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PASTORS LETTER
THE BELLS ARE RINGING AGAIN!!
MISSION HIGHLIGHTS THANK YOU FROM WESLEY
VILLAGE
FAMILY LIFE MINIISTRIES
Sight & Sounds Theatre trip to see “Jonah” Son Seekers Children’s Ministry
DISCIPLE FAST TRACK
ALTAR FLOWER DONATION
DATES AVAILABLE
To my brothers and sisters in
Christ:
These are certainly difficult
times! Regardless of your politi-
cal leanings, we see ourselves
living in a day of tremendous
division and angst. People are
quick to choose sides and
place their hopes and dreams
in one leader or another, one
political party or another or
one life style or another. When
carried to an extreme, such
“choosing sides” can lead to
fear, anxiety, anger and worst
of all, violence.
The unrest is beginning to af-
fect so many areas of our lives.
In the face of such uncertainty
and the resulting nastiness, I
find myself remembering that
such divisions were experi-
enced in the city of Corinth in
the days of Paul, the Apostle.
Corinth was the ancient
world’s equivalent of New
York City. Every ethnicity,
every religious belief and po-
litical position was alive and
well in the city.
I am sure that what we read
in Paul’s first letter to the Co-
rinthian church was Paul’s at-
tempt to address those many
divisions. In the first part of the
letter Paul sounds tired of
hearing such side choosing as
“I belong to Apollos. I belong
to Cephas. I belong to Paul.”
As if believing in or following a
particular person encom-
passes all the necessary truth
needed for life. This attitude
was seriously hurting the
church in his day.
Paul goes on to say that such
choosing of sides happens
whenever we take our focus
off of the purpose of the
church… to be the living body
of Christ alive and present in
our own day! As Christians our
focus must remain upon Jesus.
Although the line became a
cliché some time back, per-
haps we had better ask the
question again as we see our
communities, our country and
our world choosing sides.
What would Jesus do? What
would Jesus say? And so,
what should we say? What
should we do?
The primary purpose of the
church is to help persons fol-
low Jesus in their lives. We pro-
Rev. Mike Bealla Senior Pastor
Telephone: (570) 342-8263 Email: [email protected] Website: ElmParkScranton.org
claim the grace of God, we celebrate the
love with which God saves us from hell and
death, and we then journey on in our lives
trying more and more each day to live like
Jesus lived!
Our own United Methodist Church loses its
primary focus whenever it finds itself divided
over particular issues like same sex marriage.
I truly believe that when we fail to be able to
talk with each other and therefore become
divided around a particular issue, it is evil’s
way of destroying all the good the church
accomplishes every day! We will probably
never all agree on every potential divisive
issue, but when our focus is Christ, and Christ
crucified, there is so much more at stake
than being individually right.
I hope you will join me in deep and sincere
prayer for our country, our communities and
our church. What would Jesus do? What
would Jesus say? Because, if we take our
faith seriously we cannot experience real life
without asking that question over and over
again!
Grace & Peace!
Rev. Mike
Received from Wesley Village:
2
MISSION HIGHLIGHTS
•2016 ended with 630 Volunteer In Mission
hours logged
•Our Mission and Outreach room is now locat-
ed in the back of the recital hall where any do-
nated goods can be left for distribution
•Currently we are focused on providing 2
meals a month to the Shelter at Bethel
•Hygiene supplies are needed to complete
homeless backpacks provided by the Peace-
meal
-wash cloths, hand towels, tooth
paste, deodorant, lip balm
February is
African-American History
Month
7
ALTAR FLOWERS
January 1
The flowers for the worship ser-
vices have been given to the
glory of God and in loving
memory of husband, RONALD
and son, MARK by Susan Muro.
January 8
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in lov-
ing memory of ROBERT AND BEULAH JEN-
KINS by Mary Gordon.
January 15
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in lov-
ing memory of HARRY & LEONA GORDON
and STANLEY & RUTH FLOREY, parents of
Marilyn and Gordon Florey, by Marilyn
Florey.
January 22
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in lov-
ing honor of BETTY LEE & JANE MILLER by
Betsy, Bill & Jane Miller.
