This Week At Mt. Olive

Good afternoon, fellow redeemed!

The road to Pasco - the road of suffering. Jesus told His disciples they knew the way to where He was going. Thomas said he didn't understand. Soon enough, all of them would understand. The road to glory went through the cross. Jesus blazed the path to Pasco.

Every one of the disciples who heard Jesus that night learned the road to Pasco well. Only John would escape a violent death, and the attempts to silence him through violence and exile were numerous. Stephen, whose name was prominent in the first reading from Acts 6 and 7, took the trip to Pasco. Even Peter, the apostolic author of today's Epistle, would travel the road to Pasco numerous times.

The road to Pasco is suffering. It's not just suffering, but suffering for the sake of Christ. It's suffering for THE faith. "To this you were called," Peter wrote. We are called to suffering - to suffer with others. How might we travel the road to Pasco, the road of suffering with others?

This morning I told of the collections received for those who are suffering in other parts of the world. That's a step. Sometimes we fix meals, sometimes we simply listen. We do it because it needs to be done, this caring for those who suffer. That's what ministry - the Latin word for service - is all about. The call of our Lord isn't optional. How might we travel the road to Pasco? This isn't the time to become the suffering police and see what other people are doing. It's a time to examine our own walk with our Lord. It's time to take a turn on the road to Pasco.

By the way, the story I told of Laura this morning was true. Laura has since been received into the Church Triumphant, yet her deeds on the road to Pasco testify to the Lord in whom she believed. May the same be said of us.

Today is also Armed Forces Sunday. In late service, the active duty servicemen and women stood to be recognized. We talk about veterans a lot, and that's a good thing. I think it's just as much a good thing to have these men and women who are currently serving, and their families, are remembered in prayer for their service in these trying times.

This week at Mt. Olive, preparations are being made for the end of the school year. The Cub Scout pack has had it's last meeting until the fall. Many of our young people are making plans for their summer break. College students are beginning to return, even if just for a bit.

There will be no guitar practice this week as at least three of us will be making preparations for other things.

Please remember in prayer:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families, including: Rob Vadney (Ft. Cambell, KY); Richard Rhode (North Carolina); John Sorensen, Dru Blanc, Dru Blanc (Corpus Christi)
Pastor Mark and Isabella Seaman at the birth of daughter #2, Anna Lucia
Alejandra Diaz, wife of Pastor John Diaz (George West), who is hospitalized
Emmet and Emma Wright, Ann Cleveland, Ruby Rieder, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston), Norene Estes (Oklahoma)
Students who are taking finals, returning home, and making plans for the summer
Teachers and instructors who are getting ready for sessions during the summer
Our state legistors who are completing their regular session next Monday

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, May 23
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 24
Bokenkamp Advisory Board, 11 a.m. (Pastor out of the office)
Newsletter Articles are due

Wednesday, May 25
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