This Week at Mt. Olive

In the Gospel for yesterday (Mark 10:17-22), Jesus is greeted by an earnest man who kneels before Him, eager to know what else is needed to make his spiritual life complete. Jesus tells the man what he is lacking: Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and come, follow me. The man went away in sorrow, because he had great possessions.

But, in the middle of the man's questioning of Jesus, Mark records that Jesus, when looked at the man, "loved him." Even though the man would walk away, rejecting Jesus' plan for life, in spite of the man's refusal to look to the true God, in spite of the man's rebellion, Jesus loved the man. There's a common theme here. As Jesus was crucified, He cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Why would this perfect Man ever do such a thing as that? He loved them.

Episode after episode can be underlined in the Gospels in which Jesus is cursed, rejected, spat upon, and even put to death. Yet, in every one of those episodes, Jesus refrains from calling forth ten legions of angels. Why? Because He loves them.

Fast forward to today, and there is still Jesus' love. Our weeks are full of screw ups and failures and rebellion against our Lord, yet Jesus still comes to us with His Word of forgiveness, giving us Himself. Why? Because He looks at us, and He loves us. His love is not brought about by us, but from Himself.

Oh, don't get me wrong. There will be plenty who will not see the Pearly Gates of heaven. They reject their Lord over and over again. They tell the true God to leave them alone. Yet, that never stops the Lord Jesus Christ from looking at them and loving them, earnestly desiring that they repent and live in faith.

This week, as we live in God's love, make it a special point to pray: Pray in thanksgiving for God's great love shown to you in your baptism. Pray in thanksgiving that your Lord has kept you safe and secure in the holy Christian Church. Pray that, when your last hour comes, your Lord will deliver you from this veil of tears and to Himself in heaven. Pray that, as you live your Christian vocations this week, in word and deed, you proclaim the great love of Christ. And, finally, pray that there will be willing ears and hearts to hear you.

Two major functions are approaching rapidly, both happening at different times on October 24. Beginning in the morning, Jr. Youth and those going to New Orleans will be holding a car wash. Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $5. I have it on good authority that someone will be present with the "Car Wash" CD, and that some of the washers will dance.

The second major function occurs in the evening of October 24: Mt. Olive's own version of Octoberfest. Tickets are $10 before the event and $15 at the door. Included in the menu is one of my favorites: sauerbraten.

This week at Mt. Olive, the Girl Scouts will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Their special meeting will include lessons in marketing.

Also meeting this week is the Guitar Worship group, in preparation for this coming Sunday, will rehearse Wednesday at 7 p.m. About once every six weeks or so, Mt. Olive celebrates the Divine Service with guitar music - traditional hymns accompanied by some not so traditional instruments.

Every year about this time, those involved with the Boy Scouts of America are going about, selling some of the best popcorn you will ever eat. If you're interested in this, please see Brandon Rhode or Michael Jennings (both of Pack 278), Andrew Jones (Troop 255), Jonathan Jennings or Matthew Catherman (Troop 3).

I will be in and out of the office tomorrow, hopefully getting in at least nine holes with my son.

Remember in Prayer:
Those who serve in the Armed Forces: Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell), Dru Blanc, Chris Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (all of NAS Corpus Christi).
Those who serve in law enforcement, emergency response, and keeping us safe in daily life
Those who serve in the medical fields during this time of increased influenza
All the teachers of the Church and those who are commended to their teaching
All missionaries of the Church, both here and throughout the world

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, October 12
School classes are not in session, but Extended Care is running and the Church Office will be open
Girl Scouts, meeting in the Fellowship Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, meeting place TBA, 6:30 p.m.
Church Council, Pastor's Conference Room, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 8:30 a.m.
Choir, 6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.
Guitar Worship Practice, 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 15
Cub Scout Pack Meeting, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 p.m.