The Memo from Memorial
Weekly Newsletter of Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI
April 12, 2018

The Wednesday Night Youth Group had fun filling six E2F pans for Homeless Connections. Remember to bring your filled pan on Sunday to add to this important effort to feed the hungry in our community!
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Click to access the following:

Upcoming Services & Events

Sunday, April 15, 10:00 a.m.
Worship Service led by Holy Land Trip Participants
Hear personal and Bible stories from the travelers.
Following worship, there will be a meal and slide presentation.

Sunday, April 22, 10:00 a.m.
Sermon: "Is Change Possible?"
Based on Acts 9:1-9
Following the worship service there will be a retirement party for Paula Hoglund, to celebrate her 20+ years of ministry as Office Manager of MPC (see notice below).


Sunday Times This Sunday
In the context of church and worship when we talk about “news,” we are talking about the “good news.” That is the life-giving, life-sustaining gospel of Jesus Christ. This past week “the news” has been the focus of discussion as Facebook is questioned by the Senate and Sinclair Broadcasting is discovered to be having local news anchors report the same opinion piece across the country as though it is indigenous to the local area from which it is viewed. News and information is readily available - how do you decide what’s truth? Where do you get your news? With recent reports on the echo chamber of social media and larger corporations buying up local news channels, how can people of faith engage thoughtfully and with integrity in the moment in which we live?

Join the Sunday Times Conversation this Sunday, April 15 at 8:45 a.m!

Pastor Mike and Jim Bowman
Come Hear the Stories from the Holy Land Travelers
From its start, and as much as possible, those who went on the Holy Land Trip wanted to make this a congregational experience. In that spirit, this Sunday, April 15 the travelers will be leading us in worship and hosting a meal where we can share our stories with you.
After the 10:00 a.m. worship service, the travelers will provide a soup and salad lunch with the types of ingredients experienced on the trip (nothing too strange we promise, but you should ask Kerry about the smelly cheese). Primarily we ask you to bring yourselves, but feel free to bring a veggie, fruit or cheese tray or a dessert to share. After the meal is shared, there will a presentation of pictures and stories.   We hope to see you there!
MLK Ecumenical Service
If you were able to attend the Remembering Rev. King community worship service this past week, you were treated to some amazing music sung by the community choir and to powerful reflections on King’s on going concern for tangled web of racism, materialism, and militarism that traps us all. You can read the story reported in the Post Crescent and see some photos here .
You Made it Happen
In 2017, MPC joined churches and individuals across the United States who sent more than 176,000 letters, 164,000 emails, and made 32,000 calls to Congress urging lawmakers to do their part and pass a budget for 2018 that puts us on track to ending hunger.
As a result of this advocacy, Congress passed a fiscal year 2018 budget last month that largely maintained funding levels for both domestic and international anti-hunger programs.

In fact, the budget included increases for some key programs, such as international food aid and summer EBT (similar to pre-loaded debit cards, provided to low-income families that have one or more children eligible for free- or reduced-price meals during the school year).
Anti-hunger advocates faced daunting odds when we began the 2017 Offering of Letters: Doing Our Part to End Hunger. The president’s budget proposal included the largest cuts ever to programs that help American families struggling with hunger and poverty. It also eliminated international food aid and other vital programs. Those cuts never happened because of our advocacy.

This year, we again are faced with a 2019 budget proposal from the president that would make deep budget cuts — $1.5 trillion to programs that help people struggling with hunger and poverty. Last year’s tax cuts reduced revenue, making anti-hunger programs even more vulnerable this year.

We need to flood Capitol Hill with letters again and let Congress know that these cuts are unacceptable. Last year’s letters made a difference. Let’s make an even bigger difference this year!
Calling all Graduates!
If you have a member of your family who will be graduating this year from high school, technical college, or college, please let the church office know by sending an email . (Please include all December graduates, as well!) We will be recognizing all graduates during the worship service on Sunday, June 3.
Join in on Game Night!
Join us on Saturday, April 28 for Family Board Game Night! In partnership with First Congregational UCC, we are proud to offer this night of fun and games for the whole family, courtesy of Gnome Games.
The event is from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. here at MPC, with door prizes and games for kids and adults. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase games. Got questions? Contact Joel via email . Want to come? RSVP to Joel so we have an idea of how many people to set up for. Know another family who would enjoy this? Feel free to invite them! 
Return Your E2F Pan This Sunday
Wow! All 90 pans were distributed on Sunday! Many thanks to all who picked up an empty pan to fill for Homeless Connections. Remember that the filled pans are due back this Sunday, April 15. Thank you!
Salvation Army Donation
Just a reminder - this Sunday is the third Sunday of the month when we collect nonperishable foods and paper products for the Salvation Army. Please consider picking up some additional items on your next trip to the grocery store.
Stock Certificates Still Available
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the Stock Sale! So far we have raised over $1,500! There's still time to purchase "stock" for the MPC Youth Fundraiser to support the mission trip this summer. Donations will be accepted through Sunday, April 29 . Just place your check in the offering plate, mail to the church office, or donate here . Upon donating, you will receive a certificate of stock and an invitation to the Stockholders' Lunch on Sunday, August 12. Mark your calendars: the Youth Group will be doing a brat fry at the Piggly Wiggly in Little Chute on Saturday, May 19 from 9:00- 3:00 p.m .
Property Clean-up Day on May 5

Spring, it appears, is slowly making its way to Wisconsin, so gather with your MPC friends on Saturday, May 5 at 8:00 am to spruce up the church grounds! There will be plenty to do -- inside and outside -- so gather up those long-neglected rakes, gardening tools and work gloves. Refreshments will be provided, and of course there will be coffee!
All are invited to Paula Hoglund's Retirement Party
Sunday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.
MPC Fellowship Hall

 
A group of volunteers is a hard at work to make sure Paula's retirement party is special. Appetizers and dessert will be served, and there will be a program and a few speakers to reflect on Paula's ministry at MPC. You are encouraged to bring a card with your well-wishes for Paula in retirement. A gift from the congregation will be presented, and if you would like to make a donation in honor of Paula you may do so through your Sunday offering or in the church office. Donations will be divided between two organizations of Paula's choosing: Wisconsibs and St. Joseph Food Program.
 
Don't forget: April 22 following worship at 11:30 am the party begins!
Sunday Morning Adult Education
Lectionary Discussion - 8:45 a.m.
Upcoming schedule:

  • April 15 – Sunday Times
  • April 22 – Acts 16:16-34: Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi, jailor and his family are baptized, led by Pastor Mike
  • April 29 – Acts 17:16-31: Sermon at Athens: What you worship as unknown I proclaim to you, led by Pastor Mike
  • May 6: Bread For the World and an Offering of Letters, led by Beth Lepinski
  • May 13 – Philippians 2:1-13: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who became obedient to death, led by Pastor Mike

Hope to see you there -- we’ll have the coffee on!
Session Snippets

  • Molly Hicks, our new Office Manager, came to the meeting to meet members of Session.
  • Greg Braatz presented a preview of the new MPC website Tim Hornung and he have been working on. It should be up and running soon.
  • With RCE Joel Screnock’s 18-month review coming up, Kevin McElrath, Chair of the Personnel Committee, asked the Session for feedback on Joel’s performance.
  • Dave Ogilvie led a discussion on feedback from Session on how we measure our ministry. We discussed how to measure success and what exactly would we be measuring. Next month the discussion will be continued and we will look at which priorities and goals need to be measured.
  • It was mentioned that the Membership Team requested Session provide them with standards of membership. This is a subject for future action.
Children and Youth Ministries
Sunday School Program (Age 3 - Grade 6)

All children ages 3 through Grade 6 gather in the Sunday School room in the lower level for a shared Bible story and music time. Then, the younger kids go to the adjoining room for age-appropriate activities and crafts. This schedule allows for both younger and older children to connect with the Bible story and material using activities that are best for each age group. This Sunday's lesson is "Thomas Believes."

Kinderchurch Worship (Age 3 – Grade 2)

Children participate in this age-appropriate worship service by attending the 10:00 a.m. worship service with their parents for about 15 minutes, and then moving to the Kinderchurch room as a group. This Sunday's lesson is "The Resurrection: Appearance by the Sea of Galilee." Kinderchurch is not held on those Sundays when communion is served, so that children may partake in communion, with their parent's consent.

Wednesday Night Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12)

This week, Youth Fellowship took a break from our lessons to help fill E2F pans! We had a lot of fun mixing all the ingredients together, and it felt really good to help serve the community and meet the needs of people in our area (especially since some of us have helped serve meals at Homeless Connections before). Next week we will return to our series, More Than Words , with a lesson on Learning to Surrender. Youth Fellowship is open to all students from grades 7-12, and meets on Wednesday nights from 6-7:30.
 
Youth Fellowship also meets on Sunday mornings for Awaken during the Sunday school hour. During this time we have a brief lesson, and spend most of the time discussing current events. It is a great time to catch up on what is going on in the world, how it affects us, and how we can respond to it.
The MPC Prayer Group meets every Wednesday morning from 9-10 am in the Chapel, praying for our families, our church, our community, and our world. If you have a prayer request, please email it to the church office .

This week, let us pray for:

  • Pat Spindler is now home, continuing her healing from several cracked ribs.
  • Margaret Fulton asks for prayers for Fritz Kasten, who was recently hospitalized.
  • Rosemary Fraser asks for prayers for her mother, Roseanne Craig, who is recovering from a stroke.
  • Cosette Lang’s daughter, Jane, is healing following a cornea transplant.
  • Cathy Hatfield asks for continued prayers for her brother, Bill.
  • Beth Lepinski’s mother is in need of care and your prayers.
  • Carolyn Zuehls, who is recovering from her stem cell transplant.
Sunday Morning Volunteers
Many thanks to all of our Sunday Morning volunteers! If you are unable to serve on the day you are scheduled, please arrange for substitute and email the church office.
Sunday, April 15, 2018

Greeters: Sue & Dave Rozmarynoski
Ushers: Diane Lightfield, Kelsey Lightfield, Maggie Layng, Lili Braatz
Head Usher: Tim Shaffer
Kinderchurch: Joel Screnock, Leader; Paige Kempf, Greeter
Reader: Jane Slater
Fellowship Hosts: Kevin & Kelsey McElrath
Counters: Diane Lightfield, Kerry Guttenberg
Sunday, April 22, 2018

Greeter: Alice Baumbach
Ushers: Steve & Betty Lockhart, Bev Hill, Mary Peterson
Head Usher: John Hill
Kinderchurch: Kathy Privatt, Leader; Ashley Zuege, Greeter
Reader: Christine Cornell
Counters: Connie Olson, Jeanne Ryerson

Community Notices
Folks Like Us
"Folks Like Us" is the title of the upcoming 4th annual benefit concert for the Fox Valley Warming Shelter on Sunday, April 15. Enjoy performances by Cypress Dreams, Auralai, Kurt Gunn, Nicholas Raymond, and Walt Hamburger.
Performance will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the OuterEdge Stage located at 303 N. Oneida St. in Appleton. General admission tickets are $12 for Adults, $5 for children age 12 and under; VIP tickets in the first two rows are $25. Reserve your tickets by calling Scott Peeples at 920-422-2365 or purchase tickets here .
Color Run: Sources of Strength
Hortonville High School
invites the community to participate in
Color Run: Sources of Strength
All proceeds will be donated to Harbor House

Saturday, May 12
Lions Park, Greenville, Wisconsin
1:30 pm Check-in; 3:00 pm Run Starts

$15 Per Runner; $5 per HHS Student

Register online here .
3 MPC Kids to Perform in Pollyanna
Meara Marinan, Aoife Marinan and Natalia Hesselman will perform in the upcoming production of Pollyanna , produced by Papermaker Players at Kimberly High School. Find out what happens when a young, orphaned Pollyanna arrives to live with her aunt and turns her world upside down. Despite her sadness, Pollyanna'a positive attitude and kind heart bring the town to life, much to the dismay of her aunt. Do joy, happiness and kindness win? Reserve your seat today to find out!
Chaminade Women's Chorus Presents "Women: A Celebration in Song"
Saturday, April 7, 3:00 p.m.
The Draw, 800 S. Lawe St., Appleton
Admission is free; donations welcome

Chaminade Women’s Chorus invites you to an afternoon of music featuring a selection of songs celebrating women and their contributions in music. One of the selections, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” includes songs from 1960 through 2003. Relive the 60’s with songs such as “Locomotion,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “Baby Love,” and “Leader of the Pack,” and songs from other decades. The theme is in line with a new, fully funded, Girls Rock Program, starting this summer. The chorus is directed by Renee Millard and accompanied by Christina Hansen, a bass player and a percussionist. Come join us to help celebrate the “Year of the Woman,” as noted on the cover of the March issue of Fox Cities Magazine . Admission is free; donations are welcome. Parking is available next to the building and is handicap accessible.
Lunch and Learn: Advance Funeral and Cremation Planning
Wednesday, April 18, 11:00 a.m.
Stoneyard Bar & Grill, N1739 Lily of the Valley Drive, Greenville, WI

Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Home invites you to be their guest at a Lunch & Learn Session to learn about the options and benefits of advance funeral and cremation planning. The event will be followed by informal questions and answers. Call today to reserve your seat, as space is limited, at 920-297-2742.
Luther College Collegiate Chorale Presents: "Prayers for Peace" Concert
Sunday, April 15, 4:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church Street, Neenah

All are invited to the Luther College Collegiate Chorale concert, hosted by First Presbyterian Church in Neenah. This is the final stop on the group's 2018 tour. The ensemble is made up of 100 select junior and senior singers. Conducted by Jennaya Robinson, this year's program includes works by Kim Andre Arnese, Moses Hogan, Jake Runestad, and more. A freewill offering will be taken. Don't miss this opportunity to hear an outstanding college choir perform!
Walking for Wishes
Pig to Pig Community Walk
Saturday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.

The 20th annual Pig to Pig Community Walk to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 5. Walkers will begin at the Piggly Wiggly store in Kaukauna at 8:30 a.m., and walk to the finish line at the Piggly Wiggly store in Little Chute. Buses will transport walkers back to the starting line. Registration is $15 per person, or $30 per family. The registration form may be found here .

"The Memo from Memorial" is published every Thursday.
Deadline for notices is Wednesday at 5:00 pm.
Send all information to Paula Hoglund or contact the church office at 920-734-1787.