The Memo from Memorial Worship During Holy Week
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The Memo from Memorial Weekly Newsletter of Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI April 11, 2019 Worship during Holy Week Palm Sunday—April 14 at 10 am. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem! We will be singing "Hosanna in the Highest." Special music by the Chancel and Children’s Choirs. Also, the sacrament of baptism. One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Maundy Thursday—April 18 at 7 pm, “The Other Twelve Disciples” as told by Women of MPC. Celebrate the sacrament of communion. Good Friday—April 19 at noon, hosted by First Congregational. Easter Sunday—April 21 at 10 am. Celebrate the risen Christ with our Easter Brass & Chancel Choir. Pastor Mike preaching on Matthew 28, “All Creation Groans for Resurrection.” Celebrate the sacrament of communion. One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Taize Worship Spring Services at 5 p.m. Dinner to follow all services April 14: All Saints Episcopal, 100 N. Drew St. April 28: Memorial Presbyterian, 803 East College Ave. May 19: Sabin House-Center for Spiritual & Religious Life Check out MPC's BLOG Every week you find important information about MPC's many ministries, programs, and events in the weekly "Memo from Memorial." Now you will be able to find in depth insights, articles, interesting articles, and much more on MPC's blog. Christian Educator Joel Screnock explores the popularity - and risks - of popular video games. Click here. CP Greg Braatz lists all the migratory birds showcasing his window at home, makes a connection to the changes we experience in the church and ties it into Easter. Read more. Pastor Mike reflects on his second experience at the Next Church national gathering of Presbyterians in Seattle. Click here. Upcoming Adult Education Opportunities Coffee, Conversation and the Canon (Tuesday noon study group) April 16 - NEW STUDY - Simon Peter—"an ordinary fisherman who heard an extraordinary call. He left everything to follow his teacher and possessed a passion that would change the world. That’s one way to describe Peter. Here’s another: poor, uneducated, quick-tempered, and full of doubts and fears. Doesn’t even sound like the same man. And that’s the point of Simon Peter, a six-week adult Bible study by Adam Hamilton (same author as Half Truth). Peter was just an ordinary guy who heard and followed God’s extraordinary call. Discover how you, too, have special gifts, talents, and abilities that God can use to make a difference today.” This link will take you to an introduction to the study and the video of the first lesson. Sunday Morning – 8:45 Returning to the series C.A.S.K.E.T E.M.P.T.Y April 14 – Pentecost – we will look at the earliest days of the new church April 21 – Easter - no class April 28 – Teaching – a look at the letters May 5 – Bread for the World May 12 – Yet to Come Lots of what I hope you believe is good stuff going on. Join me and your fellow MPC friends for lively discussion and coffee! Greg Children & Youth Ministries Sunday School (Ages 3- Grade 6) Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. Teachers lead our children through lessons from the curriculum “Growing in Grace and Gratitude,” a publication rooted in our Presbyterian tradition and identity. We encourage our children to explore their faith with an understanding of God’s grace and how that extends into our lives beyond Sunday. Our Sunday School class will hear the story of Jesus coming to Jerusalem, and learn more about Palm Sunday. Kinderchurch (Ages 3- Grade 2) Kinderchurch meets during the worship service (children are excused after the Children’s Sermon), and provides the space for children to learn the routines of a worship service in an age-appropriate setting. We attempt to follow the lectionary as best we can, and teach the stories of the Bible to children at a level they can understand. Kinderchurch does not meet on the 1st Sunday of the month in order for children and their families to partake in communion. Kinderchurch will not be meeting this week because it is Palm Sunday. Spiritual Quest (8-9th Grade) Spiritual Quest is designed for students to explore their faith. Youth have the opportunity to strengthen biblical connections and learn about God, religion, and themselves through participation in an activities both at MPC and outside the church, as well as from their Covenant Partner. Spiritual Quest will be finishing their lesson on the importance of devoting ourselves to the prayers of the church. Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12) Youth Fellowship meets on Wednesday nights from 6-7:30. It is a time of fun and fellowship, and provides time for our older youth to explore the Bible and apply its stories and lessons to their own faith. Youth Fellowship will be starting a series on how to grow closer in our relationship with God. The first lesson will be on studying the Bible. Joel What's Been Going on in Youth Fellowship I remember a conversation I had with Pastor Mike awhile ago. Not sure when it was, or how it came up, but I remember telling him, “I’ll talk with our youth group about anything, except for sex.” I had reasons at the time that sounded solid to me – it would be awkward, I didn’t feel like I had the right things to say, I’m a male leader in a group that (at the time) was almost all high school girls. However, after having conversations with other youth workers, I realized that my reasons were really just excuses. It’s a topic that is far too important and relevant for me to ignore, and it was about time that our youth group took a look at sex, dating and marriage. We just wrapped up our series last night. It was awkward at times, but overall, it was highly rewarding. At the beginning of the series, I had the youth write down on large sheets of paper what messages they’ve heard about sex and dating from their friends, the media, their parents, and the church. I’ve had their responses to what they’ve heard from the church hanging in my office ever since, as a reminder of our legacy. Most of them put “sex is for marriage.” The rest said “nothing.” I can confidently say that, after the discussions we’ve had the past few weeks, those answers have changed. When I told the youth that we were going to be having these discussions, Chad Schimmelpfenning noted that this might be the first time – ever – that MPC has had dedicated talks about sex with our youth group. I’m so thankful that we have leaders who are willing to dive into discussions we’ve never had before, and youth that are ready to follow. The conversation isn’t over – it’s only just begun. Donate to the Youth Stock Sale! It’s time once again for the Youth Stock Sale! This year, 7 of our youth are going to be attending the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University. Some of our youth went 3 years ago, and they are thrilled to be heading back! Please consider supporting them as we provide them with this unique opportunity to meet and worship with other Presbyterians from around the world. Donate here. Volunteers Wanted The CYM Team is currently looking for volunteers for all of our ministries next year, and we want to help you find a place where you fit! We’ll be sharing a table with the Stock Sale this Sunday, and we can help you discover an area where you can use your gifts, talents, and passions to grow the faith of our children and youth. Camp Scholarships Available! Summer is coming up quick, and that means that it's time to start thinking about camp, and we want to help send you there! Check out Pilgrim Center to find a camp date that works for you, and then contact Joel Screnock in the church office for a Camp Scholarship form. Forms are due on April 14th. This isn't just for kids either- there are options for parents and grandparents to attend camp too! Session Snippets Session's latest meeting was held April 9. At that meeting, Session welcomed (and approved for a 3-year term) its new Clerk, Chad Schimmelpfenning. Chad will be taking up the mantle from Shirley Collins, who has devoted many years to Session and the Church. The substance of the meeting was essentially a debrief on the March 23 special learning opportunity with Rev. Sarai Rice regarding MPC’s ministry and community connections. Session discussed key “take-aways” and observations. Looking forward, a group consisting of Kevin McElrath, Richard Dodge, Tim Shoaf, Laurie McCulloch, and Pastor Mike will meet again with Rev. Rice on May 11 for follow-up discussion. Each of those members was tasked with going into the community and reporting back with observations. Results of those discussions will be brought to Session at its next meeting, May 14. Open Doors, Open hearts The season of Lent is also the season for One Great Hour of Sharing. This ecumenical effort, that started in 1949 as an hour long radio appeal, has become the most participated-in Offering in the PC(USA). Last year MPC members contributed more than $1,800 through OGHS to help support PC(USA) domestic and global mission outreach via the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger and the Self Development of People programs. Through these programs our congregation engages both domestically and globally to provide disaster assistance, to assist refugees in war-torn corners of the globe and to assist the poor.