This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening fellow redeemed!

"All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Those are last words of this past Sunday's Gospel text (Mark 7:14-23). In this text, Jesus speaks about the dark, sinister hearts which defile. And, He tells this to His disciples, those who follow Him! In other words, Jesus' words of condemnation reveal the contents of our own hearts. To say it's true of others but not ourselves is to make us into Pharisees. Simply to revel in it makes us all into Gentiles.

Rather, as Jesus' words reveal His knowledge of our hearts, we come to Him in repentance: O almighty God, merciful Father, we say, seeking His mercy for the sake of Christ. The Triune God responds through His called and ordained servant, speaking to you what he's been given to say: in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ... We are called to believe that, through these words and for the sake of Christ, our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

Lord God, heavenly Father, my heart is dark with evil and wickedness. I have no good apart from You. For the sake of my Lord Jesus, forgive me and raise me up to live before You in righteousness and purity. Hear me for the sake of Jesus. Amen

Prayer Concerns:

Pastor Alston Kirk (retired from Trinity), who will be serving in Orlando, FL

Arnold Kruger, Mavis Waterman, all students who are returning to classes

Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Burt and Doris Nelson, Walter and Pearly Theiss

Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell), Pastor Dale Brynestad (Austin, TX)

Our nation, the President of the United States, the Governor of Texas, and all in authority

Our Sunday School teachers

This Week at Mt. Olive

Jr. Confirmation begins this week on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Adult Information continues at a new time: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Why Does It Matter group will shift to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Barnes and Noble

I will be out of the office all day Tuesday.

Tuesday, September 4

6 p.m.

Jr. Confirmation Instruction (Overflow)

Wednesday, September 5

8:30 a.m.

School Chapel

9:30 a.m.

Bible Study (Lord's Supper)

6:30 p.m.

Adult Information

7:30 p.m. (or thereabouts)

Why Does It Matter group - Barnes and Noble

God bless!

PKJ