This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! It's often thought odd that we read the Palm Sunday account from the Gospels on the First Sunday in Advent. But, it's important for our understanding of Christ's first advent that we hear that reading. This is the record of the King of God's people Israel coming to His Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem to claim His crown at the cross.

In this Advent season, we look back to the first advent, but we look forward to our Lord's second advent, when the King comes to claim His kingdom in glory. In faith, this is the day we long to see!

Today we had the first Christmas program rehearsal. Though some will be joining us next Sunday, several young people joined us today, reading handily as we prepare to tell of the birth of our Lord Jesus yet once more. I thank God for the helpful adults who were in attendance - your participation is and remains really important, both to the kids and to me.

Copies of the 2011 budget were made available today. If you did not receive one, copies are on the Narthex table. Please make it a point to peruse the budget so that we'll be prepared to act on it December 12.

That bring up another item: December 12 is a Voters Meeting Sunday. The schedule is: 9:30 a.m. - Divine Service; 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School, Voters meeting; 11:30 a.m. - Meal; 12 p.m. - Confirmation Instruction; 1:30 p.m. - Christmas program rehearsal

Advent Midweek Services begin this week, 12:15 p.m. Midday Prayer, and 7:15 p.m. Vespers.

Finally, the annual Christmas Bicycle Ride will begin at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church this year at 6:30 p.m. on December 14. In speaking with the organizer the other day, he's hoping to have 150 riders. Hopefully, they'll have television coverage again this year. If possible, I'd like to get about 8 or 9 cases of bottle water to give to the cyclists for the ride.

Prayer Concerns:
Kim Kots' father who was hospitalized today
Emma Wright, recovering from surgery last week
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi)
The Church throughout the world as she enters the holy season of Advent

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, November 29
6 p.m.
Zumba

Tuesday, November 30
7:30 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble (Colossians)

Wednesday, December 1
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study

12;15 p.m.
Advent Midday Prayer

6 p.m.
Zumba
Choir

7:15 p.m.
Advent Vespers

God bless!
PKJ