This Week at Mt. Olive

Good afternoon, fellow redeemed!

No doubt this afternoon, many have staked out their spots to watch the Super Bowl. No doubt, many of us have our favored team to win the game. No doubt there will be much boasting among players, especially among the winners. Of course, if you're like me, you'll be watching primarily for the famed Super Bowl Commercials. Will the Saints win, or the Colts, or the network selling 30-second spots for huge amounts of money, or the merchants banking on the advertising space? Someone will come out a winner today. But, do they deserve it?

Listening to the Gospel today from Luke 5, we're shown an incredible window on vocation. We receive the benefit of our work because that's how God has chosen to deliver His gifts. In fact, we deserve nothing from God except punishment. But, in His mercy, God has blessed us in ways unimaginable.

Does this mean that the true God is a Saints fan or pulls for the Colts? Hardly! Instead, He has chosen to bless His creation.

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League is the oldest missionary society in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. In their work, prison ministries are supported, missionaries receive assistance, and many church workers benefited from their generosity during their academic careers. The LWML, as it is known, also gives opportunities to Lutheran women to grow in their relationship with the Lord Jesus and with each other. The LWML has two opportunities in the next seven days:
The LWML will meet Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.
Next Sunday, the LWML will offer a bake sale between the services.

Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ is an organization of Lutheran young people who have a passion for sharing Jesus with those around them. Many of my college friends had participated with OAFC on numerous occasions. OAFC is still going strong. A traveling team will be at Mt. Olive beginning Friday, February 26, until Sunday, February 28. Needed are as many as nine host families for the two nights they are with us. If you are available, please contact me at the office in the next two weeks.

Part II of the OAFC weekend is a day of outreach, singing, and having a good time. That will be Saturday, February 27. College age, high school, and grade 7-8 youth are invited to join us!

By the way, the Church Office is in the midst of producing one of its semi-annual printed directories. Please take the opportunity to check your information in the bulletin this week.

Please include in your daily prayers this week:
Rita Murphy
Elva Meyer
Jennifer (Leon and Barbara Dube's daughter)
Those who work to relieve suffering
Those who work to protect us (police, firefighters, EMTs, etc.)
Those who travel to the Area Convention Convocation in Dallas next weekend
Those who serve in our armed forces: Andrew Epley (Iraq), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell), John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke, Dru Blanc (NAS Corpus Christi), Michael Baker (Corpus Christi), William Worley (NAS Kingsville)

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, February 8
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.
Church Council, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 9
LWML, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 10
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, February 11
Cub Scouts, 6:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