Rev. Mike Bealla The Journey

May 2014 Volume LXX, Number 5
712 Linden Street
Scranton, PA 18510
Telephone:
(570) 342-8263
Prayer phone: (570) 346-0172
Email: [email protected]
Website: ElmParkScranton.org
Rev. Mike Bealla
Senior Pastor
The Journey
Grace & Peace to you in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As the summer days begin to
wind down, I want to thank all
of you for the first few months
of my ministry among you!
You have welcomed my family
and I warmly and have appreciated your bearing the summer heat as we worshipped
together.
THE JOURNEY
BECOME A FRIEND IN MISSION
ANNUAL COAT DRIVE
JOIN TEAM ELM PARK
RACE FOR THE CURE
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
CHANCEL CHOIR
SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
VBS 2016-A HUGE SUCCESS
FAMILY LIFE MINISTRIES
The Back to School Carnival
Parent & Youth Night
Elm Park Knights Schedule
We have had a great summer
experience including missional
opportunities both within our
doors and beyond. Vacation
Bible School was a marvelous
success with over 60 adults
helping and just as many eager young children excited to
have been a part. Thanks to
all who helped make VBS a
success!!
Our key leadership experienced a retreat at St. Gabriel's
Center over the summer. Held
on one of the hottest days of
July, the retreat gave us a
great opportunity to explore
our past and look forward to
the future. A shared vision of
future ministry has begun to
evolve out of that work. Our
leadership and staff are clearly passionate and committed
to being an effective church
whose disciple-making mission
becomes our focus.
Under the shade of our beautiful tress, our concerts on the
church lawn were appreciated by those in the immediate
community and even caught
the attention of some of our
University of Scranton students
arriving on campus as well.
The "Praise in Park" event at
Nay Aug Park was very well
attended and we entertained
with wonderful performances
and lots of fun activities.
Again, thanks to all who
came and shared to make
this event special.
Worship attendance remained strong at both services and we are seeing
more people each week including several who have
been away for a while. I am
doing my best to remember
names but I still have a ways
to go! We need each other
for the church to be the best
it can be!
Now, with autumn approaching activity is really picking
up! In particular we are welcoming back the Montessori
School and are gearing up
for another great year of Sunday School for all ages. I am
hoping to teach an Adult
Class on Sunday mornings as
well as hosting a Bible Study
based on the Disciple Bible Series Fast Track
edition on an evening during the week! I
hope you might consider joining me in one of
those.
ANNUAL COAT DRIVE
During the hottest part of summer it seems like an
odd time to remind everyone that Elm Park is
seeking gently used winter coats, hats, scarves,
and gloves for our November Coat Giveaway.
The greatest need is always for men's and children's coats. This reminder comes when flea markets, yard sales and closet cleanings are most likely to occur. Thank you for helping warm those in
need this winter.
In an effort to learn about where God is leading us, I am hoping to invite every one of you
to what I will call "An Evening with the Pastor"
in the coming weeks. I will be inviting you by
written invitation to come to the church in
small groups for some desert and fellowship.
This will give me a chance to get to know all
of you in a more intimate setting while at the
same time listening to what God may be
placing in your heart and mind. Please
watch the mail. (I hope to begin these gatherings in mid-September.)
CHANCEL CHOIR
Chancel Choir rehearsals will resume on
Wednesday, September 7th at 7:30PM. The
choir sings weekly at
the 11:00 Sanctuary Worship Service from
September through May. No audition is required, although some choral experience is
helpful and new members are always welcome. Come join us as we make music in
praise of our great God!
Finally, brothers and sisters, let me again express what an honor it is for me to have
come among you! How exciting it is to be a
part of our marvelous history but also to have
sensed a passion among our leadership and
congregation to move us forward so that our
best days are still ahead!! Call or email if I
can help you in your faith journey or for any
other reason…even just for a chat or some
fellowship.
Oh, and please pray for our leaders and for
me as we continue to serve Christ. Pray for
each other as well as we live out our faith in
this covenant community! I continue to pray
for each of you daily and know God has big
plans for us and for you!
Grace & Peace!
SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
The Jenkins Scholarship and Elm Park Service
awards are being processed. We are waiting
for financial information to be finalized. As
soon as we receive the necessary information, scholarship recipients will be notified.
Thank you for your patience!
2
01 Vee Pauli
01 Kevin Armstrong
01 *Kaylei Janesko
01 *Howard Woodruff
02 Thomas Gaylets
02 Kayla Lee
02 Marjorie Scotch
02 Judith Reihner
03 Tim Emick
04 *Benjamin Warring
04 *Lee Draper
04 Katherine Gianacopoulos
05 *Michael Hall
05 Chrissy Pauli
06 Luke Rogers
06 Sarah Shoener
06 John Wagner III
06 Michael Kleha
06 Edward Baum
06 *Helen Senasack
07 Edwin Rogers
07 Brenda Zarick
07 William Miller
08 Gloria Harrison
08 Shirley Hoffman
08 *Benjamin Holen-Jenkins
08 *Ed Smith
08 *Julia Holen-Jenkins
09 Vinessa Schultz
09 Justine Perry
09 Marilyn Matone
10 *David Hooper
10 Louise Kolinofsky
10 Susan Saar
11 Henry Jones
11 *Sandra Caswell
11 Adam Long
12 *Tyler Kozik
12 Katherine Rogers
12 Edward Conrad
12 Cynthia Allen
13 John Fletcher
13 *Alison Caswell
13 Walter Pabst III
13 Clarence Smith
13 Ryan Janesko
14 Frank DeNunzio Jr
14 James Keller
14 David Zink
14 Sarah Marta
14 *Loriah McCloe
14 Michael Roberts
14 Todd Leyh
14 Michael Shibak Jr
14 Michael Drake
14 Keith Felkowski
15 Claire Greaves
15 *Ryan Prothero
16 Keegan Napolitano
16 Lindsey Griffiths
16 *Norahbelle Daubenhauser
17 Lee Pilosi
17 David Caswell
17 Matthew Muro
17 Kevin Scotch
17 Alexander Kameroski
18 Charlie Prothero V
18 Barry Dugger
18 James Shoemaker
18 Linda Robinson
9
19 Jack Evans
19 Sherry Bennington
20 Scott Sadowski
20 Pamela Farabaugh
20 Bryce Onofrey
20 *Nathan Wallace
21 Tiffany Lombardo
21 *Jenessa Smolley
21 Elizabeth Stemphoski
22 Dawn Dempsey
22 Mark Schultz
22 Beverly Adomiak
23 *Charlie Pabst
23 *Joseph Salimini
23 Kyle Manigault
23 Laura Kohanski
23 *Katie Maciejewski
23 Jonathan Baker III
25 *George Zvirblis III
26 Ethel P Phillips
26 *Jason Alexander
26 Marilyn Florey
26 Amy Lees
27 Jason Diaz
27 *Matthew Howe
27 Lea Garcia
28 Ryan Roberts
28 Kristen Roberts
29 William Musgrave
30 Edna Kozik
30 *Ryan Negvesky
Family Life Ministries
Carole G. Mason, Family Life Minister
570-342-8263 ext. 17
[email protected]
The
elm park
knights
I Timothy 4:12-13 - “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the
believers an example in speech, in
conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
The Elm Park Knights meet on Sundays from 12:30-3:00pm for all
those in 6th-12th grades during the
school year. Join us for many different aspects of fellowship including teaching, prayer, fun, and
games. The Knights also participate in a variety of events and activities throughout the year.
Please join Family Life Ministries and our Sunday School for
the Second Annual Back to School Carnival to be held SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th immediately following worship service.
There will be fun games, face painting, prizes, popcorn,
hotdogs, and school supplies. Please plan to stay and join in
on the fun!
The Elm Park Knights will be starting
back up on Sunday, September
As we enter a new school year please remember we want
20th, 2015 at 6:00pm!
to recognize our outstanding children and youth for the
many accomplishments they achieve during the year.
9/20 Welcome Back!
Please remember to submit stories and pictures prior to the
Refocusing our hearts and tenth of each month.
minds on worship and
fellowship.
9/27 Parent & Youth Night!
What’s new for the year!
