The Journey April 2022 Issue

Telephone: (570) 342-8263 Email: [email protected] Website: elmparkumchurch.org Rev. Mike Bealla Senior Pastor “Almost There...” Blessings in the name of It’s just that both the Old nation of people set free, and Christ Jesus! and New Testaments of the more about Jesus discerning Bible recount many of the what his purpose and role For me, this season of experiences God’s people was in God’s plan for us all… Lent has flown by so quickly. have had in different kinds what kind of Messiah he It seems like it was just a of wilderness. The most fa- would be. short time ago we were don- miliar story, of course, is told ning ashes and talking about of God’s people on their I’ve recently preached following Jesus into the wil- journey to the Promised several sermons describing derness to reflect upon our Land after being freed from various “wilderness experi- lives and hopefully grow Egyptian slavery. That jour- ences” that we all encounter more Christ-like as we jour- ney helped shape them into from time to time in our daily neyed along. As I write this a people who would eventu- living. When Rev. Lisa Garv- today, we are putting the fin- ally claim the land and grow in spoke to us at Mid-Winter ishing touches on our Holy a nation in covenant with Institute she suggested that Week services. (You can God. Those forty years in perhaps we are people who read about them on the cen- the wilderness was a time of spend more time than we re- ter page of this edition.) challenge, faith formation alize in the wilderness… and and spiritual growth. indeed, that is where we grow Sometimes you might the most spiritually … and think that I get fixated think- The experience of Je- even more, I would suggest ing and talking about our sus spending time in the wil- maybe we are simply people “wilderness” experiences. derness was less about a of the wilderness and that

2 The Journey - April 2022 Palm Sunday such experiences are “normal” for God’s people who Sunday 4/10 find themselves living in a world that is foreign to the 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary & Live on Kingdom of God. Another way of saying it is, we are called by God to see the world differently than the world YouTube & Facebook shows us. Maundy Thursday At any rate, Holy Week is coming, and we will again have the opportunity to walk closely with Jesus Thursday 4/14 as he surrenders his life for us. To discover just how 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary & Live on deeply and completely God loves each and every one of his children free from human judgement that often YouTube & Facebook separates us from one another. Good Friday As you worship with us during Holy Week, make a special effort to listen beyond the words, the music, Friday 4/15 the familiar prayers to really hear what God is saying to 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary & Live on you. Oh, and in regard to the wilderness, never ever forget that no matter what we face in our lives, we are YouTube & Facebook never, ever alone…for God is with us… especially when we call upon his name! Until next time… Grace & Peace! Rev. Mike Bealla Easter Sunday Sunday 4/17 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary & Live on YouTube & Facebook For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April 2022 3 Why Friday is good? To participate in the sacrificial life and death of Jesus Christ is to live already in his kingdom. This is the es- sence of the Christian message, the heart of the Good News, and it is why the cross has become the chief Christian symbol. A cross of all things — a guillotine, a gallows — but the cross at the same time as the crossroads of eterni- ty and time, as the place where such a mighty heart was broken that the healing power of God himself could flow through it into a sick and broken world. It was for this reason that of all the possible words they could have used to describe the day of his death, the word they settled on was “good.” Good Friday. —Frederick Buechner Christian symbol PASCHAL CANDLE—This large, white candle is an ancient symbol for Christ, the light of the world. The candle contains a cross and/or an Alpha and Omega to symbolize that Jesus is eternal and always present with his people. Also called the Easter candle, it plays a prominent role during Easter vigils and celebrations. Some churches also use the candle during baptisms and funerals. THANK – YOU!! What a generous response we have had to UMCOR’s call to help the people and churches of Ukraine! Gifts are still coming and will soon be on their way through UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) into the hands of those already on the scene making a difference in Ukraine and Poland. As always with our UMCOR giving, 100% of what is raised goes directly to the needs of the people affected. This is made possible by our United Methodist connection… our churches together worldwide can do so much more than any one church could eve do on its own! This Newsletter is being sent out prior to a final tally of your gifts but we will announce the total amount soon! In addition to the monetary gift, we are also sending along 20,000 Alcohol swabs through Mission Central!! Great work Elm Park UM Church!! Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

4 The Journey - April 2022 Recent Upgrades to our Building Despite the challenges of supply chain availability and product shipments, our new doors are finally installed, and it was well worth the wait. Baut Studios in Swoyersville, Pa. manufactured these custom door sets to replace our badly worn and un-insulated wooden doors around the sides of our sanctuary. These new doors are highly energy efficient and are made from anodized aluminum. Each door frame was customized to fit exactly and maintain the original layout of each door unit. The windows include a clear glass frame with our United Methodist Cross and Flame etched in the center. In addition, two sets of doors without glass were installed between the church and educational building and the basement level on Jefferson Ave. Note the before and after pictures below! Our Board of Trustees continue to keep God’s house maintained and secure. Additional projects will be an- nounced as they are needed to continue the care of the building. Such projects are paid from interest birthed by investments whose interest can only be used for such work. Thanks to all those in the past who remembered to include the church in their wills. Bishops Visit our Scranton Wilkes-Barre District The unusual cancellation of General and Jurisdictional Conferences caused a tem- porary “shortage” of Bishops across the Annual Conferences of the Northeast Juris- diction including our own Susquehanna Conference. Bishop Park retired after serv- ing an additional period of time, passed his responsibility along with Bishop Johnson of the Eastern Pa Conference who also retired. Since there cannot be an election of bishops until the Jurisdictional Conference can meet again, the NEJ College of Bish- ops decided to fill the shortage by asking other currently serving Bishops to take on the leadership of the two conferences short bishops. We are pleased to now have two Bishops giving oversight to our Susquehanna Conference. Bishop Sandra Steiner- Ball (who is also serving the West Virginia Annual Conference) and Bishop Cynthia Moore- Koikoi (who is also serv- ing the Western Pa Conference came to our Clarks Summit church on Monday April 4 to share their vision for our work of mission and ministry together. (Rev. Mike apologizes for the less than spectacular photo from the gathering above.) Our Bishops reminded us of the mission of the church to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” They enthusiastically called on us move out of our buildings and find new ways to take Christ into our local communities. It was a great evening of sharing including a “Question and Answer” period before a large gathering of laity and cler- gy at our sister church. For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April 2022 5 Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

