Mt Pleasant. Monthly Newsletter of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church-ELCA. Blessed to Welcome, Worship and Serve

Transcription

1 January 2018 Page Mt Pleasant SPIRIT! Monthly Newsletter of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church-ELCA January 2018 Blessed to Welcome, Worship and Serve Worship Times Weekly Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Inside this Issue... Coffee Fellowship Life Group Ministry...6 Sundays: Fun & Fellowship.6 9:30 10:00 a.m. Education Sunday Church School 9:45 a.m. Adult Ed/Little Lambs 10:00 a.m. Church Office Hours Monday Thursday: 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Other times by appointment; call the church office at From Pastor Krista....2 Church Council News...3 Bible Study/Adult Ed.4 Music News.8 Sunday Church School.9 Confirmation News.10 High School News...10 Social Ministry...10 Endowment News.11 Open Table.12 Our Website On facebook facebook.com/spaceshipchurch Please like us! Church News MPLC Birthdays...19 Staff & Council

2 From Pastor Krista Zimmerman January 2018 Page 2 We have been thinking a lot about how we can be more welcoming and inviting as a congregation. We are a very friendly congregation. But there is a lot more we could be doing to reach out to those who are not here. For the last two years, we have been working on our new parking lot across the street. This was a visionary project led by our former senior pastor, David Echelbarger. He saw the opportunity to purchase the land and literally and figuratively paved the way for the future. Church growth principles suggest that you should have 20% more parking than you need. That way, when people come to your church for the first time, they see that there is indeed space for them. The same is true for inside the building as well. Imagine you re walking into a church for the first time and you re looking for a place to sit. If I were in that position, I would love to find a seat right away. It s not comfortable to stand there looking for a seat. In that situation how can we make that first-time visitor comfortable? If you re a member, sit toward the inside of the pew. It s great to have the outside seats of the pews open for new-comers or late-comers. Wear your name tag. Wearing your name tag sends a signal to newcomers that we are expecting them. Plus, we are a big congregation. Even people who have been attending for years may not know each other. If you see someone you don t know, go up to them and say, Hi, I m, have we met? or Hi, I m. I don t recognize you but I m glad you re here. What s your name? Bring visitors to the pastors and introduce them. As pastors, we have a lot going on during worship services. Help us out by introducing new-comers to us. There are so many little things we can do to be a more welcoming and inviting church. In this time of transition, it s a great time to be thinking of how we will do that. Everyone has a part to play when it comes to welcoming each other; first time visitors and long-time members. Pastor Bill and I will be doing a series of Teaching Moments about welcoming and inviting at the beginning of Stay tuned! I m ever thankful for you and the ways you are already making people feel welcome in God s church! Gods blessings to you at the beginning of 2018! Pastor Krista

3 Save the Date January 2018 Page 3 The MPLC Annual Congregation Meeting will be Sunday, February 11 at noon. Watch for more details. Nursery Worker Needed We are looking for a new nursery attendant to work on Sunday mornings. Must be over 18 to apply. Please contact Pastor Krista if you are interested! Thanking some long-time Volunteers On Sunday, January 7, we will be recognizing during worship services, some very special volunteers at MPLC, and one staff member, who will each be retiring for different reasons. They each have served for multiple decades at their respective positions. The honorees will include: Connie Mallwitz, head usher; Barb Rasmussen, head usher; Joan Leger, usher; and Burt & Audrey Blomgren, Betty Kleimola and Keith Sorenson, St. Pat s Community Meal Volunteers. We will also recognize Malary Reynolds, who worked in our nursery for 10 years. Join us during coffee fellowship time at 9:30 a.m. on January 7 for a coffee and cake reception in their honor. From your Church Council It has come to the attention of the council that numerous vehicles, not associated with the church, have been cutting through the parking lot and using the 16th street exit to bypass the light on route 31. Some of these vehicles drive past the church doors and through the parking lot at a high rate of speed and there is a concern that someone walking might get hit and seriously injured. Therefore council has decided to install a chain and sign across the entrance from Sunday after 12:00 PM utill Friday night around 4:00 PM. Thus persons involved in church activities during the week will have to use the route 31 entrance. On weekends, the chain will be down and parishioners will have access to both entrances. We apologize for the inconvenience but feel the increased safety will be worth it. The chain will not go up until after the 1st of the year.

