Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By David Fanelli Serving at  Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church  has become a cornerstone of my life, primarily because I’ve come to realize that my most valuable resource isn’t something I can buy—it’s my  time . I choose to invest that time back into our community because I believe we are at our best when we are lifting one another up. For me, making life a little easier for someone else isn’t just a nice gesture; it is

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Barb Daanen When I was a young girl, I used to wait in anticipation for my parents to host “Bridge Night”. Anticipation that built…not only because my sister and I would sometimes sneak into the hallway to listen to the banter of bidding and jolly laughter that came from the four card tables in the living room…but also because all the best of my parents’ glasses, snack dishes, and hors-d’oeuvres platters would need

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Pastor Nathan Pratt As we flow through the rhythms of the liturgical year, you may notice our voices shifting with the seasons. Just as we flow through the various colors of the different seasons, we also flow through our use of the creeds in worship. During the reflective season of Lent, we turn to the Apostles’ Creed, the ancient baptismal confession of Christ’s followers. It is fitting for a season of baptismal

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Karen Magee Music has always been an integral part of worship for me, and I’ve sung in church choirs for most of my life, beginning as a child. However, when I came to Mount Pleasant in 1989, I was delighted (and a little surprised) to be invited to join the Senior Bell Choir. This was a whole new musical endeavor for me and I must admit, I was pretty terrified of leaping into it. But I did, anyway. Now, well over

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Rita Lewis I think that the world is made up of either “numbers people” or “language people”. I put myself in the latter category, so I find it a little surprising that I am a part of a team of counters at MPLC. Years ago I must have said, “I have a little extra time on my hands; is there a job that needs to be done?” I’m sure that I didn’t claim to be great at balancing my checkbook or anything, but here I am, a c

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Lynne Besaw I would like to share my experience with the Pleasant Visitors ministry, which provides monthly visits and communion to homebound members of MPLC. I have been a Pleasant Visitor for about four years, visiting a friend I have known for many years. I began visiting her when she could no longer attend church. This ministry is about providing a listening ear, sharing church news, and sharing communion. My f

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Paul Pruessing Music has been an integral part of my life and spiritual expression throughout my conscience memory. I recall listening to my mom’s ragtime piano, my aunt’s accordion, my sister’s practicing, and holiday sing-a-longs. Hymns in church were sung and the process encouraged reading skills. In the late ‘60s my sister and I participated in youth services with very non-traditional music. I was weaned on Cor

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By John Berge For most of my adult life, I have been opposed to (and appalled by) the excessive use of single-use, disposable items such as the thin plastic bags that every store seems to have adopted. I bring reusable bags to the grocery store — not only the large tote bags, but the small ones from the produce section. I bring reusable metal flatware to picnics to avoid those plastic ones that are usually thrown away

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Linda Lehrmann "How to Fight Racism" by Jemar Tisby—A Book Study It is easy for me to “talk the talk”, but much more difficult for me to “walk the walk”. What would Jesus want me to do? What is required of me as a Christian? These questions are discomforting. So when the opportunity to co-lead a book study on racism presented itself, I had some trepidation. Racism is a highly charged topic. Would anyone even s

Sharing the stories of how MPLC folks practice their faith By Kirsten Graves I remember years ago when Holly Hess pitched the idea of Open Table. She told of a time that she was serving a meal at the Hospitality Center when the gravy on the plate mixed with the juice from fruit cocktail. She said it was gross and that no one deserved to be served a meal like that. She wanted to start a free, restaurant-style community meal where we would serve our guests a meal that we would

Sharing the stories of MPLC folks who practice their faith in various ways by Carol Hogue Each time I prepare for the baking .of communion bread I am reminded of the precious gift we receive. A circular loaf reminds me of the unending love and forgiveness each person who partakes of this gift receives. I continue by cutting a cross in the top of each loaf to remind us that this is a gift for all from Christ for us. When the bread bakes the cross stands out. Now in the church