This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Holiness! That's the focus of Luke 2:22-24. When the devout Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple, it was an issue of holiness. Mary, having endured the bloody event of childbirth, went for the necessity of ritual cleansing, to be counted again among God's people Israel. Cleansing meant being brought into the presence of holiness. The infant Jesus, being the firstborn of Mary, was to be dedicated to the Lord as commanded in Exodus 13. Again, Jesus, though true God, was also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, and thus followed the Law and was dedicated to the holy God.

I sometimes wonder about the issue of holiness. For Simeon and Anna, the other two figures in today's Gospel (Luke 2:22-40), holiness was real. Seeing the Christ of God in their midst, they rejoiced in His holiness that would bring about the consolation and redemption of God's people. What about us? When we come into the place where God has promised to come among us in His chosen means, we are brought into the presence of holiness. Do we treat worship that way? Do we expect the righteous and holy Christ to come among us in His body and blood?

Praise God that our holiness is grounded in our Lord Jesus Christ. I said this morning that we NEVER go directly to God. Demanding to stand in the presence of true holiness would mean certain death for us sinners. Rather, we always approach the throne of God through Christ, because in Christ God has first come to us.

Only a couple of events, but one of which I want to bring to your attention. On Thursday night (New Year's Eve), there is a Family Game Night at 6:30 p.m. Bring a snack to share and your favorite game. Word has it that the bell will again sound at midnight!

I'll be out of the office all week, but will be back for worship on Sunday, when Confirmation Instruction will begin again.

Please remember in prayer:
Those who serve in our armed forces: Andrew Epley (Iraq), Michael Baker (returned from deployment), Rob Vadney (Ft. Sill), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc (NAS Corpus Christi), William Worley (NAS Kingsville)

Those who travel, that they be kept safe and given joyful homecomings

The Church throughout the world, as she proclaims the infant Christ and looks to His return in glory

Those who are ill, undergoing treatments, recovering, and dying, that they may be comforted by the peace that passes all understanding, who is Christ Himself

Those who mourn the loss of loved ones, that they may be comforted by the news of a blessed resurrection and a happy reunion in heaven.

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, December 28
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 30
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 31
Game Night, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, January 1
Happy New Year!