Spirit! October Pleasant. In this Issue. Blessed to Welcome, Worship and Serve. Worship Times: Coffee Fellowship Sundays: 9:30 10:00 a.m.

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1 Pleasant Spirit! October 2014 Blessed to Welcome, Worship and Serve In this Issue From the Pastor Worship & Education.5 Council Report...8 Sunday School News..9 Music News Middle School News.11 Confirmation...11 High School News.12 Fun & Fellowship..12 Social Ministry...14 Church News.19 Staff & Council.24 Worship Times: Weekly Saturday: Sunday: 5 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship Sundays: 9:30 10:00 a.m. Church Office Hours: Monday Thursday: 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. 1 p.m. Other times by appointment; call the church office at Our Website Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church heranchurch

2 October 2014 Page 2 From Pastor Dave A Shared Journey It was going to be a perfect autumn afternoon and I was presented with a choice between competing interests. Do I relax and watch the Packers after preaching three services on Sunday and teaching adult education? Or, do I take my wife on a bike ride that I had been planning? It really wasn t a difficult decision. I could watch the game but how many nice days are there to ride a bike? Ever since I started biking from Eagle Lake into the surrounding area I have wanted to share that ride with Christine. So I decided to ride bikes with her and record the game for later viewing. The roads we ride there are less traveled, and there are many scenes which inspire memories. I have already written about one that reminded me of the cabin we used to visit when I was a boy. Having an enriching experience is good, but sharing that experience is so much better. Christine was excited to ride her new Trek road bike, a women s specific design. The bike is small and actually fits her. When I move her bike it is as though I am walking a Shetland pony. We rode out of the parking west on Church Road and then started making our way south, then east as we followed my preplanned loop. Some fields were high with corn swaying from the southwest wind. Parts of one corn field had already been harvested. There was a white house on the east side of the road, two stories, without any trees around it whatsoever. That looks like American Gothic! Christine called out. This was exactly what I thought when I first saw the structure. Road biking is not simply about going fast, or feeling a responsive bike under you, it is moving through time, experiencing emotion, and riding into beauty. The clean lines of the house reminded me of a book I read back in the 1980 s entitled: House. It was about a family building a Gothic revival home, very much like this one. We were enjoying the view of the stately house against its rather stark environment, while remembering reading

3 October 2014 Page 3 that book when we were living in Waukesha. I was so very glad I chose to go on this biking journey with Christine. We weren t just riding, we had a mission. The plan was to visit Brightonwoods Orchard near the Bong Recreational area. While Christine was riding her road bike, I took my recumbent because the large bag on my bike could be filled with apples. Our loop took us past many places I wanted to share with my wife. Soon we turned onto a crushed limestone trail for several miles which is part of the White River State Trail. This was the first gravel trail for Christine s new bike, so we took it slow and rode through the lush foliage that was just beginning to reveal the colors in store for us in the days ahead. We glided past a large cedar house I wanted Christine to see and then eventually turned south on Vandenboom Road. Up ahead there is a house on the right that is painted yellow. It reminds me of the Windemere Hotel we stayed at during our first trip to Mackinaw Island. I called out to Christine. We had taken that trip with my parents and loved riding our bikes around the Island. Christine and I remembered walking down the steps of the Windemere in the morning to the smell of fresh coffee. The windows were open and the lace curtains were billowing as the lake breeze filled them like a fresh morning sail. A young woman sat at a baby grand piano playing Mozart while the beat of horses hooves sounded on the street. We had left our old world behind. What a memory we discovered as we peddled to the orchard. The next home was a white house falling apart, dry rot clearly visible. It was tightly guarded by old gnarly trees with skeletal fingers surrounding it. No Trespassing signs were placed on either side of the rough gravel. This was a Halloween house and I would not have been surprised to see a caldron in the back yard, and a broom stick or two. This reminded me of the large oak on the hill west of my childhood home. Under this Halloween Tree we grew a patch of pumpkins. We harvested three of them for our Halloween party: a small orange one, a medium orange one and a large green one.

