This Week at Mt. Olive

Good morning, fellow redeemed!

Zephaniah 3:14-15:
Rejoice aloud, daughter of Zion, shout, Israel, rejoice and exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! Yahweh has put away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemy. Yahweh, the King of Israel, is in your midst; you will not fear evil any longer.

Revelation 21:3:
And I heard a great voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men; He tabernacles with them, and they will be His people, and He will be God with them."

The locatedness of God always seems to be a matter of contention that escalates into a bone of contention. People love saying, "The Lord is with me," in one moment, while acting like He's conveniently far removed in the next. Several years ago, poet Robert Frost penned the words, "God is in His heaven, all is right with the world."

But, is God far away and removed, sitting on His throne in heaven with a big "G" on His chest, punching buttons and making things happen? That's the way many see the positioning of God, but it's not taught in the Bible.

As Matthew records in 1:22, God is with us, in the flesh. This God with us, Immanuel, is Jesus of Nazareth, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. Forever and ever, He is both God and man, and it is through Him that God reveals Himself to man. It is through Jesus by the Holy Spirit that man approaches God.

Even now, in the means of grace, the dwelling place of God is with man, those places where God breaks into time and space and comes to human beings who are bound to this earth and its time.

Lord Jesus Christ, in Your nativity, You make Your dwelling place with us by becoming flesh. On the Last Day, You will be with us, in our midst, forever. In this in between time, bring us to cherish and hold fast those times and places where You tabernacle with us today, in Your chosen means of grace. For Your name's sake. Amen

This Week at Mt. Olive:
The LWML Christmas Dining Out is tomorrow evening at the Saltwater Grill on Cimarron. If you haven't signed up and wish to do so, please call the Church Office today!

Angel Tree gifts are due by Wednesday! A convenient way to do things is to come for Midweek Worship (12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and drop off your gift after worship!

The Youth will be attending The Nutcracker on Sunday afternoon. Ticket have been purchased; we'll gather at the church at 1:30 p.m. and leave shortly afterward. If some of you would like to join my family and me at Jason's for lunch, we'd be glad to sup with you!

Next week events:
Tuesday, December 20, 6:30 p.m. Christmas Program Rehearsal - Pizza will be provided; we'll practice until about 8;30 p.m.
Thursday, December 22, 9:30 a.m. Youth (5th Grade and Above) Christmas Cookie Making and Caroling (Pizza for lunch will be provided)
Saturday, December 24, 6:30 p.m., Children's Christmas Service/Program, 11 p.m. Christmas Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 25, 8 and 10:30 a.m., Christmas Day Divine Service

Prayer Concerns:
The holy Christian and Apostolic Church throughout the world as it prepares to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ that they may give the good testimony of Christ
The Altar Guild at Mt. Olive and at all churches at they go about preparations for the celebrations of Christmas
Sunday School teachers at Mt. Olive and throughout the Church as they teach and learn once more of the birth of Immanuel, God with us
Our Brothers and Sisters in the Faith at Lord of Life and Our Savior, and for all congregations searching for a pastor, that God would keep them faithful and give them patience as they await His gracious gifts
Those who travel over this upcoming holiday period
Those who will labor over the holidays to ensure our safety and well-being, especially those who serve in the armed forces (Rob Vadney, John Sorensen), the police and law enforcement officers, first responders - firefighters and emergency medical workers, nurses, doctors
Those who are experiencing medical procedures and difficulties: Bill Waterman (tests), Charlotte Birnbaum (at home with the Dearings), Richard Solano (undergoing surgery)

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, December 12
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

No Church Council meeting tonight!

Tuesday, December 13
LWML Dining Out, Saltwater Grill, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 14
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Revelation 13), 9:30 a.m.
Midday Prayer, 12:15 p.m.
Advent Vespers, 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 15
Mt. Olive Lutheran School Christmas Program, 6:30 p.m.

God bless!
PKJ

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