This Week at Mt. Olive

Yesterday afternoon, I was privileged to be part of the ordination service for Rev. Christopher Brynestad. Pastor Brynestad is the son, of course, of the pastor at Messiah, Pastor Brynestad. He is due to be installed in the next few weeks at a church in Decatur, AL.

It's a great celebration to observe the ordination of a pastor. Here is a fellow servant of Christ, whose duty it is to proclaim God's saving message in Christ Jesus. There are a lot of discussions these days about what ministry is and what pastors are supposed to do. Some say be visionaries, while others will say theologians. In John 20, Jesus gave the shape and duty of the office of the pastor: "As the Father has sent Me, so also I send you. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven him. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." The great message pastors are to proclaim is that, at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the debt of all our sin, the guilt of all our sin, was nailed to the cross. It died with Jesus. Our Lord touches us with these saving truths through pastors as they proclaim and bring the special ways in which the true God interacts with His people: the proclamation of forgiveness, Holy Baptism, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Believing and trusting in Him, we have what Jesus says we have: the forgiveness of sins and, as we are reminded in the Catechism, life and eternal salvation.

A few things about this week are in order.
There will be a special get together for post-high school/college age folks on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite soda, a piece of fruit, and, if you desire, a friend. We'll play a game of Apples to Apples and put together some needed, if not humorous, college student survival kits.

Saturday, August 15, there will be a special work day at the church, beginning at 9 a.m. We're getting things ready in preparation for the beginning of school and of the Sunday School term.

Sunday, August 16, there will be a Sr. Youth get together. Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. Bring your favorite soda (Pastor says he'll supply the pizza), play a game, and have some good fellowship.

Friday, August 21, is a Game Night at Mt. Olive. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., bring your favorite game (or enjoy someone else's), and a snack to share. Let's get ready for some fun games!

Saturday, August 22, is a fellowship night at P.O.E.T.S. restaurant at Saratoga and Everhart. Please call the church office to make your reservation!

God bless!
PKJ

Brothers and sisters, please pray for us:
All college students, many of whom will be moving away from home for the first time this week.
All school students of all ages, as they prepare for school to start.
All teachers and professors who will teach these students, that our Lord would cast the bright beams of His wisdom upon them.
Those who serve in our armed forces, including Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), that God would shield them from danger, give them strength to perform their duties, and bring them safely home to their families.
All pastors and confirmands who will soon begin Jr. Confirmation Instruction, that they would grow in the knowledge of the Lord and rejoice in His gifts.

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, August 10
Zoomba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 11
Zoomba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.
College Age/Post-High School Get Together, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 15
Church and School Workday, 9 a.m.

Sunday, August 16
Sr. High Get Together, 6 p.m.