April 13, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, April 13, are given to God’s glory by Art & Terri Westphal in honor of the birthdays of their friends and family during the month of April.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Owen Saidler, Solomon Faugstad, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Jeanette Koberg, Pastor Mike Barlow, Teresa Dzwonkowski, Hal & Marsha Natvig, and Janet & Rhea Wassman. We also prayed for Becky Bequette and her family, as they mourn the death of Becky’s mother Cynthia Pansegrau, and for Becky’s father, Duane, who is in hospice care.
Vision 2030 Committee Updates: A flyer listing the members, purpose, scope and short-term goals of the Committee will be handed to congregation members at Mt. Olive, Peace, and Peace--Eagle Lake as they exit the sanctuary on Sunday, April 13.
Informational Meeting: All are welcome to join us on Sunday, April 13, at 9:40am, in the Social Hall for our quarterly informational meeting. The most recent information regarding the proposed Business Administrator position will be shared.
Teacher Call Received: Mr. Jake Beilke, the 4th grade teacher at Mt. Olive Lutheran School, has received a divine call to serve as principal and upper grade teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Nicollet, MN. Please keep Mr. Beilke and his family in your prayers during this time of deliberation. A copy of Mr. Beilke’s letter indicating official acknowledgment of the call is posted on the narthex bulletin board.
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 Tuesday, April 15.
The Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG) provides Christ-centered support to WELS and ELS military service members, veterans, and their families. LMSG is hosting a 10-year anniversary celebration at Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, May 3. Worship is at 10am, followed by a ceremony at 11am and lunch at 12pm. If you are planning on attending the lunch, please RSVP by Thursday, April 17, at lutheranmilitary.org/anniversary. Check the poster on the BLC bulletin board in the narthex for more information; you can also RSVP for the lunch using the QR code on the poster.
Join us for a baby drive, from April 1-20, to benefit Options for Women. Diapers (up to size 5), formula, and pacifiers are being collected; donations can be placed outside of each classroom and in boxes in the Youth Room hallway.
Mt. Olive CDS Blueprint Progress Report—Town Hall: Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. A recording will be available after the town hall. You can submit your questions in advance by going to https://tinyurl.com/BlueprintQuestions. For more information, call 507-345-7927 or email principal@mtolivelutheran.org. To read the summary report, go to https://tinyurl.com/MTOBlueprint. If you would like a printed copy of either the summary or the full report, please contact the Mt. Olive church office. Please Note: The Blueprint Schools' "Progress Report & Blueprint Plan" shares individual responses taken from surveys shared among the various stakeholders of Mt. Olive Lutheran School. These opinions and perceptions are shared by the Blueprint Schools consultants for constructive purposes as we develop plans for the future. These comments that are shared are to be understood and taken in a spirit of Christian love—for the purpose of positive improvement of our school. The guidance provided in this report by Blueprint Schools are recommendations. The voters of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School—and likewise, the voters of Peace Lutheran Church—will ultimately determine how to move forward at respective, upcoming Voters’ Meetings. Please pray that God may bless this work that has been done and that He will guide and lead our school and churches into the future!
The Bethany Auxiliary invites you to hear about the master’s degree counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College. Program Director Ben Kohls’ presentation is entitled "Faith-Informed Counselor Education." This meeting, originally scheduled for April 22, is being rescheduled; more information will be available at a later date.
Double Violin & Piano Recital: Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30 pm. Madeline Gutzke, Elisabeth Urtel, and Megan Wehrwein will be performing music by Beethoven, Kreisler, and Moszcowski. Refreshments will be provided following the recital in the Social Hall. Freewill donations will support Mt. Olive’s Year of Jubilee Fund.
Special M.O.M’s Bible Study: Thursday, April 24, 8:30-10am, at Peace Lutheran, North Mankato. Amber Albee Swenson, a WELS Christian author and podcast host on the WELS’s program “Time of Grace,” will be speaking on the topic “Seeking Jesus in a Noisy World.” All moms are invited to attend; if you need more information, contact Heidi Graham at heidijennifergraham@gmail.com.
Softball Umpires Needed: Mt. Olive Lutheran School sponsors a grade school co-ed softball tournament on Tuesday, May 13, at Caswell Park. Games begin at 8:30am and finish around 3:30pm. We are looking for volunteers (or paid individuals) for umping. Umps do not need to worry about balls and strikes, since they just call the bases. Each batter gets 4 pitches to attempt to get a hit. Batters may still strike out. Umps will need to know the basic softball rules. If you can help on this day (all day or partial), please contact Mr. Zibrowski by calling the school office at 345-7927 or by emailing Mr. Zibrowski at mrz@mtolivelutheran.org.
Theatre Bible School: June 16-20, on the Bethany campus, hosted by Mt. Olive. Registration is open to students entering 3rd-8th grade. There is a $40 registration fee (with family discount options) to cover costs of food, costumes, and props, as well as to help compensate directors for taking time out of their work week. Payment will be collected upon arrival of the students; registration closes on June 1. To register or find out more information about the schedule, go to https://forms.gle/CiXNFQyViMmSHTcLA
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/LYA. There may still be seats available on the bus for youth looking to travel with our group; if interested, speak with Pastor Ulrich.
Save the Date: Vacation Bible School at Mt. Olive will be held on June 30-July 2.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Updates
Sign-up for MVL’s Summer Camps is now available at MVL.org. The registration deadline is April 25.
MVL’s After-Prom Event is Saturday, April 26, at the New Ulm Rec Center. This event gives our students a safe space to celebrate after their big night. MVL’s Junior parents are reaching out for donations to help cover costs like venue rentals, food, and entertainment. You can donate by going to this link online: https://gofund.me/05027fd3. Donation checks can also be made out to the MVL After-Prom Committee and mailed to MVL. Thank you for considering our request and for your ongoing support of our students!
MVL’s Drama Department presents the musical “Newsies” on May 2 and 3 at 7pm and May 4 at 2pm at the MVL Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door; adults: $7, students: $5.
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College
Capstone Exhibit: The Graphic Design Capstone exhibit, "Let Us Cook", runs through April 15 at the YFAC.
Performances of the Spring Play “As You Like It” are April 4-6 and 11-12. 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. There is also a special Poetry Picnic between shows on Saturday, April 12, to celebrate the writing contest that ran in conjunction with the show.
Please plan to attend the Music events happening in April:
April 15: Spring Honors Recital - Trinity Chapel, 7pm
April 24: Spring Choirs Concert (Concert Choir, Mary Martha Singers, Handbell Choir) - Trinity Chapel, 7pm
April 27: Jazz Band Spring Concert - Campus Green, 3pm (Ron Younge Gym if raining)
April 29: Concert Band and Full Orchestra Spring Concert - Trinity Chapel, 7:30pm
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 until 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 https://els.org/2025-els-honor-choir-registration/.
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’s 2025 summer camps is now available at blc.edu/campus-life/camps-and-community-education/.
BLC is taking applications for the following positions: Assistant/Associate Professor – Biology; Assistant/Associate Professor – Nursing; Adjunct Faculty – Nursing; Residence Hall Coordinator – Larson Hall. 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, 301/231; 10:45am, 159/123; Monday: 21/16; Tuesday: 20/16
Wednesday: 203
Live Online Viewing, Sunday (8:30am): 29
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service — Tom & Joni Bode, Craig & Lisa Brown 2nd Service — Terri Westphal, Dan & Joanne Maas Offering Counters: Lisa Holt, Brenda Garbers, Connie Meyer Altar Guild: Lyn Merseth, Krista Petzel
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $19,470.19
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,132.16
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2024-April 10, 2025): $141,503.30
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 3/31/2025: $37,133.73
Romans 8:31-32: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement