Faith Formation is the lifelong process of caring for and watering the seeds of faith in our lives. This work is personal and yet it needs community to thrive. Faith Formation at MPC seeks to equip people of all ages with spiritual resources and disciplines to encounter God and sustain each person on the journey of faith. Below you will find tools to explore spiritual practices, to connect with small groups, and to study scripture. We want to help you launch new opportunities, contact Commissioned Pastor Greg Braatz (greg.braatz@mpcappleton.org) to begin a conversation.

We gather as a family of faith to praise and worship God in community. We gather around the Word of God to listen for the Spirit’s voice speaking. Through the scriptures read, sung, and proclaimed we are moved to respond through prayer, offerings, and service. Our members’ personal relationships with God are also enriched through individual worship practices supported by church-provided resources.

We gather as a family of faith to praise and worship God in community. We gather around the Word of God to listen for the Spirit’s voice speaking. Through the scriptures read, sung, and proclaimed we are moved to respond through prayer, offerings, and service. Our members’ personal relationships with God are also enriched through individual worship practices supported by church-provided resources.

Scripture
As Presbyterians in the Reformed Tradition, we believe that scripture is the primary way that we come to know who God is for us; through the words of scripture we meet the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. God speaks through scripture read and proclaimed as well as through silent reflection. We believe that scripture interprets life and life interprets scripture.

Communion
The Lord's Supper is a joyful feast in the presence of our risen Lord. The bread and juice represent the sacrificial body and blood of Christ and recall the last meal He shared with his Apostles. This symbolizes the New Covenant between God and His people. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has an open table. Invitation to the Lord's Supper is extended to all who hold Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Baptized children, who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the Lord's Supper, are invited to participate in the celebration of communion. At MPC, communion is observed on the first Sunday of every month and on other special occasions.

Children in Worship
Jesus welcomed the children to "come unto me" (Matthew 19:14). Therefore, we as a congregation commit ourselves, when we baptize children, to nurture their faith and support their families. That support means welcoming children of all ages in worship. We believe that their presence in worship enriches the gathered community with their sense of wonder and enthusiasm. Together, we have much to learn about the mysteries of our faith. We also provide additional worship options that are age appropriate.

• Babies and children of all ages are welcome at any worship service. An activity table, with books, puzzles, and crayons is located in the narthex (lobby area) next to the sanctuary, for children who would like to take a short break from the service. Nursery care is also provided by paid caregivers throughout the year for children through the age of 3 (48 months).

• Kinderchurch is an age-appropriate worship service for children ages 3 through Grade 2. Children attend worship with their parents for approximately 15 minutes, and then move to the Kinderchurch room after the “Time for Children” segment of the worship service. This program follows the lectionary and allows young children to experience worship on their level of understanding. Kinderchurch is not held on those Sundays when communion is served, so that children may experience the communion service, at their parents’ discretion.

Music
Music is an integral part of worship at Memorial Presbyterian Church. We experience a wide variety of musical styles and traditions in our services through the use of hymns, anthems, and congregational responses. Our musical groups include a Children's Choirs, the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir.

Children's Choir
Children from Preschool through Grade 5 participate in a fun, curriculum-based music experience. Their efforts are shared with the entire congregation when they occasionally provide anthem music in the worship service. Choir rehearsals are conveniently incorporated into the Christian Education hour on Sunday mornings.

Handbell Choir
No experience is needed, just a willingness to learn and the ability to keep time. Handbell Choir rehearsals are held every Wednesday throughout the academic year at 5:30 p.m.

Chancel Choir
While typically comprised of adults, older youth are more than welcome to join in this ministry of music, as we sing our praises through much-loved hymns, beautiful anthems, and challenging cantatas. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday throughout the academic year at 7:00 p.m.
Below you will find our times for worship and coffee, each service's scripture lesson and the rehearsal times for our music program. We look forward to welcoming you to our worshiping community!

If you have any questions contact Commissioned Pastor Greg Braatz (greg.braatz@mpcappleton.org)

We are committed to living God's Word, locally and globally, through a variety of projects We take seriously the New Testament affirmations that all of us are endowed by the Holy Spirit with skills and talents, and are called to use those gifts. We encourage every member to discover their gifts and to find places both within the church and beyond where those talents can be put to work.

Below you will find the days and times when small groups, teams and committees meet to work on creating God’s kingdom here on earth. If you have any questions about any of these groups or how to get involved, feel free to contact Commissioned Pastor Greg Braatz (greg.braatz@mpcappleton.org). We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Memorial Presbyterian Church (MPC) is committed to living God's Word, locally and globally, through a variety of projects that seek to serve the needs of others and build bridges with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We take seriously the New Testament affirmations that all of us are endowed by the Holy Spirit with skills and talents, and are called to use those gifts in ministry to others. We encourage every member to discover their gifts and to find places both within the church and beyond where those talents can be put to work.

Here is just a sampling of the many projects in which MPC members are involved:

Community Garden Project: Our garden produces over 8,000 pounds of vegetables annually, saving the St. Joseph Food Program over $20,000 per year! Over 28 volunteers combined for over 540 hours from mid-May through October to plant, care for, and harvest the crops.

Fox Valley Warming Shelter: MPC volunteers and members of the youth group helped prepare and serve 12 evening meals per year. The volunteers spent over 174 hours at the shelter and many more hours at home preparing 72 dishes of food.

E2F (Empty to Full) Project: Annually MPC donates 150 pans containing a prepared meal for Homeless Connections.

Salvation Army Food Collections: Every month we collect 12-15 grocery bags containing food, cleaning/household supplies, and paper products for the Salvation Army. We also serve 2 Sunday meals to over 200 individuals at the Salvation Army.

Help for the Homeless Campaign: MPC collects hundreds of pounds of personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies.

Homeless Connections First Saturday Dinners: MPC volunteers serves 6 Saturday evening meals annually.

Adopt-a-Family: Annually MPC adopts 8-10 families serving 40 children with donated Christmas gifts as well as grocery gift cards for their holiday meals.

Youth Mission Trips: The MPC youth groups travel to various areas of the country to do their part in living God's Word. In recent years they have traveled to Tennessee, South Dakota, North Carolina and Illinois. On these trips they help residents with house repairs, painting, work with kids' groups, and sometimes just listen to people tell their stories. Every third year, the group travels to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the international gathering of Presbyterian youth.

Grant support: We provide financial support various local non-profit agencies. In the past these have included LEAVEN, Bridges Child and Enrichment Center, Homeless Connections, Habitat for Humanity, NAMI, Samaritan Counseling Center, Wisconsibs, and the Fox Valley Warming Shelter.

If you have any questions about any of these programs contact Commissioned Pastor Greg Braatz - greg.braatz@mpcappleton.org

Values
Grounded in the grace of God and the Reformed Tradition, we believe in:
• Nurturing one another on the journey of faith.
• Compassion for all.
• Active engagement in the local and global community.
• Openness to the Spirit's inspiration.

Mission - - Connect. Inspire. Serve.
Connect
The people of MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, of all ages and backgrounds, connect in faith, hope and love. We:
• Explore the intersection of faith and life, where Divine and human, sacred and secular, community and individual meet.
• Approach life's questions through the lens of Presbyterian faith and values.
• Develop a deeper relationship with the Triune God.
• Know and care for one another as an inclusive community of faith.
• Connect across differences.

Inspire
The people of MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH inspire lifelong discipleship and spiritual growth. We:
• Challenge people of all ages to connect spiritually to Jesus Christ, and to live faithfully as individuals and as a faith community.
• Give generously of our time, talents and treasure to our faith community, to the Fox Cities, and to the world.
• Lead spiritually within and beyond our walls.

Serve
The people of MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH serve our neighbors near and far. We:
• Answer God’s call to discipleship through active service and engagement.
• Transform ourselves and our communities within and beyond our walls.
• Commit ourselves to faith, hospitality, life balance, and healthy lifestyles.
• Create authentic and meaningful relationships.

Children's and Youth Ministry

We believe that Christian education is a lifelong, spiritual endeavor. Education classes for all ages are offered every Sunday at 8:45 a.m. from September through May. MPC also offers additional opportunities for spiritual nurture throughout the year. Everyone is encouraged to participate in learning God's Word so that we are equipped to live out God's Word in our families, community, and the world.

MPC's children's and youth ministries help our youngest members to connect, inspire and serve. We believe in nurturing one another on the journey to faith, aspiring to be a compassionate church family through authentic connections, rejoicing in the uniqueness of each person, and injecting enthusiasm and excitement through joyful expressions of faith.

Children's Ministry
Sunday School Program: This program is designed for children age 3 – 6th grade. It uses the curriculum "Growing in Grace & Gratitude." This program is rooted in the foundation of Presbyterian identity, where God's grace and our gratitude are the heartbeat of our faith, life and worship. The lessons taught from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings extend an invitation to discipleship that inspires children to learn and practice hospitality, generosity, and love. These lessons reach beyond Sunday mornings, encouraging children to live their lives as an expression of God's grace.

Youth Ministry
Spiritual Quest: This program is designed for youth who are exploring membership within the church. The confirmation and commissioning process is a significant time in one’s journey of faith. Youth have the opportunity to explore, discover, question, and grow in their faith during this year-long course.

Youth Fellowship: Youth in grades 7-12 gather for fellowship and study on Wednesday evenings from September through May from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church in the Youth Activites Room. Additionally, they participate in local and global mission projects throughout the year, including the Youth Sunday Worship Service held in the spring, and a summer mission work trip.

Youth Mission Trips: The MPC youth groups travel to various areas of the country to do their part in living God's Word. In recent years they have traveled to Boston, Louisville, and South Dakota. On these trips they help residents with house repairs, painting, working with kids' groups and sometimes just listening to people tell their stories. Every third year, the group travels to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the international gathering of Presbyterian youth.

If you have any questions about any of these programs contact Resident Christian Educator Joel Screnock - joel.screnocke@mpcappleton.org