4 October 2014 Page 4 The next memory experience was a classic red farm barn with animals in the yard, complete with cows bawling. That looks like Friendly Farm, I said, remembering the story book my mother read to me as a child. We then had read the same book to our children. Last year we located copies for our grandchildren so they could visit Friendly Farm. I can t wait to ride by Friendly Farm again. The orchard was busy. Many people were willfully missing the Packer game. We selected some apples and packed them carefully into my bike bag. A taste of crisp cider gave us the juice for the return trip. Next was Michael s Restaurant on the south end of the lake. We ate looking across the lake at the park where we started our ride from. A blue heron flew in and landed on the deck for us to enjoy, egrets perched in a nearby tree as the sun drifted down to the horizon. This was an afternoon well lived because it was shared. Our spiritual journey is a shared experience. Inviting a person to journey with you such as attending worship together is like offering to take someone on a bike ride. The experience could well open them to their past memories in a renewing and enriching way. This shared experience could make you closer as you share what is meaningful in your life with another. Journeys are best when shared. Invite someone to share yours. Pastor David L. Echelbarger Stewardship 2014 The theme for this year s stewardship emphasis is Renewing Generosity. Soon, your 2014 Stewardship packet will arrive in your home mailbox. God has placed in our hearts the love of his Son who died for us. We renew that love by responding generously through our giving so we become the presence of Jesus in the world. This is the biblical focus of the church: to be the presence

5 October 2014 Page 5 of Jesus in the world. Thank you for asking God to renew your generosity. A generous response opens us to the love and grace of God and shares it with others. Generous people are loving, open, connected and fulfilled. And so we pray that God will renew our generosity, so we can renew ourselves and others in the name of Jesus. Adult Education with Pastor Dave Sundays, 10 10:35 a.m. in Fellowship Hall Renewing Our Faith: an Introduction The Theme of our 2014/15 program year is Renew! One of the best ways to renew is to look at basics. Foundations are the most important part of our homes. If something is wrong there, it impacts everything. Chances are most of us have added on to our understanding of faith through the years in ways which may or may not have been helpful. What really is the essence of how we understand what it means to be a child of God? What does it mean to be a member of the church? What is the incarnation about really? What Does the resurrection of Jesus mean for my daily life? What are the Spiritual Gifts and why are they important? What is Baptism? What is Holy Communion? What does it mean to converse with God? This is a chance to renew foundations. Join us. Led by Pastor Dave. Tuesday Bible Study with Pastor Christine Jesus Encounters that Renew Tuesdays through October :30 a.m. and 6:30 8 p.m. People have said to me, I wish I knew more about the life of Jesus. The opening of our fall Tuesday Bible Study Class is in response to such a desire. Not only will we gain a deeper

6 October 2014 Page 6 understanding of Jesus and his life among us, we will do so in such a way as to deepen our faith, encourage our hearts, and enliven our imaginations as followers of Jesus the Christ. Please join us! Pastor Christine September 30: Jesus the Healer October 7: Jesus the Teacher and Storyteller Part I October 14: Jesus the Teacher and Storyteller Part II October 21: Jesus Final Week Tuesday Bible Study with Pastor Dave The Resurrection of the Son of God Beginning Tuesday, October :30 a.m. and 6:30 8 p.m. Pastor Dave will lead an extensive exploration of the resurrection of Jesus using a variety of sources, including biblical scholars, theologians, the church fathers and mothers, church historians and scholars of ancient world religions. Here are some of the topics we will flesh out: Life Beyond Death in Ancient Paganism. Death and Beyond in the Old Testament. Paul s View of the Resurrection - an Exploration of I Corinthians. Resurrection in the Early Church (Apart from Paul). The Gospel Stories of Easter. What Does it all Mean for us? Join Pastor Dave to find out! Sign up in the Narthex. Pew and Cushion Renewal Project Now that our building has been remodeled and we have new carpeting, when can we replace the pew cushions? This has been one of the most frequently asked questions. Based on these requests, we will be receiving gifts to: a) replace the pew cushion fabric and foam. The color has been selected. And, b) the wood on the pews will be refinished. As you can imagine, this is a huge

