December 15, 2024
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, December 15, are given to God’s glory in thankfulness for the birth of our Savior.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our last church service): Claudia Eisberg; Jody Lieske; Bob Heidenreich; Mercedes Hansen; Mark DeGarmeaux; Tatum Busch; the Richard Zibrowski family (father of Craig Zibrowski); and the Bill Blaschko family.
Mt. Olive member Bill Blaschko passed away on November 29. The funeral service was held on Saturday, December 14, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gary, SD.
Mt. Olive member Evelyn Kietzer passed away on December 11. The funeral service will be Saturday, December 21, at 11am at Mt. Olive, with visitation beginning at 10am.
How did Jesus apply Law and Gospel during His public ministry? Join us for a Bible study on Sunday, December 15, at 9:45am in the Mt. Olive Social Hall. Prof. Shawn Stafford is presenting on the topic “Evangelism Approaches of Jesus and the Apostles.”
The Mt. Olive Lutheran School Children’s Christmas Service is Sunday, December 15, at 3pm.
The Jesus Cares Ministry Christmas Service is Tuesday, December 17, at 7pm in the Mt. Olive Social Hall.
Volunteer at Kiwanis Holiday Lights! Mt. Olive’s 6:50pm-9pm shift on December 17 needs two more volunteers; and the take-down shift on Saturday, January 4, needs four volunteers. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Contact Matt Holt at mholt@blc.edu if you have questions.
Our next Midweek Advent Service is Wednesday, December 18, with a meal served by the Board of Stewardship beginning at 5pm, and a worship service of lessons and carols at 6:30pm.
Christmas Poinsettia Baskets: If you would like to contribute towards Christmas poinsettia basket arrangements to help beautify our sanctuary this Christmas, a sign-up sheet and envelopes are available on the table in the narthex. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet if your donation is in honor or in memory of someone. Suggested donation is $15; however, any amount is acceptable. Make your check payable to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Insert your check or cash in the provided envelope and place it in the Flower Box in the church office. The last day to order is December 18.
Your help is needed! Mt. Olive Lutheran School has engaged a company called Blueprint Schools to help us conduct a review of our school program. Your responses will be used to help our school consider how it might grow and improve. All responses will be confidential. Complete the survey by Friday, December 20, using this link: https://tinyurl.com/MountOliveSurvey.
December Cocoa & Coffee Drive, December 1-22: Support the Mankato Area Connections Shelter with your donations of cocoa and coffee. A donation box is available in the Narthex.
Join us for our Special Christmas Services:
Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24
No 7am Matins Service
4:30pm, Divine Service (Preservice music by the Mt. Olive Strings at 4pm); Adult Choir
7pm, Candlelight Service
Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 25
10am, Divine Service w/Holy Communion; Mt. Olive Brass Band
New Year’s Eve
Tuesday, December 31
No 7am Matins Service
6:30pm, Divine Service w/Individual Absolution and Holy Communion
The Year of Jubilee “Match Challenge” Is Back! Great news! An anonymous member has pledged up to $30,000 for the Year of Jubilee debt reduction drive. All donations received between November 24 and December 31 for the YOJ campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $30k! Donations can be made through the offering plate or online at mtolivelutheran.org. This is a fantastic opportunity to reduce our debt by $60,000 or more by the end of 2024 and would put us closer to reaching our goal of $250k for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Please be sure to earmark your donations as “Year of Jubilee” so they can be counted for the match.
Mt. Olive Strings: Any violin, viola, cello, or double bass instrumentalists that would like to play for the Christmas Eve Service--please email Madeline Gutzke at magutzke@blc.edu.
Advent Devotions are available for adults and families on the narthex table. Take one or both, and share with family and friends.
Mt. Olive Lutheran School is seeking an individual(s) to serve as an athletic director(s), either individually or as part of a team. The current athletic director, Mr. Zibrowski, is stepping down from the AD position after the 2024-2025 school year. If you are interested, contact Principal Springer.
Save the Date: Teacher Call Meeting - Sunday, January 12, at noon in the Mt. Olive Social Hall. If anyone has names of individuals that they would like to be considered for a Divine Call as a Teacher that would be serving in next year's Kindergarten, please share that name with Board of Education Chairman, Jake Krier, or any Board of Education member.
Happening at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School:
MVL Christmas Concert: Friday, December 20, at 6:45pm in the MVL Fine Arts Center. This year's program, themed Be Near Me, Lord Jesus, will celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons with performances by the A Cappella Choir, Freshmen Choir, MVL Chargaliers, and the Symphonic Band. A freewill offering will be collected.
Installation of Pastor Stephen Kuehl: Monday, January 6, at 2:26pm. Pastor Kuehl will be installed as a teacher at MVL. Light refreshments will be available following the Installation.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 337; 10:45am, 170; Monday: 32/27; Tuesday: 19/17
Wednesday: 242
Live Online Viewing: Sunday (8:30am): 22
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service—Art & Terri Westphal, Mark & Vivian Smith 2nd Service—Emily Christensen Offering Counters: John Baumann, Jana Finken Altar Guild: Sharon Madson, Heidi Graham
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $23,315.22
Year of Jubilee Match Challenge Given Last Week: $2,679.63
Year of Jubilee Match Challenge Total (November 24-December 12): $6,378.06
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 11/30/2024: ($40,373.35)
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement