The Journey December 2021 Issue

Telephone: (570) 342-8263 Email: [email protected] Website: elmparkumchurch.org Rev. Mike Bealla Senior Pastor “A Rich Heritage” What a rich history we have Come, thou long expected Je- vent season. It explains who as United Methodists! When sus, born to set thy people free; Jesus is and what his coming John and Charles Wesley means to us each Advent began their spirited move- From our fears and sins release season: ment which later became the us, let us find our rest in thee. church we know today, it was The words of this hymn through Charles’s hymns Israel’s strength and consolation, remind us that God’s coming that many grew in faith. hope of all the earth thou art; into the world in Jesus was Without heavy theological not a “once and done propo- books explaining the deepest Dear desire of every nation, joy sition” only for the people of of Christian teaching, of every longing heart. Jesus’ day, but rather that Charles “taught” the follow- God, even today is coming to ers the basic and profound Born thy people to deliver, born us in new and unexpected theological beliefs through a child and yet a King, Born to ways. the lyrics of his hymns. Set- reign in us forever, now thy gra- ting those hymn texts to the cious kingdom bring. By thine Perhaps this Advent, consider common music of the day, own eternal spirit rule in all our taking some time to reflect early Methodists were learn- hearts alone; By thine all suffi- upon what it has meant, and ing about God in a uniquely cient merit, raise us to thy glori- continues to mean, that God Methodist way! has broken into our world in ous throne. order to show us a way of life that will, when practiced, Charles Wesley, 1744 One of Charles’s beloved hymns, which is now well known throughout the Chris- tian Church, is one that helps us experience the Ad-

2 The Journey - December 2021 change the world into the Kingdom of God. It reminds us that his coming is powerfully indi- vidual in nature, yet even more important for the community of all God’s children… not just those who claim God as Father, but even those yet to recognize God’s presence in their lives. For those, God has called us to be the church and illuminate the way of Jesus to all persons in all places and times! I give thanks to God for all of you every day, but even more so when we sing together our prayer each Advent… “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free!” May the richness of God’s amazing entry into our world through a helpless baby in an awk- ward crib, to an unlikely family who found no place to rest except a cattle stall, be with you and powerfully bless you in this wonderful time of the year! Grace and Peace be yours! Rev. Mike Bealla CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Join us for Advent Bible Study Friday, December 24th Every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM until December 21st Christmas Eve Service will begin at 7:00 pm with a variety of special music setting the scene for the ac- tual worship which will begin at 7:30 pm. Please plan to arrive early to be assured of a seat! OFFICES CLOSED Meet us in the church library as we will be exploring the book INCARNATION: Closed Thursday, Friday & Monday December 23rd, 24th, & 27th. Closed Wednesday, December 31st Rediscovering The Significance Of Christmas by Rev. Adam Hamilton For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - December 2021 3 A Note From Our Associate Pastor Church Family, I am writing from my office in the church since I have been cleared to return to work following the blood clot and tendon tears in my right leg. I must continue to rest my leg while working but it feels great to not be working from home. As preparations for the Christmas season continue, I struggle with the question “what do you want for Christmas?” This question has troubled me for some time since I really do not “need” anything. It is diffi- cult for me to distinguish between wants and needs at my age and can only wonder if the question should be changed to “what to you need for Christmas?” As your Associate Pastor of Visitation, I continue to “meet” those on my visitation list with hand-written cards and some phone calls. I look forward to the time when we can safely meet in person, especially since the COVID-19 continues to develop into new variants. I ask that you contact me at the church at 570-342-8263 or via email at [email protected] with any needs or with prayer concerns. God Bless and be safe, Pastor Andy Greetings! As we enter the season of Advent, we are pleased to announce that the Mission Team will again be conducting a toy drive to help area children in need of having a wondrous Christmas. Last year, our Church Family and Friends collected toys for 150 families which were distributed through the Keystone Mis- sion. Every child on their list AND their waiting list received gifts and a full Christmas stocking! This year, we are assisting Christian Child Cares with the same endeavor. We will be col- lecting new, unwrapped toys through Sunday, December 12. The director will also be providing us with a list of children’s specific needs, such as coats or boots, which will be made available to the congregation as soon as we receive it. Thank you for all you do to support our area families! God Bless, the Mission Team Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

4 The Journey - December 2021 For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - December 2021 5 Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

6 The Journey - December 2021 For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - December 2021 7 Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

8 The Journey - December 2021 For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - December 2021 9 DECEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS December 5th - In memory of what would have been the 52nd anniversary of Sherian and Charlie Lupole December 12th - Available December 19th - Poinsette Sunday Decemberr 26th - Available AVAILABLE DATES FOR ALTAR FLOWERS: January 2, 9, 16, 23. & 30. 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 - December 2021 17 Douglas Hoffman 17 Carol Kunz 18 Jacqueline Baum 02 Ashley Brier 18 Robert Dee III 02 Lily Harvey 18 Anna Hall 02 Gregory Powell 18 Wendy Mercer 03 Tina Bevan 18 Ann Marie Moss 03 Nicole Napolitano 19 Clara Brock 03 Chloe Tucker 19 Michael Kinney 05 Brenda Kille 19 Kenneth Reese 05 Lee Yeomans 20Adele Biko 06 Emily Okon 20 Ava Biko 06 Grace Shoener 21 Asher Carl 07 Kimberly Kowalski 22 William Napolitano Jr. 07 Tara Stevens 22 Coulter Rogers 08 Jeffrey Adomiak 24 Jill Brogan 08 Brian Baum-Lynch 24 Jean Warring 08 Arthur Conrad 25 Carole Carroll 08 Jalyn Lowe 26 Robin Cogswell 08 Barbara Rogers 26 Alan Dakin 09 Celestine Conrad 26 William Housley 09 Mary Gordon 26 Elizabeth Swartz 10 David Carl 28 Ryan Luczak 10 Sheldon Roberts 28 Michelle Mendicino 12 Matthew Howe 29 James Greenwood III 12 Bonnie Rinaldi 29 Dianne Musgrave 13 Renee Aston 29 EllaJay Parfitt 13 Janet Muse-Burke 29 Karen Sadowski 13 Alana Salimini 30 Carmen Sakosky 14 Ryan Barrett 30 Anthony Allen 15 Paula Bugno 30 Ronald Smith 16 Annaliesa Daubenhauser 31 Donna Barron 16 Andrew Howe 31 Louis Cortazar Jr. 16 Julie Miller 31 Nicholas Harron 16 Ruth Mills 31 Joseph Lees For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - December 2021 11 This is a snapshot of Events & Activities scheduled for the month of December. 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 December 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 Advent 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 12/24 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Service Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 0 Signs we will never use! Email: [email protected] Sponsored by 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 A Note from our 10:00 AM Sanctuary Service Associate Pastor 12:00 PM African Service Christmas Eve Information Advent Bible Study Poinsettia/Tree Order Form 2022 Mid Winter Institute 2022 Leadership