7 October 2014 Page 7 project and will be costly, nearing $35,000. IF you would like to make a contribution to honor or memorialize someone you can make a check out to MPLC and indicate it is for pew cushions. We will authorize work when we reach our goal. This will not only provide an ascetically pleasing experience, but it will also be one piece of renewal you can sit on! We will keep you informed of our progress. Treat Others to Your Name This is no trick or treat, but pure treat. We want others to know your name and people want to know yours. We have been given a name, and that name is important to us and others. It is the way we get to know each other and make connections. As pastors, we are constantly surprised by the very active people who do not know other very active people. We have four services and not all of us are here each week. Sharing your name is a way to awaken and create relationships. We want everyone to know who you are and the best way to do this is through wearing your name tags. We are encouraging all members of the congregation to wear their name tags when they come into worship. Many of you can pick yours up in your church mailbox, some of you take yours home and bring them with you. If you do not have a nametag you can sign up for a replacement and it will be placed in your church mailbox the next week. Some of those wearing nametags may be given a little goodie treat! Perhaps it will be you. How is that as an incentive to wear a name tag? This will not only help Pastor Krista get better acquainted but your fellow members want to get to know your name as well. So, for October and November, please wear your name tag for the renewing of acquaintances. Treat others to your name and who knows, maybe you will be treated!

8 October 2014 Page 8 Some Housekeeping Items from the Congregation Council: Missing in Action We are missing some tables that we need to use in Sunday Church School that have disappeared from our building. If you have any chairs or tables that you have borrowed or forgotten to return, please bring them back! We need them, as our program year is in full swing. Anyone can forget, but we need them back. Thank you. Coffee and Beverage Spillage By the time you read this, our new carpets will be cleaned and boy did they need it. It is virtually impossible to carry a coffee cup up the ramps without spilling due to the incline. To keep our building looking nice and to minimize the need for costly repairs and maintenance please keep beverages confined to the Fellowship Hall as much as possible. Youth Committees are being formed. We are forming two youth committees to aid our expansion into the area of Youth and Family Ministry with Pastor Krista. One committee is for High School and the other for middle school. These volunteers will help advance our ministry in this important area. New Member Class Scheduled and Reception of New Members The next new member class will be held Thursday, October 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (If you would prefer to come that day to a class held from 10 a.m.-12 noon please contact the church office at ) Reception of new members will be the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12. For more information, or if you have questions or are interested in joining MPLC, please contact the church office at or see one of the pastors.

9 October 2014 Page 9 Next Healing Service on Tuesday, November 18 In the months of January, March, May, July, September and November, we hold a Service for Healing at 5:45 p.m. Intended for any who suffer from infirmities of body, mind or spirit, the service will include an opportunity for prayer and anointing for the person attending or on behalf of another. The service will also include scripture, corporate prayer, hymns, and music. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Begins September 28 Parents with children who are under 3 as of August 31, 2014 are invited to come with their children to our Little Lambs Class, starting Sunday, September 28. This is held in the library and begins at 10 a.m. each Sunday. Parents and children hear a story, do a craft and enjoy a snack together with other families each week. It is fun for both parents and children! No need to sign up just come! Those who are involved in teaching the youth of MPLC are invited to a monthly Children s Ministry Breakfast, Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. The one-hour breakfast provides a time to share food, fellowship and prayer with others involved in teaching children at MPLC, and a time to Renew your spirit. The breakfast will also include Pastor Dave s coffee and a summary from Pastor Dave, of his Sunday Morning Adult education topics. Upcoming dates are: Saturdays; October 25, November 22. There will be no December breakfast. Sign up in the narthex to join us!

