This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

These words from St. Paul were part of this morning's Epistle. We're in a time of year when we're reminded that time is getting short. After the first day of Fall, the sun begins to set earlier in the evening and doesn't rise quite as early in the morning. More activities are carried on indoors as the shadows creep and light for fun stuff outside becomes in shorter supply.

But, we're also in the time of the Church Year in which the readings start to sound the note of judgment and call for repentance and faith. The Gospel for the Day is a great example with the parable of the wicked tenants. Jesus message is one of judgment that calls for repentance and faith.

In a way, St. Paul's words also announce judgment. In fact, as a man of great faith, Paul looked forward to the great and glorious Day of the Lord. "I do not consider that I have made it my own." In fact, this is all by God's grace in Jesus Christ. The assurance given to Paul of the day of resurrection is so great that, at times, he wrote of it as if it had already happened. "Forgetting what lies behind and straining to what lies ahead..." Paul's history as a Jew of Jews proved to be nothing more than a history of wickedness. That was behind him by God's grace in Christ. Instead, Paul looked earnestly for the day when his Lord Jesus would return in glory. "...The goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In Christ, all the accolades for Paul proved to be nothing more than rubbish. In fact, Paul's whole focus through faith in Christ was now on the goal for which all those who belong to Christ long to see: the great Day of the Lord, the Day of Christ's Return, the Day of Resurrection.

In our Revelation class, we're learning that, for those who are outside of Christ, the day is one of unspeakable terror. Yet, for those who are in Christ by faith, the Last Day is one which we long to see.

Eternal Father, the times and seasons are in Your hands. Preserve us in the faith and keep us always in Christ. For it is in His name that we pray. AMEN

This week at Mt. Olive, important choir rehearsals will begin. I'll be sending out more information on this tomorrow (I hope). The rehearsals will begin on THURSDAY evening. The time and place are what's currently up in the air. This is in preparation for the October 16 Hymn Festival at Trinity Lutheran Church at 6 p.m.

Wednesday morning, the Bible Class continues with Revelation 7.

Finally, I'll be coming out with an Acolyte Schedule this week. Next Sunday, following Late Service, there will be a short (10 minute) Acolyte Training Session. The biggest single item of this training is identifying a robe that fits.

I'll be in the office but unavailable Tuesday morning as Mt. Olive will be hosting the monthly Winkel (pastors' conference).

By the way, I'm attaching a copy of this month's newsletter.

Prayer Concerns:
Zora Simonds
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell, KY), Richard Rhode, John Sorensen (Corpus Christi)
Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston)
The teachers and students of Mt. Olive Lutheran School
The Sunday School teachers and staff of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
Our brothers and sisters Our Savior and Lord of Life as they continue the search for a pastor

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, October 3
6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

Tuesday, October 4
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Circuit 27 Pastors' Conference (Overflow)

Wednesday, October 5
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Revelation 7)

Thursday, October 6
Choir Rehearsal - Time and Place TBA

Sunday, October 9
Acolyte Training after Late Service

God bless!
PKJ
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