This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

These words from St. Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3 undoubtedly cause problems when we view them as twenty-first century North Americans. I know the usual self-righteous reaction, even from Lutherans: See, these people who don't work don't deserve my help! Unfortunately, the way we normally receive these words belies more about our predisposition to be the judge of the poor than it does what Paul was addressing in this verse.

The Thessalonian church had a problem. It wasn't that people were poor and needed help. It was that people were withdrawing from life and doing nothing but looking for the return of the Lord. In their withdrawal, these folks were looking for others to support them in their misguided approach. Paul was setting the Thessalonians straight on the problem of these who could possibly be considered the forerunners of medieval monasteries. Paul's encouragement for the church and for these who had withdrawn from life was to reengage living as they awaited the return of Christ.

Paul ends today's Epistle text with these words: As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Doing good in the eyes of Holy Scripture means taking care of the poor, the oppressed, the widow, the orphan, etc. Why do such things? We do them because they are important to our Lord and always have been. As those who have been joined to our Lord by faith, doing good, as Paul terms it, is to be second nature among us - not just to those we like and love, but especially to those who are undeserving.

Tonight's Youth Bowling outing was a blast, and a good time was had by all. Thank you to Sue Catherman and Emily Jirovec for helping tonight, too. Attending to bowl were Raymond Wright, Cassi Hamer, Ashley Hanelt, Wayde Adler, Matthew Catherman, Anika Tessman, Jonathan Jennings, Michael Jennings, Emily, and myself. Emily triumphed in the first game over all bowlers with at 106. The second game saw efforts at bowling with the opposite hand, granny shots, and reverse granny shots, but Pastor prevailed with a 113.

This week at Mt. Olive, preparations for the Children's Christmas Pageant will begin as the program is written and given to Sunday School teachers. I hope to have this in your hands no later than Friday morning. S. S. teachers, if you haven't heard from me by then, please feel free to send me a blast.

The other day, I received a note that Cub Scout Pack 278, which is owned by Mt. Olive, was revitalized through a special effort by our area scouting exec, Jeremy Barnes. The first meeting will be this Thursday evening!

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi)
Our homebound: Ann Cleveland, Ruth Prytz, Donnae Blake, Ruby Rieder, Norene Estes
The Church, as she proclaims Christ crucified faithfully as His appearing in glory nears each day
Those who travel in the upcoming holiday season, especially students who will be returning home for a much needed break

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, November 15:
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

6:30 p.m.
Board of Elders

Tuesday, November 16
Pastor out of the office in the a.m. for Bokenkamp meetings

7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble (Angels)

Wednesday, November 17
Happy birthday, Kathy!
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Deuteronomy)

6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, November 18
6:30 p.m.
Cub Scout Pack 278

7 p.m.
STARC

God bless!
PKJ