August 18, 2024
Our church and school phone system is not working! We apologize to any who have been trying to reach out to us unsuccessfully. As we work to get the system back up, please communicate with us:
1) Directly: by stopping in at the office (Mon.-Fri. 8am - 3:30pm).
2) Via email: church@mtolivelutheran.org, school@mtolivelutheran.org , Luke.Ulrich@mtolivelutheran.org, or Andrew.Soule@mtolivelutheran.org.
3) If urgent or in case of an emergency, call or text our pastors directly: Pr. Ulrich (507) 469-3017; Pr. Soule (763) 482-1488.
Baptized this past Monday, August 12: Sarah Bruekelaar. May she ever be blessed by this Sacrament.
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, August 18, are given to God’s glory in gratitude for the faculty and staff members of Mt. Olive Lutheran School.
Back to School Sunday is Sunday, August 18, with worship services at 8:30am and 10:45am. Join us for the installation/rededication of the Mt. Olive CDS faculty at the 8:30am service. Enjoy coffee and refreshments after both services as we get to know new school families. College students: check the narthex table for a free gift!
Bethany’s STORM club (Serving Through Outreach, Relief, and Missions) is looking for donations of box cake mixes, frosting, candles, balloons, and birthday cards for an event to make birthday bags! The bags will be donated to local food shelves and distributed to children on their birthdays. Please put donations in the box in the narthex; contact Ellie Sorensen at esorensen@blc.edu or (507) 508-7177 with any questions. Donations are needed by Sunday, August 18.
Attention students, ages 12 & up: Interested in solving Rubic’s Cube? Join the Neonfire Cubing Club at Mt. Olive! Starting Sunday night, August 18, join fellow cubers at a group that will be meeting on the first and 3rd Sundays of each month from 7-8pm in the Youth Room. Learn all the ways to solve all of the different cubes and compete against fellow cubers in friendly mini competitions. Contact either Owen Saidler (saidler.owen@gmail.com), Sophia Ulrich (sophia.ulrich@mtolivelutheran.org) ,or Ben Faugstad (benjamin.faugstad@blc.edu) for more information.
Parents of 7th and 8th grade students: you should have received a letter this past week regarding the start of confirmation classes this fall. Please contact the church office if you did not receive this letter. Thank you.
Mt. Olive is hosting a school supply drive to benefit The REACH, a drop-in center for homeless/at risk youth in the Mankato area, from August 1-20. Check the poster on the display in the narthex hallway or the August issue of the Olive Press for more information. Place your donations in the boxes in the youth room hallway.
On Sunday, August 25, our 2nd service will be at at 10:45am on the west lawn. Then, enjoy a picnic! Hamburgers, hotdogs, and beverages will be provided—please bring a side dish to share. Live music by the Thru Line Quartet and a bounce house for the children will be available. Help us celebrate the successful first year of the “Year of Jubilee” debt reduction campaign and kick off Year #2 of the “Year of Jubilee!”
The Travis James Gustavson Foundation is sponsoring a National Fentanyl Poisoning and Substance Overdose Awareness and Prevention Day event on Sunday, August 25, at the Ray Erlandson Park in Mankato, from noon to 3pm. Enjoy the speakers and check out the informational tables. For more information, go to fentanyl-poisoning-and-overdose-prevention-day or check the poster on the Community Bulletin Board in the Social Hall.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School’s 2024-25 Opening Service is Sunday, August 25, at 2pm. The service will include dedication of the new fieldhouse and science classrooms; installation of our new teachers Elijah Dorn and Noah Ungemach; and recognition of the 40th teaching anniversary of Rollin Timm. Explore our new facilities, enjoy refreshments, meet the new teachers, and thank Mr. Timm for his faithful service.
The Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study will resume on August 27 at 9am in the church narthex.
Calling All Charger Fans! Join us for “Pack the Stands Night” on Tuesday, August 27, when MVL will hold its FIRST athletic event in the new Storm Activities Center. The MVL girls volleyball team will be hosting Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s for a non-conference game. Visit the “Go Big Blue” booth for Charger swag, sign up to win some amazing door prizes, and enjoy other fun antics during the Varsity game. There will be three games with C team beginning at 4:30pm, JV at 5:45 pm, and Varsity at 7pm. Visit: https://mvl.rschoolteams.com/ for the full MVL activity calendar.
Mt. Olive’s Adult Choir will hold its first rehearsal on Wednesday, September 4, at 7pm in the church sanctuary. Come and share your voice—new members are always welcome! Questions? Contact Choir Director Phil Matzke at 1234matzke@gmail.com.
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. A sign-up sheet for Saturday, September 7, is available on the narthex table. Sign up or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 if you can help.
Mt. Olive Student Tuition Assistance Funding: Through the generous donations of many supporters, Mt. Olive Lutheran School has been able to offer a tuition assistance program for families with financial needs. This year, requests for assistance have surpassed the funding available. If you would like to contribute towards this fund in order to help those school families in need, please consider making a special contribution towards this fund. If you have any questions, please see or call Principal Springer.
Head Softball Coach Needed: MVL is looking for a head softball coach for the 2025 softball season. For more information, contact Craig Morgan at cmorgan@mvlhs.org.
Could you help coach soccer? Mt. Olive Lutheran School is looking for a volunteer assistant coach for our 7th and 8th grade soccer program for the fall season. Times would be determined by when coaches are available. The team will practice 2 nights a week. We play matches during the week, usually on practice nights. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Mr. Zibrowski at mrz@mtolivelutheran.org. Thank you.
“On the Mount of Olives” podcast update: First, airing on August 23, is an episode with ELS Seminary President Tim Hartwig and Dr. Tim Schmeling where we discuss the pastoral ministry and the seminary. And then, on September 1, is an episode with BLC Professor and Mt. Olive member, Pete Bloedel, talking about theater, the arts and the Christian life. So, be sure to tune in. The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple.
Bethany Lutheran College has the following positions available: Adjunct Faculty – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (part-time); Assistant/Associate Professor – Nursing (full-time); and Visual Communication and Social Media Specialist (full-time). Learn more at blc.edu/campus-life/human-resources/bethany-jobs/.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 198; 10am, 194; Monday: 39/31
Live Online Viewing: Sunday (8:30am): 17
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: Ross & Betsy Hermanson, Marge Lillo
Offering Counters: Seth Tweit, Keith Anderson
Altar Guild: Elyse Haugen, Jody Tenold
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $10,345.55
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $125.00
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total as of (July 1-August 8): $10,050.62
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 7/31/2024: $3,439.47
Romans 12: 1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your appropriate worship.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement