October 6, 2024
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, October 6, are given to God’s glory by Phyllis Kenning and by Caroline Lee in memory of her father, Sig Lee, on what would have been his 98th birthday.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our last church service): Claudia Eisberg; Elyse Parsons; John Sehloff; Marsha Natvig; Gideon Franson; Solomon Faugstad; Ben Faugstad; Owen Saidler; Duane Pansegrau; Christopher Pettman; and Kathy Schuch
An additional worship service with Holy Communion is now available on Tuesday mornings at 7am. It’s a shortened Matins service, running about 30 minutes. Join us before the busy day of work and school and be refreshed with the Savior’s help and forgiveness.
Connect Groups: A new season of Connect Groups will be starting up during the week of October 6. This is a great way for you to connect with people from church and make some new friends outside of Sunday mornings! Our Connect Group hosts this time around are Bill Bukowski, Mark & Vivian Smith, and Pastor David & Jenna Thompson. Sign-up sheets are on the narthex table. Listed below are study questions based on the October 6 sermon: Isaiah 44:21-23 “God does not forget us, but he does forget our sins, for Jesus’ sake.” 1) Why is it such a great comfort to know that God forgets our sins, but never forgets us? 2) Why can we Christians tell people that their sins are forgiven if they repent of them? Hint: Does this forgiveness depend in any way on us or on the person asking for forgiveness? 3) What is private Confession and Absolution? Why might we make use of this if we are troubled by our sins?
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 October 10, October 17, and October 24. See the poster on the church bulletin board in the narthex for more information.
The Norseland/Peace/Youth (Ages 12+) Hayride is Sunday, October 13, from 3:30pm to sunset, at the Oren & Julie Olson farm (44727 380th St., Nicollet). There will be a hayride, bonfire, food, lawn games, and a devotion. Cost: $3/person (to cover food). More information on carpooling will be coming.
Have you joined Mt. Olive within the last six months? Sunday, October 13, will be our next New Member Reception Sunday. 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, May 5, please attend the 8:30am service on October 13.
The Altar Guild’s Annual Meeting is Thursday, October 17, at 7pm in the Social Hall. We encourage anyone interested in joining the Altar Guild to attend.
Mt. Olive’s Annual Backyard Bonfire is Saturday, October 19, from 6-8pm. Enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, hot dogs, and yard games. Live music will be provided by Beret Finken. Bring your lawn chairs.
Upcoming Informational Meeting: All are welcome to join us on Sunday, October 20, at 9:40am in the church Social Hall for our fall congregation informational meeting. Get an update from our Boards and Committees about how things are going at Mt. Olive!
Footnotes Trauma Foundation is hosting “Diving Into Hope, Helping People Heal - A Fundraiser for Trauma Survivors” on Thursday, October 24, at Old Main Village in Mankato. Registration begins at 5:30pm, followed by a meal at 6pm. There will be live music by the Divers and stories of hope and healing from trauma survivors. See the poster on the community bulletin board in the Social Hall for additional information about the event. You can also learn more and purchase tickets ($50/person) at footnotesfoundation.org/diving-into-hope, or email us at contact@footnotesfoundation.org.
The Sanctify the Arts--Altarpiece Dedication Service will be Sunday, October 27, at 3pm. Join us as we dedicate the new altarpiece and give thanks to God for the talents of musicians and artists that enrich our worship life. Check the October Olive Press for more information.
Wanted in ASC: After School Care is looking for your kid-friendly, used magazines such as National Geographic, Ranger Rick, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Time Kids, etc. (not Highlight
The Charger Challenge Committee would like to say a big “thank you” to all of the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School families and friends who participated in our recent Charger Challenge Fundraiser. We could not have asked for a better turnout. Over 500 people attend the picnic and our walk up the big hill—making it the most-attended walk since the Charger Challenge was started over 9 years ago! To say the Charger Challenge was successful is a bit of an understatement…late donations have still been trickling in this past week, and we have now surpassed $59,000. We are currently at a total of $59,475.93 that will go directly to our school to help with technology and playground upgrades, fencing, outdoor speakers, athletic equipment, and secured fobbed doors throughout the school. To God Be the Glory!
The next "On the Mount of Olives Podcast" will be a conversation about Christian art, featuring Professor William Bukowski. We will also be talking about the upcoming "Art After Dark" studies at Mt. Olive and our "Sanctify the Arts" Altarpiece Dedication and Reception at the end of October. This should drop sometime in early to mid-October.
Please remember to drop off your HyVee receipts and pop can tabs in the church office. Thank you!
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College:
The Orchestra Fall Concert will be Sunday, October 6, at 4pm in Trinity Chapel. Guest Conductor Adrian Lo will participate. This event is free, and all are invited to attend! A reception will follow the performance.
"Chromophobia", an art exhibit by Laura Sonnek, will be on display in the YFAC Gallery until October 11. The Marcus C. Thomas exhibit begins October 21 and runs until November 8.
The Jazz Fall Concert performances will be on Sunday, October 20, at 3pm, and Monday, October 21, at 5pm on the Campus Green(in the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be held in the Ron Younge Gym).
Reformation Vespers Service: Bethany’s choirs will participate in this service on Thursday, October 31, at 4:30pm at Trinity Chapel. All are invited to attend!
The 56th Annual Bjarne Wollan Teigen Reformation Lectures will be held on October 31-November 1 at the YFAC, beginning at 10:30am each morning. This year’s theme is the 50th anniversary of Seminex. Speakers include LCMS President Matthew Harrison, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WELS) Professor Dr. Mark Braun, and ELS President Glenn Obenberger. Register online at blc.edu/reformation-lectures.
Job Opening: BLC is looking for a Director of Administrative Computing and Institutional Reporting. 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, 244; 10:45am, 133; Monday: 29/24; Tuesday: 19/14 Live Online Viewing: Sunday (8:30am): 21
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service—Joe & Connie Meyer, Seth & Bethany Ferkenstad 2nd Service—Dan & Joanne Maas Offering Counters: Ron Younge, Jeff Younge Altar Guild: Elli Fisher, Joni Bode
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $15,504.47 Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,836.48 Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1-October 3): $32,840.74 Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 8/31/2024: ($22,759.47)
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement