This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Car advertisements aside, the Super Bowl commercials so far have not disappointed: the focus is on the marketing devices and gimmicks, not the product. I already have a few favorites, one involving a pug and the other involving product placement.

This is diametrically opposed to the proclamation of the Church. Our message is Jesus Christ and Him crucified - period. The wisdom of God is forever located in Him. Whenever the Church tries to mirror the age around it, inevitably the proclamation of Christ becomes obscured and the aims of man become the focus. Instead of looking trendy or smart, the Church winds up looking silly.

Lord of the Church, keep us grounded in the message of the cross, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us faithfully proclaiming this message, and faithfully witnessing to the Lord of glory who was crucified for sinners. AMEN

Yesterday, the funeral for Ruth Prytz was a joyful occasion. Whenever we sing the last stanza of For All the Saints, the imagery of the stanza inevitably leads me to see the countless throng of the saints, those of every race and language and tongue, singing in the robust voice of those redeemed, rested, and resurrected in Christ the crucified, praising the Holy Trinity in the song that never ends. Thank you to all who served to present the meal afterward.

Also yesterday, it was a time of achievement for Andrew Jones, who received his Eagle award, the highest rank in scouting. Congratulations, Andrew!

This week, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League will set the program at its Tuesday meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Also this week, Choir rehearsal is set to begin. Hopefully our Lord will preserve us from inclement weather this Wednesday.

Finally, I'm really jazzed about the reemergence of the Lutheran Book Club. While this is begun with the Young Adult Bible Study, this group includes all ages. What you need is a willingness to keep up with the reading, a readiness to discuss, and eagerness to grow. The first book we will read is Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Copies are available through half.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and you might be able to scare up a copy at Half-Price Books. If you're interested in joining us, send me a blast and I'll get you a copy of the study guide. The Lutheran Book Club will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the home of Dru and Tammy Blanc, beginning February 15.

Prayer Concerns:
Bruce and his family as they mourn Donnae's death
Esther and her family, as they mourn Ruth's death
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Dru Blanc, John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (NAS Corpus Christi)
Our home bound members: Emmett and Emma Wright, Walter and Pearly Theiss, Ann Cleveland, Ruby Rieder

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, February 7
6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Tuesday, February 8
9 a.m.
Circuit 27 pastors' conference

6:30 p.m.
LWML meeting

Wednesday, February 9
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study

6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Choir rehearsal

Thursday, February 10
6:30 p.m.
Cub Scout Pack 278

God bless!
PKJ