This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

How do we prepare for the Lord's arrival? That's the question of Advent. To be sure, we prepare for the Lord's first advent in our celebration of Christmas. Is that what we're really about during these weeks before Christmas? Look at the busy schedules, the endless angst over gifts, and the over-taxed family. When Christmas arrives, it always seems to be about a cute little story more than anything else - the reason for the season or some other such thing. Isn't this really true God coming in the flesh, the Creator of the universe becoming man?

But, as much as we prepare for the celebration of the first advent of our Lord, how do we prepare for the second advent, when our Lord returns as judge of the living and the dead? Are we expecting God the Son in the flesh to appear in glory? Will He really understand all those times we attributed understanding to Him as an excuse to ignore His gifts and treat Him with disdain?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote: It is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming, so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God . . . . We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for every one who has a conscience.

The Lord spoke through Malachi, telling that He would indeed come suddenly, unexpectedly to His temple among His people. He would be the refiner of gold and silver and the caustic soap that cleans the worst of stains. Our Lord Jesus, true God in the flesh, is that purifier and launderer. He washes us in His blood to make us whiter than snow. In other words, as unable to make ourselves prepared for our Lord's arrival as we are, so much more is our Lord Jesus able to prepare us - that's the message of Advent. Our Lord purifies and and cleanses us through His dying and rising.

Lest we believe that being Christian is as easy as some say, know that it is a painful, exacting life, for it means enduring the purifying fire of our Lord. It means seeing ourselves as God's Word sees us - that, in spite of our feeling that we're all good at heart, we really aren't. Our Lord brings us through death into His life. Yet, in this life, every day is a life of contrition and repentance, and a life of fleeing back to our Lord's promise at our Baptism. As tough as that sounds, it's great news, for it tells us of our Lord who brings us through death into life, bringing us to look to His appearing in glory.

Today is also the day of St. Nicholas of Myra:
Of the many saints commemorated by the Christian Church, Nicholas (d. A.D. 342) is one of the best known. Very little is known historically of him, although there was a church of Saint Nicholas in Constantinople as early as the sixth century. Research has affirmed that there was a bishop by the name of Nicholas in the city of Myra in Lycia (part of Turkey today) in the fourth century. From that coastal location, legends about Nicholas have traveled throughout time and space. He is associated with charitable giving in many countries around the world and is portrayed as the rescuer of sailors, the protector of children and the friend of people in distress or need. In commemoration of "Sinte Klaas" (Dutch for Saint Nicholas, in English "Santa Claus"), December 6 is a day for giving and receiving gifts in many parts of Europe. [From “Commemorations Biographies,” Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]


Today's Christmas Program rehearsal was, in a word, fantastic. Through the assistance of Bethany Waddle, Matthew Catherman, Dawn Johnson, and other adults, most of the songs in the program are well on their way to being learned. A few readings need to be added, but it will be a joyful task. Please pray for these young people who will be telling the story of God's salvation in this years Children's Christmas Service. Rehearsal continues next Sunday at 2 p.m.

I want to issue a gentle reminder of next Sunday's schedule: Divine Service at 9:30 a.m., Sunday School and Voters Meeting at 10:30 a.m., and Meal at 11:30 a.m. This particular meeting is important, as we need to do the business of next year's budget.

Wednesday of this week continues the Advent preparatory services with the theme of Advent Stories. Last week was Zechariah; this week will bring us Elizabeth. Advent Prayer at Midday is held at 12:15 p.m., and Advent Vespers is held at 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday night, the LWML has its annual Christmas Dinner at Olive Garden. If you haven't done so already and you wish to attend, please call the Church Office to add your name to the list. Also from the LWML:
Bake Sale on Sunday! One given for the bake sale: it's always good!

Many thanks to the many folks who participated in decorating the church on Sunday morning!

Special Prayer Concerns:
Members of the Armed Forces: Andrew Epley (awaiting deployment), Michael Baker (returned from deployment), Rob Vadney (Oklahoma), Richard Rhode, Edwin Rodriguez (North Carolina), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc (NAS Corpus Christi), Bill Worley (NAS Kingsville)
Pastors and the congregations committed to their care in this busy season
The sick, the unemployed, the homeless, and the despairing, that our Lord would move us to reflect His great love

In Christ,
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, December 7
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m., Youth Room
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Church Council, 7 p.m., Overflow

Tuesday, December 8
LWML Dinner at Olive Garden

Wednesday, December 9
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 10
Cub Scout Pack 278 Christmas Caroling, 5:15 p.m.

Sunday, December 13
Divine Service, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, 10:30 a.m.
Voters Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
Meal, 11:30 a.m.
Confirmation Instruction, 12:30 p.m.
Christmas Program Rehearsal, 2 p.m.
Sr. Youth, 6 p.m.