8
3
ALTAR FLOWERS
August 7
The flowers for the worship services have been given to the glory of God and in loving memory
of REV. REES WARRING by The
Warring Family.
August 14
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in loving
memory of REV. REGINALD MCCLAIN by
Carole Mason, Andrew and Nevaeh.
August 21
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in loving
honor of SGT. KYLE MCCLOE’S 30th birthday,
by his loving Family.
August 28
The flowers for the worship services have
been given to the glory of God and in loving
memory of ALMA CLAIRE KENNEDY by RJ and
Cindy Kennedy.
BECOME A “FRIEND IN MISSION”
SEPTEMBER
RECEPTIONIST
04 Andrew Sucheski/Elizabeth Swartz
11 Sue Muro/Tina Kohanski
18 Carole Anderson/Renee Aston
25 Lacey Stanton/Marcy Jesse
ACOLYTES
04 Carolyn Burke and Ashley Greening
11 Luke Warring and Mandy Magnot
18 Keira Brogan and Paige McDonald
25 Katie Cooper and Sarah Armstrong
04 Holy Communion
HOSPITALITY HOST/HOSTESSES
Are you curious about your Mission Team
outreach? Have you considered joining the
team but are afraid of the commitment?
Do you need for someone to nudge you off
the fence?
If you answered YES to any of the above
questions, email
[email protected] and we will
be very happy to include you in all Mission
Team email communications. You never
know, one of our activities just may offer the
opportunity that moves you from I think I
can to I know “I can do all things through
Christ which strengthens me” Philippians:
4:13
The UMW meeting for September 12, 2016 will be rescheduled to a later date.
(We meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month at
6:30)
Thank you.
PENNIES FOR
TURKEYS
We
reached
our
goal! Because of
your continued support, our goal of
$3000.00 was reached. The friends of the poor
will be able to supply many turkeys for their
annual Turkey dinner to provide a Thanksgiving meal for families that
may not otherwise have one.
Thank you!
4
04
11
18
25
Meghan Andrew Sucheski
Jill Eidenberg/Mary Beth and Aaron Magnot
Andrea and Larry Mulrine/Betsy, Bill and Jane Miller
Joan Pilosi/Betty, Kim and Karri Lee
SANCTUARY USHERS
04 Karen Sadowski, Joe Sadowski, Scott Sadowski, Michael Drake, Leigh Redmon, Ralph Cooper
Sarah Cooper
11 Elm Park Youth
18 Barbara Peters, Elizabeth Calianno, Meghan Sucheski, Butch Barron, Donna Barron, Chet Drake
Volunteer
25 Leigh Redmon, Dave Walker, Colleen Brooks, Tim Emick, Kim Emick, Shonna Emick
Maddie Emick
CHAPEL/SANCTUARY READERS
04 Marianne Wolf/Jill Luczak
11 Ed Bugno/Elm Park Youth
18 Cindy Fisch/Kathy Hunt
25 Jennifer Kresock/Leigh Redmon
SANCTUARY GREETERS
04 Joe and Karen Sadowski
11 Elm Park Youth
18 Barbara Peters and Elizabeth Calianno
25 Tim and Kim Emick
CHAPEL USHER/GREETERS
04 Donna Mang and Melissa Mang
11 Susan and Bob Crane
18 Cindy and Don Fisch
25 Ed and Eleanor Rogers
7
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
VBS 2016-A HUGE SUCCESS
Jesus surely smiled on Elm Park the first week of August. Sixtyone children and about as many volunteers, experienced our
Barnyard Roundup Vacation Bible School. Many thanks to Cheryl
McDonald, Carole
Mason, Julie Miller and others for their publicity efforts, and to
Cheryl and Carole for manning the registration tables. The rafters
were ringing as the children sang with all their hearts “I Am a
C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N” and much more under the enthusiastic direction of Janet-Muse Burke
with the help of Christine
Armstrong. Hope you got to see our awesome Bible School Decorations spearheaded by
Tim and Maddy Emick or saw the lovely handiwork created in our crafts area ably led by
Dawn Redmon, Sue Muro and Wendy Lowry. In Bible Challenge the children constructed
scripture verses from the Twenty-Third Psalm, and sang accompanying music.
