This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

The Gospel for this morning, Matthew 5:1-12, always demands to be proclaimed, even though I preached the Epistle today. In these verses at the beginning of Matthew 5, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount begins with what has commonly been called the Beatitudes. Several years ago, Robert Schuler of the Crystal Cathedral termed these the "Be Happy Attitudes." Sorry, Bob, but you've missed the point.

Take out your Bible and read through these statements. Many try to make them into guides for living, but it becomes as impossible as living the Ten Commandments perfectly. But, read them again, especially verses 3-10! Who is the one who is truly poor in spirit, truly meek, who mourns over sin, who hungers and thirsts for true righteousness, who really is merciful, who is truly pure in heart, who makes a lasting peace, and who is persecuted for righteousness' sake? The fulfillment of these statements isn't anything about us, but is truly our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Clinging to Christ, then, Jesus promises that there will be revulsion and persecution for His sake. Yet, the reward for clinging faithfully to Christ is the great reward of heaven.

O God the Holy Spirit, keep us grounded in the Word of the Cross by faith, that Christ's righteous obedience becomes ours! Amen

With things simmering down a little, this week's schedule at church will be a little more full. Here are a few highlights:
As many of you know, Donnae Blake, our sister in the faith, was called to her Lord this past week. A memorial service for Donnae will be held Friday at 4 p.m., with a reception afterward. Many have asked about the reception, but I still need to get input from the Blake family. As soon as I know something, I'll be forwarding it your way.

Tuesday night, Young Adult Bible Study will meet at Barnes and Noble at 7 p.m. One thing we'll be working out is the dusting off of the Lutheran Book Club. With the Young Adult Bible Study at its core, we'll be taking up books concerned with the Christian faith and Christian living. The first of those books will be C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. The first time to discuss this book will be next Tuesday, February 8, at 7 p.m. Right now, we're planning to continue meeting at Barnes and Noble, unless we can find a better site.

Choir also begins again this week on Wednesday night at 7 p.m., right after Zumba. Singers of all voices are invited.

In the area of music, I'd also like to resurrect the Guitar Worship group to rehearse this Thursday at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Andrew Jones, one of Mt. Olive's faithful, will receive Scouting's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, at a ceremony at Second Baptist Church at 4 p.m. The congregation is invited.

Finally, a note of thanks is in order, even though it won't come close to being enough. Many of you have supplied us with fantastic meals. Others have sent sympathy cards and memorials to our family. To be surrounded by such a great family of brothers and sisters in the faith is indeed a blessing from our Lord. Thank you very much for all your presence with our family during this very trying time.

Prayer Concerns:
The Blake family as they mourn Donnae's death
Ruth Prytz, who is hospitalized in Houston
Anton and Pearly Theiss, and Emmett and Emma Wright
My uncle, Raymond Whitaker who was hospitalized briefly over the weekend
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 proclaims the word of the cross
Pastor Allan Eckert, our circuit counselor, Pastor Mike Newman, our Mission and Ministry Facilitator, and Pastor Ken Hennings, our District President - these guys deal with all kinds of issues, including numerous vacancies
Citizens in Egypt during incredible unrest and turmoil

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, January 31:
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Tuesday, February 1:
7 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study at Barnes and Noble

Wednesday, February 2:
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

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

6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Choir

Thursday, February 3
6:30 p.m.
Cub Scout Pack 278

7 p.m.
Guitar Worship rehearsal

Friday, February 4
4 p.m.
Memorial Service for Donnae Blake

Saturday, February 5
4 p.m.
Eagle Scout ceremony for Andrew Jones at Second Baptist Church

God bless!
PKJ