e-newsletter Feb 2 2018

The Moscow United Methodist Church126 Church Street Office Phone: 570-842-7251Moscow, PA 18444 e-newsletter February 2, 2018 Lent 2018 – A PilgrimageLent: An ancient word that means “Spring.” Lent refers to the seasonbeginning with Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter Sunday whenwe refocus on our Christian roots. It is a time of reflection, prayer,sacrifice, service and studying God’s Word as we change, grow and liveinto our resurrection destinies in Jesus Christ.Greg Gordan’s quote says it well: “Christian life is a journey, apilgrimage towards heaven.” This Lent our theme is “Pilgrimage toHeaven”. Look for Moscow United Methodist Church’s Lent brochure,coming out soon. It is filled with opportunities for worship and learning,and ideas for individuals and families, young and old, to journey withJesus as we go on A Pilgrimage to Heaven.

MUMC’s Financing of Ministries for Christ Year End Matters!January is a busy month for our pastor, staff and volunteer leaders at Moscow UMC.It’s the time when ministry bank accounts are balanced for our annual audit,statistical reports are filled out and submitted, expenses are tallied and budgets forthe new year finalized. It’s a time of looking back and taking stock of how we metour ministry goals for the previous year. This January also saw us transition to a newchurch treasurer and learn we will need a new church financial secretary in 2018.2017 Year Long & Year End Giving: Thank you to all in our congregation who havebeen so generous with their giving in 2017. The final months of each year –November and December - are the greatest months for financial contributions tothe church. Many people faithfully “catch-up” on their yearly pledges at this time,others are inspired by the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons to share, and somejust prefer to give at this time. We are grateful for all our MUMC givers and for theministry of Jesus Christ that your contributions make possible! As our finalized 2017financial, statistical and audit reports and 2018 budget reports become available,look for copies in the folder hanging from the narthex lobby bulletin board or callthe church office 570-842-7251 to receive a copy.2017 Year End Pledging Update: Our 2017 fall Stewardship program, ExtravagantGenerosity, helped us focus on God’s great generosity to us. Many turned in theirestimate of giving card for 2018, committing themselves to our the vision of growingspiritually and reaching new people for Jesus Christ through the ministries of ourchurch. Thank you! Church members can fill out an Estimate of Giving card atanytime of the year. They are in a basket by the church mailboxes.The total pledged by MUMC contributors for 2018 is $ 93,652, up 5 % over the pasttwo years. Many MUMC friends give to our church without pledging and your givingis also very much needed and appreciated!! When MUMC church members andfriends give through pledging our church treasurers are assured there will be asteady income with which they can pay monthly utility, staff payroll and other

ministry commitments, all year long. To this end, a special thank goes to our MUMCfriends who give via automatic monthly bank withdrawals, providing our treasurerswith added assurance of timely income for ministry expenses. Next Month: Moscow UMC Church BudgetsTreasurers Transitions: 2017 saw us transition in MUMC’s treasurers for both thetrustees’ maintenance account and the church general fund account. Many thanksgo to Beth Czulada for her years of dedicated service to the trustees and to CindyMcIntosh for her time this past year in helping us learn and understand much aboutour general fund finances. The Moscow UMC lay leadership committee, Staff-PastorParish Relations committee (SPRC) and the entire congregation is grateful for theirservice and dedication on our behalf! Our new trustees’ treasurer is Debbie Kenoskyand our new church general fund treasurer is Linda Verrastro. Both new treasurersbring a wealth of church finance experience to their new positions and we thankthem for their dedication and willingness to serve our church in this important way!New Financial Secretary Needed! For over 40 years, Don Ehrhardt served atMUMC’s beloved financial secretary. When Don retired last year, Lar Nelsonstepped in and has been faithfully serving us in this position. Lar finds he can nolonger continue working in this job so we are seeking a new financial secretary. Thefinancial secretary deposits our congregation’s weekly offerings, records giving andprovides reports both to the treasurers and givers. It is an important responsibilitywith these needed qualifications: a high level of confidentiality, good accountingskills, and ability to work with MS Excel spreadsheets with ease. This part timeposition requires a few hours per week with additional hours at the end of the yearto help with distributing giving envelopes and tallying up year end accounting forour church statistical reports. If you know of anyone who meets these qualificationsand might be interested in learning more about or applying for the position, pleaseinvite them to email or call either the church office: [email protected] or570-842-7251, or our SPRC chair, Dan Hanna, [email protected] or 570-351-3154 or, for a complete job description and employment application.

Church Meetings Coming UpSunday, Feb 4 – 12:30 pm – Worship Committee meets after churchThursday, Feb 8 – 6 pm: Trustees and 7:30 pm: MissionsTuesday, Feb 20 – 6 pm – SPRCTuesday, Feb 20 – 7 pm – Administrative Council – Snow Date is Feb 25 after churchSunday, Feb 25 – 12:15 pm - Sunday school planning meeting after churchOther Events in February:Financial Peace U – Mondays through March 12 – 6 pmMUMC Valentines Day Takeout Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser – Feb 14 from 4-6 pmAsh Wednesday Worship – Feb 14- 7 pm at Maple Lake UMCChurch Men United Annual Lenten Communion Breakfast – Feb 18 - 7:30 am Elm Park UMCBoy Scout Sunday at Moscow UMC – Feb 18Coffee Hour after Worship – Feb 18St. Mary’s Villa 3rd Sunday Worship – Feb 18 at 2 pmBishop’s Discussion on the Way Forward – Feb 18 at 2 pm at Clarks Summit UMCNorth Pocono Ministerium Community Thursday Worship series begins – Feb 22 - 7pm

Help Tackle Hunger on Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, February 4, 2018, at Moscow UMC 10:30 to 12:30 a.m.Bring your cash donations and cans of soup to church on SouperBowl of Caring Sunday, February 4th, to give to the North Pocono Food Pantry to help tackle hunger! Youth are invited to wear their favorite sports jerseys and caps and help collect cans and cash!

All Are Invited to: The North Pocono MinisteriumCommunity Lenten Worship Services 2018 Thursdays at 7 pm – February 22 through March 22, 2018 Community Offerings will help support the North Pocono Food & Dry Goods Pantries Decisions That Will Change Your Life* February 22, 2018 – Maple Lake United Methodist Church Rev. Jean Blackie – The Decision to Follow March 1, 2018 – St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Msgr. John Jordan –The Decision for a New Life March 8, 2018 – St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church Rev. Earl Trygar – The Decision to Mature March 15 – Moscow United Methodist Church Pastor Aaron Shappell – The Decision to Respond March 22, 2018 – Cross Road Assembly of God Pastor Eric Luczak – The Decision to Persevere*From the small group experience guidebook by Tom Berlin, encouraging us to Decide for Christ in six important ways in our busy lives