This Week at Mt. Olive

Good morning, fellow redeemed!

Please pardon my tardiness. I usually get the update posted on Sunday evening, but I took the opportunity on our wedding anniversary to treat my wife to a nice dinner. Eighteen years ago yesterday, Kathy and I were united in the bonds of marriage. As I tell couples who are about to get married, one of the best things ever to happen to us was, about two months after our wedding, we moved to St. Louis for seminary. Talk about a change! We had to be dependent upon each other, as we were a thousand miles away from our families.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, for You hallowed us with Your commandments and given us the marriage covenant. In this sacred union, You bind together man and woman, husband and wife, that they may be strengthened and upheld. And, You give us a picture of how You have Yourself to Your people, the Church. Strengthen all husbands and wives in their marriage, that they may delight in Your holy will and may raise up their families in the nurture and admonition of Your holy Word. Preserve Your bride, the Church, that she may rejoice to enter into Your marriage feast which shall never end. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Lutheran Schools. I once asked how many attended Lutheran schools during their childhoods. For a couple of years, Jonathan attended Trinity-St. Paul Lutheran School in Hamel, Illinois, Kathy attended Zion Lutheran School in Independence, KS through the eighth grade, and I attended Redeemer Lutheran School in Austin through the sixth grade. This week, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church celebrates the ministry with which our Lord has blessed us at Mt. Olive Lutheran School. Each week at Mt. Olive, forty-four children hear the Good News about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

This week the Lenten services and Lenten meals continue. The theme for this week's Lenten service is "Father, Forgive Us When We Despise Your Great Salvation!" The meal is provided by the Sunday School teachers and the Sr. Youth, with an Italian theme. The offerings from this years' meals will be given LCMS World Relief and Human Care and Lutheran Disaster Assistance to purchase fresh water filter systems for families in Haiti.

Lenten services are held at 12:15 p.m. (Midday Prayer) and 7:15 p.m. (Evening Prayer).

The Lutheran Book Club meets on Tuesday evening at the home of the Blancs. This week, we enter Book IV of "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis. The next book to be undertaken is, "Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center" by Pastor Daniel Preus.

Finally, this coming Sunday will serve as Lutheran School Sunday at Mt. Olive. This is also the Sunday of a quarterly Voters Assembly meeting. Thus, the schedule for this Sunday is:
9:30 a.m. Divine Service (single service; guitar service)
10:30 a.m. Sunday School, Video for school parents in attendance, and Voters Assembly meeting
11:30 a.m. Meal and fellowship
12 p.m. Confirmation Instruction

Prayer Concerns:
Doris Nelson
Emmet and Emma Wright, Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston), Norene Estes (Oklahoma)
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)
Thanksgiving for the safe arrival of Stephanie Muhr from Japan
The churches in Japan and their pastors, that they may proclaim Christ crucified as the only source of home and assurance in the face of such a great disaster
The relief workers in Haiti from LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and Lutheran Disaster Assistance, as they continue to bring the hope of Christ crucified and the gift of daily bread into what often seems a hopeless situation
The holy Church throughout the world as she continues through this Lententide
The schools, colleges, and seminaries of the Church as they proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, March 21
6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Board of Elders

Tuesday, March 22
7:30 a.m.
Lutheran School Week activity

7 p.m.
Lutheran Book Club

Wednesday, March 23
7:30 a.m.
Lutheran School Week activity

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

12:15 p.m.
Lent Midday Prayer

5:30 p.m.
Lenten Meal

6:15 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal

7:15 p.m.
Lent Evening Prayer

Thursday, March 24
7:30 a.m.
Lutheran School Week activity

8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

7 p.m.
Guitar Worship Rehearsal

God bless!
PKJ