This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

A physician and priest living in Rome during the rule of the Emperor Claudius, Valentine become one of the noted martyrs of the third century. The commemoration of his death, which occurred in the year 270, became part of the calendar of remembrance in the early church of the West. Tradition suggests that on the day of his execution for his Christian faith, he left a note of encouragement for a child of his jailer written on an irregularly-shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of written expressions of love and caring that now are the highlight of Valentine's Day in many nations. (LCMS Commission on Worship, Biographies)

A blessed Valentine's Day to you all! May we follow in the train of this faithful martyr.

Death has touched the family of God at Mt. Olive. Elva Meyer, mother of Mavis Waterman, was called to her Lord on Friday. Kenneth Catherman, father of Ken Catherman, was called to his Lord this morning. Remember both of these families in your prayers, that they may know the great comfort of Christ who died and was raised, and know the great joy of a blessed resurrection when our Lord returns in glory.

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday! The blessed 40-day season begins with ashes, reminding us that we are dying sinners and calling us to contrition and repentance. Ash Wednesday services at Mt. Olive will be held at 12:15 and 7:15 p.m. A meal will be offered at 6 p.m.

Those groups wishing to serve a Lenten meal are invited to sign up in the narthex, or contact the church office to have your date secured. Dates for future Lenten meals: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24.

The spaghetti dinner that was scheduled for next Sunday after late service has been postponed to a later date. Look for the dinner to be held after Easter in the April-May time frame.

Coming next week are a Lenten service and two important events. On Tuesday, February 23, John and Doris Hauerman, missionaries, will be at Mt. Olive for a pot luck meal and a presentation of their important work. John and Doris are part of the group to whom we supplied the notebook computer last year.

On Friday, February 26, the OAFC traveling team will be coming to Mt. Olive for the weekend. These energetic young people will be leading us in an outreach effort, in learning some new songs, and in having a good time in the name of Christ. The main date for the activity here will be Saturday, 27 FEB, and worship on Sunday, 28 FEB. Also needed for this weekend: lunch for Saturday, dinner for Saturday evening, and 7-9 host families. If you're inclined to help in one of these areas, please contact me as soon as possible.

Prayer Concerns:
The family of Elva Meyer
The family of Kenneth Catherman
Those who serve in our armed forces
The Altar Guild, whose work will get much busier with our entrance into Lent
The Sunday School teachers, who continue the important work of teaching the faith to young 'uns
All those who have wandered from the faith, that they may be brought back into the fold

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, 15 FEB
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 17 FEB
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Ash Wednesday Midday Service, 12:15 p.m.
Dinner, 6 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Evening Service, 7:15 p.m.

Thursday, 18 FEB
Cub Scouts, 6:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