January 29
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in lov-
ing memory of GRACE LUCZAK and in hon-
or of LYDIA BUNNELL by their children, Jill
and John Luczak.
IN SYMPATHY
The sympathy of the congre-
gation is extended Marie Muir
and family on the death of her
husband, Dr. W. Douglas Muir
who died on Tuesday, January
3, 2017.
The sympathy of the congregation is also
extended to the family of Wendell A.
Beppler, Sr. whose funeral service was
here at Elm Park .
ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS
If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one,
the following dates are available:
February 5, April 30, May 7, June 11, July 2,
July 30, August 13, and August 27.
Please call the office if you would like to donate flowers on one of these Sundays - 570-342-8263.
02 Daniel Roberts Jr.
03 Allyson Fitch
03 Sandra Hill
04 Victoria Andres
04 Paul Freeman
04 Rebecca Kameroski
04 Arthur Wilford Jr.
05 Charles J. Rinaldi Jr.
06 Andrew Sucheski
07 Scott Grassi
08 Brittany Schoeter
09 Barry Bennington Jr.
09 Meghan Eidenerg
09 Bryan Fisk
09 Gregory Jones
6
FEBRUARY
RECEPTIONIST ACOLYTES
05 Andrew Sucheski/Elizabeth Swartz 05 Elaina Barron and Katie Cooper
12 Sue Muro/Tina Kohanski 12 Mandy Magnot and Sarah Armstrong
19 Carole Anderson/Renee Aston 19 Keira Brogan and Carolyn Burke
26 Lacey Stanton/Marcy Jesse 26 The Warring Boys
05 Holy Communion
HOSPITALITY HOST/HOSTESSES
05 Renee Aston/Connie Dempsey
12 Conrad Bosley/Mulrine Family
19 Rev. Bill & Marianne Wolf/Warring Family
26 Butch Barron/Cindy Fisch
SANCTUARY USHERS
05 Ralph Cooper, Sarah Cooper, Katie Cooper, Jill Luczak, John Luczak, Leigh Redmon
Jill Eidenberg, Sean Eidenberg
12 Elm Park Youth
19 Mike Kleha, John McDonald, Cheryl McDonald, Paige McDonald, Sadie McDonald
Leigh Redmon, Dawn Redmon
26 Phil Scotch, Marge Scotch, Aaron Magnot, Maribeth Magnot, Elizabeth Swartz, Nacy Swartz
Jill Luczak
CHAPEL/SANCTUARY READERS SANCTUARY GREETERS
05 Susan Crane/Leigh Redmon 05 Jill Luczak and Cathy Hunt
12 Conrad Bosley/Elm Park Youth 12 Elm Park Youth
19 Ed Rogers/Cheryl McDonald 19 Jill Luczak and Cathy Hunt
26 Elizabeth Swartz/John Warring 26 Phil Scotch and Marge Scotch
CHAPEL USHER/GREETERS
05 Jim Keller and Mary Gordon
12 Jennifer and Chris Kresock
19 Scott Sadowski and Alan Cunningham
26 Ed and Paula Bugno
21 Lisa Peters
21 Paul Stephens
22 Michael Adomiak
22 Maree Greenwood
22 Jodi Griffiths
22 Sharon Reese
22 Barbara Roberts
24 Jill Eidenberg
24 Michael Serge
25 Dorothy Bosley
25 Joseph Cole Jr.
25 Marie Martin
25 Rachael Scotch
26 Rebecca Baum
27 Tammy Brier
27 Jack Daubenhauser
28 Kelsey Fisch
28 Gayle Hamilton
09 Willmon Keiser
09 Rebecca Mikesell
09 Charles Miller
09 Ron Stewart
10 Daniel Grassi
10 Debra Swingle
11 Jeffrey Jones
12 Patrick Fisk
14 Jean Barziloski
16 Lynn Ewaskiw-Gordon
17 Lacey Stanton
18 Howard Gordon
20 Helen Evans
20 Gail Gianacopoulos
20 Marc Refice
20 Alona Wagner
21 Alison Cortazar
21 George Mansour
3
The Bells Are Ringing Again!!
