This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Reflecting on the Gospel for this morning from Mark 9, Martin Luther wrote the following (copied from The Memorial Moment of September 14):
"When faith begins, God does not forsake it; He lays the holy cross on our backs to strengthen us and to make faith powerful in us. The holy Gospel is a powerful Word. Therefore it cannot do its work without trials, and only he who tastes it is aware that it has such power. Where suffering and the cross are found, there the Gospel can show and exercise its power. It is a Word of life. Therefore it must exercise all its power in death. In the absence of dying and death it can do nothing, and no one can become aware that it has such power and is stronger than sin and death. Therefore the apostle says 'to prove you'; that is, God inflicts no glowing fire or heat-cross and suffering, which make you burn-on you for any other purpose than 'to prove you,' whether you also cling to His Word. Thus it is recorded in Wisdom of Solomon 10:12 of Jacob: 'God sent him an arduous contest, so that he might know that godliness is more powerful than anything.' God lays a cross on all believers in order that they may taste and prove the power of God--the power which they have taken hold of through faith."

I attended a family reunion yesterday and today. It was great to be able to see all kinds of relatives I hadn't seen in a few years. If you get the chance to do the same, don't pass it up.

Something that missed the bulletin this morning:
Today is Victoria Slinin's 17th birthday! Happy Birthday, Victoria, and God's richest blessings! I hope you have a blessed celebration.

Cub Scout Pack 278 has its first den meetings this coming Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.

Please note the new Choir Rehearsal time: 6 p.m.

Prayer Requests:
Vesper Dobrowski, infant granddaughter of Lou Jander, born 3 1/2 weeks early and having some breathing difficultie
Pastor Gilbert Franke, formerly of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, Texas, who is retiring
The pastors and churches of Circuit 27
Those who serve in our armed forces, especially Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), Andrew Epley (preparing to deploy), Richard Rhode (North Carolina)
The schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries of the Church
The faith of our children
The baptismal life with which we have been blessed

In Christ,
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive (I'll send out changes or updates if I learn of any):
Monday, September 21, 2009
Girl Scouts (I can't remember the time - egad!)
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Board of Elders, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.

Thursday, September 24, 2009
Cub Scout Pack 278 den meetings, 6:30 p.m.
STARC (South Texas Amateur Radio Club), 7 p.m.

Looking Ahead:
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Voters Meeting!
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Sunday School, Voters Meeting
11:30 a.m. Meal, NYG meeting
Jr. Confirmation Instruction, 12 - 2 p.m.