The Memo from Memorial
Weekly newsletter from Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Wow! Who knew that pumpkins came in such lovely colors?? Make sure to check out both fall displays by the south entrances as we welcome in this colorful season! 

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. 



Reformation Legacy, Las Vegas Edition
 
The terrorist attack nearly a week ago in Las Vegas killing 59 people and injuring hundreds of others has the potential to leave our country numb and afraid. This latest incident of gun violence has reawakened the all too familiar chorus of "sending thoughts and prayers," demands for "gun control now," and the cold water call that "people who want to kill people are going to find a way no matter the laws." Tragic as it is, what happened in Las Vegas and the subsequent rehearsal of the same circular arguments provides a stark reminder why we must study history and learn how other Christians have attempted to be faithful disciples of Christ in crisis situations. You can find prayers and responses from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) here:

Prayers for Las Vegas (Presbyterian Outlook, October 2, 2017)
 
The Reformers, Luther and Calvin in particular, dusted off an old idea from Saint Augustine, the idea of the two kingdoms. Augustine, in "The City of God," writing after Rome fell to the Goths, said Christians are at once citizens of the kingdoms of earth (like Rome or the United States) and citizens of kingdom of God; quite often these citizenships are in tension. For Luther, Calvin, and other reformers, Augustine's idea was important because to protest the Catholic Church as the Protestants were doing was to also protest the monarchy, most if not all of which claimed to be divinely appointed. Read full text here

500 Years after the Reformation

October 31, 2017 commemorates the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses, marking the beginning of the Reformation. Make sure to mark your calendars for the special events at MPC commemorating this important milestone in the life of the church.  For a full description, click here

Here are two highlights:

The Reformations
Presentation by Dr. Ken Sawyer, McCormick Theological Seminary Scholar
Saturday, October 28, 7:00 p.m., MPC Sanctuary
With Reformation Hymn Sing at 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Presbyterian is pleased to welcome Dr. Ken Sawyer, Professor of Church History at McCormick Theological Seminary as we commemorate the 500th  Anniversary of Luther's 95 Theses. Dr. Sawyer will bring the many streams of reformation into conversation with Luther's reformation project presenting: The Reformations: Past and Present. The community is invited to join in a Reformation Hymn Sing at 6:30 p.m. with presentation to follow at 7:00 p.m.
 
Bach's Reformation Cantata
Caritas Collegium
Sunday, October 29, 3:00 p.m., MPC Sanctuary
Caritas Collegium, a chamber choir in residence at Memorial Presbyterian Church, will present Bach's Reformation Cantata (BWV 80), a work based on what is probably Martin Luther's most famous hymn - Ein Feste Burg - A Mighty Fortress is Our God. The dizzyingly powerful opening chorus is followed by recitatives and arias which reflect the full breadth of Bach's art of word painting and emotion. This is considered to be one of Bach's most magnificent cantatas ,  one of the greatest works in the history of music. This event is open to the public; a freewill offering will be taken.

Season of Generosity Begins

CONNECT - Merriam-Webster defines it as "to become joined".
Connect people in faith, hope and love.
 
500 years ago this month, Martin Luther's actions began the Reformation. It was a pivotal time for the Christian faith and it meant joining with like-minded people in shaping changes to the church. From that action, came one of the tenants of the Presbyterian faith ... "reformed and always reforming".
 
MPC continues to live into the "reformed and always reforming". Just this past February, we voted on a new Mission and Value statement ... which is Connect, Inspire, & Serve.
 
INSPIRE ... to influence, move or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration
Inspire lifelong discipleship and spiritual growth.
 
Sunday, October 1 began the first of 6 Sundays in our Season of Generosity. During these weeks, we will celebrate what it means to Connect, Inspire, and Serve - and where we hope to go from here. We will hear from members of our congregation as they share their experiences and we will be asking you to share your stories using the storyboards posted in the narthex. Read full text here



Embodying Your Faith
Sundays, October 8 & 15, 6:30 p.m.
 
Even if you haven't attended the first two sessions, you're more than welcome to join in for one or both of the upcoming sessions to participate in this exploration of connections between our bodies and our faith, using everyday movements. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or towel, if lying on the floor is comfortable for you.

Pumpkins!!

Mark your calendars and join the fun planned by your Fellowship Team! On Saturday, October 21 join your church family at Polly's Pumpkin Patch in Chilton at 11:00 a.m. 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 hereThen invite your friends and family and sign-up so we know to look for you, and let's have fall fun together!  Questions?  Contact Kari Zink!

Mission in Action
Grab a Pan for E2F
 
Our Fall E2F ("Empty to Full") distribution is coming up! Pick up as many empty pans as you wish on Sunday, October 15 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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Fall Work Day
Property Clean-up Day

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 a.m., when hardy souls from MPC will gather to clean up the church grounds and get ready for winter!   Bring your rakes, yard tools and work gloves.  Coffee and donuts, of course, will be provided!  
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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.
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Change Lives through CROP Walk

This Sunday, hundreds of walkers from churches around the Fox Cities will participate in the Fox Cities CROP Hunger Walk. It's not too late to pledge! You can pledge to any or all of the following walkers: Cori Marinan's family, Sonja Song, Pat Spindler, Christine Cornell & Eric Edwards, Tom Neal, Pam & Richard Dodge, Becky O'Connor, Frank Chen, and Meeilei Chen. The Youth Group members are:  Breckyn and Sydnie Shaffer, Jens Telfer, Paige Kempf, Lili Braatz, Marley Johnson, Aoife Marinan, and Micaiah Kapumba, along with Joel Screnock and Chad Schimmelpfenning. 
 
There is a pledge envelope for the Youth Group on the fellowship table on Sunday mornings. Parents and friends are encouraged to support the youth group. You can also go to the following link and pledge to MPC. T he link is open until end of October, or just write a check to CWS/CROP and leave at the offering plate. Together we will end hunger one step at a time!

Children and Youth Ministries News

Sunday School (Age 4 through Grade 6)

This lesson for this Sunday is "The Shepherd Boy and the Giant," based on 1 Samuel 17. 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 "The Promised Land." 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

This week in Youth Fellowship, we had plenty to discuss as students prepare for homecoming, and we even helped celebrate a birthday! After we had a chance to talk about our busy weeks, we settled down and read through some of 1 Kings to learn more about the life of the prophet Elijah. We read about how he cared for a widow, had a showdown with the prophets of Baal, and met God in the wilderness as he showed in a gentle whisper. It was a good reminder to us all about the great things God can accomplish through one man, and how we are never truly alone. Next week we will be meeting here at church at 6, and then heading out into the community to do some service projects! Youth Fellowship is open to anyone grades 7-12, and meets on Wednesday nights from 6-7:30. 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 Luther and then take a closer look at the reformers from whom we trace our Presbyterian roots: John Calvin and John Knox. 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 "Judging Joshua and Judges?"  These two books contain horrific stories about violence done in the name of God. How should we think about them?  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 Lay 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 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 . . . 

  • The family of John Parker, who passed away last week. His memorial service will be held at MPC on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. A complete obituary is available here
  • Clint Robson, who had a slight stroke on Friday.
  • Continued prayers for Betty Lockhart and her family, on the passing of her mother; and for her brother, who has lung cancer. 
  • 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, after suffering a stroke.
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 Remember - 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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Sunday, October 8
Greeters: Marty Ward, Walt Kleman, Emily Guttenberg
Head Usher: Les Angell
Ushers: Steve Bloemer, Jane Slater, Mike & Tracy Zuege
Reader: Harriet Robson
Kinderchurch: Joel Screnock, Leader; Dolly Manning, Greeter
Fellowship Hosts: Cori & Kerry Marinan 
Counters: Ann Smith, Connie Olson

Sunday, October 15
Greeters: Dave & Sue Rozmarynoski, Mike Harer
Head Usher: Mark Smith
Ushers: Kelsey & Kevin McElrath, Ann Smith
Reader: Tom Boldt
Kinderchurch: Cori Marinan, Leader; Jane Slater, Greeter
Fellowship Hosts: Lisa and John Hauser
Counters: Mark Smith, Ann Smith

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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Matthew West Concert
Saturday, November 4, 7:00 p.m.

Acts 1:8 Ministry presents Christian music performer Matthew West in concert on Saturday, November 4 at 7 p.m. at the Brown County Arena in Green Bay. Tickets are on sale now and start at $21/person for groups of four or more. Purchase 10 or more tickets and receive one free ticket. Visit this site  to purchase tickets. All proceeds benefit Acts 1:8 Ministry.

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Tupperware "Bowls for Boobies" Event
Friday, October 6, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Memorial Presbyterian Church

The community is invited to this fun event, with all proceeds going to support programs at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology. The evening will include  silent auction, games, raffles and prizes. Guests are also encouraged to bring in an old "other-maid" bowl to trade in for a new bowl, or to receive a special offer (limit one bowl per guest). Adults only, please.
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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. 

In This Issue

Events This Week


Sunday, October 8
8:45 am Education for All
10:00 am Worship Service
10:15 am Kinderchurch
11:00 am Fellowship
12:00 pm CROP Walk
6:30 pm Embodying Faith

Monday, October 9
6:00 pm Bible Study

Tuesday, October 10
6:30 am Good News Women
9:30 am Staff Meeting
12:00 pm Bible Study
1:00 pm Visitation Teams
5:30 Nominating Committee
6:30 pm Global Mission
6:30 pm Membership Meeting
7:00 pm Session Meeting

Wednesday, October 11
9:00 am Prayer Team
5:30 pm Handbell Choir
6:00 pm Youth Fellowship
7:00 pm Chancel Choir

Thursday, October 12
6:30 am All Things Considered Men's Forum

Saturday, October 14
11:00 am John Parker Memorial Service

Sunday, October 15
Congregational Meeting
8:45 am Education for All
10:00 am Worship Service
10:15 am Kinderchurch
11:00 am Fellowship
11:15 am Worship Meeting
6:30 pm Embodying Faith 
8:00 pm Compline Service



Upcoming 
Worship Services

This Sunday's


Sunday, October 8
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 3:21-31; 
James 2:14-26

Sola Fide: Faith Alone

Greg Braatz
Commissioned Lay Pastor

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Sunday, October 15
19th Sunday after Pentecost
Galatians 2:16-21; 
Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Solus Christus: Christ Alone

Pastor Mike Goodwin
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Sunday, October 22
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 1; John 1:1-5, 10-14

Sola Scripture: Scripture Alone

Pastor Mike Goodwin



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Contact the Staff



Commissioned Lay Pastor

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 October - December 2017 quarterly publication of The Chimes is available here.