This Week at Mt. Olive

Salvation - that's a word used a bunch around the church. But, what is salvation? What does it mean to be saved? The deliverance of sinners from the punishments of hell that they so rightly deserve, and the deliverance of those same sinners to the household of God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit - that's what salvation is.

In the Gospel for yesterday (Mark 10:23-31), Jesus' disciples were perplexed. Righteous men obeyed the commandments, who worked hard and enjoyed the fruits of that labor, would find it difficult to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples rightly asked, "Who, then, can be saved?"

Jesus' response is one for the ages: "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." That includes the impossible: the salvation of sinners, the deliverance of sinners from the punishments of hell into the household of God. That's the promise for all who believe, one sealed by the Holy Spirit who works our faith. God does the impossible: He becomes man, and suffers, dies, and rises (Mark 10:33-34) for all sinners.

For with God all things are possible! So often that passage is quoted to support the notion of God working the impossible to help me balance my checkbook, escape the ravages of cancer, find a spouse, pass an algebra test, and so on. Is it God working? I won't say no! But we dare not short God His due: He has done the impossible - saving sinners! Recalling this impossible task, we praise God for all the things we think of God doing when He does the impossible.

Two major events mark the calendar this week, and both are on Saturday, October 24.
At 10 a.m., and continuing into the early afternoon, the Jr. Youth and those going to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans will be offering a car wash. Tickets are still available. The suggested donation for the car wash is $5 - what a deal! And, I promise somehow to have the old disco song "Car Wash" playing at least once - the young people have graciously volunteered to put on a dance to it, even though they don't know it, ... yet.

At 6:30 p.m., the Fellowship Committee is hosting an Oktoberfest at the home of Bob and Charlene Westrup. Presale tickets for $10 are still available. If you're interested in attending, please contact a member of the fellowship committee (Charlene Westrup, Stephanie Waterman, Nancy Cox). And, there will be sauerbraten (almost as fun to say as it is to eat!).

Each week, Mt. Olive hosts two Bible study opportunities for adults. On Sunday morning, the class meets in the Fellowship Hall. The current topic is a Christian introduction to the Muslim faith - we have a few weeks left. The second opportunity is Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Overflow. The current topic is The Unexplainable, and we're currently in the lesson on dreams.

Looking ahead, a Trunk Treat night is in the works, sponsored by the Young Adults. This is an opportunity for the people of Mt. Olive to serve the community! Look for a bulletin insert this coming Sunday with more details.

Last night, the Jr. Youth enjoyed a night of fun and, well, messiness. It was Fear Factor Game Night last night! Activities involved shaving cream, water balloons, whipped cream, sprinkles, peanut butter and cheerios. Just look for the pictures on the Youth Bulletin Board in the narthex.

Please Remember in Prayer:
Those who serve in our armed forces (Michael Baker - Iraq, Edwin Rodriguez - Afghanistan, Andrew Epley, Deysi's husband - preparing for deployment, Richard Rhode - North Carolina, Dru Blanc and Chris Sorensen - NAS Corpus Christi)
The family of our school director, Noelia Torrez, as they mourn the death of her father
Those who are studying in schools, college, universities, home schools, seminaries, and the like, that God would bless those who teach them and their own learning.
All Christians, that they may rejoice in the faith of their baptism.

In Christ,
PKJ

This Week at Mt. Olive
Monday, October 19
6:30 p.m., Girl Scouts, meeting in The Overflow
6:30 p.m., Zumba Aerobics, in the Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, October 20
6:30 p.m. Board of Elders meeting

Wednesday, October 21
8:30 a.m., School Chapel Service
9:30 a.m., Bible Study
6:00 p.m., Choir
7:00 p.m., Zumba Aerobics

Thursday, October 22
6:30 p.m., Cub Scout Pack 278 Den Meetings

Saturday, October 24
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jr. Youth Car Wash in the Parking Lot
6:30 p.m., Oktoberfest at the home of the Westrups