This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

One of the great difficulties of sending out a Sunday evening/Monday morning update is the many dates often missed in between. One such date was February 18. If you look on the Commemorations page at the LCMS web site, it will simply say, "Martin Luther, Confessor."

Martin Luther died February 18, 1546. His last written words, reportedly found by his side, were, "We are beggars."

As 21st century North Americans, as those whose daily lives enjoy myriad technical advances, as those who are used to doing as many things as possible by ourselves, we would gladly give lip service to Luther's words, but little more. We are a people convinced we have change in our pockets. While we believe we're sinners, we're fairly certain we're not really all that bad. We're able to do more and more in the context of life, and want to transfer that ability to our standing before God.

The traditional Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is the account of the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-11 today). Think for just a moment about the temptations and how we might fair with them. Fasting for forty days and forty nights, wrestling with the devil, we're promised that we might turn stones into bread. How many of us would really balk at the opportunity, preferring to heed God's desire to trust Him for our daily bread?

Assuming we prevailed, the devil would show us all the kingdoms of the earth and their splendor, promising to give us all these things if we would simply bow down and worship him. Forget the idea that the devil is a major league liar, just think: you'd have all the earthly powers at your beck and call. How many of us would really balk at the opportunity to have this great power to make changes, preferring to heed God's desire to call upon Him alone in prayer and praise, even though it might mean we don't get to do things the way we want?

Assuming that we still prevailed, the devil would then take us to the pinnacle of the temple. "Jump down," the devil says. He reminds of God's promises from the Psalms that God Himself would employ His angels to protect us. There was an added benefit. An ancient rabbinic tradition told that the Messiah would descend into the courtyard of the temple. Jump down, y'all, and everyone will believe you. You can forget about all that cross and suffering stuff, because people will be astonished by your arrival.

Every temptation has a basic element. The devil tells us, "You can be independent of God's Will." The truth is, faced with the same temptations as Jesus, we would no doubt fail. In other words, we have no resistance to temptation, no great faithfulness, no great following of God's Will to hold before our heavenly Father and say, "Look at this." The truth is, we are all beggars - no spare change, we can't even get spare change. We have nothing with which to bargain with God.

Perhaps that's what's so amazing about the temptations of Jesus. His obedience is perfect - and He doesn't need spare change. By faith, we receive His perfect obedience as our own. Isn't it amazing? We can't obey our Father's desires. Jesus says, "I'll take care of that for you." We can't pray rightly. Jesus says, "Got that one, too." We can't do anything to please God the Father! Jesus says, "Trust me. I'll cover it for you."

This week at Mt. Olive is full of opportunities for worship. for celebrating (even in Lent), and for serving our Lord by serving our neighbor. I've included my brothers in the ministry here in south Texas on today's update, making sure that our brothers and sisters at our sister churches are invited to these great opportunities!

Tuesday, John and Doris Hauermann, volunteer missionaries to the Far East, will be at Mt. Olive to tell about their mission endeavors. Many of you may remember John and Doris as the ones to whom we sent a notebook computer last year. We'll gather in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Eat before you come, but bring a dessert to share!

Wednesday is the scheduled Lenten services at 12:15 and 7:15 p.m. We are still in need of sponsors for the meal before the evening service.

Friday, the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ team will be arriving - late (about 9 p.m. or so). I've spoken with a couple of families who are available to be hosts, but I'm going to need a few more, since we have about 18 people converging here.

Saturday, the OAFC team will be leading us in outreach efforts in our area, some Bible study, some faith sharing, all culminating in what OAFC usually calls "an event" Saturday evening. Young people (probably grade 7 and older) and adults are invited to join. All ages are invited to the event on Saturday evening.

Needed for Saturday evening are trimmings for a barbecue meal - potato salad, beans, relish trays, bread, etc.

The OAFC team will also be helping us lead guitar worship on Sunday morning at both services.

Prayer Concerns:
Ruth Prytz, hospitalized
Bill and Mavis Waterman, Stephanie Waterman, and Kathryn Guerra, as Mavis' mother, Elva, was called to her Lord and given Christian burial this past week.
Ken, Sue, and Matthew Catherman, as Ken's dad, Kenneth, was called to his Lord and given Christian burial this past week.
Those who serve in our armed forces: Andrew Epley (Iraq), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Michael Baker (Corpus Christi), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (NAS Corpus Christi), Bill Worley (NAS Kingsville)
The families of those who are serving in our armed forces
Those who serve in the health care fields, often caring for people who are in the clutches of death
Pastors and their families, during the busy time of Lent

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, February 22
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.
Board of Elders, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 23
Mission Presentation by the Hauermans, 6:30 p.m.
Don't forget to bring a dessert to share!

Wednesday, February 24
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Prayer at Midday, 12:15 p.m.
Lenten meal, about 5:45 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Evening Prayer, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, February 27
OAFC activities, 9 a.m.

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings