This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

The temple... It's one of those foreign concepts in the Bible that kind of puzzles us. But, for the disciples who were talking with Jesus in today's Gospel (Mark 13:1-13), the temple was special! The temple was the sign that God was dwelling among His people! Only at the temple could sacrifices for sin be offered, and, only at the temple would the priests pronounce forgiveness. At the temple was the proper place of prayer during the morning and afternoon incense offerings. When Jesus made His prediction that the temple would be brought down, it was unthinkable.

But, it wasn't unthinkable, for the presence of God was no longer a temple made of stone; it was in the presence of God in the flesh who made His dwelling among people (John 1:14). Jesus is the temple! He's an everlasting temple, one that will never be felled. You see, when Jesus begins His series of warnings, He's pointing to the cross! Many would be misled because they thought the cross was a sign of weakness. Yet, it's at the cross where Jesus offers the sacrifice (Himself), and it's at the cross that Jesus pronounces forgiveness for the sake of His own blood. The cross gives us the picture of prayer, for we come to the Father only through Jesus.

Many still are misled. "God is everywhere" is the battle cry of many who want to bypass Christ and His cross. "I can worship any way I want." Unfortunately, that statement reveals more idolatry than anything else. In fact, God is everywhere. But, He doesn't promise to bring His forgiveness everywhere and in every way. In fact, God is everywhere, but you and I are bound by time and space. It's in God's chosen means that He breaks into time and space, bringing Jesus' death and resurrection and giving them to us. In the waters of our baptism, in the preaching of the Gospel, in the Holy Eucharist, our Lord brings His gifts through His chosen means.

Mt. Olive collected $160 for Timon's Ministry in Flour Bluff this morning. That amount will be matched by $140 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to make a total offering of $300.

As noted last week, Casting Crowns will be performing at Concrete Street this Thursday night. The venue opens at 5 p.m., with preconcert (a front band) to follow shortly. The evening is expected to be completed by 10 p.m. Tickets are approx. $32 per person. Kim Waddle has graciously offered to purchase group tickets (must be at least 15 tickets) on Tuesday, which will bring the ticket price down to $20 per person. If you wish to take advantage of the reduced ticket price, please notify Kim (855-6560 or kwducks@netzero.com) BY MONDAY! Jr. Youth are urged to attend, and Mrs. Waddle will be able to provide you more info about your tickets. That's: Casting Crowns, very popular Christian group, performing at Concrete Stree this coming Thursday.

This coming Sunday is Guitar Worship. Again, we will sing primarily great hymns of the Church with a praise song here or there, all accompanied by guitar and electronic keyboard instruments. If you're interested in singing with us, please inquire with me or join us Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.

Advent is approaching rapidly - right around the corner! That means Christmas decorating is also right around the corner. The Altar Guild invites all members to join in decorating the church on December 5.

For me, this week is a special week each month. It's during this week that I'm privileged to bring the Holy Eucharist, as well as the greetings of God's people, to those who are homebound and cannot attend worship each week. Please remember this important ministry in prayer!

Finally, Lou Jander included this quote from C. F. W. Walther in his latest update. Here is C.F.W. Walther on the Mission of the Church:
"...Dear Brethren, we are assembled here not for our own sake. We are in the faith and by this faith we hope to be saved! But there are still many millions who have no faith. This is why we are here - so that we might bring salvation to as many people as we possibly can... Only for this reason does our gracious God allow Christians to live on earth, that they might bring others to the saving faith." C.F.W. Walther, "Essays for the Church" (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992) II: 262.

Prayer Needs:
Those who serve in our armed forces: Michael Baker - returning from deployment, Andrew Epley - awaiting deployment, Edwin Rodriguez, Richard Rhode - North Carolina, Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, and Dru Blanc - NAS Corpus Christi.
Those in our community who are destitute and homeless, that God would guide us to care for our neighbor.
Those who do not know their Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be given a bold witness and genuine caring and concern for them, and that they may be given willing ears to hear us.
The leaders of our congregation as they work with the finances for the coming year, and as they seek leaders to serve in the future.

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, November 16
6:30 p.m. - Girl Scouts (Overflow)
6:30 p.m. - Zumba Aerobics (Fellowship Hall)

Notify Kim Waddle (see above) if you are going to the Casting Crowns concert on Thursday.

Tuesday, November 17
6:30 p.m. - Board of Elders

Wednesday, November 18
8:30 a.m. - School Chapel
9:30 a.m. - Bible Study (The Unexplainable: Angels)
6:00 p.m. - Choir
7:00 p.m. - Zumba Aerobics (Fellowship Hall)
Guitar Worship Practice (Sanctuary)

Thursday, November 19
6:30 p.m. - STARC meeting (Fellowship Hall)
Pack 278 Den meetings (various rooms)

Casting Crowns concert at Concrete Street (see above)

Friday, November 20
Pastor out of the office

Sunday, November 22
Guitar Worship at both services