4 January 2018 Page 4 Curt s Coffee Of the day Be sure to stop downstairs for coffee fellowship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. MPLC member Curt Hubmann is roasting for Sunday morning coffee hour! Come for coffee and stay for Adult Ed! Adult Ed with Pastor Bill Sundays from 10-10:35 a.m. in Fellowship Hall Adult Ed with Pastor Bill will resume on January 14. (January 7 will be the social ministry fair see below for more). Watch for Adult Ed details after Christmas. Come for coffee stay for Adult Ed if you never have before, give it a try in the new year...see you there! Tuesday Bible Study with Pastor Bill Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and repeated again at 6:30 p.m. Begins again in January see schedule below Have you ever wondered about the upcoming Gospel lesson for the following weekend? What do pastors look for as they prepare their sermons? How do the lessons from the Gospels tie into our daily lives? What are the differences and similarities between Jesus time and our own? How do we understand Jesus call to be his followers in our time and place? These questions will form the springboard for the Tuesday Bible Study as we try to use the upcoming lessons to deepen our spiritual lives as well as strengthen our response to Christ s call to follow him. Here is the schedule for January mark your calendars and join Pastor Bill anytime! Tuesday Morning Class, 10 a.m. January 16 January 17 January 23 January 24 January 30 January 31 February 7 Shine your LIGHT! Wednesday Evening Class, 6:30 p.m. Social Ministry Fair at MPLC January 6 & 7 Come learn about the ways that MPLC and MPLC members are involved in service to the community! Many organizations inside and outside the church will be present! Come talk to representatives from these organizations in the fellowship hall after church on Saturday, January 6 or during education hour on Sunday, January 7.

5 Life Group Ministry January 2018 Page 5 Grief Share Group to Meet In response to our Seasons of Grief service in November, your Life Group Ministry Team is in the process of forming a new lay-driven ministry call Grief Share. Our first gathering at MPLC will be held Thursday, January 25 at 6 p.m. We plan to have some workbooks available for all who attend, so please reserve your copy ASAP so we have time to reorder if necessary. Reserve by signing up in the narthex. Rides to the church will be available if needed. Call Barb Galis at to arrange for a ride, or if you have any questions or concerns. WANTED! USHERS We are still in need of additional ushers for both the Saturday and Sunday services! There are three long time ushers who are retiring at the end of Ushers typically only serve every 3-4 weeks. Our worship services would be chaos without our wonderful ushers. Please consider helping out! Any member 9th grade and up is eligible to be an usher. Call the church office at if interested or with any questions. Thank you! Usher and Welcome Volunteer Training Saturday, January 13 at 10 a.m. at MPLC All current ushers, greeters and welcome volunteers and those interested in exploring these opportunities are strongly encouraged to attend a a training session as we prepare to welcome guests and each other in new and even more hospitable ways. Join us as we strive to more fully live into our mission to, "WELCOME, Worship and Serve." Now is the time When Many Catch Up! If you happen to be behind on your current and benevolence, or mortgage debt reduction pledges for 2017, now would be a great time to catch up. Offerings received (not just dated) at the church office by December 31 may be declared on 2017 tax returns. Thank you.

6 January 2018 Page 6 Fun & Fellowship Roving on a Winter s Night An evening of song, poetry and story from Fendrick & Peck, and Brother Timothy Frantzich Thursday, January 4 at 7 p.m. at MPLC Fendrick & Peck and Brother Timothy Frantzich will be collaborating again in January for their 2nd Annual Roving on a Winter's Night Tour! Join them for a cozy evening of song, poetry, and story right here at MPLC. Brian Peck grew up at MPLC and his parents, Bob and Kathy Peck are active members. Timothy Frantzich [fran-zik] has been writing songs and singing for more that three decades. He is primarily interested in harmony. Song shared between peoples, between cultures, between philosophies. Through song, poetry, and story, indie folk artists Brian and Madeline live to create and connect with others. Their music is noted for its exquisite harmony, lyrics, and composition. In a culture where so many are in a rush for fame and perfection, they are growing patiently in the steady flow of giving and receiving. They hope to inspire others to step away, be still, learn, and engage with the world around them. Suggested donation for the concert is $20. RESOLVE and Reform Setting Goals as Women of Faith A one-day women s event on Saturday, January 20, 2018 Join us on Saturday, January 20 from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. at MPLC in fellowship hall. Enjoy a light lunch as we explore our interests, set priorities, and consider our call as women of the church. Talk with others who share your interests, explore how the Holy Spirit is calling you to be active in our congregation, and learn how we can be more engaged in community service. Please sign up in the narthex. The cost for this event is $10 and includes programming, lunch and snacks. Join us!

7 January 2018 Page 7 Project Night & Day Friday, January 12 & Saturday, January 13 Come to work on any project (scrapbooking, stamping, painting, stitching, organizing) in Fellowship Hall on Friday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. Then, come back for project day on Saturday, January 13 from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. There is plenty of space and lots of tables to work on. Come join this great group for fun and fellowship. All Women s Read Join us in reading Mimosa: A True Story by Amy Carmichael. Please purchase the book on your own. We will discuss it on Saturday, February 24 from 10 11:30 a.m. at church. Contact Pastor Krista if you have any questions. Sign up in the narthex if you plan to come. Annual Court Whist Event Saturday, February 17 Join us Saturday, February 17, for the popular card game Court Whist. This is a game that everyone -- beginner and card sharks -- can enjoy. If you know how to play War, Hearts, Solitaire, or Crazy Eights, you'll be able to master Court Whist. (This is an event that both singles and couples will definitely enjoy!) We ll meet at Denny & Karen Martin s, 5722 Wildwood Drive, (near Sander s Park) at 6:00 p.m. Sign up in the narthex and plan on bringing a snack and beverage to share. (For more information, please contact Karen or Denny Martin ( or ) or kmartin251@gmail.com Women s Retreat Coming in March Save the Date! The Annual Women s Retreat will be held at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn, on Friday, March 23 Saturday March 24. Please hold that date and sign up to attend in the Narthex. The cost for the event is $40 and includes three meals, programming and accommodations. Payment must be received by March 4. Come, enjoy a time of fellowship and faith-building in a beautiful, natural setting.

8 January 2018 Page 8 Call Committee Updates. If you missed the latest update, you ll find updates posted on one of the large pillars in the narthex near the main doors. Your call committee members are: JoAnn Goodyear, Curt Hubmann, Ralph Kelsey, Carla Kovacs, Yolanda Lewis, Matt Martin, Alice Pennings, Ron Schulz and Ryan VanDeLoo. For your reference, there are photos of the call committee members posted in the narthex near the main doors, on the call committee update pillar and on the main door leading in to fellowship hall. Music News THANK YOU to all who contributed time and talent to make beautiful music this holiday season. As usual, our choir, bells and brass were wonderful! We appreciate the guest singers who joined the choir for the cantata, and our member musicians, who donated their time. (Special thanks to Erin Keller, our youngest ever orchestra volunteer, who rocked the tympani!) We also thank our behind the scenes angels: Rich and Naomi Miller, who do so much to keep the choir organized and cared for; Denny and Karen Martin, who moved the percussion instruments to and from Carthage College for the Cantata; to Claranna Vytlacil for transporting the harp back and forth from Carthage for the cantata; and to Brandon Boerner who has done a wonderful job managing our new sound system. Senior Choir News All voices are welcome to join the MPLC Senior Choir at any time! Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the choir room. The choir sings at the 8:30 a.m. worship service each Sunday. If you are interested in joining the senior choir, please come! For questions, please contact Senior choir Director, Dr. Eduardo Garcia- Novelli: egarcianovelli@carthage.edu

9 January 2018 Page 9 Our children s choirs will begin meeting again on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-7:00 p.m.; starting January 3. Messenger Choir is for any 2 nd 5 th graders and Cherubs is for any 3 year old 1 st grade. Contact Messenger Choir director Stephanie Mitchell at smitchell@carthage.edu for information if you have a 2nd through 5th grader. Contact cherub choir director, Kim Haigh, if interested in joining the fun, or if you have questions, at khaigh@rbwinc.com or phone: Join us! Sunday Church School News Sunday Church School, for ages 3-high school, is each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Education Wing. All are welcome to join SCS at any time. Sunday school will resume on January 7. Come join us for a story, snack and crafts! Little Lambs is for parents and children who are under 3 as of August 31, This is held in the library from 10 10:40 a.m. each Sunday. (Returning again on January 7). SCS Christmas Program THANK YOU s from Michael Becker Thanks to all who helped with the Christmas Program! Kallie Reske, Sarah Kozenski, Andrew Zuelke and Elliot Reske you guys rocked! I am so grateful for your creativity, your generosity and loving spirits. Thanks also to Sue Cawley, Carla Smith, and Maxine Sylvius for their help teaching music. Our Sunday School teachers, and their leader, Rebecca Cairns, are simply the best. Thanks for all you do. Special thanks goes to Helen Larson for making puppet Mary s new dress, to Franc Garcia for loaning us a chain saw (if you weren t at the program, you ll just have to wonder about that one!); and to Ryan and Rebecca Cairns, for sharing baby Walter with us. Cutest baby Jesus ever!

10 January 2018 Page 10 Confirmation/Middle School News Confirmation Class will resume Wednesday, January 3 at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. There will be a mandatory confirmation camp meeting for all 7 th grade parents that evening from 7:30 8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The dates for confirmation camp are July 8-13, Youth Quake All youth and adults going are required to go to the group builder on Sunday, January 7 from noon-1:30 p.m. All remaining payments plus health forms are due. Health forms are available on the sign up table in the entryway at church. High School News National Youth Gathering News Bake Sale! January 20 and 21 before and after services. Enjoy some goodies and give a free will offering to benefit the 30 youth going to the ELCA National Youth Gathering! For those going on the trip the Next payment of $100 is due January 14! Our Group Builder dates are: February 25 noon-2; March 11 noon-2; April 22 noon-2; June p.m. Social Ministry News Our Mittens & More, project, located in fellowship hall, is designed to provide mittens, hats and scarves for children and adults in need. If you like to knit or crochet, (or sew with fleece) take some yarn home to make hats, mittens and/or scarves. Bring them to MPLC and place on the mitten display area. If you are a social worker, a teacher or a volunteer who works with those who could benefit from these items, please take some to share. Questions? Call the church office at

11 January 2018 Page 11 The Food Pantry at Holy Communion Lutheran Church would like to thank the middle school confirmation group for their incredible donation of non-perishable food items. They not only used their own money for the purchasing of the food, they also went grocery shopping and delivered the food directly to the pantry on Wednesday, November 15. Their donations were very much appreciated, and their enthusiasm was contagious. Parents and guides, thank you for your time also. For the month of January, the food pantry is asking for the following items: January 7 Mac & Cheese, Canned Pasta with Meat January 14 Tomato Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup January 21 Peanut Butter, Jelly January 28 Instant Potatoes, Saltines We are very grateful for all of you who remember the food pantry when you shop for your own families; and to those who donate monetarily. We would not be able to help the number of clients we do without the very generous donations form your congregation. Thank you all for your continued support. St. Patrick s Community Meal a Note of Thanks We wish to thank everyone who helped with St. Pat s Community Meals; be it helping in the kitchen, making cakes, or helping to serve, during the past 37 years. Know that your help was very much appreciated. Burt & Audrey Blomgren MPLC Endowment Fund News from Endowment Committee member Ron Schulz Today's Mission Tomorrow's Mission The Mission 80 Years from Today A church like Mount Pleasant Lutheran church is on a mission. It's not just about today's mission-though that's where most of us do our giving. It's not about a building that needs ongoing repair. It's about creating a durable church foundation that's here for your grandkids' grandkids. And we can guarantee that by specifying our Endowment Fund in your will or estate plan, a fund that can grow even as we spend a portion of it on mission critical things. -continued-

12 Open Table January 2018 Page 12 For more information about how our endowment fund works, contact Dave Zuelke or call InFaith Community Foundation at or visit our website page at Also, for those that missed the Endowment Fund presentation at coffee hour on November 12, you can go to this link spaceshipchurch.org/ministries/adult-education/adult-education-podcasts/ to hear the recorded presentation. ### A New Meal Ministry Program at MPLC... They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:46 On January 28, 2018, MPLC is launching a new community meal program at MPLC. Everyone is welcome to help with this exciting new outreach opportunity. What is Open Table? Open Table is a unique community meal program that will be served restaurant-style here at MPLC. The goal of Open Table is not only to feed the immediate need, hunger, but to feed the spirit of the people who are participating by treating them in a way that is respectful and caring. Guests will check-in at a hostess stand in the narthex and be seated European-style in fellowship hall, as seats are open. They will be greeted by name, served a hot meal at the table, offered beverage service and have a chance to pray with a prayer partner, if they are so inclined. Why Open Table? If the goal of meal programs is to get food in bellies, than the existing programs in our community are meeting that need. If the goal is a personalized meal experience where participants are radically welcomed into an environment of comfort and caring, than Open Table is an important next step in community meal programming. We looked closely at how meals are typically served and asked how Jesus might approach feeding the hungry differently, meeting their need for food, fellowship and understanding. Who Can Participate? Anyone who is hungry for food or companionship is welcome to participate in Open Table. How can I help? We will need people to help with set-up, kitchen duty, beverage serving, waiting tables, hospitality, prayer partners, bussing tables, clean up, and donating cookies and brownies for our dessert table. This will be an all hands of deck effort! How do I sign up or learn more? There is a general sign up sheet in the narthex. See following page for more...

13 January 2018 Page 13 Open Table Meal Ministry Volunteer Information and Training Opportunity: Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 at MPLC Join us to learn more about the program, volunteer opportunities and training as we prepare to open our doors for the first Open Table meal in January. All are welcome! Living Faith Lutheran Church Community Meal The next MPLC meal date is Sunday, January 7 Your help is needed to serve and/or donate food at the January 7 community meal. Living Faith Lutheran serves a meal each Sunday evening, with a different area church helping out each week. Donations of food can be left in our church kitchen by 2:30 p.m. (please make sure you mark them for Living Faith), or hot dishes can be dropped off at Living Faith (2915 Wright Avenue.), at 3:30 p.m. Servers should arrive at 4:30 p.m. Please watch for a sign up sheet in the narthex, or entryway, to sign up to work or donate food. Thank you! Here s the 2018 Community Meal Dates for MPLC: January 7, March 4, April 29, June 10, August 19, September 16, November 18 Mark your calendars and plan to get involved! PLEASE NOTE: MPLC is not signed up for the December 31 meal, HOWEVER, help IS needed. Please read... Living Faith Community Meal Sunday, December 31 at 4:30 p.m. Food and Helpers Needed! No church has volunteered to take over the meal at Living Faith on New Year s Eve so they are putting out a plea to all the churches for food and helpers! If you can bring food, bring it by 4:15 pm on December 31 st directly to Living Faith church at 2915 Wright Ave. (do not drop off donations at MPLC). Stay if you can help serve and clean up! They also need large canned food items like beef stew, ravioli, peanut butter, instant mashed potatoes, pasta, canned fruit and veggies to keep in reserve in case there isn t enough food any Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact Chip Lutz at chip@unconventionalleader.com or