10 October 2014 Page 10 Noisy Offering coming in November! Our next Noisy Offering will be November 22 and 23 to help support water sanitation ministries. We have an ample supply of really ugly water bottles, which make a great collection jar for your spare change! You can find them on the sign up table in the narthex. Fill em up and bring them in the weekend of November 22 and 23! Senior Choir All voices are welcome to join the MPLC senior choir! Senior Choir rehearsals take place each Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. If you are interested in joining the choir for the annual Christmas Cantata, please see Director, Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli. Cherub Choir Children who are 3 years old 1 st grade are invited to sing in the Cherub Choir! The cherubs practice Wednesdays, from 6:30 7 p.m. in the Youth room. Please contact Director Kim Haigh if you have any questions, at , or ehaigh3@wi.rr.com Messenger Choir The Messenger Choir is singing again! Join us Wednesdays from 6:30 7 p.m. in the choir room if you are in grades 2-5! The Messenger Choir is led by Stephanie Mitchell, smitchell@carthage.edu.

11 October 2014 Page 11 MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS Leaf Raking Day! MPLC Youth in grades 6 8 will be raking leaves on Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Please let Pastor Krista know if you need your lawn raked! Youth, please sign up in the narthex! Youth Quake! March 20-22, 2015 Glacier Canyon Lodge - Wilderness Resort Wisconsin Dells, WI Grades 6-8 Cost: $176 Deposit Due by November 1: $50 We will do fundraisers! More info to come! Join us for fun, faith and waterslides!! Parents Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 29 at 7:15 pm. Sign up in the narthex. Questions? See Pastor Krista. CONFIRMATION NEWS Confirmation Sunday! You are invited to celebrate with us as 23 wonderful ninth graders affirm their baptisms on Sunday, October 26 during 11:00 am. worship. These confirmands have learned a lot about their faith and the church these last three years! Come give thanks for their continued commitment to the Christian faith! Cake will be served during coffee hour.

12 October 2014 Page 12 Wednesday Night Confirmation Confirmation class is going great! Pastor Krista is really enjoying teaching these curious, energetic, young minds and hearts! Do you have a faith story to share? We would love to have you as a guest speaker in our Wednesday night class! Let Pastor Krista know! Confirmation is a joint effort; one the whole church is invited to participate in! HIGH SCHOOL NEWS High School Sunday School is being taught by Pastor Krista, Scott Reske and Laura Kozenski! It is an honor for us to be teaching these bright young people! They are so engaged and active in their faith life! Join us on Sundays in the youth room at 9:45 a.m. Planning for the ELCA National Youth Gathering next summer in Detroit July continues! If you have not signed up yet, please do! Deposits of $150 are due by October 12! This is the absolute last day you can register! Students who are currently in 8 th grade 12 th grade, are eligible to go. Please contact Pastor Krista with any questions. FUN, FOOD & FELLOWSHIP Dining Out Group Saturday, October 4 Firefly Restaurant, Wauwatosa Join us for Dining Out on Saturday, October 4, at Firefly Restaurant, 7754 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, at 6:30 p.m. If you missed the food tour, this is your chance to enjoy one of the favorite places from that night. Please sign up in the narthex. If you would like to carpool, please indicate that as well. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Zuelke at zuelkezoo@wi.rr.com.

13 October 2014 Page 13 You re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your word to renew me. Psalm 199:114 Registration is now open for the Women's Retreat. Join us for Renew, Refresh, Rejoice! at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn on October The cost is $60 for Friday night; an additional $35 for the optional Saturday night stay. Price includes lodging at the Camp's Retreat Center, programming and meals. Experience a time of rest and fellowship with other women. Guests are warmly welcomed. For more information contact Holly Hess at To register, sign up in the narthex. Payment envelopes are located on the sign up table. Payments due by Sunday, October 4. Scholarship assistance available. Ladies Tea Party! You're invited! All girls, age 7 12, are invited to bring their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or any other influential woman in their loves, to a Ladies Tea Party on Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at MPLC! Bring out your fancy jewelry and your big hats! In our effort to connect families and all generations here at MPLC, let's get together for tea, fellowship and fun! Please sign up in the narthex by October 26. Questions? Contact Pastor Krista. THANK YOU! To all those who helped make our annual Rally Day Picnic so much fun. The weather was great, the pulled pork was awesome, the dunkees were great sports and it was just an overall fun time.

14 October 2014 Page 14 SOCIAL MINISTRY at MPLC Rummage Sale Wrap up Story The annual Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church (MPLC) rummage sale posted big results, which in turn will help local charitable organizations. The July 19 sale, raised a total of $4,600. During a recent appreciation luncheon, checks for $1100 each were awarded to: St. Luke s Hospitality Center, Racine; Racine County Food Bank; Women s Resource Center of Racine; and RADD (Recreational Activities for Developmentally Disabled). In addition, $200 was awarded to the MPLC Quilters group, which makes quilts that are donated to charity. MPLC rummage sale items are all donated by MPLC members. The sale takes months of preparation and is organized completely by volunteers. Co-chairpersons Kate Lingsweiler and Shirley Kerkman are grateful to all the folks who helped make the rummage sale a success. We would like to thank our many wonderful volunteers who gave us tremendous support, Lingsweiler said. Women s Resource Center Executive Director, Cherie Griffin, was appreciative of the gift. I m imagining every pair of socks bundled, every kitchen appliance checked, every tag affixed and every hour dedicated to the rummage sale. All of that hard work, tireless dedication has amounted to such a thoughtful and generous gift to the victims of domestic violence that seek our services. Thank you for choosing us as a recipient of your charitable contribution, Griffin said. Your donation of $1100 will make an immense impact on our programs which will leave a lasting impact on our clients, said Victoria Hagen, Executive Director RADD. Your church is doing an incredible job of reaching outside its walls into the Racine Community, and many are blessed because of your faithful and selfless service, Hagen added.

15 October 2014 Page 15 Kevin Stewart, with the Hospitality Center at St. Luke s Episcopal Church in Racine, also appreciated the gift. Please accept my appreciation for your faithful friendship, encouragement, support and remarkably generous contribution of $1,100, which was raised out of generous hearts, through herculean efforts and from a more than successful rummage sale, Stewart said. Racine County Food Bank Executive Director Dan Taivalkoski, said, Please share our heartfelt thanks for this wonderful gift. There are many in our community that will not experience hunger in the weeks ahead because of your generosity. Pastor David Echelbarger spoke about how the rummage sale affects so many different people in a positive way. The wonder of the rummage sale is that instead of filling a landfill, we give up our former treasures, which become someone s present treasurers, which produce a treasure to make mission happen in this community, Echelbarger said. The 2015 MPLC rummage sale will take place Saturday, July 18, 2015 mark your calendars!

16 October 2014 Page 16 Hospitality Center Saturday, October 4 St. Luke s Episcopal Church, 614 Main Street The next first Saturday brunch will be Saturday, October 4 You are invited to come for brunch (and help). We are in need of Help with clean up from noon Volunteers for an hour or two between 8 a.m. and Noon. 3 Egg Bakes ( Nancy for a recipe that can be made ahead). 2 Gallons Milk 2 Gallons Juice Fruit (enough for 25 servings fresh, canned or frozen) Donations of coffee, sugar and creamer are always welcome. The egg bakes need to be brought, warmed, to St. Luke s Church on Saturday morning. The other items can be brought to MPLC by NOON on Friday, October 3, and they will be delivered to St. Luke s. Please sign up in the narthex to help, or just come and enjoy the company of some friendly people. Thanks - Nancy Eggert: njeggert@gmail.com ( ). Our Savior s Lutheran Church Community Meal Sunday, October 12 Consider helping others in our community by volunteering for the October community meal at Our Savior s Lutheran Church, 2219 Washington Ave. Our Savior s serves a meal each Sunday evening, with a different area church helping out each week. Our 9 th Grade confirmands will be serving the meal that day, but we still need help with food donations. Donations of food can be left in our church kitchen by 3:00 p.m. (please make sure you mark

17 October 2014 Page 17 them for Our Savior s), or hot dishes can be dropped off at Our Savior s Church (2219 Washington Ave.), at 4:30 p.m. Don t cook? Easy donations include: * A bucket of fried chicken * A hot entrée from Sam s Club * Heated pizzas * Bagged salad/bottled dressing * Coleslaw or potato salad * 1-3 gallons of milk * Cut up fresh vegetables or fruit * Ready-made lasagna Sign up in the narthex if you can donate food. If you have any questions, please contact MPLC community meal coordinators, Mike and JoAnn Brown at or michael_and_jo_ann_brown@yahoo.com St. Patrick s Community Meal Thursday, November 20 Come to help prepare food for more than 150 people right here in the MPLC kitchen starting at NOON. We need help to chop, grate, mix, cook and clean up. Bring along a cake for dessert to go with the meal, which will be served at St. Patrick s Church later that evening. To help serve, meet Burt Blomgren here at church at 4:30 p.m. Call Burt with any questions at 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. Pastor Dave Environmental Stewardship by John Berge Years ago, in to be specific, I had the honor and privilege to serve on the task force that wrote the social statement on environmental stewardship for the Lutheran Church in America, a predecessor of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This

18 October 2014 Page 18 statement was adopted by the national convention held in Dallas, TX in July of I attended that convention as a resource person. I believe my pride in having several of my ideas, sentences and phrases included in that statement was reasonably justified, since the Task Force included several theologians, college professors of biology (ecology was a seldom used word then) as well as a farmer, a housewife and me, an environmentalist and an industrial scientist. After the merger, the ELCA also wrote and adopted a social statement on the environment entitled Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice which I was told was based in part on the LCA statement. It was adopted by the 1993 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. In this column I usually try to suggest specific things that we as individuals, families and a congregation can do to be good environmental stewards, but this month I would like to look at the church s philosophy and theology as reflected in its social statement. All below are direct quotes from that statement. Since I don t have room for all twelve pages, each quote is by definition out-ofcontext. For a better understanding of the ELCA s position one should read (or re-read) the entire statement. We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are deeply concerned about the environment, locally and globally, as members of this church and as members of society. Even as we join the political, economic, and scientific discussion, we know care for the earth to be a profoundly spiritual matter. We see the despoiling of the environment as nothing less than the degradation of God s gracious gift of creation. In our time, science and technology can help us to discover how to live according to God s creative wisdom... [C]aring, serving, keeping, loving and living by wisdom sum up what is meant by acting as God s stewards of the earth. Alienated from God and from creation, and driven to make a name for ourselves, we become captives to demonic powers and unjust institutions. In our captivity, we treat the earth as a boundless warehouse and allow the powerful to exploit its bounties to their own ends.

19 October 2014 Page 19 The idea of the earth as a boundless warehouse has proven both false and dangerous. Damage to the environment eventually will affect most people through increased conflict over scarce resources, decline in food security, and greater vulnerability to disease. We are called to acknowledge [the] interdependence with other creatures and to act locally and globally on behalf of all creation. The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. No person or group has absolute claim to earth or its products. The principle of sufficiency means meeting the basic needs of all humanity and all creation... The principle of sustainability means providing an acceptable quality of life for present generations without compromising that of future generations. As members of the church, we commit ourselves to personal life styles that contribute to the health of the environment. We challenge ourselves, particularly the economically secure, to tithe environmentally. Tithers would reduce their burden on the earth s bounty by producing ten percent less waste, consuming ten percent less in non-renewable resources, and contributing the savings to earthcare efforts. Hunger Never Takes a Vacation Thanks to everyone who remembers the food pantry when they shop for their own families. We would not be able to serve as many clients as we do without your generosity! For the month of October, the food bank at Holy Communion Lutheran Church is asking for donations of the following items: October 5 - spaghetti sauce, spaghetti October 12 - cereal, saltines October oz. canned corn, 15 oz. mixed vegetables (anything but green beans) October 27 - canned pineapple, canned pasta with meat

