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The Hawley United Methodist Church is a community of believers who seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We have been in ministry in the Pocono Mountains for over 150 years, seeking to honor the past, yet move into the future.

Sunday morning worship is held at 8:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.. For those seeking a more non-traditional worship service, the 8:00 hour might be more comfortable for you. However, those seeking a traditional worship and liturgy,the later service is what you are looking for. The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated at the 9:45 a.m. service every Sunday.

Please visit us, either over the internet or in Sunday Worship. We look forward to meeting you.

Rev. Martin L. Cox

THE PASTOR'S MESSAGE

An important time in the life of this church will be upon us in about one year from now.� As of June 30, 2010, the Wyoming Annual Conference, which has existed for over 160 years, will cease to exist and the two Pennsylvania districts of the Wyoming Annual Conference � Wilkes-Barre and Scranton � will unite with Central Pennsylvania to form the new Susquehanna Conference.

The Hawley United Methodist Church has been a member of the Wyoming Annual Conference since its inception a decade before the Civil War.� As we prepare to celebrate our 160th anniversary as a local congregation on the weekend of September 26-27, we do so with an air of excitement and anticipation about the restructuring, but also an element of uncertainty and tentativeness as we move into a future with all of the expectations and growing pains that come with any new venture.� Looking at the past, living in the present and planning for the future always presents us with a tricky balancing act and this is true of the local church community as well as Annual Conference.

God often reminded Israel about their past, the times that God delivered them, and the times that Israel faltered, and failed to keep covenant.� It is important for the church to look back in order to witness God�s faithfulness and our less than stellar performance when it comes to being faithful disciples.� In looking at the church�s past, we can celebrate her successes and acknowledge her failures.� But God never lets his people stay in the past.

The test that faces any local church, especially a church with a 160 year-old history, is to honor its past, but remember that we are always called to live in the present and look ahead to what tomorrow will bring.� It was God who told a captive Israel,

�Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.� See, I am doing a new thing!� Now it springs up: do you not perceive it?� (Isaiah 43:16-19a).

God needed to tell Israel to open its eyes and see that God was doing a new thing � and it was greater than what had already been accomplished in Israel�s history: greater than the Red Sea; greater than the Exodus, greater than the reign of Kings David and Solomon.� The challenge for Israel was to look, see and embrace that new thing that God was doing.

This is good council � not only for Israel or for the Wyoming Annual Conference � but also for the local church - especially one that is celebrating 160 years of ministry in this community.� The challenge is not to allow ourselves to be defined by what we have been, but rather to open our eyes and get prepared for what is yet to come.

God is doing a new thing!

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 A.M. - INFORMAL SERVICE

9:45 A.M. - TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Opportunities for

Learning & Worship

For those interested in adult learning, our Bible Studies offer opportunities for fellowship and learning.

The Emmaus Group meets in the Walters� Administration Building on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Rev Cox is leading a study of the Book of Judges.

For early risers, the Disciples� Group gathers for breakfast on Wednesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. in the Great Hall. This group is reading the Book of Isaiah.

Between services, during the month of March, our Minister of Evangelism, the Rev Dr. Doug Miller, will be offering an informal discussion time for any adults interested in conversations about what it means to be the church and what it means to be the people of God as we express out witness in this church.� If you are interested please contact Doug for more information and meeting location.

Visitors are always welcome. We hope you will consider joining us for some fellowship and lively conversation.

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