Black History Month

Film Series Movie, "Harriet"

Mon. Feb. 2, 6:00 PM

In honor of black history month, MPLC is hosting movie nights and popcorn on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. through the month of February.

The first movie in this series is "Harriet", 2019 drama of the story of heroic abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. Join us in Fellowship this Monday, Feb. 2nd.

Upcoming movies and dates are:

Feb. 9 - "Just Mercy" - 2019 drama of Bryan Stevenson's work to defend those wrongly condemned.

Feb. 16 - (NO MOVIE - Presidents Day)

Feb. 23 - "Marshall" - 2017 drama focusing on one of the first cases of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Check Your Contact Info

for the Photo Directory 

MPLC members, please stop by the table in the narthex this weekend or next, to confirm what contact information you want listed publicly, and what you do not want published in the photo directory. Members who have not approved their information by February 8 will be contacted after that date. No information will be included that has not been reviewed/approved by the member.

"Practicing Faith Through Music"

Blog by Paul Pruessing

Sharing the stories of MPLC folks who practice their faith in various ways

Music has been an integral part of my life and spiritual expression throughout my conscience memory. I recall listening to my mom’s ragtime piano, my aunt’s accordion, my sister’s practicing, and holiday sing-a-longs. Hymns in church were sung and the process encouraged reading skills. In the late ‘60s my sister and I participated in youth services with very non-traditional music. I was weaned on Coronet, but by age 11 had started guitar. I sang in Church and school choirs from elementary school to present; I played bass guitar in stage band, to garage bands participated in High school musicals, and band and vocal competitions. Passing into “adulthood” with all of its demands, music provided a safe refuge for inner peace. Music comforts me as it connects me to, not only those in my present life situation, but also to those saints who have touched my life in the past.

Music is a topic that is not missed in the Holy Bible and I would encourage you to do a GOOGLE search for quotations if you are interested. I will, however, share this quote from Martin Luther “The riches of music are so excellent and so precious that words fail me whenever I attempt to discuss and describe them.... In summation, next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits...

I believe that through music you can express feelings and emotions. Spreading hope, kindness, free expression of thought, and be a witness to your faith.

Paul has sung with the Adult Choir at MPLC for many years and has frequently shared solos at our Saturday worship service. He is also an accomplished guitar player. If you'd like to learn more about the joys of practicing faith through singing, please talk to Paul or another choir member!

Candid Photos From 2025

Wanted for Directory

As we pull together items for our upcoming Church Photo Directory, you’re invited to submit your own candid photos of 2025 church activities that might be included. Please attach your photos to an email to Elaine Martin (Communications Director) by February 11th.

Fabric Scraps

for Quilts

The quilting group is collecting fabric scraps to be used in their quilting projects. If you have any that you would like to donate, please put them in the designated bin by the Donation Station.

Three Weeks Left to Donate Lamps

and Pillows to Feather-a-Nest

(through Feb. 15) 

We are collecting new pillows and new or used/working lamps for donation to Feather-a-Nest. The ministry of this organization helps people transition from shelters to stable housing.

Donated pillows may be placed in the rolling cart in the entryway next to the front door. Donated lamps may be placed in the “planter” in the sanctuary (long counter between the ramps and the pews) as a reminder of that Christ is light for all people. Thank you for helping our neighbors!  

Adult Ed - Series on Christian Nationalism Sundays through Feb 15

There are two more sessions in the Adult Education series on Christian Nationalism, led by Karen Gosselin. Through videos and discussion, we'll explore the many aspects of this movement and why this awareness is important for our lives today and in the future.

Weekly topics include: 

• February 1 - A Personal Experience. 
• (No Class Feb. 8th because of Annual Meeting)
• February 15 - What Can We Do?  

Our Next Open Table 

Will be on February 15

Volunteers are needed for set-up, dining room, youth volunteers, dishwashing, clean-up and to bake cakes.

The ingredients needed are cherry tomatoes, salad mix, and iceberg lettuce.

Sign up through the link below.

Cards with needed ingredients are also posted on the pillars in the narthex, by the coat racks.

MPLC Book Club

Sun. Feb. 22, 11:15 AM

The MPLC Book Club will meet on Jan. 25 at 11:15 AM in the Conference Room at MPLC. The book selection is "Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame" by Olivia Ford.

Community Meal at Living Faith 

Sun. Feb. 1

MPLC’s next turn to provide and serve the Community Meal at Living Faith Lutheran Church will be Sunday, February 1. For 2026, Living Faith is the distribution site for the Community Meal each Sunday evening, with a different area church providing food and volunteers week to week. Food will be prepared at MPLC and packed for pick up in "to go" containers. 

To help provide ingredients, help prepare, package, or distribute meals on February 1, click the link below! 

Worship Volunteers for Jan. 31 & Feb. 1

• Sun. Greeter: Donna Braaten
• Sat. Reader: One needed
• Sun. Reader: Cherise Hart
• Sun. Communion Assistants: Joe Maier, Kassie Maier
• Coffee Hour Refreshments: Teresa Jacobs, Sonja Wilson
• Video Producer: Becky Litwin

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

February Food Pantry Needs

In February, the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Food Pantry is asking for:

• Cereal
• Jelly 
• 1 lb. pkgs. of spaghetti
• Spaghetti sauce
• Tuna
• Small condiments

Also needed are clean, lightly used plastic shopping bags, brown paper bags, 2026 calendars, greeting cards, cookbooks, and religious books, especially for children.