This Week at Mt. Olive

Yesterday was the annual celebration of Reformation - a celebration of our heritage as Lutherans. Here's some Reformation vocabulary that might come in handy.

Justified - Sometimes it's called "just as if I'd never sinned," but I think the jingle sells it short. Imagine being in a capital trial in a courtroom with all evidence pointing to the accused, which is you. Things aren't looking good for your future, since the death penalty seems certain. The judge bangs his gavel and says, "Acquitted." The judge is almighty God. The accusation is that you are guilty of all sin. You have been declared "not guilty" of a crime for which you are most certainly guilty! You're free!

Grace - The Latin terminology for this word is "Favor Dei propter Christum", the favor of God on account of Christ. Because Jesus took your sin (your rebellion against your heavenly Father) upon Himself and went to the cross and crucified it there, God the Father has determined that there is no longer any reason not to look on you favorably. Instead, you might say God smiles on you because of Jesus.

Faith - Faith is that which grabs hold of Jesus' death and resurrection and holds on for dear life. But, what is faith? The old Lutheran guys really did us a favor in defining faith. Faith is knowledge (we need to know certain things about Jesus - look at the creeds and you'll see them), assent (all those things you know about Jesus, you believe they're true), and trust (because of these things you know to be true, you trust Jesus to be your Savior).

This is what the reformers said was the article by which the church stands and falls: Justification by grace through faith.

In recent years, I've become really tired of the words "saved" and "salvation," mainly because they get misused a lot. Yesterday, in the sermon, I used a different word: RESCUE. We have been rescued from ourselves, really, and delivered into the household of almighty God. That's the Reformation!

Saturday evening, Mt. Olive will host a "Trunk - Treat" night, sponsored by the young adults group. Set up your car between 6 and 6:30 p.m., and then join in the fun of handing out treats and some information on Mt. Olive until about 8:30 p.m. Don't want to drive over but want to participate? Treats - the store bought, wrapped kind - will gladly be accepted, and the kids will most definitely eat them!

Looking ahead, on Sunday, November 8, Mt. Olive Sr. High youth (MOSH) will sponsor a Chili Cook Off that includes a talent-no talent night. A few door prizes will be given. Stir up your best pot of red, get a group together for the talent competition, and come help the Sr. Youth get to New Orleans! Rumor has it that Carnac the Magnificent may make an appearance again.

In recent weeks, we've included Edwin Rodriguez, one of our members who has been stationed in North Carolina and deployed to Afghanistan, in our prayers. Last week, Jessica, his wife, let me know that Edwin was on his way home. Praise God!

Prayer needs:
Those who serve in our armed forces (Michael Baker - Iraq, Edwin Rodriguez and Richard Rhode - North Carolina, Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, and Dru Blanc - NAS Corpus Christi)
The President of the United States, the Congress, all judges and magistrates, and government at all levels, that we may lead a peaceable life in all godliness and quietness
Those who till the earth during this harvest season
Our baptismal faith and that of our children, that we would all be kept safe and secure in the holy arm of Christendom
The Church throughout the world, that we would remain faithful in our confession of the Triune God

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, October 26
Girl Scouts Cadettes, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 10:30 a.m.
Choir, 6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.
Guitar Worship practice, 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 29
Cub Scout den meetings, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 31
Trunk - Treat night, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.