January 5, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, January 5, are given to God’s glory in thankfulness for the blessings He continues to bestow upon us.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Easton (grandson of Jack & Elaine Krech); Owen Saidler; Katie Tweit; Darci Matzke; Lorena Merseth; Claudia Eisberg; Mercedes Hansen; Ruth Faye; the Evelyn Kietzer family; the Jody Lieske family; the Kenneth Bode family; and the Dorothy Jensen family.
The Year of Jubilee “Match Challenge” Update! A big thank you to all those who donated to the Year of Jubilee Match Challenge that ran from late November to December 31st. The goal of $30,000 was achieved, as we ended the campaign with about $33,000 collected over that time period. Thanks be to God! Thank you also to the generous donor who provided the $30,000 match. We are now about $150,000 short of reaching our goal of $250,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year (ends 6/30/25). Donations typically come in the form of cash or stocks, but if you have a different type of donation you’re wondering about, please contact Greg Costello or Bob Fosburgh for further discussion.
Jody Lieske passed away on December 28th. His funeral will be held Wednesday, January 8th, at 1pm at Mount Olive.
Dorothy Jensen passed away on December 31st. Her funeral will be held Saturday, January 11th, at 1pm at Mount Olive.
Baptized December 30: Henry Javier Maas, born April 26, 2024 to Justin and Ashley Maas. Henry’s sponsors are Nicholas Lehne and Silvia Gil.
Baptized on Sunday January 5: Delaney Rose Lewison, born December 27, 2024 to Bridget and Nicholas Lewison. Delaney’s sponsor is Bryn Brown.
Sunday Adult Bible Study on January 5th will be led by Pastor John Petersen. He will be giving an update on the Synod Board for World Outreach.
Wednesday Adult Bible Study resumes Wednesday, January 8th. Pastor John Petersen will be reviewing the essay given by James M. Braun at last Summer’s Synod Convention. The essay is entitled Walk Circumspectly in the World God So Loves. All are invited to join us on Wednesdays at 9am in the sanctuary.
Men’s Breakfast & Study: Dear hearty Lutheran men, come join us for a Men's Breakfast and Bible Study on January 11 from 8:30-10:00am. Pastor Soule will be giving a Bible Study entitled "Biblical Worship: Why We Lutherans Use the Historic Liturgy." So, manly men, what better things do you have to do on a Saturday morning than eat bacon and study God's Word???
Altar Guild Christmas Tree Undecorating has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 11, beginning at 9am in the Sanctuary.
Join us for a 4-Part Bible Study: The Maker of Heaven & Earth - His Attributes Are Clearly Seen led by BLC Professor Rev. Dr. Doyle Holbird; Sundays from January 12 to February 2 in Mount Olive’s social hall @ 9:45am. What are the differences between the theory of evolution and what the Bible teaches? We will examine the evidence given for evolution and consider alternative explanations. We will also evaluate the scientific evidence for creation.
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.
Boxes of 2025 Offering Envelopes are now available on a table in the old narthex area. The 2025 offering envelope order was placed based on individuals who were using them in 2024. Please look for the box with your name on it as your number might have changed. To avoid confusion in applying your contributions, please use only 2025 envelopes in 2025. Thank you. If you would like to have a box of offering envelopes and did not see them on the table, please let the church office know.
ECHO Food Shelf: Mount Olive donated 26 pounds of food to the ECHO Food Shelf during the month of December.
Save the Date Saturday & Sunday, February 8th & 9th: We will kick off the special workshop called “Everyone Outreach.” Don’t worry—we will make sure everyone is home with plenty of time to watch the Super Bowl on February 9th. If you would like to learn more about the Everyone Outreach program, please visit everyoneoutreach.com.
Get ready for a new season of “On the Mount of Olives,” which will air February 1. We’re going to be changing some things up, including our format to bring you more in depth episodes with even more content. We can’t thank our producer Alex Gutzke enough for his work on this. It’s going to be awesome! In the meantime, catch up on our previous episodes (1-12) if you haven’t listened to them yet.
Attention Crafters: The Cancer Center is running low on chemo hats. This is a great opportunity for you crafters in need of something to do!
Installation of Pastor Stephen Kuehl: Monday, January 6, at 2:26pm at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. Pastor Kuehl will be installed as a teacher at MVL. Light refreshments will be available following the Installation.
Mount Olive’s MVL Congregation Night is Friday, January 10. Watch the Minnesota Valley Lutheran Boys Basketball Team play Maple River Schools. Get your free tickets in the office now. First Come, First Serve.
Bus Drivers Needed at MVL: Current openings include both AM and PM route drivers and extracurricular activity drivers. We provide paid training and all expenses in getting your School Bus Drivers License. Apply today and join us in providing outstanding service to the families of MVL. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to Ray Vulcan, Palmer Bus Service MVL Site Manager at 507-995-5387.
Bethany’s Winter Musical: The Pirates of Penzance will run January 31, February 1, 2, 7, 8. To purchase tickets, please visit blc.edu/boxoffice online or stop by the box office desk in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center between 1-4pm, M-F. The box office opens January 6th.
Art Exibit at the YFAC Gallery: The art of local artist, Andrew Judkins, will be on exhibit in the YFAC Gallery January 6-24 with the Gallery Reception held January 8 at 7pm. The exhibit is entitled “A Gathering of Waters'“ and features landscapes showcasing the beauty of God’s creation in our own region.
The Chamber Orchestra will perform at Trinity Chapel (during chapel) at 10:00am on Friday, January 24th.
___________________________________________________________________________
LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 250; 10:45am, 163; Monday: 30
New Years’ Eve: 6:30pm, 114/94
Live Online Viewing: Sunday (8:30am): 25
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service—Steve & Lois Jaeger, Joe & Connie Meyer 2nd Service—Rachel Ulrich & Family, Bill & Sherri Bukowski Offering Counters: Steve Lussky, Jon Pfeffer Altar Guild: Joni Bode, Connie Meyer, Vivian Smith
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $54,347.76
Year of Jubilee Match Challenge Given Last Week: $22,760.79
Year of Jubilee Match Challenge Total (November 24-December 31): $33,144.55
The $30,000 Match Challenge was met!
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