Weekly newsletter from Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI
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This Sunday we will be writing and dedicating our Bread for the World Offering of Letters. If you'd like to write your letters beforehand and bring them to church, click here for information on how we can continue
Doing Our Part to End Hunger!
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"For Everything There Is Season..."
It's hard to believe this Sunday will be my last Sunday leading worship before beginning sabbatical. Five years in ministry with you has gone by so fast and I imagine that the next four months will go quickly, too.
I want to express my deepest appreciation and the gratitude of my family for the privilege it is to have this time to step away from the day to day tasks of ministry. I realize this privilege is not one everyone gets, certainly I know from colleagues and other pastors in our area that taking a sabbatical is an opportunity not everyone receives or feels they can take. Thank you for not just giving me this opportunity but enthusiastically supporting and encouraging me to take it.
I am grateful, too, for Memorial's staff, Session, Deacons, and so many leaders in the congregation taking on additional responsibilities while I am away. I promise to use this time to rest, renew, and reconnect; returning in September with renewed joy and passion for our shared ministry. Please pray for me and my family; we will hold you all in our prayers.
With gratitude,
Pastor Mike, Kim, Lily, Levi, and Oliver
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Be the BODY in 2017: Worship, Part 1 of 3
I know summer is coming and worship attendance becomes more sporadic, not to mention I'm a pastor about to go on sabbatical so you won't see me in worship, so why would I bring up worship now? For exactly those reasons: absence can give us perspective about what we are missing when not at worship at Memorial, attending worship at another church when we travel or go to our niece's confirmation service can give us another perspective, and new voices preaching at Memorial will bring additional insights. So my hope here is to give you some things to consider as you worship this summer.
I want to think about worship in three ways and I'll look at each one as part of this series on being the body of Christ in 2017: worship as connection to God, worship as connection to the community of faith, and worship as transformation.
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Join us for an afternoon of theatre and dessert!
When
: Saturday, May 13 at 2:00 pm
Where:
Lawrence University Music Drama Building, 420 E. College Ave.
What: Dessert and coffee hosted by LU's Dept. of Theatre Arts, and then attend
Gint
, an adaptation by Romulus Linney of Ibsen's Peer Gynt.
What the play is about:
It's a story about a young man in Appalachia, convinced he'll be something "great, grand and glorious" . . . but he keeps getting sidetracked with women, drink, and "stories." Join us for this story, full of heart, as Gint tries to find his way and learn what "great" really is.
Tickets are discounted for MPC to $8.00 (we know the director) or $5.00 for students, so sign up by Sunday, May 7. Then, on May 13, come to Music-Drama Center, pay for your reserved ticket at the Box Office, and enjoy some dessert and a peek backstage before the play! Contact Kathy Privatt via
email if you have any questions.
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Beans and Latrines
Sunday, May 21, 11:30 a.m.
Four members of MPC traveled to Nicaragua in March to explore the possibility of establishing a global mission partnership with the people of Nicaragua. On Sunday, May 21 we will share what we learned at a presentation we are calling "Beans and Latrines."
You are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for lunch, a slide show, and some information sharing. We will provide samples of some of the basic foods we enjoyed in Nicaragua. Table service and beverages will also be provided. We would ask that you bring some food to share. Since this is also Graduation Recognition Sunday, we are planning to start lunch at 11:30 am so that everyone will have a chance to congratulate the graduates and enjoy a piece of cake during coffee hour. It is always fun to eat dessert first.
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Graduate Recognition Coming Up Soon
Calling all proud parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents! On Sunday, May 21 we will be recognizing all the students in the MPC family who are graduating or who have graduated since last year. If you have a student graduating from high school, technical school, college, graduate school, professional program, etc., we would very much appreciate knowing about it, so we can celebrate their accomplishments as a church family.
Please call the church office at 734-1787 or send us an email to let us know the name of your student, the school he or she attended, the degree earned, and any future plans, if known, by Friday, May 12. Thanks for your help in honoring our graduates!
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"Take Stock" in the Youth Work Trip!
This summer, several students from the Youth Fellowship are going on a work trip! They will be heading down to Louisville, Kentucky to help out in the community with Youthworks, an organization that MPC has partnered with in the past. While this will be a fun and moving experience, it does come with a cost.
To help raise funds for this trip, the youth will be holding a stock sale through Sunday, May 7
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In return for your donation, you will receive a certificate of stock with your name on it, as well as an invitation to the Stockholders Dinner on Sunday, August 27, when the youth will share stories and photos from the trip. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated, and we are very thankful to have you support us in this way.
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Youth and Children News
Sunday School (Age 4 through Grade 6)
This Sunday the children will be learning about the Beatitudes, with the lesson entitled "You Are Blessed," based on Matthew 4:23-5:11. Parents, if you'd like to take a look at some at-home activities for this Sunday's lesson, click here. For those new to MPC, children ages 4 through those entering 6th grade meet together in the 4 Yr - Grade 6 Classroom in the lower level on Sunday mornings at 8:45 am. The hour includes the weekly lesson while the kids enjoy a banana, music time, and lesson-based activity.
Kinderchurch Worship (Age 3 - Grade 2)
This Sunday's Kinderchurch lesson is "John Teaches Throughout the World," based on Revelations 21:1-4. Children ages 3 through Grade 2 may participate in this age-appropriate worship service. Children attend worship with their parents for about 15 minutes, and then move to the Kinderchurch room as a group. Kinderchurch is not held on those Sundays when communion is served, so that they may experience communion with their parents.
Prayer Buddy Program
The Prayer Buddy year may be winding down, but keep checking the mailbox to see if there's a note from your Prayer Buddy. And Adult Prayer Buddies, there are some cards in your mailbox, as well, so check it out! Watch your home mailbox for information about the big "Prayer Buddy Reveal" in May!!
Youth Fellowship
Everyone in the youth fellowship had a blast doing Youth Sunday! Everything came together the way we wanted it to, and we were very pleased with the program we put together. Big shout out to everyone who helped put it together along the way, and to entire congregation for being so supportive and encouraging! This past Wednesday we celebrated by having a pizza party and playing games before we get back to some lessons. There are only 3 weeks left of youth fellowship, so if you'd like to join us, we meet on Wednesday night from 6-7:30. We'd love to see you there!
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Warming Shelter Dates Available
Homelessness continues to be a problem in the Fox Cities. Organizations like the Fox Valley Warming Shelter try to address this problem, but need the support and assistance of churches and other community organizations. Volunteering at the Warming Shelter has been an important part of MPC's mission work for many years.
In 2017 we are scheduled to help out at the Warming Shelter on 8 separate days. We will be providing the evening meals and working from 8 pm to midnight on June 8 and 9, August 4, 5, and 6, and December 7, 8 and 9. Volunteers are needed to prepare food, serve the meals, and act as hospitality hosts on each of these dates. The hospitality hosts work from 8 pm to midnight and serve late arrivals, prepare lunches, and assist with laundry. We also need a volunteer to set out the morning breakfast on August 6.
The Warming Shelter continues to run at or near capacity. To make sure everyone gets plenty to eat this year, we have added an additional main dish. This should allow second helpings for everyone who wants them and still provide enough food for the late arrivals.
Please consider joining us on this project and help us fulfill our commitment to the Warming Shelter. You can sign up at church in the east hallway or by following this link to SignUpGenius, or contact Fred Umland at 903-8981 or by email if you have questions
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Would you like to get your hands dirty? Then mark your calendars for next Saturday, May 6 from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon for MPC's Spring Work Day! There will be plenty of tasks from which to choose, inside and out. If that day doesn't work out for you, just call the church office and let us know when you can come in so you can choose your own adventure! A sign-up sheet is available on the Friendship Table, or call the church office for more information.
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Salvation Army Collection
Many thanks to all who generously contributed to the Easter Sunday collection for Salvation Army. Our next monthly collection is Sunday, May 21. Start shopping for great deals now and fill a grocery bag for those in our community who are hungry.
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Pray Without Ceasing
Wednesday Morning Prayer Group
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:24
The MPC Prayer Group meets every Wednesday from 10:00 am - 11:00 am in the Chapel, praying for our families, our church, our community, and our world. We are here to pray for anything you might need. Please let your prayer request be made known by writing it down in a note and placing it in the prayer request box in the church office, or email to the Group Coordinator, Connie Olson. All requests are confidential. If you would like to join the group, please also contact Connie.
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This week, let us pray for...
- Nelson Craig's sister, Dorothy, has just been diagnosed with lung cancer.
- Betty and Steve Lockhart's niece, Desaire, recently had surgery for brain cancer.
- Ellen Wright is home and recovering after her hospitalization.
- Greg Braatz's stepfather, Tom Emdy, passed away on Wednesday, due to cancer.
- Mary Francis's brother-in-law, Larry, has finished his radiation treatments and is hopeful that this remission period will grant him an enhanced quality of life. Many thanks for your prayers.