14 January 2018 Page 14 MPLC SCRIP make mission happen! Scrip table hours are Sundays 9:30-11a.m., the first Saturday of the month after the 5 p.m. service Do you need groceries, or gas? Do you have a Kohl s bill to pay? Or do you need to re-load your Starbucks card? If you use SCRIP cards to pay for those things, MPLC will get a rebate from those stores! Yes, each Scrip purchase you make directly helps youth and adult missions here at MPLC. Stop by the SCRIP table today and MAKE MISSION HAPPEN! We have cards on hand to take home today! Thank you! SCRIP WORKS!!! Thank you to all who continue to support youth and adult missions through buying Scrip cards. In 2017 we earned $3,700 from your purchases! WOW! Are you buying SCRIP cards? Why Not? It s an easy way to support Missions at MPLC. Resolve to become a SCRIP customer in 2018! Thank you. Environmental Stewardship Articles: For many years, John Berge of MPLC s Environmental Stewardship Committee has written a monthly column focusing on issues relating to caring for God s earth, in terms of public policy options and personal ways we can aid in keeping the gift of God s creation sustainable. The Committee meets with a consortium of other Racine Churches quarterly to discuss ways to creatively leave a life filled creation to our children. Environmental Stewardship by John Berge With the location of the Foxconn factory in the Village of Mt. Pleasant, Lake Michigan water going to Waukesha and the reorganization of Root-Pike WIN, watersheds are certainly in the news. First of all, what is a watershed? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. All of us live in one or more watersheds. At the largest level, did you know we have a continental divide (or sub-continental divide) right in our backyards? This divide separates the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River watershed from the Mississippi River watershed. It goes right through the area to be developed by Foxconn. Some of the

15 January 2018 Page 15 falls on that area goes west to the DesPlaines River and hence down the Illinois River to the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. Rain and snow falling on the east side of that area will go into the Pike River and then into Lake Michigan. Major watersheds may be broken up into smaller watersheds fitting that same definition and generally based on a single river and its tributaries. Thus, most of us live in the Pike River, Root River, Des Plaines River, Oak Creek or Fox River watersheds or in a somewhat different kind of watershed without a named river such as the Wind Point watershed. It should be noted at this point that all (or most) of these rivers were recently assessed and classified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) as being impaired using the Wisconsin s Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). This methodology basically is to determine whether the river is swimmable and fishable, checking on nitrogen, phosphorus, biological oxygen demand and e. coli levels. But rather than wringing their hands in despair, organizations such as the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network have worked out long-term Watershed Restoration Projects to upgrade and improve these rivers and their watersheds. According to the latest WIN newsletter, they have helped raise more than $1.4 million for watershed restoration projects and More than 40 projects are in some phase of planning, design or implementation. Within approved Watershed Restoration Plans for the Root, Pike and Wind Point watersheds, are more than 500 project recommendations. Approved means by both the WDNR and EPA; local governments are also adopting or endorsing these plans. Obviously, these plans and projects involve good environmental stewardship. I have been involved with some of the removal of invasive, alien plant species along the rivers and in the wetlands. I have also assisted in the planting of native species in these areas. These projects will continue once the weather warms up again in the spring. Organizations such as Weed Out! Racine can use LOTS of volunteers. To volunteer, contact Melissa Warner at melissa.warner.3@sbcglobal.net or Dave Giordano, the Executive Director of Root-Pike WIN, at dave@rootpikewin.org. or any of the other organizations that make up the Network. -continued-

