This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

We live in THOSE days! That was the message from Jeremiah 33 this morning - we live in THOSE days, the days in which God's promises proclaimed by the prophets have been fulfilled in Christ! Yet, as great as THESE days are, we live in a continual Advent season, a continual season of waiting, and waiting, and waiting - waiting for the day when our Lord appears in glory, the Last Day. We long to see THOSE days, days when Advent is fulfilled, when days are ended and we are in the presence for all eternity.

Advent Midweek services begin this week on Wednesday. At 12:15 p.m., there is Prayer at Midday. This is a short prayer service that includes a reading, a meditation, and a hymn or two. At 7:15 p.m., it is Advent Vespers. This is an evening order of service with music, hymns, readings, and meditations.

Today was a successful Christmas Program practice from 2 - 3:30 p.m. We will continue these practices over the next few Sundays. Good job! By the way, if you weren't in attendance this week but are planning to be here next week and wish to participate, please send a reply and let me know which children, ages, grades, that sort of thing.

This is a good time to give a reminder of December 13. This is the date of our fourth quarter Voters Meeting. That means a changed schedule: 9:30 a.m. Divine Service, 10:30 a.m. Sunday School and Voters meeting. This meeting is particularly important because of the need to work through and approve the budget.

It's time to decorate Mt. Olive in preparation for the Christmas season! Decorating begins this coming Saturday, December 5, at 9 a.m. Also, an insert will be included this coming Sunday for the purchase of Christmas poinsettias ($7 each).

After my email of last week, I thought I'd give an update of my family situation. As many of you read, my dad's sister died last Tuesday morning. Aunt Betty was one who often hosted my brother and me for a week during the summers of our younger days. She was my dad's last surviving sibling. She will be missed. Services are pending. I'll keep the Board of Elders posted. My mother's sister was hospitalized again on Friday and is probably going to stay a few days longer than her last trip there, undergoing medication therapy of different types.

Many of you expressed your sympathies and condolences to my family over the past days. I can't tell you how much that has meant to my family and me, to hear our brothers and sisters in Christ sharing our sorrow. You all have been a great blessing to us!

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces: Andrew Epley (awaiting deployment), Michael Baker (returned home!), Edwin Rodriguez and Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc (NAS Corpus Christi).
The Church throughout the world as it celebrates Advent and begins the walk to the manger in Bethlehem
The sick, especially Barbara Williams and Vickey Bott
Those who mourn, especially my family, and especially my dad and mom, at the death of my Aunt Betty
Public servants and emergency workers (police officers, firefighters, nurses, EMTs, doctors, etc.) whose duties seem to be multiplied during this season
The teachers in our Sunday School as they teach the old, old story of God's plan of salvation in Christ

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

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

Wednesday, December 2
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Advent Prayer at Midday, 12:15 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Advent Vespers, 7:15 p.m.

Thursday, December 3
Cub Scout Den Meetings, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 5
Christmas Decorating, 9 a.m.

Sunday, December 6
8 and 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:15 a.m. Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
12:30 p.m. Confirmation Class
2 p.m. Christmas Program practice