April 14, 2024
Baptized Saturday, April 13: Evelyn Sage Hartill, infant daughter of Ben Hartill and Cali Turbes, was born December 22, 2023. Sponsors are Sam Turner and Lydia Turbes.
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, April 14, are given to God’s glory by the Gullixson, Leyrer, and Soule families in loving memory of Ruth Gullixson Webber on the anniversary of her birthday. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
The Spring PTF Large Group Meeting is Wednesday, April 17, at 6:30pm.
Mt. Olive’s Annual Church Clean-up Day is Saturday, April 20, from 8am-12pm. We will clean the inside (sanctuary, narthex, social hall, kitchen, etc.) and the outside grounds. In case of rain, the back-up date for the outside work will be Saturday, April 27.
Upcoming Informational Meeting: All are welcome to join us on Sunday, April 21, at 9:40am, in the church Social Hall for our spring congregational informational meeting. Get an update from our Boards and Committees about how things at Mt. Olive are going!
JUST ADDED: Special Voters’ Meeting, Sunday, April 21, at noon. An email was sent out this past Thursday informing Voting Members of this meeting. This meeting has been called by a petition submitted by voting members seeking clearer information and requesting another vote on the updates to our chancel area and the addition of artwork on the wall behind the altar. For more information, please see the email OR find hard copies of the letter and items under consideration on the counter in the church office. If you have questions or concerns, please speak with our congregational Chairman, Adam Saidler, or another member of our Church Council. Please let the church office know if you did not receive the email.
Kristen Lukasek has accepted the 1-year call to serve as a part-time teacher in our departmentalized upper grade classes at Mt. Olive Lutheran School. Her letter of acceptance is on the narthex bulletin board.
Kiwanis Christmas Lights Update: Mt. Olive received a thank-you note and a check for $1,058.00 for helping with the Kiwanis Lights display last December. The note is posted on the narthex bulletin board.
Volunteer Softball Coach(es) Needed: Mt. Olive Lutheran School needs volunteer coaches for our Grades 7 & 8 co-ed softball program for this spring softball season. Practices could begin as early as 3:15 at Washington on Tuesdays and Fridays; times would be determined by when coaches are available. Practices are held at the softball field behind Washington Grade School. Coaches are responsible for pitching to their team during the games. We have one tournament on Thursday, May 16 at Caswell Park beginning at 9:00. We also try to get some games at MVL before the tournament if the two softball fields are available. Contact Mr. Zibrowski at mrz@mtolivelutheran.org for more information. Thank you.
Softball Umpires needed: Mt. Olive Lutheran School is sponsoring a grade school co-ed softball tournament on Thursday, May 16, 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 are able to help out on this day (all day or partial), contact Mr. Zibrowski by calling the school office at 345-7927 or emailing him at mrz@mtolivelutheran.org.
Needed: Vacation Bible School Coordinator for our VBS event on July 1-3. Contact Lance Johnson at 507-720-2139 or lgustavj77@gmail.com if you are interested.
Attention High School-Aged Youth (confirmed or completed 8th grade):
1. The Lutheran Youth Honor Choir is at Bethany Lutheran College from June 15-19. Register by June 1 at els.org/honorchoir. Cost: $225.
2. The LYA National Youth Convention in Chicago from July 25-28. Register at els.org/LYA. Cost: $300 until June 1, and $350 after June 1 until July 1.
3. Registered LYA Attendees: Contact Lance Johnson by May 12 to receive your $100 refund for LYA.
“Year of Jubilee” Update - Thank you to everyone who contributed to the “match challenge” that ran from February 25 through April 1. We far exceeded the goal of $20,000, ending up a little over $60,000 including the match from the anonymous donor! Please continue to keep our church and school in your prayers as we seek to further reduce our debt. To God be the glory!
