This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

If Christ, who was true God by nature, has humbled himself to become servant of all, how much more should such action befit us who are of no worth, and are by nature children of sin, death and the devil! Were we similarly to humble ourselves, and even to go beyond Christ in humility -- a thing, however, impossible -- we should do nothing extraordinary. Our humility would still reek of sin in comparison with his. Suppose Christ was to humble himself in the least degree -- but a hair's breadth, so to speak -- below the most exalted angels; and suppose we were to humble ourselves to a position a thousand times more abased than that of the devils in hell; yet our humility would not compare in the least with that of Christ. For he is an infinite blessing -- God himself -- and we are but miserable creatures whose existence and life are not for one moment secure.
- Dr. Martin Luther, preaching on Philippians 2:5-11.

We are now in Holy Week, given to pondering the final days of the walk of our Lord Jesus to the cross. In the coming days, we will sense the sorrow of our Lord at the Passover with His disciples. We will hear His sweat falling to the ground as He prays in anguish, each drop breaking the silence as it hits the dirt. We will hear the false charges and find ourselves unable to listen to the mocking of the chief priests and scribes. We will see Jesus paraded before Pilate, submitted to Herod's taunting. Again, we will hear the crowds in the deafening roar, thirsting for the blood of Jesus. We'll recoil in horror at the tortures inflicted upon our Lord by the soldier, and jump with a start at each blow of the hammer. We will turn away in disgust at the sight of Jesus' blood falling to the ground, and strain to hear His labored words. We will hang our heads in sadness as Jesus breathes His last, and be sickened to hear the spear tearing the flesh of our Lord. And, Holy Week progresses, the caption of each scene becomes more and more clear: For You!

One final thought: I usually don't do this, because I try to put the best construction on everything. But, I felt a response was needed, at the very least to the flock my Lord has called me to serve. I recoiled in horror this morning when I read of a congregation here in Corpus holding a major giveaway on Easter Sunday. I won't name names; you can look this up in your paper or on the Internet. There are numerous problems with this, like trying to find the Gospel in it, or my favorite question: Did Jesus have to die for this to be true? And, where is Jesus' blood? The message that reportedly is being given is that heaven is a giveaway, but that is not true. Heaven has a tremendous cost. Just ask the Son of God who still bears the marks of the nails and spear in His body!

The story never grows old!

Many leaflets concerning services and the Resurrection Egg Hunt are still available on the Narthex Table. Take a few and walk your neighborhood! Distribute them to homes and families and friends!

Volunteers are needed for a significant outreach event at Mt. Olive this weekend, the Resurrection Egg Hunt. What ages? Just about any age has a place in this important event. Please check with either Kim Waddle or myself. Better yet, come by Friday morning at 9 a.m. and help fill eggs, and Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. No, you are not too old to do this!

Here is the Choir Schedule for Wednesday night:
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Share snacks at 5 p.m. and start singing at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Even if you're late, even if you haven't seen any of the songs, please come to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!

Special Services at Mt. Olive:
Holy Thursday
12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., Divine Service

Good Friday
12:15 p.m., The Way of the Cross
7:15 p.m., Tenebrae Service of Darkness

Holy Saturday
10 a.m. Resurrection Egg Hunt

The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunday)
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service
Afterward, the Easter Breakfast begins

8 and 10:30 a.m. Festival Service

9:15 a.m. - Sunday School, Bible Class, and the Breakfast continues

Every year, Messiah Lutheran Church in Calallen presents The Living Last Supper. This year, The Living Last Supper will be presented on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week at 7:30 p.m.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces: Rob Vadney (about to deploy to Afghanistan), John Miller's niece (Afghanistan), Andrew Epley (Iraq), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Ryan Radtke, John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Michael Baker (Corpus Christi), William Worley (Kingsville)
It's also important to remember the families of those who serve!
Wanda Long, recovering from surgery here in Corpus after a fall
Those who are homebound: Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Norene Estes
The Holy Church throughout the world as she walks to the cross with our Lord Jesus and prepares to celebrate His resurrection

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, March 29
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30
Pastor's Information Class, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 5-7 p.m.

Thursday, April 1 (Holy or Maundy Thursday)
Divine Service, 12:15 p.m.
Divine Service, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, April 2 (Good Friday)
Egg Filling and Preparation for Saturday, 9 a.m.
Way of the Cross, 12:15 p.m.
Tenebrae (Darkness) Service, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 3 (Holy Saturday)
Resurrection Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. (Volunteers arrive at 9:30 a.m.)
Set Up for Easter Breakfast, 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 4 (The Resurrection of Our Lord)
Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m.
Easter Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.
Festival Service, 8 a.m.
Sunday School, Bible Class, Breakfast continues, 9:15 a.m.
Festival Service, 10:30 a.m.

God bless!
PKJ