This Week at Mt. Olive

Today is Gaudete Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of rejoicing. Today, we rejoice as the commemoration of our Lord Jesus' First Advent nears. Over the past few weeks, we've been paying attention to the texts of Romans. Romans isn't usually at the top of the list when considering Advent, but the apostle St. Paul has a way of guiding us into the ways of preparation for our Lord's arrival.

The cause of rejoicing in today's text (Romans 5:1-11) is the hope given us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Many translations say, "Hope does not disappoint." A better rendering is this: Hope does not put to shame. The hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ, the event of our Lord's Second Advent, does not leave us with egg or mud on the faces of His people, just as the First Advent is the source of unending joy in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

O God the Holy Spirit, keep us ever watchful for the return of our Lord Christ, that we may rejoice in His appearing, even as we rejoice in His gifts now. Amen

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) Christmas Dinner is being held Tuesday evening at Frank's Spaghetti House on Leopard at 6:30 p.m. If you haven't registered and wish to attend, please call the Church Office at first light tomorrow morning!

Tuesday, also, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church will be the starting site for the Corpus Christi Christmas Bicycle Ride. I believe the ride starts about 7 p.m. and is around 6 miles in length. Last week, I asked for donations so we could provide each rider, as our guest, with a bottle of water. Currently, we have three cases of water (72 bottles) with an expectation of about 150 riders. If you're able to provide a case of water (some of the drinking water at HEB is $3 per case!), please bring it by the church office by Tuesday morning.

Wednesday will be the last Advent Midweek Services for Advent 2010. Midday Prayer is held at 12:15 p.m., and Advent Vespers is held at 7:15 p.m.

Thursday, Mt. Olive Lutheran School will host its annual Christmas program and celebration.

Finally, one extra rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant is needed. This will be held Sunday, December 19. Plan on eating lunch at the church - it will be provided - right after late service, and practicing at 12 p.m. We'll be done by 1:30 p.m., which will give the youth plenty of time to get to Nutcracker for the 3 p.m. matinee.

My thanks to the skit actors for their service so far. We have one skit left, and it's anybody's guess what will happen then (okay, one other person and I know).

Prayer Concerns:
Kelly Lyons (Preston's dad) undergoing treatment
Raymond Whitaker, my uncle, undergoing tests
Ann Cleveland, hospitalized
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke, Dru Blanc (Corpus Christi)
The home bound of our church during this holiday season
The Altar Guild (they're busy during Advent)
The Sunday School children and the young people of Mt. Olive, as they prepare to lead the Christmas Eve services
The Church throughout the world as she prepares to celebrate her Lord's First Advent, while looking for His Second Advent

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, December 13
6 p.m.
Zumba

Tuesday, December 14
6:30 p.m.
LWML Christmas Dinner at Frank's Spaghetti House

Christmas Bicycle Ride

Wednesday, December 15
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study

12:15 p.m.
Advent Midday Prayer

6 p.m.
Choir
Zumba

7:15 p.m.
Advent Vespers

Thursday, December 16
7 p.m.
School Christmas Program

Sunday, December 19
8 and 10:30 a.m.
Divine Service

9:15 a.m.
Sunday School/Bible Class

12 p.m.
Christmas Program Practice

2 p.m.
Youth to Nutcracker

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings (PKJ)