This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

What Does God Say of All These Commandments?
He says: I the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
What does this mean?
God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. He also promises grace and every blessing to all who love Him and keep His commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.

This morning, we recited these words in the Divine Service. I'm sure most of us remember reciting them either in Lutheran Day School or in Confirmation classes several years ago. Indeed, these words are frightening, for they threaten punishment on those who break the commandments.

But, for those who brought to love God through Christ by the Holy Spirit, life is a little different. Yes, we are still accused by the Law. Yet, what is the delight of all who are in Christ? It is to do what God wills. Where is the list of things God has given us to do? It's the 10 Commandments, especially the Second Table, involving the love of the neighbor. Reading the Catechism, it is God's delight that we take care of our neighbor's bodily need, live a sexually pure and decent life, help our neighbor improve and protect his possessions and income, and protect our neighbor's good name. Why do this? God has no need of our good works, this is true. But, our neighbor does. Thus, we serve God by serving our neighbor.

Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven.

This Week at Mt. Olive
Lent is rapidly approaching, beginning February 22 (Ash Wednesday). This year, Mt. Olive again offers light meals before each Lenten evening service. The dates of February 22 and 29 are already planned, but dates in March abound. Please sign up your group, board, committee, or group of families if you wish to provide a meal. The normal attendance is about 30.

Zumba Aerobics continues this week on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. This will shift in Lent - keep an eye on the calendar!

Next Sunday is an LWML Bake Sale! Fire up those ovens and get those forks ready to start baking and eating!

Finally, all youth mark your calendars - February 18 will be a flower bed planting day beginning at 9 a.m.

I will be out of the office Tuesday for Circuit Conference.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces and their families: Rob Vadney, John Sorensen
Those who are sick or hospitalized: Doris Nelson, Bob Whitworth, Charlotte Birnbaum, Burt Nelson
Our homebound: Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Walter and Pearly Theiss (Houston)
Thanksgiving for the rain received

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

Wednesday, February 8
8:30 a.m.
School Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Bible Study (Revelation 16 and 17)

6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics

7 p.m.
Lutheran Book Club - Tobit

Sunday, February 12
Divine Service, 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Adult Bible Class (Exodus 7), 9:15 a.m.
LWML Bake Sale!

God bless!
PKJ