20 October 2014 Page 20 We still need clean, gently used plastic bags. We are extremely thankful to all who help keep our pantry stocked and staffed. We could not do this without your generosity and help! MPLC SCRIP make mission happen As Pastor Dave likes to say You re going to spend the money anyway: Make Mission Happen! The Great Lakes SCRIP program provides a very SIMPLE way to raise money for youth and adult missions here at MPLC. To participate, just buy gift cards for things you purchase every day, like groceries or gas. For each purchase, the church earns a rebate on your purchase, from that company. EXAMPLE: You purchase a $50 Kwik Trip Gift Card, you GET a $50 gift card to go spend on gas. Kwik Trip grants a 9% rebate to the church, or $4.50. It s SO EASY! (Percentages vary by retailer) The more gift cards purchased, the fewer church fundraisers we need. There is a great selection of cards on hand for purchase TODAY, or you can order from a huge list of other retailers, for pickup next week. Stop by the SCRIP table in the narthex today to learn more! Joseph s Granary at MPLC If you have extra produce from your garden this year, please think of Joseph s Granary here at MPLC! Look for the table in the narthex. Leave your extra produce there. MPLC members and guests are welcome to take produce in exchange for a donation to the food bank. Any leftover produce after the weekend, will be donated to the food bank. It s a win-win!

21 October 2014 Page 21 The High School Youth Group Wants Your Aluminum Cans! You Can Help Our Youth and The Environment at the Same Time! We ve received another $24 for the 42 pounds of aluminum cans that were donated to our youth group for the 2015 Summer Trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. (Our Super Grand Total is over $2,358!) 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. BUT..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.) as the recycling center will not accept our bags if those items are included. Thank you! Campbell s Labels for Education Please save Campbell labels to help West Ridge Elementary School! It s as easy as just simply clipping UPC s from participating Campbell s products. For a complete list of eligible items, visit Please cut out where indicated (we don t need the entire label) and place in our Campbell s box at the hospitality center. Quilters News The quilters have 114 quilts ready to be sent to Lutheran World Relief. We hope to finish a few more before the end of October. We will be meeting on Thursdays, October 9 and 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We want to thank the Rummage Sale committee for donating $200 to our group, so we may continue to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief, Habitat House Blessings and Lutherdale's Quilt Auction. If you have any question please contact Joyce Friend at or Linda Berger at

22 October 2014 Page 22 Crafter s Corner Annual sale is November 22 and 23! The crafters will meet on Thursdays, October 2 and 16 at 9 a.m. in Mygatts. Be sure to mark the following dates on your calendar! Our annual fall/winter boutique sale will be Saturday, November 22 from 4 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 23, from 8 11 a.m., in the narthex. Project Night News Come to work on any project (scrapbooking, stamping, painting, stitching, organizing) in Fellowship Hall on Friday, October 10, from 6:30-11 p.m. There is plenty of space and lots of tables to work on. Come join this great group for fun and fellowship! and Address Updates Please help us keep our member addresses and home addresses up to date. If you have recently changed your address, or if you have moved, please give us a call at or send an to Julie Rossman, at jrossman@mplc.us and let us know of any changes. Thank you! Church Bulletin Requests The deadline for announcements in the weekend bulletin is each Wednesday by noon. If you would like your announcement to be included please send your request to Parish Administrator, Stephanie Szabo at parishadministrator@mplc.us or call ext Thank you. Extra Halloween Candy? If you end up with extra Halloween candy at your house you can donate it to Confirmation and Sunday Church School ministry. We use it each week for treats for the kids. Please drop it off at the church office. Thank you.

