March 16, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, March 16, are given to God’s glory by Hal Natvig in loving memory of Marilyn Georgine Natvig Thomas (born 2-17-30, deceased 1-14-25), daughter of Alvin & Hildred Brandvold Natvig, charter members of BLC Staff Bethany congregation/Mt. Olive.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Owen Saidler, Solomon Faugstad, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Ruth Faye, Pastor Mike Barlow, Jeanette Koberg; and Janet & Rhea Wassman. We also prayed for ELS Pastor Micah & Claudia Ernst who recently lost their home and possessions in a fire.
New Member Welcome & Reception: Sunday, March 16. New members will be formally accepted and welcomed at the 8:30am service. Between services, join us for a New Member Reception event in the Social Hall. Also, if you joined Mt. Olive within the last year but weren’t able to attend the previous New Member Reception on Sunday, October 13, 2024, please attend the 8:30am service on March 16.
I:55 Book Fair: Sunday, March 16, is the final day of this year’s book fair. The Fair is located in the school gymnasium and is open from 9:30am – 12:15pm.
The Tuesday morning Bible Study will be meeting at 8:30am on March 18.
Our next Lenten service is Wednesday, March 19. Our Lenten Series “God on Trial” continues with a meal starting at 5pm, followed by worship at 6:30pm. Pastor Jonathan Bourman will be preaching on John 18:33-40, with a message entitled “Truth”.
Is your group or organization interested in sponsoring one of the Lenten meals? March 19 and April 9 are still available. Sign up on the calendar in the church office.
Upcoming BIC Class: We'll be starting up a new Bible Information Class (BIC) on Sunday, March 30, at 9:40am (location-TBD). If you have friends, family members or neighbors who are interested in joining our church, or simply wanting to learn more about the Christian faith, invite them to join us and come along with them to support them if you're able. It is great review of the faith for everyone!
Easter Flower Baskets: If you would like to contribute towards Easter flower basket arrangements, please use the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex. Suggested donation is $25; however, any amount is acceptable. Insert checks made payable to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church into the provided envelope and place it in the church office Flower Box. Last day to order is Sunday, April 6.
Attention all brass players: The Mt. Olive Brass Band will be playing for the Easter Sunrise service. If you are interested in playing, please contact Hannah Zibrowski at 507-720-2095 or by email at hzibrowski@gmail.com.
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 oversee 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. An email was sent this past week to the families of high school students—to participate in the group travel, you must sign up by March 21.
MVL’s Jeans and Dreams Booster Club Auction: April 5, at the Historic Turner Hall in New Ulm. Doors open at 5:30pm. Funds raised benefit fine arts, athletics, and academic teams at MVL. If you wish to donate an item (new & unopened), themed-basket, experience, baked goods, weekend vacation, fishing trip, etc. for our live auction, silent auction, or buy-it-now-table, contact Michelle Grubbs: momwde@gmail.com; Karly Kock: karlybo6@gmail.com; or Jess Ziemer: 507-779-4090. Hard deadline for donations: 3pm on Friday, March 28.
Sign-up for MVL’s Summer Camps is now available at MVL.org. The registration deadline is April 25.
Open Positions at LMSG: Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG) is seeking a part-time paid bookkeeper to manage financial transactions, contributions, and reports for the organization. Additionally, there is a volunteer opening for an LMSG Their Stories Told interviewer/writer to share the stories of WELS/ELS Military Service Members. LMSG provides Christ-centered support to WELS and ELS Military Service members, veterans, and their families. Learn more at www.lutheranmilitary.org.
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College:
Recitals: The Music Department will host a number of junior and senior recitals throughout the month of March. Please visit the BLC Events Calendar and take note of these upcoming spring semester performances.
Art Exhibit: “Working from Home,” by Eric Ouren, will run in the Gallery from March 10-28. "Working From Home" features figurative fiber sculptures created in Ouren's Kasota studio. He is an artist and luthier whose work explores using traditional materials in nontraditional ways.
Performances of the Spring Play “As You Like It” are April 4-6 and 11-12. The box office for this event opens on Monday, March 10.Tickets can be purchased by visiting blc.edu/boxoffice, calling 507-344-7374, or stopping by the YFAC Mondays-Fridays from 1-4 p.m.
Call For Entries–High School Poetry Contest: Are you a high school student with a passion for poetry or the written word? The BLC Theatre and English Departments and student publication Inkwell are joining forces and invite you to submit your original poetry or written work to our High School Poetry Contest, held in celebration of the upcoming spring production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Winning submissions will be published digitally and in the “As You Like It” playbill. Winners are also invited to a special event on Saturday, April 12, to read their works and celebrate with fellow writers and creatives, and see the show! For more information and to submit your work, visit inkwellblc.com/shakespeare-writing-challenge. Submissions are open now and will close Friday, March 21.
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: June 16-20, on the Bethany campus. 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/.
BLC is taking applications for the following positions: Housekeeping - Residence Halls (men’s); Assistant/Associate Professor - Mathematics; Adjunct Faculty – Nursing; Assistant/Associate Professor – Nursing; Residence Hall Coordinator – Larson Hall; and Residence Hall Coordinator - Edgewood Place. For more information, go to https://blc.edu/campus-life/campus-services/human-resources/bethany-jobs/.
___________________________________________________________________________
LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 198; 10:45am, 216; Monday: 48/34; Tuesday: 10/10
Wednesday: 189
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service — Tom & Joni Bode, Craig & Lisa Brown 2nd Service — Terri Westphal, Dean & LuAnn Shoop Offering Counters: Lisa Holt, Brenda Garbers, Connie Meyer Altar Guild: Lyn Merseth, Krista Petzel
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $14,248.05
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $5,774.91
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2024-March 13, 2025): $136,249.93
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 2/28/2025: $46,585.42
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