Memorial Presbyterian Church

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Memorial Presbyterian Church MPC is a Christ-centered community of believers - A "House of Prayer for All People" in Midland (MI)

Tuesday Talk by the Rev. Wally Mayton:Welcoming the AlternativeI understand that the time will come. I shall have to emb...
10/27/2026

Tuesday Talk by the Rev. Wally Mayton:
Welcoming the Alternative

I understand that the time will come. I shall have to embrace the arrival and entrenchment of the Uber generation. Because the use of Uber requires technology, I acknowledge my hesitation and doubt. It has yet to become a wise alternative for me in spite of its benefits.

On recent weekend excursions involving air travel, I have chosen the traditional rental car contract. The choice includes shopping for a reasonable vehicle at a reasonable price. I make reservations with assurance. On the most recent travel occasion, my flight schedule had a late-night arrival. True to my expectations, I found an empty, dark terminal with all signs of commerce terminated. With the long walk to the parking garage, I realized my readiness for rest. Finding the appropriate rental counter, I was immediately greeted with the proclamation, “We only have one vehicle remaining, and . . . it is a pick-up truck.” My reply, “You have got to be kidding.”

On Sunday as I arrived for worship, I immediately grasped the historical moment of our faith. October 25 was Reformation Sunday. Martin Luther, with his 95 theses, had no intention to depart from the Church. His desire to reform resulted in an immediate alternative. He had to begin anew.

Many times, we face the need to embrace alternatives. Jesus certainly entered into a ministry characterized by adventure as well as purpose. In the midst of traditional expectations, there was his opportunity to learn and to experience newness.

I drove the truck. It was humbling. There is coincidence. Reformation Sunday landed on the date of my ordination into pastoral ministry. I began a journey that has been filled with alternatives to what I expected. And, I hope I have been faithful in following Jesus even when I have questioned, “You have got to be kidding.”

Prayer: Lead me onward on the journey I call faith. Fill me with trust. Calm my anxiety. Awaken me to what is new. Fulfill my call to serve. Amen.

Photo: The rental agent advised, “It is diesel powered, and you will have to use the grab bar to lift yourself into the truck.”

Helping Others to Soar at Eagle VillageJim Borin (pictured) grew up in South Dakota and attended First Presbyterian Chur...
10/26/2026

Helping Others to Soar at Eagle Village

Jim Borin (pictured) grew up in South Dakota and attended First Presbyterian Church in Avon with his mother, grandfather, and sister. He says, “I can’t remember not going to church and Sunday School.” He earned a degree in chemistry and moved to Midland with Diane, his high school sweetheart, soulmate, and wife. They had chosen MPC first because it was a Presbyterian church and second, as Jim says, “Because of the many friendly faces and a choir that Diane was very interested in joining.” Their daughters grew up here, and their grandchildren attended Vacation Bible School with Diane. After over 30 years, he retired from The Dow Chemical Company. Diane passed away last year. He enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, traveling, and volunteering.

Congratulations to Jim and Eagle Village upon receiving the 2026 Wallace H. Mayton III Neighboring Award. Since 1968, Eagle Village in Hershey, Michigan, has worked with trauma-impacted youth and families through specialized camps and retreats for growth opportunities, residential services, foster care and adoption completions, independent living for older teens, Children’s Advocacy Center services, comprehensive trauma assessments, and day treatments, all while emphasizing God’s help and love. Jim has been involved with Eagle Village for nearly 30 years. He has served on and chaired the Operating Board, and he is currently the Foundation Board chair.

Jim says the impact of volunteering at Eagle Village has made him, “Eternally grateful and know how blessed I was to grow up in a loving, caring family. As a result, I am very dedicated to Eagle Village which serves those kids who were not as blessed.” He was very surprised by the recent announcement and shares, “The meaning of the Mayton Award is a nice recognition, but much more importantly is to expose even more people to the mission and good work that happens at Eagle Village. It gives me a chance to thank the members of MPC for the long-term support and encouragement they have provided to Eagle Village. And wow! That check for $10,000 is amazing and will do so much to help the kids.”

Eagle Village

10/25/2026

October 25, 2026 Contemporary Service at Memorial Presbyterian Church

Congratulations to our Crocktober Fest winners of the People’s Choice Award!1st Place Sweet Chili by Mark Waddington2nd ...
10/23/2026

Congratulations to our Crocktober Fest winners of the People’s Choice Award!

1st Place Sweet Chili by Mark Waddington

2nd Place Chicken Ranch Sliders by Tracy Perry

3rd Place Angel Chicken by Wendy Lewis

THANK YOU to all 18 entrants for providing delicious dishes! THANK YOU for sampling and voting! THANK YOU to the Connecting People to People team for hosting this event!

News from the MPC Library BoardCheck out our new arrivals!New NonfictionThe Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and P...
10/21/2026

News from the MPC Library Board

Check out our new arrivals!

New Nonfiction
The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose by Martha Raddatz
Witness to Belief: Conversations of Faith and Meaning by Russell J. Levenson
A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = PurposeFULL Life by Opal Lee
Unbreakable Courage by Max Lucado
A Hard Freedom: The Dreams & Trauma of North Korean Refugees by Dan Chung & Mike Kim

New Fiction
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
Frank and Red by Matt Coyne
A Life So True by Tracie Peterson
Happier With You Here by Ay Gail Hansen
The Big Cats Dance Party No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Ladies Hall: A Novel of Three Women Who Refused to Be Silent by Vanessa Miller

The self-checkout Greenhouse Library and Rainbow Children’s Library are open when the church is open.

Tuesday Talk by the Rev. Wally Mayton:Blessed are the ResilientAlthough Jesus chooses not to use resilience as a named a...
10/20/2026

Tuesday Talk by the Rev. Wally Mayton:
Blessed are the Resilient

Although Jesus chooses not to use resilience as a named attribute of discipleship in his Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes imply a quality of endurance in the face of persecution or distress. The Apostle Paul writes to the church and takes a clear stand on the need for what he calls spiritual armor. The armor of God consists of our knowledge of God, our practice of service, and our hearts of trust in the Lord.

Our seasons of blessedness or happiness depend on our resilience in seasons of challenge. The church as a community, in particular, owns the purpose of gathering people for the sake of comfort and strength. We seek to fortify ourselves through our worship, our outreach, and even our fellowship and recreation. We believe in the spiritual equipment that faithful preaching and teaching provide.

We are, indeed, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses among us who testify to the attribute of resilience. They are patient. They persevere. They hope. Their love never ends.

In any season of doubt, we look beyond the circumstance to claim God’s promise. One of the Apostle Paul’s graphic descriptions of the Christian life is its portrayal as a race. Often it feels like a marathon! But what is never missing is our movement toward the goal, defined as the victory we know to be true. We race toward the love of God through Jesus Christ. We pray that this love will carry us through to the finish. Blessed, or happy, are the resilient.

Prayer: As Christ lived, I ask for the Light of your love to uphold my will to serve and to love you forever. Amen.

Photo: On a recent visit to Florida’s oasis of imagination, Drew portrays a bearer of a symbolic sword and shield engaged in protection at a time demanding resilience. After all, we are a “royal priesthood.”

ACTing TogetherFormed in 2003, Agape Community Transformation (ACT) is a partnership of ACT Uganda and ACT U.S. that str...
10/19/2026

ACTing Together

Formed in 2003, Agape Community Transformation (ACT) is a partnership of ACT Uganda and ACT U.S. that strives to improve the lives of impoverished people in the Rubanda District of Uganda. MPC supports ACT’s programs in agriculture, education, health, music, and social business. Artisans in Uganda make baskets, craft beads, and sew cloth animal forms that are sent to the U.S. All profits are put back into ACT Uganda. Every time a U.S. team visits Uganda, they return with more handcrafts along with beautiful batik fabrics to be used by U.S. sewists for table runners, placemats, potholders, bags, bowl cozies, coasters, w**e bottle totes, and more.

Janis Van Hala and Mary Jane Hoshaw (pictured left to right) are two of the sewists out of about eight current helpers on the U.S. side. Janis had served as a bookkeeper for ACT for many years then transitioned to sewing about six years ago. Her specialty is making microwavable baked potato bags, which require heat-safe interfacing that isn’t readily available in Uganda. She also sews zippered pouches among other items, and she works on the stuffing and finishing of cloth giraffes, hippos, and elephants.

Mary Jane started sewing for ACT last year. ACT U.S. Director Sue Waechter taught her how to make tote bags, and Janis bought Mary Jane’s very first one. She says this gave her the confidence boost she needed to continue. She is also an inventory helper in the ACT stockroom and is very excited that for the first time, brightly colored baskets and trivets are for sale alongside the natural-hued items. Janis and Mary Jane appreciate the flexibility offered by being able to visit the stockroom to choose fabrics and then sew at home at their own pace. They encourage others to volunteer for this combined effort that helps the Ugandan people – and to shop too! MPC hosted a handcraft sale yesterday during Crocktober Fest in Mayton Hall. At www.actuganda.org, you can shop online, get information on becoming a volunteer sewist, and see many ways to offer your support to ACT.

10/18/2026

October 18, 2026 Traditional Service at Memorial Presbyterian Church

10/18/2026

October 18, 2026 Contemporary Service at Memorial Presbyterian Church

Address

1310 Ashman Street
Midland, MI
48640

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 7am - 7pm

Telephone

+19898356759

Website

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