Budding actors portrayed Biblical personalities, as stories from scripture were enacted
in our Barn Raising Storytelling Area, directed by Joan Pilosi and where science experiments relating to the scriptures were led by Karen Sadowski.
Butch Barron wowed the children with creative and fun games, and guest animal
owners charmed the crowds with their fascinating pets: chickens, rabbits, goats and
lambs.
We ate like kings thanks to the efforts of chief cook, John McDonald, and ably assisted
by Wendy Brogan, Jeanne McCloe, Conrad Bosley and others.
Many dedicated people contributed to the success of this year’s VBS, but the leadership of Helen Evans cannot be overstated. Included is a complete list of all who volunteered. Thank you to all of you!
Co-leaders were Helen Evans, Joan Pilosi, Cheryl McDonald and Karen Sadowski.
Christine and Kevin Armstrong, Ron Balewski, Butch and Donna Barron, Rev. Mike and
Wesley Bealla, Sherry Bennington, Dottie and Conrad Bosley, Michelle and Nick Botes, Jill
and Wendy Brogan, Emilee Butler, Sarah and Katie Cooper, Jack Daubenhauser and
family; Jill, Meghan, and Sean Eidenberg. Tim and Maddy Emick, Helen and Jack Evans,
Eileen and Brian Grassi, Traci Greening, Sarah Hickey, Cathy Hunt, Cindy Kennedy,
Wendy Lowry, Amy, Amanda, and Meghan Guziewicz, Carole Mason, Angel Marsico,
Jeanne and Dale McCloe; Cheryl, John and Paige McDonald, Jeff Moran, Janet MuseBurke, Camden, Julie and Jason Miller, Sue Muro, Nicole and Keegan Napolitano and
family and friends, Joan Pilosi, Dawn and Leigh Redmon, Jenna Rizzo, Karen, Joe and
Scott Sadowski, Dylan and Joseph Smith, Ron Stewart, Andrew Sucheski, Abby Ulrich,
Charles Wallace, Maria and John Warring.
6
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Sunday School is right around the corner, beginning on September 11! Our teachers are busy preparing and planning. Here are
a few notes to keep in mind as we begin a new year of Sunday
School at Elm Park.
All Sunday School classrooms will now be in the back of the Recital Hall. We will still have our Large Group/Small Group format
for K-5. Registration will be held on September 11 at 9:30 in the
Recital Hall. Registration may also be done online by visiting
https://goo.gl/forms/6GmtBi3M9MEWyL0k2 or scanning this QR code using a QR code
scanner app on a smart phone or tablet.
Following registration, we are asking that all parents and guardians stay with their children
for a meeting with Reverend Mike and the Sunday School teachers. While we are waiting
for everyone to register, children will be able to complete a small craft. The meeting will
revolve around a few topics, one of these being teaching children the importance of
stewardship and giving to the Church.
If time allows, students will meet in groups with their teachers. One of the most common
discussions we have with the children when we begin Sunday School is about their summer vacation. Please encourage them to discuss anything they enjoyed about their summer. Additionally, if any of the children would like to talk about a “God moment,” or a
time when they felt the presence of God working in their lives, please discuss this point
with your child prior to September 11. It could be a special family moment, time spent
with a loved one, or an act of kindness they performed or received.
Additionally, we are in need of one Junior/Senior High teacher and, possibly, additional K5 teachers. Although we are in need of regular teachers, we would love to welcome parents or guardians to be a “guest” teacher and take on even only one lesson throughout
the year. Our curriculum is easy to follow, and we are sure the kids would love seeing you
involved in their Christian education.
Aby questions can be directed to Cheryl McDonald at 570-878-0206 or by email at
[email protected].
We are looking forward to an exciting year. See you in Sunday School!
The Education Team
5
VBS 2016-A HUGE SUCCESS
Jesus surely smiled on Elm Park the first week of August. Sixtyone children and about as many volunteers, experienced our
Barnyard Roundup Vacation Bible School. Many thanks to Cheryl
McDonald, Carole
Mason, Julie Miller and others for their publicity efforts, and to
Cheryl and Carole for manning the registration tables. The rafters
were ringing as the children sang with all their hearts “I Am a
C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N” and much more under the enthusiastic direction of Janet-Muse Burke
with the help of Christine
Armstrong. Hope you got to see our awesome Bible School Decorations spearheaded by
Tim and Maddy Emick or saw the lovely handiwork created in our crafts area ably led by
Dawn Redmon, Sue Muro and Wendy Lowry. In Bible Challenge the children constructed
scripture verses from the Twenty-Third Psalm, and sang accompanying music.
