This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Today's Gospel reading from Luke 4 included a prophecy from Isaiah 61 (verses 1 and 2a to be exact). Jesus identifies Himself as the fulfillment of that prophecy. But, why would the people of Nazareth rush the Lord and want to throw Him off the cliff? It's because they refuse to see themselves as Isaiah proclaims them: poor (nothing to bring before God), trapped in their own sin, blind to their Lord, and oppressed by the taskmasters of sin, death, and the devil. In fulfilling this prophecy, Jesus has forever located the true God - the fullness of the God dwelling bodily.

I'm amazed but not really that surprised when statements are made that all sin is forgivable without first dealing with the terrifying reality that all sin condemns. That's right - all sin condemns! Yet, in Christ who takes all sin upon Himself, there is forgiveness. The one anointed to bring good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, sight to the blind, and liberty to the oppressed brings these things by Himself being condemned in the place of sinners.

Our Lord Jesus proclaims the jubilee of the Lord, the year of the Lord's favor, redeeming all creation that it might return to its rightful owner. We rejoice in the jubilee as we receive our Lord's gifts by faith.

In Adult Bible Class, we've been watching a video series called "Christless Christianity." Unfortunately, today's early service ran a little long and we weren't able to finish today's video. We'll finish this video next week and the important consideration of what many today call "the gospel of love" before jumping into the third installment. This series has been particularly insightful and really does bring to the fore one of the host's important catch phrases: Know what you believe and why you believe it.

Last week Mt. Olive received a special door offering to benefit LCMS World Relief and Human Care. I praised God this morning when I saw that the total offering was over $1100!

Tomorrow evening, January 25, I'm hosting a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. in my conference room. The purpose of this meeting is to set up a calendar for the next several months. This proved very useful last year. If you can't make the meeting, please send dates and functions to me via email. Even if you don't have the function, being able to put the date on the calendar is a great help.

One of the most important duties of God's people is interceding for one another and for those in need. Currently, Mt. Olive employs what is called The Prayer Chain. The purpose is, as I said before, God's people interceding for one another, bringing the needs of people before the throne of grace. It's not an opportunity to train God, but the opportunity for God to train us to trust Him for all things. If you're interested in participating in intercessory prayer with the Prayer Chain, please give the Church Office a call.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces: Andrew Epley (Iraq), Michael Baker (returned from deployment), Richard Rhode, Edwin Rodriguez (North Carolina), Rob Vadney (Ft. Sill), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc (NAS Corpus), William Worley (NAS Kingsville)
Those who serve in the relief efforts in Haiti, especially Pastor Matt Harrison and those who serve with LCMS WR-HC
Kathy's Dad, John, who begins hospice care on Monday
The poor, the indigent, the unemployed, and the under employed

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive
Monday, January 25
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.
Calendar Building, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 27
Happy Birthday, Jonathan!
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.
Guitar Worship practice, 7 p.m.

Thursday, January 28
STARC meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, January 29
Pinewood Derby set up, TBA

Saturday, January 30
Pinewood Derby, 2 p.m.