The Journey April & May Issue

Telephone: (570) 342-8263 Email: [email protected] Website: elmparkumchurch.org Rev. Mike Bealla Senior Pastor “Christ is Risen” Grace and peace to you in the Palm / Passion Sunday. Won- joy in our worship in my five name of our RISEN Lord! dering if anyone would feel se- years of pastoring here! Won- cure in attending live worship, derful! The organ accompanying Never in my wildest imagination open we did! While not our typi- the hymn supported by brass, would I have believed what hap- cal Holy Week numbers, the violin, flute, and tympani shook pened a year ago as we found Psalm / Passion service saw a me to my very soul! our sanctuary empty on Easter larger gathering than we had af- morning! Yes, Covid-19 had ter re-opening in September of The words “Christ is Risen” and knocked the wind out of us as we 2020. the congregation’s response of had to shut our doors in order to “Christ is Risen, Indeed,” echoed keep one another safe during a Wondering what Easter Sunday throughout the service. Given all pandemic! Luckily, we had al- 2021 would look like opening that we have been through, ready begun live streaming our with only passing the in-person these words had a new and pow- worship services long before the news among our own members erful meaning. The long days of virus struck. So, as Easter Sun- and friends, it was wonderful to isolation, of missing contact with day 2020 came, we had our wor- see so many folks attending and grandchildren, parents and loved ship service in an empty sanctu- carefully following our guidelines ones, at least for the hour we ary without the booming voices for safe gatherings. Masks and worshipped together, gave us a and overcrowded pews. Still all, seeing each other after so sense of hope for the coming God’s spirit helped us deliver the long was wonderful in and of it- days. Death had finally given Good News of Christ’s resurrec- self. But the real powerful mo- way to life…life had once again tion if only on video. ment for me was to hear first the discovered the joy of resurrec- music and then the voices sing- tion. With the number of Covid cases ing one of Charles Wesley’s leveling off as we approached Ho- most popular and powerful Of course, we are not quite back ly Week 2021, it was decided to hymns, “Christ the Lord Is Risen to reasonable normalcy as far as re-open for in-person worship for Today!” I had never heard such (Continued on page 2)

2 The Journey - April/May 2021 being careful to practicing safety as far as the pandemic, (remembering that even now the numbers of cas- es are beginning to climb a bit), but because of Easter, we again have hope in the future. By the way, we hope to be able to continue in-person worship taking careful precautions and following safe practices even if numbers of cases rise again. Please, if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please do so as soon as you can! Keep praying for each other, our communities, and our world. Thank God in your prayers remembering the frontline workers, nurses and doctors, and the creators of the vaccines. Remember too, that without the suffering and death of Jesus, Easter would only be a celebration of death… instead, it is the grand surprise of resurrection! I hope to see you soon when you feel comfortable in attending in-person, but I am so happy that out online views continue to be numerous even as many return to the sanctuary! Rev. Mike Bealla An Amazing Gift to Have As wonderful as electronic readers and tablets are, there is nothing like the feel of a book in the reader’s hands. Over the years our church library has grown to become an amazing gift to have right in our own building! If you haven’t been using the library, or perhaps didn’t know it existed, your really should stop in look around at our collection. A special thanks to Karen Sadowski, the leader of our library team, who spends hours caring for the operation. While the library is a self-help resource, cataloguing, purchasing, and maintaining the collection is a big task. Karen also has a rack of suggested reads just inside the door making it easy to find a book that is just right for season of the year. The library is located to the left of our main office as you enter the Linden Street main door. Just go in… and enjoy. (The on- ly exception is to not disturb anyone who may be hosting a meeting… not a problem most of the time!) It’s easy to sign out a book whenever you are in the building. Just follow the directions posted and expand your mind with a good book! Or feel free to come in browse, relax and read the book of your choosing right there!! We have comfortable chairs to enjoy as well. For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April/May 2021 3 A Note From Our Associate Pastor Church Family, Prayer has been a great part of my life over the years, especially during times of illness and strug- gle. This is why I began our email prayer chain here at Elm Park UMC. Our email prayer chain has gotten off to a good start with ten people signed up to receive prayer requests for people in various situations. Prayer is an integral part of our faith journey, and when we can pray for someone who is struggling, we not only intercede for those we pray for, we demonstrate our love for others. You can send prayer requests directly to me at [email protected] to be sent to the email pray- er list and you do not need to be a member to do so. If you are sending personal requests, please include only the information you want to share. You may include only first names or ask that the requests be anonymous. To honor confidentiality, I will seek permission for a prayer request for someone other than yourself or family member. God Bless, Pastor Andy From the grave’s depths, Lord Jesus Christ, you emerged, breaking the hold of sin, death and hell, that those who trust in you might share in your righteousness, life and beloved community with God the Father and all God's children. We bow in awe before your maj- esty, giving thanks for your grace extended so bountifully to us. By the power of your Spirit who lives within us, may we share the astonishing news of your resurrection with others, that they also may know your saving grace. Amen. Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