23 October 2014 Page 23 Here, you can listen to a podcast from previous church services, look at photos of recent church events, read this newsletter and much, much more! Check it out! Racine Lutheran High School Ladies Guild Harvest Fair Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Racine Lutheran High School 251 Luedtke Ave. Borrowing Church Furniture Mount Pleasant has a number of six-foot tables that are occasionally borrowed for events such as graduation parties, rummage sales, etc. Please be sure to check with the church office before borrowing them to make sure they are not already reserved. A prompt return of the tables is requested. October 19 If you have a submission for the November Pleasant Spirit Newsletter, please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19. Please or drop off your articles in the church office by the end of the day on the 19th, to Julie Rossman (jrossman@mplc.us). Thank you!

24 October 2014 Page 24 In Sympathy Our sympathy and prayers are extended to: Deb and Rob Jankowski, Alec, Aimee, Alyse and Aaron on the death of Deb s mother, Lois Johnson on August 15; the family of Ruth Runge who passed away on August 23; Mark and Sherry Stillman, along with their daughter Erica on the death of son and brother, Benjamin Stillman; Gary and Peggy Sczepanski, Nicholas Sczepanski and Heather Gehrke on the death of father and grandfather, Norbert Sczepanski on September 3; and to Scott and Rebecca Litwin, Benjamin and Emma on the death of Scott s mother, Carrol Litwin on September 14. We recently welcomed into our baptized membership, McKenzie Marie Theama, daughter of Joshua James and Kayla Marie Theama (Carlson). McKenzie s baptismal sponsors were Kristie Hubler and Ryan Devore. Recently Hospitalized Nancy Hofer, Michele Brown, Arline Bouse, Dick Sarto, Paul Pruessing, Don Hess, Kenny Peterson

25 October 2014 Page 25 Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church 1700 S. Green Bay Road - Racine WI Phone: Fax: Website: STAFF: David Echelbarger (DEchelbarger@mplc.us)...Pastor Christine Thomas-Echelbarger (CThomasE@mplc.us)...Pastor Krista Zimmerman (kzimmerman@mplc.us)......pastor Eduardo García-Novelli (eduardo@mplc.us)... Sr. Choir Director Michael Becker (michael@mplc.us)... Organist/Accompanist Holly Hess (hhess@mplc.us)... Director of Faith & Life Mike and Stacy Mortensen(sundayschool@mplc.us)... Sunday School Director Amy Zuelke (zuelkezoo@wi.rr.com)... Parish Activities Coordinator Melissa Kane (youth@mplc.us)... VBS Coordinator Stephanie Szabo (sszabo@mplc.us)... Parish Administrator Rebecca Cairns (rcairns@mplc.us)... Secretary Julie Rossman (jrossman@mplc.us)... Publications Director Sue Cawley... Assistant Organist Josh Martin... Sexton Cindy Green.... Sexton Bill Galis... Assistant Sexton CONGREGATION COUNCIL: Dave Cecchini ( or dcecchini@wi.rr.com)... President Bruce Lingsweiler ( or blingsweiler@helmsbriscoe.com Vice President and Evangelism Ryan VanDeLoo ( or ryanvandeloo@gmail.com) Financial Secretary Larry Berger ( or lwlkberger@gmail.com)... Treasurer Cherise Hart ( or cherisehart@hotmail.com)...secretary Jayne Armbruster ( or jayne.armbruster@sbcglobal.net)...worship/ Music Casey McIntosh ( or cpmcintosh@gmail.com)... Social Ministry Bob Kolesar ( or bobnrobk@yahoo.com)... Property Tim Graves ( or tgraves4883@att.net)... Youth Dana Poepsel ( or danapoepsel@yahoo.com)... Education