The Memo from Memorial
Weekly newsletter from Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI
Thursday, May 25, 2017

I thank my God upon 
every remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3

Garden Fun Has Begun!
 
Thanks to a hardy group of volunteers last weekend, we now have all the fencing up and rows marked in the MPC Community Garden! As you may know, our Community Garden benefits hungry folks right here in our own community. We partner with St. Joe's Food Program, Riverview Gardens and the Petersen Dairy Farm to grow healthy vegetables that go directly toward that effort. Last year, we provided over 10,000 pounds of produce which allowed St. Joe's to take $28,000 out of their budget - money that they would normally have to use to buy vegetables. What is the cost of MPC? Absolutely nothing! St. Joe's pays for all expenses - it costs us nothing but "sweat equity"!
 
And now comes the fun part! This weekend we'll be planting on Saturday morning, so if you'd like to join in and get your hands dirty, sign up at this link.  Remember that there is no required commitment. You can come once, or come regularly, and the schedule is quite flexible. See you at the garden!

New Directory Coming Soon

We will be printing a new directory this summer -- the last one was printed in March 2016, so it's about time! This is a great opportunity to let the church office know of any address or telephone number changes so that we can publish the most up-to-date information.

Please note that, just as in the last directory, we will include mobile phone numbers as well as email addresses. If you do not want this or any other information included, please contact the church office by Friday, June 9th to let us know. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that we have your permission to print this information.

Who's On First?

With Pastor Mike on sabbatical, this summer I wanted to try out something new. There are three things I hope to accomplish. First, to give the congregation the opportunity to demonstrate that we are the church.  While the pastor is clearly an integral part of the definition of any church, a bigger part of that definition is its members. Second, to give members of the congregation the opportunity to flex and strengthen some of the spiritual gifts they have been given through the Holy Spirit.  Third, to find new and different ways to start conversations between church members.
 
This summer I will be doubling the amount of time I will be in the pulpit. But more importantly, during the other weeks the pulpit will be filled with members of our congregation. This summer we will have the opportunity to be in conversation with each other in a new and different way. We will hear what is on the hearts and minds of those among us in a unique way. We will hear from a wonderful diversity of ages from our youth to some slightly older. We will hear from both the men and women of our congregation. There will be a unique combination of members exercising the gifts they have been given.
 
A little of what is to come:
 
June 4:  Renee Boldt - 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, "Jesus Is Lord"
June 11:  Joel Screnock - Judges 2: 1-23, "Who Am I to Judge"
June 18: Richard Dodge -  I Kings 3:1-15,  Romans 12:1-8,  "Now What"
June 25: Connie Olson - 1 Samuel 17:17-50, "Facing Your Goliath"
 
I believe we can look forward to some very unique worshiping experiences this summer! ~ Greg Braatz, Commissioned Ruling Elder

Sign Up for T-Rats Game by This Friday


We've got a great group already signed up for our T-Rats Game on Saturday, June 10,  and the good news is that you still have time to join in as we enjoy the ballgame and celebrate the recognition of Ellen Braatz on "Strike Out Stroke" Night! To get in on the fun, call Nancy Umland by Friday, May 26 at 920-903-8981.
 
We'll meet for tailgating at 4:30 p.m. at tailgating space #2 on the east side of the stadium parking lot. The Fellowship Team will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments and lemonade. Bring a dish to share, your own table service, and a lawn chair for the tailgating time. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks!  Cost per person is $12.00.  Children age 2 and under are free.   

Pentecost Offering to be Dedicated in June

Every year on Pentecost Sunday, which will be on June 4 this year, we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit as a bringer of new life with an offering intended to nurture the faith of those newest among us. As one of the four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. 

A percentage of our offering may remain in the community, and this year, the MPC Youth Group has decided upon the LEAVEN Organization as the recipient of this offering.  Please give generously, as by giving to the Pentecost Offering, we participate in the promise of the Holy Spirit-which is "for you, for your children, and for all . . . "  Specially designated envelopes may be found in the pew racks, or you may pay online here.  

Church Office Summer Schedule

The church office will be closed on Memorial Day, May 29, and on Fridays throughout the summer,  from  June 9 through September 1.  
Have fun in the sun, everyone!

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NOTE: The planned power outage has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 30 from 4:30 - 8:30 pm.  


Chimes Newsletter Deadline

The next quarterly issue of the Chimes newsletter will be published in early July.  The deadline for article submission is Thursday, June 1st. Send articles to the church office by 9:00 a.m. 

Lunchtime Organ Recital Series

This summer's Lunchtime Organ Recital Series, now in its 22nd year, is in full swing! This week's recital will be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 12:15 pm at Lawrence Memorial Chapel, with Kathrine Handford as the featured organist on the Brombaugh organ.

MPC will be hosting the recital on Thursday, July 13 at 12:15 pm. with featured organist Andrew Birling. The complete schedule may be found  here

Mission in Action
Warming Shelter Dates Filling Up

Thanks to all who have signed up to help out with our 2017 Warming Shelter mission project. All of the June slots have been filled, but we still have many openings for the August 4-6 and December 7-9 dates. You can sign up to prepare part of the evening meal, to serve the meal, or be a hospitality host from 8:00 pm to midnight. If you are a morning person, you could even sign up to set out the morning breakfast on August 6th. 

Sign up at SignUpGenius by following this link to Warming Shelter Volunteer Opportunities . You can also sign up by contacting Fred Umland at 903-8981 or via email.  
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Salvation Army Collection

Many thanks to all who donated food and oh-so-necessary paper products for the Salvation Army. Mark your calendars for the next monthly collection on Sunday, June 18 (Father's Day!).  

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 OlsonAll 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...

  • Clint Robson will soon be scheduled for a coronary artery stent, with valve replacement in the future.
  • The memorial service for Fred Burdett, who passed away last November, will be held on Saturday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St. Greg Braatz will officiate. Fred's complete obituary may be found here.
  • Francie Kopecky asks for prayers for her co-worker's son, Trent. Trent is awaiting test results for celiac and lupus and will also be undergoing a kidney biopsy in the near future.
  • Nelson Craig's sister, Dorothy, has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
  • Cathy Hatfield asks for prayers on behalf of her friend, Carol Johnson. Carol's younger brother John will undergo open heart surgery on June 23rd for an aortic aneurysm.
  • Betty and Steve Lockhart's niece, Desaire, who had surgery for brain cancer.
  • Connie Volkman continues her rehab at home following knee surgery.
If you have a prayer request for the prayer chain, please send it to Paula Hoglund  for inclusion in next week's communication.

Summer Volunteer Schedule Now Available 
The Summer Sunday Morning volunteer schedule is now available and was emailed to all volunteers. The schedule may also be found here, along with volunteer contact information .  Please check the schedule to determine when you are scheduled. If you did not receive an email, or would like a hard copy mailed to you, just contact the church office

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. Many thanks to all of our Sunday Morning volunteers throughout the year!
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Can You Help? 

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. 

We also need the following:
  • 1 usher for June 18
  • 2 ushers for July 30
  • 1 communion server for July 2
If you are able to assist in any of these capacities, please  email  the church office or call 920-734-1787. Thank you!
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Sunday, May 28
Greeters: Stephanie Kent, Ken Opgenorth, Melissa Paul
Head Usher: Tom Neal
Ushers: Renee & Tom Boldt, Diane Lightfield, Kelsey Lightfield
Scripture Reader: Jane Slater
Fellowship Hosts: Kevin & Kelsey McElrath
Counters: Kerry Guttenberg, Diane Lightifield

Sunday, June 4
Greeters: Alice Baumbach, Carol Foss, Mary Francis
Head Usher: Tom Guttenberg
Ushers: Bev Hill, Steve & Betty Lockhart, Walt Kleman
Scripture Reader: Margaret Fulton
Fellowship Hosts: Megan and Jason Biese
Counters: Patti Athanas, Mike Harer

Senior Recital of Sean Jobes, Euphonium
Monday, May 29,  11:00 a.m.
Harper Hall, Lawrence University

Sean Jobes, one of our Lawrence University section leaders in the Chancel Choir, invites you to his Senior Recital on Monday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m. He'll be playing a variety  of pieces ranging from Italian opera, to "old school" video game music, to jazz/R&B. Don't miss it!

Community Notices

ShredFest
Saturday, June 3, 8:30 am - 11:00 am (or until capacity is reached)
Thrivent Financial, 4321 Ballard Road

Limit: 3 paper bags/boxes per vehicle
Note: Metal materials will jam shredders

In This Issue

Events This Week


Sunday, May 28
10:00 am Worship Service
11:00 am Fellowship

Monday, May 29
Memorial Day
Office Closed

Tuesday, May 30
6:30 am Good News Women
9:30 am Staff Meeting
Note: Planned power outage will occur from 4:30 - 8:30 pm .

Wednesday, May 31
10:00 am Prayer Team

Thursday, June 1
6:30 am All Things Considered Men's Forum
1:00 pm Quilting Bees

Sunday, June 4
10:00 am Worship Service  
11:00 am Fellowship
12:00 pm Worship Team



Upcoming 
Worship Services

This Sunday's


Sunday, May 28
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Sermon: Taking It to the Next Level

Rosangela Berbert
Guest Preacher

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Sunday, June 4
Day of Pentecost

Sermon: Jesus is Lord

Renee Boldt
Guest Preacher

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Sunday, June 11
Trinity Sunday

Sermon: Who Am I to Judge

Joel Screnock
Guest Preacher



Donate Here


Secure, online 
credit and debit 
card donations 
to Memorial Presbyterian are easy! 
Click here  to  make recurring or one-time donations.



Contact the Staff


Mike Goodwin
Pastor Mike is on sabbatical through Sept. 5, 2017.

Commissioned Ruling Elder

Director of Music & Organist

Resident Christian Educator

Office Manager

Bookkeeper

Sherry Meyer
Custodian


Quick Links






Presbyterian Youth Triennium








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.

Note: The deadline for the next issue of Chimes is June 1st.