4 The Journey - April/May 2021 IN MEMORY OF: Easter Lillies GIVEN BY: Benjamin Lee, Karen Collins and Karri Lee Betty Lee Family Members Florence Theobald Loved Ones Bugno Family Loved Ones Connie Dempsey Loved Ones Louise Jones and Family Loved Ones George & Jeanne Simmons Loved Ones Pastor Andy & Sandy Weidner Elsie Black Audrey Black Alice & Joseph Brace Andrea & Larry Mulrine Eric Brace Andrea & Larry Mulrine Gary Brace Andrea & Larry Mulrine Margaret Brace Andrea & Larry Mulrine Angelo Garofalo Andrea & Larry Mulrine Samuel & Elizabeth Housley Edna Housley & Joan Bowling Bill Jones Louise Jones and Family Benjamin H Lee, Karri Lynn Lee Bill & Betsy Miller & Karen Collins Adelaide & Frank Martin Andrea & Larry Mulrine Elizabeth Morgan Andrea & Larry Mulrine Reynold Morgan Andrea & Larry Mulrine J Theodore & Ruth S Morris Mary Hurlbutt, daughter Eileen & Raymond Mulrine Andrea & Larry Mulrine Melinda Mulrine Andrea & Larry Mulrine Mabel Nardone Joan Pilosi & Sarah Squadrito William Pasco Joan Pilosi & Sarah Squadrito Elizabeth Pasco Joan Pilosi & Sarah Squadrito Lee Pilosi Joan Pilosi & Sarah Squadrito Reverend Rees Warring Jean Warring For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April/May 2021 5 Easter Lillies Cont. IN HONOR OF: GIVEN BY: Family Pastor Andy & Sandy Weidner Betty Lee Bill & Betsy Miller Eva Moretti Betty Procik Lorraine Newton Andrea & Larry Mulrine Dawn Redmon Leigh Redmon George & Jeanne Simmons Weezie Ben, Ethan, Luke & Lily Warring Jean Warring Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

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

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

8 The Journey - April/May 2021 Vacation Bible School is back Hybrid! Save the dates August 2nd-6th, 2021 for Vacation Bible School. Our theme will be: “Discovery on Adventure Island: Quest For God’s Great Light.” All children ages four throughout those who have finished fifth grade along with parents and other adults are welcome! All Young Adults and Teens grades 6th-12th are welcome to come as well July 30th-31st, 2021 to experience VBS themselves before helping out. Many helpers are needed. Please consider sharing your talents, skills, and energy. Online Registration will begin June 6th, 2021 For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April/May 2021 9 Our Mission: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

10 The Journey - April/May 2021 16 John Marazio Caring for Our World – Mission 16 Merrill Mayenschein III Team in Action 17 Linda Cole 01 Abigale Pabst 17 Andie Mikesell Sometimes a little hard work can make 02 Lisa Cruser 18 Brian Grassi a big difference! Last year, our Mis- 02 Robert Dakin 18 Robert Griffiths Jr 02 Lisa Mansour 18 Jacob Harron sion Team adopted a road to clean-up. 02 Nicole Negvesky 18 Darren Wallace You can find their handy work just re- 03 Stephanie Adomiak 19 John Price cently completed on Luzerne Street on 03 David E. Roberts 20 Edward Dippre 04 Craig Pabst 21 Evan Pabst our Westside. Several of our team 05 Robert Armbrust 21 Francis Nasiatka gathered with gloves, masks, pick-up 05 Martha Resseguie 22 Wendy Brogan devices and garbage bags to wrangle 06 Eric Hoover 22 Lydia Bunnell up an amazing amount of discarded 06 Daniel Hubbard 22 Marie Muir trash. Seen below are several mem- bers of the team concentrated their ef- forts along the road. Thanks to John McDonald and team members for this important work! 06 Robert Lishman 22 Andrea Mulrine 06 Ian Long 22 Juliana Napolitano 08 Dawn Conway 22 Walter Tucker III 08 Lorraine Newton 23 Mark Brier Jr 09 Ramona Bosley 23 Gianna Lamberti 09 Betty Long 24 Edward Caswell Sr 09 Colin Wilford 24 Andrew Gruden 10 Frank Buck 25 Eliose Janesko 10 Edward Caswell III 26 Serena Biko 10 Ethan Jones 26 Alan Cunningham 10 Chase Magnot 26 Richard Salmons 11 Kyle Reihner 26 Arnold Thompson Jr 12 Lindsay Barrett 27 Thomas E Brogan 12 Holly Donovan 27 Gerri Jesse 12 Coen Miller 28 William E C Speare 15 Linda Dugger 30 Carole Bauman 15 Kimberly Lee 31 Karlie Howe 15 Jacqueline Lishman 31 Walter Pabst Jr 15 Ava Pabst 15 Luke Warring For the latest news and event information, visit the Elm Park UMC website at www.elmparkumchurch.org

The Journey - April/May 2021 11 This is a snapshot of Events & Activities scheduled for the month of May. 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. Rev. Mike Bealla - Senior Pastor Weekly Events for May Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 13 Email: [email protected] Monday 1:00 PM Staff Meeting (L) Tuesday [email protected] 10:00 AM Lectionary Meeting (L) Wednesday 10:00 AM Bread Basket (MPR 1) Rev. Andrew Weidner Sunday 10:00 AM Sanctuary Service (Sanct./Online) Associate Pastor/Visitation Pastor 11:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 17 Email: [email protected] Marie Priblo Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 10 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Signs we will never use! Mike Heffron Sponsored by Director of Maintenance Betsy Miller Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 18 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Steve Ruane Maintenance Wesley Bealla Director of Communications and I.T. Phone: (570) 342-8263 Ext. 12 Email: [email protected] [email protected] George Simmons - Director of Music Phone: (570) 342-8263 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 11:30 AM Prayer and Praise Service Easter Sunday Recap Lilly Garden Vacation Bible School