All Saints Day

Everyone knows about Halloween, the night of tricks and treats and costumes and spooks. Not everyone knows that “Halloween” is a Scottish shortening of the term “All-Hallow-E’en,” that is, the evening before All Hallows’ Day. Now called All Saints' Day, November 1st has been a day of honoring all the hallowed faithful since the 800s, traditionally with a prayer vigil observed on October 31st (like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). 

This weekend at MPLC, we will be celebrating All Saints. Lutherans trust that all of us are both sinners and saints, so the title of “saint” is not just for certain specially venerated figures from church history. During our worship services, we recognize those who have died in the past year in our prayers. We also write the names of meaningful saints in our lives on white ribbons to adorn the rail, visually representing the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us.

November Food Pantry Needs

SNAP benefits will not be paid during the government shutdown, and the Racine County Food Bank has asked the Holy Communion Food Pantry to be open longer hours to help local families in need. Their volunteers are willing to put in longer hours, but being open longer hours also means that a lot more food is needed.

Please consider including a monetary donation to the pantry with your offering at MPLC (please note the designation for Holy Communion Food Pantry on your envelope's "Other" line), or send it directly to Holy Communion Lutheran Church. Food items for the pantry can be placed in the designated bin at MPLC's Donation Station in the narthex.

If you have leftover Halloween candy, the pantry will be happy to use it for small treat bags for clients at Christmas. They also accept clean, lightly used plastic and large, brown paper shopping bags. And also 2026 calendars, greeting cards, pens and pencils. Thank you all for your help!

Last Call!

Seize the Opportunity

Don't let a great idea fade away. The Mission Endowment Fund offers a unique opportunity to secure funding for new programs, ministries, and special projects that are above and beyond our normal operations. The board will consider requests that are aligned with the mission and priorities of our church. The deadline to apply is October 31st.

Click the link below for an application form or pick one up from our church office.

Golden Age Farm Rummage Sale

5438 Erie St. Racine, WI

Thur. Oct 30, 9am to 3pm

Fri. Oct 31, 9am to 3pm

Sat. Nov. 1. 9am to 2pm

After 50 years of tilling soil, 12 of which were at the Golden Age Farm in Racine, Wisconsin, Mark Trinklein is retiring from farming. Decor, seasonal and vintage items are for sale this weekend. Stop by and browse!

You'll be greeted by bright yellow ladders at the entrance to the farm. Why yellow? It's Mark's favorite color!

Mark's grandfather got him interested in growing plants and vegetables at a very young age and his passion for farming has touched the lives of many. His Golden Age Farm endeavor has spread joy over the years with his Fall Fare, professional Christmas pots and, most famously, his jellies and jams. From hairstylists to doctors' offices, every appointment Mark had was accompanied by gifts of jelly with ongoing requests of favorite flavors.

Mark began his career teaching third graders in Evanston, IL. He will continue his passion for giving to the community by serving as a student mentor at the after-school program at Emaus Lutheran Church in Racine.

Thank you for all that you do, Mark!

Outdoor Work Day

Sat. Nov. 1st, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

As November arrives, it’s time to get the gardens around the building ready for the coming winter. No prior gardening or landscaping experience is necessary. And feel free to bring your extra Halloween candy to share with one another! 

Adult Ed This Sunday

Word of the Week

Small Group Conversation 

Our final WOW for the year is COMMUNITY. God created us to be in relationship with God and each other. We find examples of how to live in the relationship of community throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Join us this Sunday, November 2nd at 10:20 a.m. in Mygatts as we talk about community and the communion of saints. This conversation is led by Karen Gosselin. All are welcome in this place!  

Veterans Day

Worship & Lunch

Friday, Nov. 7th, 11:00 AM

Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kenosha invites all veterans to attend a special worship service at 11:00 a.m. followed by a catered lunch.

5601 Washington Rd., Kenosha, WI 53140

(southeast corner of Green Bay and Washington Roads)

Funeral Planning Follow-up

Last Sunday, Josh Latawiec presented a “Peace of Mind Seminar” about the benefits of pre-planning for end-of-life funeral services. You can reach Josh with questions or to schedule an appointment at this email or by calling (801) 998-2747.

Pastor Beth Ann also shared planning resources that members can use to share their preferences for a funeral or memorial service. These could be filed with your digital church records for reference by any MPLC pastor in the future. The links below lead to a planning form and a list of suggested Bible passages and hymn choices for such services. If you would like a printed copy of either resource, please ask a pastor.

Christian and Queer Packers Party

Monday, Nov. 10

We will gather before the game to check-in and spend time reflecting on our coming-out experiences—folks can share as they feel moved, but there is no pressure to engage beyond one's comfort. We will have refreshments and snacks for the game, and some alternative table games for folks that may not be interested in watching football.

We will meet at 6:00 p.m., the football game begins at 7:15 PM - Redeemer Lutheran Church will be hosting this event.

2417 Drexel Avenue, Racine,

Wisconsin 53403. 

Frequently Asked Questions about

MPLC Photo Directories

When will my photos be available? If your sitting was in September, any products you ordered were either emailed to you or are available now at church for pick-up. The pick-up date on orders from October sittings has not yet been announced. 

I missed the photo sessions! Can I still be included in the directory? If you would like your photo included, please schedule an appointment to go to the IN-FOCUS Photography studio in Saint Francis, WI (414-483-2526). There is no charge for your in-studio sitting, and the price for any purchase you might make there will be the same as if you ordered at MPLC. Sessions may be scheduled through the end of 2025. 

Can I submit my own photo? Unfortunately, no. (An exception can be made for homebound members who were unable to be photographed in October.) 

When will photo directories be available? We will begin Stage Two for putting a photo directory together in January. We hope the printed directories will be available in Spring 2026. The cost to order printed directories is $15. More information will be shared about this in the new year! 

Sign Up Now for the Next Open Table - Sunday, Nov. 16

Open Table is a free, restaurant-style community meal served at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church on the third Sunday each month to guests coming from around our community. Dozens of volunteers help to set-up, prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal. More are always welcome! Check out the sign up link below to explore the volunteer options.

Sign up also to provide a cake, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, French bread or salad mix. And look for still-needed ingredient cards posted on the pillar near the Welcome Desk--take a card, purchase the items, and bring back to church by the date listed. Thanks to everyone who helps us provide this important food ministry at MPLC!

Commitment Cards Still Welcome!

Thank you to all who gave your Commitment Cards in offering last weekend as part of worship. If you have not yet shared your intent to give through MPLC in 2026, you can return a card by mail, place your completed card in the offering plate, or use the link below to complete an online form. Thank you for sharing your plans to give to God’s work through MPLC next year!

Community Meal at Living Faith LC

This Sunday, November 2nd

Volunteers are still needed for this week's community meal. Sign up at the link below if you're available to prepare, package, deliver or distribute meals.

Also needed are individually wrapped desserts which can be store-bought or homemade.

MPLC Book Club

November 9th

The Book Club will be reading A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker Kline. The next meet-up will be Sunday, November 9th at 11:30 a.m. at The Inclusive Bean. New readers are always welcome!

Worship Volunteers for Nov. 1st & 2nd

• Sun. Greeter: The Meader Family
• Coffee Hour Refreshments: Chris Corcoran, Diane Kelly
• Sat. Reader: One needed; Sun. Reader: Karen Magee
• Sun. Communion Assistants: Jerry Smith, Candy Zicarelli 
• Video Producer: Kevin Jocius

If you can help, please call the church office or email Becky Litwin.

The November/December schedule is now finalized. Sorry for the delay. If there are any conflicts, please contact the church office.