- Connie Volkman will be undergoing her second knee surgery on Tuesday, May 2.
- Dorothy Hrdlick, age 90, has been diagnosed with cancer.
- Jack Voight has resigned from his position as Outagamie County Treasurer due to health issues.
- John Koskinen's father passed away last week.
- Pastor Mike and his family, as they embark on his 4-month sabbatical!
If you have a prayer request, please send it to
Paula Hoglund
for inclusion in next week's communication.
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MPC Folks Highlighted in Local Publications
Dominic Ellis, Chancel Choir Section Leader, was recently the focus of The Lawrentian's "Artist Spotlight." Check out his article
here and learn of Dom's many accomplishments! Congratulations, Dom!
Volunteer extraordinaire Jane Stevenson was profiled by the Volunteer Center for her many church and community efforts. Read about all of her activities
here. Thank you, Janie, for all that you do!
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Sunday Morning Volunteers Needed
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Many thanks to all of our Sunday Morning volunteers! If you are unable to serve on the day you are scheduled, please arrange for a
substitute
and email the church office with any changes. For a full schedule and volunteer contact information, click here.
Looking for Coffee Hosts
Two individuals are needed to serve as Sunday Morning Fellowship Hosts. You would serve approximately once every three months, and your first Sunday will probably occur in late summer.
If you are able to assist, please
email
the church office. Thank you!
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Sunday, April 30
Greeters: Mike Harer, Dave & Sue Rozmarynoski
Head Usher: Peter Ryerson
Ushers: Jon McElhaney, Kelsey & Kevin McElrath, Russ Truettner
Scripture Reader: Richard Dodge
Kinderchurch: Kathy Privatt, Leader; Jane Slater, Greeter
Counters: Patti Athanas, Mike Harer
Sunday, May 7
Greeters: Gene & Tammy Johnson Family
Head Usher: Mark Smith
Ushers: Jackie & Matt Kempf, Ann Smith, Sharon McElrath
Scripture Reader: Beth Lepinski
Communion Preparers: Margaret Fulton, Mary Francis
Communion Servers: Beth Lepinski, Judy Phillips, Mark Smith, Greg Braatz
Fellowship Hosts: Jim & Julie Tilkens
Counters: Beth Lepinski, Mark Smith
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Community Notices
Zion Lutheran Church Organ Recital
Sunday, May 21, 3:00 p.m.
Award-winning organist T. Jared Stellmacher will perform at Zion Lutheran Church, 912 N. Oneida St. in Appleton, on Sunday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Stellmacher is currently serving as Director of Music and Organist at Immanuel Luttheran Church in Watertown, Wisconsin. He received his Master of Music Degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Music. All are invited to enjoy this recital, followed by a reception. A freewill donation will be received to support future musical events at Zion.
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Events This Week
Sunday, April 30
8:45 am Christian Education
10:00 am Worship Service
10:15 am Kinderchurch
11:30 am Bon Voyage Party
Monday, May 1
1:00 pm CROP Walk Meeting
1:30 pm Nicaragua Meeting
Tuesday, May 2
6:30 am Good News Women
9:30 am Staff Meeting
6:30 pm Membership Meeting
7:00 pm Personnel Meeting
Wednesday, May 3
10:00 am Prayer Team
6:00 pm Youth Group
6:15 pm Handbell Choir
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
Thursday, May 4
6:30 am All Things Considered Men's Forum
1:00 pm Quilting Bees
Saturday, May 6
8:00 am Spring Work Day
Sunday, May 7
8:45 am Christian Education
10:00 am
Worship Service
11:00 am Fellowship
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Upcoming
Worship Services
This Sunday's
Sunday, April 30
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:26-39
God's Steadfast Love: Speaking Truth
Pastor Mike Goodwin
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Sunday, May 7
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Dr. Richard Moore
Guest Preacher
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Sunday, May 14
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Dr. Richard Moore
Guest Preacher
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Donate Here
Secure, online
credit and debit
card donations
to Memorial Presbyterian are easy!
Click
here
to
make recurring or one-time donations.
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Contact the Staff
Commissioned Ruling Elder
Director of Music & Organist
Resident Christian Educator
Office Manager
Bookkeeper
Sherry Meyer
Custodian
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The Memo from Memorial is published every Thursday.
Deadline for notices is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Send all i
nformation to
or contact the church office at
920-734-1787.
The April - June 2017 quarterly publication of The Chimes is available here.
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