Our magnificent bell tower stands high in the city of Scranton as a symbol of God's pres-
ence. Located high in the tower are 10 cast bells manufactured well over 100 years ago.
According to the work of Ed Rodgers in his About Elm Park history book, William Connell who
served as the president of the Board of Trustees, turned the first soil over as ground was bro-
ken for the current church building on September 8, 1891. It was announced at that ceremo-
ny that Mr.& Mrs. William Connell in addition to large gifts to the building fund, was also to
give the donation of 10 bells which would become the tower chimes. Fascinatingly, nine of
the ten bells have the name of one of their children inscribed upon them as well as the tenth
and largest bell having Mr. and Mrs Connell’s name and two other children inscribed.
Cast before bells were "tuned" by machining, our bells
are beautifully honest in their pitches which produce
sharp and clear tones when they are struck. Over the
years they have reminded folks within earshot of God's
presence here at Elm Park.
But for too many years they have been si-
lent. Behemoth chunks of bell metal waiting patiently
to ring out. When I arrived last July I heard the sadness
of the silent bells which once announced Elm Park's
presence amidst the noise of the city. The Trustees
prayed that somehow, someday the carillon could be
repaired although estimates were received in the tens of thousands, well beyond the gifts
that were pledged for the repair.
I shared the story of the “silent bells” with my oldest son
Jeremy who was so excited about the prospects of re-
pairing the bells; he investigated how we might restore
the system again. Thanks to the commitment of our Board
of Trustees and the labor of my two sons Jeremy and Wes-
ley, who they jokingly call "Bealla and Sons Bell Repair
Company," the bells of the tower are no longer silent!
Each bell now has a new electronic mechanical strik-
er. They ring the Westminster Chimes on each quarter
hour as well as tolling the time at the top of the hour! All
of this has happened for less than 1/4 the estimated cost
which faced the Trustees.
Although there is a bit more updating to do to finalize the repair, (they will soon be playing
hymns again at noon and 6 pm), they are ringing again and the city knows Elm Park contin-
ues to proclaim Christ's presence throughout the city!!
4
The Elm Park staff celebrated a very special
person’s birthday; Eva Moretti. Eva has
been a faithful volunteer at Elm Park United
Methodist Church for over 30 years. Eva
helps with the newsletter mailing and all
other office duties. We appreciate all the
time she has devoted to her church and
the talents she has shared with us over the
years. She is a true blessing from God!
Congratulations to our
very own Carole Mason
on her award she re-
ceived during the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Ceremo-
nies held in Scranton.
We are so proud of you,
Carole! (Submitted via
Facebook by Julie Miller)
5
Family Life Ministries Carole G. Mason, Family Life Minister
570-342-8263 ext. 17
The children’s ministry of Elm Park United
Methodist Church is for ages seven (7) through
twelve (12). The mission of the children’s ministry
team is to partner with parents to lead every
child that comes through our doors to be a Son-
Seeker! We will begin gathering twice a month
beginning Tuesday, February 28th at 6:00pm.
Butch Barron will be joining the Family Life
Ministry Team to create an atmosphere where
our children will LEARN and GROUP TOGETHER
with JESUS!
Our gatherings will be filled with fun activities,
crafts, games, bible stories, music, and more ex-
citing ways to invite Jesus into the lives of our
children.
Please call Carole Mason at 570-342-8263 to
sign up your children to be a part of this exciting
new ministry at Elm Park. If you would like to as-
sist with this new ministry, please let Carole or
Butch know.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Ashley Greening auditioned for and earned
the part of Bagheera in her creative and per-
forming arts school production of “The Jungle
Book”. She performed in two shows with this
leading part where she acted, sang, and
danced. Congratulations Ashley!
Nevaeh Harrington’s
poem “Tree of God”
was selected for pub-
lication in a book that
features today’s best
student writers. The
following poem was
written by seven year
old Neaveh!
THE TREE OF GOD
The tree is so old.
God said to watch the tree before it gets older.
The tree will not be there any more.
Then the shepherds will grow another one.
So God said, “Let there be light!”
They never saw light before now
There were happy forever.