February 23, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, February 23, are given to God’s glory and praise.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Owen Saidler, Solomon Faugstad, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Mercedes Hansen, Ruth Faye, Pastor Mike Barlow, Mia Faugstad, Steve Beilke, Lois Jaeger, and Lenita Struck. We also prayed for Amy McCabe and Shelly Clausen as they mourn the sudden passing of their brother Randy.
Join us for the second part of a three-part Bible study of Luther’s Small Catechism, led by Pastor Soule, on Sunday, February 23, at 9:40am in the social hall; the topic is “How to use the Catechism”.
Church Library Book Sale/Fundraiser: Sunday, February 23 (note change in date), between services and after the second service. We love our new location, and many books are being checked out, read, and returned! With your donations, we can purchase even more faith-building books for you to enjoy. Please note: we will be able to accept cash or check only.
Connect Groups: A new season of Connect Groups began the week of February 3 and will run for the four weeks of February. These groups are fun and a great way to get to know your fellow congregation members outside of Sunday morning. You can still join a group; sign-up sheets are in the narthex.
In Depth Talk at Bethany: Monday, February 24 (note change in date), from 7-8pm in Meyer Hall, Room 101. Dr. Robert C. Hanna, Professor of English at BLC, will provide an introduction to Christian apologist G. K. Chesterton. Dr. Hanna teaches Bethany’s “Christian Writers” course, which includes Chesterton’s detective stories with Father Brown and Gabriel Gale. Everyone is invited to attend. .
“Ask the Pastor”: Wednesday, February 26, 6:30-8pm, in the Social Hall, hosted by the Mt. Olive School Parent/Teacher/Friends (PTF) group. Pastors Ulrich, Soule, Moldstad, & Wiechmann will answer questions submitted by our school families and congregation members. All questions need to be submitted by Monday, February 24. Go to https://tinyurl.com/AskThePastors to submit your question.
Art After Dark, a miniseries of lectures on art appreciation from a Christian perspective, by Bethany Professor Emeritus and Artist Bill Bukowski, will be held at Mt. Olive from 8-9pm on Thursday, February 27. See the poster on the church bulletin board in the narthex for more information.
Assist a Grieving Family: Our brother in Christ, Chuol Buol, and his family are grieving the death of Chuol's son, Dak, who died of complications from pneumonia on January 10 in Sioux City, IA. Dak's family is struggling to raise funds to pay off the expenses of the funeral. If you care to assist Chuol and his family in this time of grief, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-lay-dak-ngut-to-rest to give a donation that will go towards the cost of funeral and burial services. Thank you.
Mount Olive CDS 2025-2026 Enrollment is Open! Priority enrollment is now open to members of Mount Olive and Peace until February 28. Enrollment will open to the public beginning March 1.You can find the online application at mtolivelutheranschool.org/admissions. Note that there will be an enrollment deposit which is applied towards your family's tuition. If you have any questions or any difficulty with the online application, please contact the Mount Olive school office at 507-345-4966 or email school@mtolivelutheran.org.
Volunteers Needed! Mt. Olive provides volunteers at New 2 You on the first Saturday of each month to run the cash register and check out customers. Our next scheduled date is Saturday, March 1. The sign-up sheet is on the narthex table. Sign up or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 if you can help. Your time and support are much appreciated!
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School After Prom Fundraiser: Each year, a talented group of parent volunteers hosts an After Prom event. With help from generous community businesses and parents, these volunteers can present a night that is second to none in safety, fun, and entertainment. Swanny’s Pizza Pub in Courtland is helping fund this event. Go to https://payit.nelnet.net/form/myBYQ7Vb to place your pizza order. The ordering deadline is Friday, March 7. Pizzas will be available for pick-up at MVL on Sunday, March 16 from 11am to 1pm.
MVL Open House: Tuesday, March 11, at 6:30pm, for new and prospective students. See the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more information.
Camp counselors are needed for Camp Indianhead MN. This year, there are two weeks of camp: July 6-11 (high schoolers) at Lutheran Island Camp in Henning, MN, and July 13-18 (grades 5-8) at Camp Omega near Waterville, MN. Counselors are in charge of a cabin and participate in sports, games, campfires, worship, and study God's Word with campers. Counselors receive a stipend, travel reimbursement, and internship credit for some majors. If you are interested for one week or both, apply online at campindianhead.com/counselors/ or contact Pr. Stafford (sstafford@blc.edu) by April 15.
LYA National Youth Convention ’25: July 24-27 at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. Early registration is available until June 1; cost is $300. Late registration is June 2-July 1; cost is $350. Register early to ensure your top picks for classes. Check the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more details. Additional information and registration are available at www.els.org.
Jesus’ Lambs at Peace Preschool Open House: Tuesday, March 11, from 6-8 pm at 2090 Commerce Drive in North Mankato. It will be a delightful evening of face-painting, learning games, fun and food for the children. Besides registering your child for next year, it is an evening for the children to become more comfortable with our preschool environment. If you would like to register early, please call, text or leave a voice mail at 507-594-8929.
New 2 You is looking for an assistant store manager. For more information, check the job description posted on the narthex bulletin board, or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455.
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College:
Chamber Orchestra Winter Concert: Sunday, February 23, at 4pm in Trinity Chapel. The concert will highlight several viola solos and duets. All are invited to attend this free concert.
The Concert Band will perform its band tour repertoire on Tuesday, February 25, at 7pm in Trinity Chapel. The band will be on tour March 5-9 in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to the band tour pieces, the band will be joined by the Mt. Olive Lutheran School Band and their director, Mrs. Mariah Guerrero, for two pieces. This concert is free, and we invite you to attend.
Lutheran Youth Honor Choir ’25: June 14-18, on the Bethany campus. This five day camp for high school-aged youth (completed 8th grade) is an immersive study and performance in our rich Lutheran musical heritage; students will be collaborating with both current and alumni members of the Bethany Concert Choir. Registration is open from February 1 - June 1; cost: $250. Check the poster on the Bethany bulletin board in the narthex for more details. Additional information and registration are available at www.els.org.
Summer Art Camp will be held on the Bethany campus from June 16-20. There will be a morning camp for students entering grades 5-8, and an afternoon camp for students entering grades 9-12. For more information and to register, click here. You may also contact Jenna Thompson at jennathompson@blc.edu with questions. Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot for this enriching camp!
Registration for BLC 2025 summer camps is now available at blc.edu/campus-life/camps-and-community-education/.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 205/146; 10:45am, 175/110; Monday: 23/20; Tuesday: 5/5
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service— Neil & Barb Kaus, Dan & Jane Birkholz 2nd Service— Will & Lisa Holt, Dean & LuAnn Shoop Offering Counters: Andy Overn, Chris Kind Altar Guild: Jane Zibrowski, Elli Fisher
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $16,599.82
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $840.54
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2024-Feb. 20, 2025): $123,156.47
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 1/31/2025: $57,305.35
2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity;
for God loves a cheerful giver.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement