The Memo from Memorial

The Memo from Memorial

Weekly newsletter from Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Many thanks to all the MPC folk who walked in the CROP Walk on a beautiful autumn afternoon last Sunday. Over $1700 has already been raised to help those who are hungry in our community!

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, October 15, 2017, 11:00 am

A Congregational Meeting has been called for the purpose of acting on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee to elect
elders, deacons, an auditor, and a nominating committee member, as well as to receive other updates from the Session.

Season of Generosity

Sunday, October 1 began the first of 6 Sundays in our Season of Generosity. During these weeks, we are celebrating what it means to Connect, Inspire, and Serve - and where we hope to go from here. Every Sunday morning, we hear members of our congregation share their experiences, and we ask that you share your stories, as well, using the storyboards posted in the narthex.

This past Sunday, Dave Ogilvie spoke of his work with the church office staff in his volunteer roles in the church. Read the full text here .

Ushers Needed

Ushers are needed for the Reformation Presentation on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00 pm, and also for the Bach Cantata on Sunday, October 29 at 3:00 pm. If you are able to usher for either or both of these events, please contact the church office. Thank you.

Halloween Happenings!

Pumpkin Patch Outing

Saturday, October 21, 11:00 am

Join the fun on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 am at Polly's Pumpkin Patch in Chilton for a hayride and pumpkin gathering! The hayride is $2 per person ages 3 and up, and any pumpkin you bring back to the wagon is $3 (payable at the wagon). And that's not all! They have a Corn Maze, Barnyard Pets, a 40-foot Slide, Duck Races, a Hay Bale Climb, Corn Cannons, a Rope Maze, and Pumpkin Bowling. Check it all out on their website here. Then invite your friends and family and sign up so we know to look for you. Let's have fall fun together! Questions? Contact Kari Zink!

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Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 22, 3:00 - 6:00 pm

Back by popular demand, MPC will host the always-fun Trunk or Treat event in the MPC parking lot on Sunday afternoon for all the neighborhood ghouls and goblins. There'll be plenty of decorated cars and fun games, so come on down in your costume and celebrate Halloween with us! If you'll be decorating a car, contact Joel to reserve your spot.

New this year: Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase from Pagoni's Pizza Truck!

Mission in Action

Grab a Pan for E2F this Sunday

Our Fall E2F ("Empty to Full") distribution is this Sunday! Pick up as many empty pans as you wish and bring back the full, frozen pans the following Sunday, October 22.

You can also bring in your empty pans and ingredients to the Youth Group gathering on Wednesday, October 18 at 6:00 pm, and the youth will help to assemble the pans. It's a fun intergenerational activity that both youth and adult enjoy!

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Property Clean-up Day

Saturday, November 4, 8:00 am - 12 noon

The first Saturday in November's the day when hardy souls will gather to clean up the church grounds (and some indoor projects, as well) and get ready for winter! Bring your rakes, yard tools and work gloves. Coffee and donuts, of course, will be provided! If you sign up here, it will help in planning for the activities. Thanks!

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Peace and Global Witness Offering

The Peace and Global Witness offering will be taken throughout the month of October. Twenty-five percent of this offering stays with our church to build up peace in our community, 25% expands our witness throughout the region supporting ministries of peace and reconciliation in Presbyterian mid councils, and 50% supports the global witness to Christ's peace through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the reconciliation work of Presbyterian World Mission. This year, MPC's 25% has been designated to support the work of the CEPAD (Council of Protestant Churches) Program in Nicaragua. CEPAD provides training to poor Nicaraguan villages to support local community leadership, women's economic development, food security and care for the environment. Please give generously to this year's Peace and Global Witness Special Offering by using the designated envelopes in the pews, or through this link.

Children and Youth Ministries News

Sunday School (Age 4 through Grade 6)

This lesson for this Sunday is "Deep Friendship," based on 1 Samuel 18-20. 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 snack, music time, and lesson-based activity.

Kinderchurch Worship (Age 3 - Grade 2)

Children ages 3 through Grade 2 may participate in this age-appropriate worship service by attending worship with their parents for about 15 minutes, and then moving to the Kinderchurch room as a group. This Sunday's lesson is entitled "David the Shepherd Boy." Kinderchurch is not held on those Sundays when communion is served, so that children will be able to participate in communion, with their parents' consent.

Youth Fellowship

We had a wonderful time this week in Youth Fellowship! After starting off by recapping our busy weeks, we had a lesson on the story of Job. We learned how even though he lost everything, Job never blamed God for his trouble. It also helped to serve as a good reminder for us that even when things are going wrong, we can still trust that God is in control.

Next week will be a little bit different - instead of having a lesson, we will be helping to fill pans for E2F. If you have decided to take a pan, join us in the kitchen from 6-7:30 and we will help you put it together! Youth Fellowship is open to all students grades 7-12, and meets on Wednesday nights. We would love to see you there! ~ Joel Screnock

Adult Ed - Always Something New

This week we will have two opportunities for two very different types of Adult Education experiences:

Sunday Morning, 8:45 am

Reformation 101 -This week we will finish our look at the Reformation. We will take a quick look at the Anabaptists and the Anglicans and then discuss how we are still affected by the Reformation today. Join us, the coffee pot is on!

Monday, 6:00 pm & Tuesday, 12:00 noon

"Violence in the Bible". This week's the lesson is "Jesus the Pacifist Warrior." Jesus preached, "Turn the other cheek" but how do we follow that direction in the face of such events as the Holocaust and genocide in Rwanda? The class will be held on Monday night at 6:00 and Tuesday at noon. Both classes will be the same.

If you have any thoughts or questions, call the church office at 920-734-1787, or send me an email. ~ G reg Braatz, Commissioned Pastor

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 9:00 am - 10:00 am (note time change) 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 . . .

The family of John Parker, who recently passed away. His memorial service will be held at MPC this Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. A complete obituary is available here.
Clint Robson, who was hospitalized briefly last week..
Marie Desens' granddaughter, Ashley, and her newborn, Harriet.
Carolyn Zuehls continues her treatment for lymphoma and is scheduled to have a stem cell transplant in Milwaukee later on this fall.
Jane Slater's brother-in-law, Al, is awaiting a double lung transplant.
Francie Kopecky's coworker's daughter, Em, is suffering from ulcerative colitis.
Roy Hoglund's coworker's adult son, Tony, who has brain cancer, is nearing the end of his earthly journey.
Lois Howell is at Brewster Village and welcomes visitors.
Nelson and Bev Craig, as they go through this transitional period of their lives.

If you have a prayer request for the prayer chain, please send it to Paula Hoglund for inclusion in next week's communication.

Sunday AM Volunteers - Fall Schedule

The September 2017-January 2018 schedule is available here. I f 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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Sunday, October 15

Greeters: Dave & Sue Rozmarynoski, Mike Harer

Head Usher: Mark Smith

Ushers: Kelsey & Kevin McElrath, Ann Smith

Reader: Claire Boldt

Kinderchurch: Cori Marinan, Leader; Jane Slater, Greeter

Fellowship Hosts: Lisa and John Hauser

Counters: Mark Smith, Ann Smith

Sunday, October 22

Greeters: Gene and Tammy Johnson Family

Head Usher: Peter Ryerson

Ushers: Jeanne Ryerson, Elaine Presby, Jon & Jill McElhaney

Reader: Pam Dodge

Kinderchurch: Susan McDowell, Leader; Paige Kempf, Greeter

Fellowship Hosts: Jim & Julie Tilkens

Counters: Patti Athanas, Francie Kopecky

Community Notices

Taize Worship

All are welcome to join in this contemplative space for chant, candlelight, silence and prayer at 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 N. Drew St. - Sunday, October 29

Center for Spiritual & Religious Life, Lawrence University - Thursday, October 12 and Thursday, November 9

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"Books for All Seasons"

AAUW Book Sale, Northland Mall

October 19-22 & 26-28

The Appleton Branch of American Association of University Women will be holding its 81st annual used book sale this fall, and is currently accepting contributions of books from the community, including hardback and paperback books, children's books, books on CD, sheet music, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, and games (please, no magazines, textbooks or condensed books). All profits are used to provide scholarships for women. For book pick-up or drop-off, please call (920) 427-6655; (920) 734-6750; (920) 843-8888; or (920) 739-6469.

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Mindworks Try-it Session

Friday, November 17,

10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Lutheran Social Services, 3003 N. Richmond St., Appleton

All are invited to this free introductory session of MindWorks, a program for people experiencing early memory loss that offers mental and physical exercise and helps participants develop memory strategies which allow individuals to cope with their changing cognitive status. Family members are welcome to participate. The program is regularly held on Monday/Wednesdays or Tuesdays/Thursdays from 11 am - 3 pm. To RSVP, call Katrina at 920-1708 or Sandy at 920-225-1712.