This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

A particular name stood out in today's First Reading that immediately caught my attention.

But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. (Acts 5:34)

Gamaliel was a famous Jewish teacher whose name means, "God is my reward." Gamaliel taught in the early to mid first century in Jerusalem, instructing young would-be rabbis in the ways of the Pharisees. Not much is known about Gamaliel, but you probably know his most famous student: Saul of Tarsus, who would later be known as the apostle, St. Paul.

What is striking about this text from Acts 5 is the reaction of Peter and John as they were beaten, commanded not to preach in the name of Jesus, and then sent away. Luke records,

"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name" (5:41).

May we join the apostles, those sent for the purpose of the Lord Christ, in rejoicing to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.

This Week at Mt. Olive is again short:
Monday is Zumba at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Bible Study will not meet, but there will be chapel and Zumba will meet at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, there will be guitar practice at 7 p.m.

I will be out of the office for a pastor's conference until Thursday morning.

In your prayers, please remember:
Emmet Wright who is hospitalized, and Emma;
The Vadney family, as they rejoice in Rob's safe return;
All those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell, KY); Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi)
Haley Willoughby and Tony Petrillose, who will be united in holy matrimony this weekend;
The families and communities who continue to dig out from the destructive weather over the last few weeks;
Students who will be taking their finals in the next few weeks and then journeying home.

God bless!
PKJ