Budding actors portrayed Biblical personalities, as stories from scripture were enacted
in our Barn Raising Storytelling Area, directed by Joan Pilosi and where science experiments relating to the scriptures were led by Karen Sadowski.
Butch Barron wowed the children with creative and fun games, and guest animal
owners charmed the crowds with their fascinating pets: chickens, rabbits, goats and
lambs.
We ate like kings thanks to the efforts of chief cook, John McDonald, and ably assisted
by Wendy Brogan, Jeanne McCloe, Conrad Bosley and others.
Many dedicated people contributed to the success of this year’s VBS, but the leadership of Helen Evans cannot be overstated. Included is a complete list of all who volunteered. Thank you to all of you!
Co-leaders were Helen Evans, Joan Pilosi, Cheryl McDonald and Karen Sadowski.
Christine and Kevin Armstrong, Ron Balewski, Butch and Donna Barron, Rev. Mike and
Wesley Bealla, Sherry Bennington, Dottie and Conrad Bosley, Michelle and Nick Botes, Jill
and Wendy Brogan, Emilee Butler, Sarah and Katie Cooper, Jack Daubenhauser and
family; Jill, Meghan, and Sean Eidenberg. Tim and Maddy Emick, Helen and Jack Evans,
Eileen and Brian Grassi, Traci Greening, Sarah Hickey, Cathy Hunt, Cindy Kennedy,
Wendy Lowry, Amy, Amanda, and Meghan Guziewicz, Carole Mason, Angel Marsico,
Jeanne and Dale McCloe; Cheryl, John and Paige McDonald, Jeff Moran, Janet MuseBurke, Camden, Julie and Jason Miller, Sue Muro, Nicole and Keegan Napolitano and
family and friends, Joan Pilosi, Dawn and Leigh Redmon, Jenna Rizzo, Karen, Joe and
Scott Sadowski, Dylan and Joseph Smith, Ron Stewart, Andrew Sucheski, Abby Ulrich,
Charles Wallace, Maria and John Warring.
6
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Sunday School is right around the corner, beginning on September 11!
Our teachers are busy preparing and planning. Here are a few notes
to keep in mind as we begin a new year of Sunday School at Elm
Park.
All Sunday School classrooms will now be in the back of the Recital
Hall. We will still have our Large Group/Small Group format for K-5.
Registration will be held on September 11 at 9:30 in the Recital Hall.
Registration may also be done online by visiting
https://goo.gl/forms/6GmtBi3M9MEWyL0k2 or scanning this QR code using a QR code scanner
app on a smart phone or tablet.
Following registration, we are asking that all parents and guardians stay with their children for a
meeting with Reverend Mike and the Sunday School teachers. While we are waiting for everyone
to register, children will be able to complete a small craft. The meeting will revolve around a few
topics, one of these being teaching children the importance of stewardship and giving to the
Church.
If time allows, students will meet in groups with their teachers. One of the most common discussions we have with the children when we begin Sunday School is about their summer vacation.
Please encourage them to discuss anything they enjoyed about their summer. Additionally, if any
of the children would like to talk about a “God moment,” or a time when they felt the presence
of God working in their lives, please discuss this point with your child prior to September 11. It
could be a special family moment, time spent with a loved one, or an act of kindness they performed or received.
Additionally, we are in need of one Junior/Senior High teacher and, possibly, additional K-5
teachers. Although we are in need of regular teachers, we would love to welcome parents or
guardians to be a “guest” teacher and take on even only one lesson throughout the year. Our
curriculum is easy to follow, and we are sure the kids would love seeing you involved in their
Christian education.
Aby questions can be directed to Cheryl McDonald at 570-878-0206 or by email at
[email protected].
We are looking forward to an exciting year. See you in Sunday School!
The Education Team
5