16 January 2018 Page 16 May I also suggest that you visit one of the major restoration successes in the city of Racine; make sure you get down to Samuel Myers Park in most any season of the year. This restoration project was carried out under the direction and fund raising of Dr. Julie Kinzelman, Laboratory Director for the Racine Health Department. It is located on Lake Michigan just south of Gateway Technical College (junction of 11th Street and Pritchard Drive). Invasive plant species were removed, native species planted, proper grading and a board walk with educational signage installed. Acceptance of a large grant from the US Forest Service for additional native tree planting has just been approved by the City Council. This will more than double the amount of tree canopy and stormwater infiltration, thus improving our health as well as that of the Lake. ### The High School Youth Group Wants Your Aluminum Cans! You Can Help Our Youth and The Environment at the Same Time! Over the last couple of months, we ve received another $17 for over 38 pounds of aluminum cans that have been donated to our high school youth group for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, TX! (Our Super Grand Total is over $2,860!) Please remember to bring in your bagged empty aluminum soda cans and put them by the soda machine in Fellowship Hall. It is a simple way to raise lots of money for the high school summer trips, and care for creation all at the same time. Please make sure there is NO GARBAGE in the bags. Also Please do NOT include any other type aluminum (aluminum foil, aluminum pie tins, etc.) or other recycling (plastic bottles, glass, paper, etc.) in the bags, as the recycling center will not accept our recycling if those items are included. Thank you! Box Tops for Education Please continue collecting the Box Tops for Education for West Ridge School. (Please remember to check the expiration date!)

17 January 2018 Page 17 A way to GIVE NOW at At MPLC there are three ways to give an offering: Simply Giving (where your gift is automatically transferred to the church from your bank account), check or cash. New, for those who prefer to use credit or debit cards, MPLC is now accepting that as well, through our website. Just click the Give Now button on our homepage to go directly to the donation page. Or, from your smart phone, click the QR code above to go to the online donation page. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Stephanie Szabo at ext. 114 or sszabo@mplc.us. Thank you. January 21 If you have a submission for the February Mt Pleasant SPIRIT Newsletter, please mark your calendars for Sunday, January 21. Please or drop off your articles in the church office by the end of the day on the 21st, to Julie Rossman (jrossman@mplc.us). Thanks! Church Office Hours Church office hours are: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Appointments can always be made for other times by calling the office or the pastors. Are YOU on facebook? Have YOU liked our page? Please log on and check us out: Check out our mobile friendly website! Phone address - Changes? Please let us know! If you have dropped your land line or your number has changed for any reason, please let the church office know. Please also notify us of any address or changes. Please call or send an to Becky Litwin at blitwin@mplc.us and let us know of any changes. Thank you!

18 January 2018 Page 18 Crafter s Corner Our January crafting dates will be Thursdays; January 4 & 18 in Mygatts Corner from 9 a.m. Noon. In case of bad weather, we will not meet. Just give Donna Mullikin a call at if in doubt. If you re interested in joining the craft group, the first meeting in January will be a good time to find out more about us! We ll be cleaning up our room, discussing last year s successes, sharing new ideas, plus a small amount of crafting. Thank you to the anonymous donors of supplies last month. It was very much appreciated. See you on Thursday, January 4! Quilter s Corner The quilters would like to give a special thanks to Barb Hantschel for her generous donation of fabric. We will be able to continue on making quilts for Lutheran World Relief with her donation. Come visit our table at the Shine Your Light Social Ministry Fair on January 6 and 7 and learn how you, too, can help with this mission. In January we will meet on Thursdays; January 11 and 25 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. If you have any questions please contact Linda Berger at or lwlkberger@gmail.com We recently welcomed in to our baptized membership: Chris Alvin Aho, Jr., son of Chris and Tabitha Aho. Chris sponsors are Jimmy Christopolus and Ruth Ann Smith. We also welcomed Chase Otto Schuette, son of Ryan and Annie Schuette. Chase s sponsors are Christopher Hoffer and Megan Schuette. We also welcomed Walter John Webster Cairns, son of Ryan and Rebecca Cairns. Walter s sponsors are Sharon Heide and Jacob Hilmer. We also welcomed Alice Kristin Applegarth, daughter of Tom & Robyn Applegarth. Alice s sponsors are Nicole Enders & Andrew Krupp; We also welcomed Aviana Kathleen Costanzo, daughter of Cherie & Alfred Evans. Aviana s sponsors are Tesa Rae Lawrence & Danielle Skrzypchak. Our sympathy and prayers go to: The friends and family of Phyllis Wells, who passed away on November 19; to Bob and Barb Puder on the death of Barb s mother, Arlene Janosko on November 24; to Frank and Peggy Prince on the death of Peggy s mother, Anna Sakkinen, on December 13; and to Dan and Janice Johnson on the death of Janice s brother, Gary Tradewell December 10.

19 January 2018 Page 19 Please keep the following member in your prayers: Joyce Friend Happy Birthday to the following MPLC members! January 1 Kevin Christensen Ralph Christofferson January 3 Beth Wolf Linda Steffensen Eric Heaps January 4 Jill Finger January 5 Karen Nissen Wendy Knoell January 6 Roni Christensen January 8 Dan Larsen Patti Whitworth Holly Hess January 11 Samantha Stoewe January 12 Bill Mahnke January 15 Shirley Jasperson Jim Brzezinski Cindy Lester January 16 Matt Berger Ashley Franklin Duane Smith January 17 Audrey Jensen Tom Tuttle January 18 Michelle McFarland Willine Svendsen Joshua Mishleau January 19 Gen Goldsworthy Meredith Gonzalez Amy Rattle Leah Mekemson January 20 Helen Hearn Susan Bowen Susan Martinez Jacob Comstock January 21 Debbie LaMere January 22 Marge Tyler Maggie Prochaska January 23 Debbie Ello Jill Gentile Judy Petersen Mary Ann Christofferson January 24 Casey McIntosh Virginia Smith Rick Sill Ryan Schuette January 25 Carla Kovacs January 26 Chad Niemuth Todd Korth January 27 Dorothy Kohl Tammy Vallone-Seaberg January 28 Barb Rinke Diane Blackmon Matt Maier Steven Brown January 29 Danny Anderson Diana Kovacs Becky Litwin January 30 Audrey Blomgren Ed Shilling Joy Cramer Denise Keller January 31 Adam Cecchini Stephanie Mitchell

20 January 2018 Page 20 Mt Pleasant Lutheran Church ~ ELCA 1700 S. Green Bay Road - Racine WI Phone: Fax: Website: Staff Krista Zimmerman (kzimmerman@mplc.us) Pastor William Mains (wmains@mplc.us) Transition Pastor Eduardo García-Novelli (Eduardo@mplc.us) Sr. Choir Director Greg Schroeder (gschroeder89@gmail.com) Bell Choir Director Holly Hess (hhess@mplc.us) Director of Faith & Life Becky Litwin (blitwin@mplc.us) Dir. Of Parish Services Stephanie Szabo (sszabo@mplc.us) Business Manager Rebecca Cairns (rcairns@mplc.us) Director of Youth Education Julie Rossman (jrossman@mplc.us) Director of Communications Michael Becker (michael@mplc.us) Organist Sue Cawley Assistant Organist Dave Fanelli Meal Coordinator Rick Sill Sexton Andrew Luehr Assistant Sexton Susan Gonzalez Nursery Congregation Council David Santalucia ( or dsantalu@alumni.iu.edu) President Casey McIntosh ( or cpmcintosh@gmail.com) Vice President and Social Ministry Ryan VanDeLoo ( or ryanvandeloo@gmail.com) Financial Secretary Larry Berger ( or lwlkberger@gmail.com) Treasurer Kurri Cecchini ( or kurri@wi.rr.com) Secretary Gary Francis ( or garysalfran@sbcglobal.net) Property Garrett Meader ( or gdmeader@uwalumni.com Youth Karen Kromm ( or karenkromm@wi.rr.com) Worship and Music Chris Ryshkus ( or chris.ryshkus@gmail.com) Welcome Barb Galis ( or bbgalis@sbcglobal.net) Small Groups Yolanda Lewis ( or coyolewis@yahoo.com Education