an upper elementary and elementary section, will study the book of Exodus this October. The theme of "Escaping Egypt" includes engaging lessons entitled, "Promises, Promises", "I'll do it my Way", "I Can't do it Alone", "Don't Give Up", and "Wall of Faith." Amanda and Morgan include the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, and memory verses, as well as teaching thematic crafts and games each week. At the end of class, each child receives a take home magazine that includes additional stories to reinforce Sunday's lesson. Thank you Amanda and Morgan for your dedication to our youth!

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:

Ellie Buff, Sue Ellis, Allan Erbe,

Amy Geiser-Getz, Norene Rosso, Ernie Rydell, Linda Schaller, Cindy Schrick