6 The Journey - April 2022 O Our Lenten journey began on Ash Maundy Thursday, also called Wednesday when we observed the tradi- Supper shared by Jesus and h tion of the imposition of ashes made from trayed and arrested. Maundy m last year’s Palm Sunday palms… This day us of the commandment to “love began the 40 day journey of reflection up- service of holy communion will b on our lives in relationship to God... beginning at 7:30 pm on Thursd tunity to experience being in the Join us for our Good Friday Tenebrae Service beginning at 7:30 pm in the sanc- tuary on April 15th. The sanctuary gets darker as we near the death of Jesus. More special music and artistic effects make this service one that will move you for sure while remembering the final hours of Jesus’ life. For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April 2022 7 Our Worship Services for Holy Week and Easter!! Holy Week begins on April 10th as we cele- brate Psalm / Passion Sunday. The pro- cession of the palms, special music and the reading of the Passion Story according to Luke will highlight this service of Wor- ship at 10:00 am. Holy Thursday remembers the Last Easter Sunday, April 17th… We will celebrate his disciples on the night he was be- this highly spiritual celebration by coming to- means “commandment” and reminds gether for one single service . Special music will e another as I have loved you…” Our begin at 9:30 am and will be followed by our be set around a table in the sanctuary Worship Service at 10:00 am in the sanctuary. day, April 14th. Don’t miss this oppor- You’ll want to come early for a good seat!! e upper room... Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

8 The Journey - April 2022 For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April 2022 9 APRIL ALTAR FLOWERS April 3rd - Available April 10th - Available April 17th - Easter April 24th - Available AVAILABLE DATES FOR ALTAR FLOWERS: May 1, 15, 22, & 29. Please call Marie Priblo at 570-342- 8263 Ext. 10 if you are interested in any of these available dates. Thank you. Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

10 The Journey - April 2022 01 Alex Duffy 15 Karen Baker 01 Meghan Sucheski 15 Harrison Hughes 01 Janet Weeks 16 Abigail Brier 02 Elena Anderson 17 Tyler Dempsey 02 Jean Bonnadio 17 Shea Kinney 02 John Evans 18 Scott Harron 02 Roger Lysak 18 Maryetta Thompson 02 Jerry Simmons 18 Michelle Valinski 03 Paul Keller 20 Brenda Barrows 03 John Troiani 20 Santino Berdini 04 Connie Dempsey 21 Frederick Lishman 05 Gayle Roberts 21 Matthew Prothero 06 Stephanie Bidwell 21 Julienne Rushin 06 Julianne Dennis 21 Shirley Shibak 07 Melanie Brock 22 Jane Hoffner 08 Eric Duffy 23 Calder Daniels 08 Kathy Fisk 23 Emma DeNunzio 08 John Guzik 23 Leonard Licata 09 Dorothy Winebrake 24 Brittany Dennis 10 Bruce Miles 24 Carol Mendicino 10 Colleen Washington 25 Alexandra Bomersbach 10 Christine Wilford 26 April Giordano 11 Jeanne McCloe 26 Arthur Wilson 12 Kristina Berdini 27 Gale Black 12 Carrie Granche 27 Jeffrey Conrad 14 Jessica Dippre 28 Donald Fisch Sr 14 Rhonda Drake 28 Matthew Peregrim 14 Gertrude Stone 29 Susan Calpin 14 Nacy Swartz 29 Linda Hoover 30 Jeffrey Muir For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April 2022 11 This is a snapshot of Events & Activities scheduled for the month of April. A full schedule is available on our website. Should you like to schedule an activity or have questions, please contact Marie Priblo at 570-342-8263 ext. 10. Weekly Events for April Rev. Mike Bealla - Senior Pastor Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 2 Monday 10:00 AM Staff Meeting (L) Email: [email protected] Tuesday 10:00 AM Lectionary Meeting (L) [email protected] 7:00 PM Lent Bible Study (L & Online) Rev. Andrew Weidner Associate Pastor/Visitation Pastor Wednesday 10:00 AM Bread Basket (MPR 1) Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 3 Sunday 10:00 AM Sanctuary Service (Sanct./Online) Email: [email protected] 11:30 AM African Prayer & Praise Service Marie Priblo Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Funny Signs! Sponsored by Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 0 Email: [email protected] Betsy Miller [email protected] Wesley Bealla Director of Communications and I.T. Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 4 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Mike Heffron Director of Maintenance Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 6 Email: [email protected] [email protected] George Simmons - Director of Music Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 5 Email: [email protected] Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Elm Park UMC 712 Linden St. Scranton PA, 18510 Address Service Requested In This Issue Worship Times 8:30 AM Chapel Service A Message from our Senior Pastor 9:00 AM—10:00 AM Fellowship time Holy Week Information 10:00 AM Sanctuary Service 12:00 PM African Service The Road to Resurrection Lilly Order Form A Thank you The Bishops visit to the District