This Week at Mt. Olive

Good morning, fellow redeemed!

Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence, we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.

The great gift given in prayer is beyond our comprehension. God invites us to believe that He is our true Father...we may ask as dear children... God gives us the command to pray to Him, as well as the promise that He will hear us as we pray in faith. Christ, we are judged worthy to pray to our Father.

Martin Luther wrote in the Large Catechism that we should pray the Lord's Prayer, a most excellent prayer, because God loves to hear it. Abraham on his journey...Moses in the wilderness...Solomon as God appeared to him at Gibeon...Daniel as he pondered one of many dreams...Jesus on numerous occasions...the apostles as they met to consider replacing Judas...the company of disciples after Peter's release from prison. All of these have a common element. In every episode, in prayer, God's promises are recited back to Him. Why would anyone do that? God's people recite His promises back to Him because He loves to hear His people relying on Him. Thus, the Lord's Prayer, full of God's promise, is the one God loves to hear.

The Lord's Prayer, complete with ins, ands, and such, and with the doxology, consists of 70 words in English. In 70 short words, God's people pray the prayer God loves to hear. May it always be on our lips.

This Week at Mt. Olive
We praise God for the safe return of campers Julianna Stacy, Summer King, and Trevor Johnson. From what I've heard, it was fun time. This week, many more are at Camp Lone Star, battling heat and chiggers, but building relationships in Christ and learning His Word.

Eight people attended last week's Adult Information Class. I hope to have the same eight, plus a couple this week on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. This week, we cover the Ten Commandments, teachings about God and man, and maybe even get into the Creeds a little.

Also this week, we journey into chapter 2 of "Why I am a Lutheran: Christ at the Center." This group meets on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Emma Wright was very thankful to the congregation for the outpouring of love shown to her at the time of Emmet's death. David Simonds expressed similar thanksgiving as Zora has gone through surgery and into her recovery period. Must be a pattern - God's people at Mt. Olive sharing the love of Jesus!

Finally, a plug for VBS. Every year, Vacation Bible School makes two huge pleas, one for FUNDING, and the other for VOLUNTEERS. As to the volunteers, many are under the mistaken impression that they have little or nothing to offer in Vacation Bible School. Opportunities to serve during this important week abound. Some may be able to serve for an entire week. Some may be able to bring a platoon of friends to help. Others may be able to offer a single day, but in that day fill a critical part in an important skit (thanks, Gary!). As you consider a monetary offering for VBS, please consider also a service opportunity.

For those who have served in VBS in the past, if you have a great story in your service, please send it to me and allow me to use it!

I will be out of the office Friday for closing session at Camp Lone Star.

Prayer Concerns:
Zora Simonds, recovering from surgery
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell, KY), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), John Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (Corpus Christi), reservists Andy Epley and Michael Baker
Those who are homebound: Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston)
Vacation Bible School preparations at Mt. Olive
Michael Shumway, Sunday School teacher for this coming Sunday
Pastor Justin Beck, installed yesterday at Trinity

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, June 27
6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Tuesday, June 28
7 p.m.
Adult Information Class

Wednesday, June 29
9:30 a.m.
Bible Study

7 p.m.
Lutheran Book Club

God bless!
PKJ