Stroudsburg United Methodist Church

06/17/2026

Wednesday afternoon prayers: June 17, 2026

06/16/2026

It’s Vacation Bible School time! Join us at Stroudsburg United Methodist Church starting Monday 6/22 at 5:30PM for a week of fun with Snowball Mountain Challenge! Dinner provided.

06/12/2026

"Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6

The United Methodist Church began with the energy of John, 15th of 19th, and Charles, the 18th of 19th. children of Rev. Samuel and Susannah. Both were priests in the Church of England. John was the preacher, and Charles was the poet and hymnwriter. Charles wrote from his own experiences of God. One of his most well-known hymns is "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing."

The story goes that he had an amazing conversion experience. Charles was ill, almost to the point of death. He was a dear friend with German Moravian Christians, who spent time with him.
Peter Böhler asked him as he sat next to his bed, "Do you hope to be saved?" Charles answered, "Yes."
Böhler said, "On what grounds do you have that hope?"
Charles said, "Because I've tried to serve God. Because I've done everything I could to serve God."
His friend just shook his head, and Charles's hopes were shattered. How could he be made right with God, he asked, if all his efforts hadn't done that?
Peter explained to him about the incredible grace of God. He explained that grace alone is the mechanism of salvation. We place our faith in Christ. It is God's grace to graciously give us the gift of salvation. It is not action or inaction. It is not by what we do or our actions. It is not begging or pleading. We come to God as we are having faith that God loves us. That is how we are saved. Charles Wesley's life changed forever when he learned that God accepted him as he was. Charles survived and later wrote a poem that became the famous hymn: "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." This famous line was inspired by a sentence spoken by Peter Böhler, the man who led Charles Wesley to true faith in Christ. Apparently, Böhler said to him, "If I had a thousand tongues, I would praise God with all of them."

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!

This is the first of nineteen verses that commemorate the first anniversary of Charles' experience of God's saving grace.

As we draw closer to God, may we too sing the praise of God. Let every living being sing God's praise! Praise the Lord!
(Reference: https://lukepowellministries.com/friday-classic-hymns/o-for-a-thousand-tongues-to-sing-story-behind-the-hymn)

In God’s Love,
Pastor Monica

06/12/2026

Coming up this Sunday, June 14th - it's Music Sunday!
Our worship leaders are Diane and Pastor Margie
The Praise Song is "Everyone Moved by the Spirit"
The Choral Anthems at 11:00 am are "I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me", "Total Praise", "I Hear Your Voice" and "Heaven Bound"
The Old Testament Lesson is Psalm 150
The New Testament Lesson is Ephesians 5:18b-20
Pastor Monica's sermon is "What Does the Scripture Say About Music?" (I want my listeners to have an eye to God in every word we sing.)
Join us in person at 8:30 or 11:00 am or:
Join us live at 8:30am:
https://youtube.com/live/be5RJzKplA8
Join us live at 11:00am:
https://youtube.com/live/_O-G4Ax8Ya8
The bulletins are available on the church website: stroudsburgumc.com

06/10/2026

Wednesday afternoon prayers: June 10, 2026

06/10/2026

Interested in a VBS T-Shirt? T-Shirts are $20.00 each. You can also purchase a shirt for a child. Sign up here:

https://forms.gle/y2D2V3ux3YERgPBw8

(T-Shirts for registered children are free)

Enter your name and size to sign up for a T-Shirt.

06/05/2026

Coming up this Sunday, June 7th -
It's Communion Sunday and Graduate Recognition Sunday
Our worship leaders are Cliff and Kathy
We will recognize our graduates at both services
The Old Testament Lesson is Psalm 19
The New Testament Lesson is 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
The Praise Song is "Stars and Planets Sing Your Glory" (This hymn is part of a collection of faith and science poetry which can be found at https://crossandcosmos.blogspot.com
Pastor Monica's sermon is "What Does the Bible Say About...Science?" (I want my listeners to see science as another way to understand God.)

Join us in person at 8:30 or 11:00 am or

Join us live at 8:30 am:
https://youtube.com/live/dtuj1RMMXNM
Join us live at 11:00 am:
https://youtube.com/live/gJVlD9RobKM
The bulletin can be found on the church website: stroudsburgumc.com

06/05/2026

“All shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that God has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17

In ancient Israel, the temple kept time. Three times a year, the faithful streamed up to the temple from wherever they were, stopping what they were doing to give thanks to God, to petition God, and to gather as the body for the festivals of Passover, Booths, and Weeks. This pilgrimage so shaped the lives of ancient Israelites that they recited the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). The Temple is elevated, so as the pilgrims climbed the mount, they began, “I lift my eyes up to the mountain, where does my help come from? My help comes from you, Maker of Heaven, Creator of the Earth” Psalm 121:1. Three times a year, as they walked together to the mountain, their hands were not empty. Rather, as they prepared to go before God, they made up their minds to bring tithes and offerings. This verse from Deuteronomy comes from a chapter detailing how to observe the three festivals. As the scriptures say in other places, we give as we are able and as we make up our minds to give. There is joy in giving.

In Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA), the first Thursday and Friday are invitations to give to the nonprofit and social service organizations in our communities. More than fundraising, this collaborative effort called NEPA Gives provides visibility, engagement, and collaboration. This is why we joined 404 other organizations across 13 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania to share about our Community Resource Center.

Here is the link to donate. Every dollar helps! https://mtyc.co/kwjapf


For 24 hours—from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.—on the first Thursday in June every year, donors may make secure donations to their favorite local nonprofit organizations through the NEPA Gives online platform. Donations to participating nonprofits will be enhanced by bonus funds from NEPA Gives sponsors—making donor dollars stretch further! Nonprofits will also be eligible for cash prizes. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents in Northeastern Pennsylvania can participate in NEPA Gives. And anyone can donate.

So, like our ancestors, we make up our minds to give as we are able, honoring God. May God bless each of us.

In God’s Love,
Pastor Monica

06/04/2026

Today is the day! From 7pm Thursday until 7pm Friday, you can give online to support Stroudsburg UMC's Community Resource Center.

NEPA Gives is an online day of giving for Northeast PA Nonprofits. In addition to donors giving directly to our cause, there are opportunities to receive additional funds through prizes and a stretch pool.

Here is the link to donate. Every dollar helps!
https://mtyc.co/kwjapf

We greatly appreciate your support so we can finalize the remaining details of the construction and be open for the community fully!

06/04/2026

NEPA Gives Online Fundraiser

7pm June 4th through 7pm June 5th

Dear Friends,

The NEPA Gives online fundraiser starts today at 7pm and goes through Friday at 7pm.

Here is the link to donate:

https://mtyc.co/kwjapf

This is an online fundraiser - every dollar, no matter what size, helps the SUMC CRCR mission! Share the information with your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors! This is our last fundraising push - help us reach our goal!