"On the Mount of Olives": “We've started a new podcast here at church. Join us every other week for a new episode as we sit down and have a conversation together "On the Mount of Olives," where we can encourage one another, pray for one another, and discuss a variety of things pertaining to theology and church. During your busy week, we hope you can hang out with us while doing the dishes, going for a run, or driving home from work in your car. Subscribe, follow, and tune in on Spotify!" -Pr. Soule & Pr. Ulrich
Attention MVL Choir Alumni: On Sunday, April 21, at 7pm, MVL will hold its year-end concert at MLC's Chapel of the Christ. The concert will feature the MVL A Capella Choir and Chargaliers singing our favorite tunes from this school year. Like last year, we'd love for any alumni of the choir to join us in singing "Stay With Us". If you are interested and would like more information, please reach out to Mr. Jon Hermanson at jhermanson@mvlhs.org. Music will be shared upon request. The music is also available using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLpbN9v3V3M&pp=ygUMc3RheSB3aXRoIHVz
Jeff Koepsell Retirement Reception: At the close of this school year, Jeff Koepsell will retire from the teaching ministry. Jeff has faithfully served our Lord for the past 46 years, and seventeen of those have been at MVL. MVL will recognize Jeff's service as part of the year-end concert at MLC on Sunday, April 21, at 7pm in the Chapel of the Christ. Following the concert is a reception in Jeff's honor in the basement of the chapel. If you would like to send Jeff a note of thanks or a congratulatory message, it can be addressed to Sarah Allee at MVL (sallee@mvlhs.org).
MVL’s Spring Play, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, will be performed on Friday and Saturday, April 26 & 27, at 7pm, and Sunday, April 28, at 2pm at The State Street Theater Co. in New Ulm. Tickets are $5 (K-12) and $7 for adults and may be purchased at the door.
Plan to attend Bethany’s Spring Play, Pride and Prejudice, directed by Prof. Peter Bloedel. Performances are April 14 at 2pm, April 19 at 7:30pm, and April 20 at 2 pm and 7:30pm. A “Pride and Prejudice”-themed tea party will be held at 12pm on Sunday, April 14. Tickets for the tea party will be available alongside the normal play tickets.
Upcoming Concerts:
Spring Honors Recital: Tuesday, April 16, at 7pm at Trinity Chapel. Many of the performers are known by the Mt. Olive community; check the posters on the Bethany bulletin board in the narthex hallway or on the Community bulletin board in the social hall for more details.
Full Orchestra & Concert Band: Tuesday, April 23, at 7:30pm in Trinity Chapel. The Concert Band will perform True Calling, Let the Spirit Soar, and The Empire Strikes Back. Next, the Full Orchestra will perform Romeo and Juliet Overture, the 5th movement of Beethoven's 6th symphony, and a 25 year anniversary performance of Star Wars, Episode I. Following the concert is a reception in the YFAC in celebration of the upcoming May and December graduates. If you are unable to attend the 4/23 event in person, go to https://blc.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/chapelcast/.
Outdoor Jazz Spring Concerts: Sunday, April 28, at 3pm and Monday, April 29, at 5pm on the campus green (Sigurd Lee Theater if inclement weather). The jazz band is under the first-year direction of Mr. Evan Bierer. The concert will be livestreamed and archived on Facebook.
B-Town Drumline Shows: Saturday, May 5, at 4pm and 7pm in the Sigurd Lee Theater. Twenty-four drummers take the stage for this 20-year celebration of the start of drumline at Bethany. Guests receive complimentary glow sticks and ear plugs for this high energy event. Drumline show runtime is about 50 minutes. The concert will be livestreamed and archived on Facebook.
Theatre Bible School: June 17-21, at Bethany Lutheran College. 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 at camp; registration will close on June 1. To register or find out more information about the schedule, go to https://tinyurl.com/TheatreBibleSchool.
Job Openings: BLC is taking applications for an Admissions Counselor; Assistant/Associate Professor - Communication; Director of Nursing; Head Coach - Women's Soccer; and Head Coach – Men’s & Women’s Tennis. Go to blc.edu for more details.
LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 264/176; 10:45am, 174/126; Monday: 32/26
Live Online Viewing: Sunday (8:30am): 29
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service—Steve & Lois Jaeger, Tom & Joni Bode
2nd Service—Dan & Joanne Maas, Terri Westphal
Offering Counters: Will Holt, Lance Schwartz
Altar Guild: Emily Christensen, Peggy Harstad
Media Center: David Norris
Media Center: Jerris & Mathias Barents
Media Center: John Baumann
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $16,774.44
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $519.68
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total as of Apr. 11: $222,477.29
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 3/31/2024: ($86,969)
Romans 8:32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?
Did you know you can give your offering online? Just go to www.mtolivelutheran.org and click on the link “donate online.”
Mt. Olive Worship Services on TV: Mt. Olive services are available on local cable channels 7 & 507 (Consolidated Communications) and 181 (Charter) on Wednesdays at 10am and Thursdays at 11:30am.