Meetings and Events of Interest

Face to Face
Alzheimers Support Program Presented by:
Nestor H. Praderio, MD

A Learning Experience for Families & Caregivers of the Elderly

Topic: "Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement"
We will have a board of "Ask the Expert Panel" for any questions.

Group meeting. Wednesday, Oct. 28th, at Drs. Regional Hospital 6:30 PM
Conference Room (behind the hospital) 3315 S. Alameda
For info call 361-887-9600 or (800) 288-0026.




2nd Annual "Coastal Bend Walk for Memory". Nov. 7th. Cole Park Amphitheater
8 AM. Registration, Walk begins 8:30 AM. 2 Mile fitness walk. Information
booths about Alzheimers services and facilities in Coastal Bend area. For
info call 361-985-0555 or 826-3150.

First Place Float From Lord of Life

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 24 October 18, 2009

Lessons for Proper 24 (Lutheran Service Book)

Ecclesiastes 5:10–20 ~ We hoard the things that are hardest to give up until we find greater satisfaction in God.
Psalm 119:9–16 (antiphon: v. 14)
Hebrews 4:1-13 (14-16) ~ God’s rest has been prepared for us by Jesus, God’s own Son, who completed our work.
Mark 10:23–31 ~ When our heart is fixed on riches, it is impossible to embrace the wealth of the Kingdom.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: When Things Disturb Your Rest
God rested after He created this world. We can rest in Him because Jesus has finished our work of redemption. Unfortunately, our lives are often so busy with possessions that, like a troubled insomniac we find no rest at all. As King Solomon observed, “Whoever loves money, never has enough.” But Jesus pointed out that with God, even the rest of His Kingdom is possible for those who otherwise cannot enter His rest. When the love of God in Christ possesses us, it displaces the love of all those other things. “Come follow Me, . . . and you will find rest for your souls.”

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Gracious and loving Savior, give me a joy in following You that is greater than my love for all the things in my life. Then I will rejoice in sharing Your blessings and Your love with those who are oppressed and lost. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God calls us to follow Jesus who used all the earth at His disposal to accomplish the work of our salvation and open the door of His eternal rest to us. We cannot rest until all have heard Christ’s invitation: “Come, follow Me.”

OFFERING PRAYER: O Lord, our lives are filled by all the things we love the most,
And often they crowd out the love we owe to You alone.
Grant that the call to follow You may be our humble boast,
And blessings greater far than gold or jewels, will be our own. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: When we measure the worth of our lives by the amassing of fortune, we find ourselves restlessly striving for wealth and possessions in this world. Our greatest worth and wealth is found in being possessed by God’s love in Christ Jesus. Because He has purchased us with His life’s blood, we can rest comfortably in His grace, and spend our live – and our fortunes – joyfully, in sharing the wealth of the Gospel with others.

This Week at Mt. Olive

In the Gospel for yesterday (Mark 10:17-22), Jesus is greeted by an earnest man who kneels before Him, eager to know what else is needed to make his spiritual life complete. Jesus tells the man what he is lacking: Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and come, follow me. The man went away in sorrow, because he had great possessions.

But, in the middle of the man's questioning of Jesus, Mark records that Jesus, when looked at the man, "loved him." Even though the man would walk away, rejecting Jesus' plan for life, in spite of the man's refusal to look to the true God, in spite of the man's rebellion, Jesus loved the man. There's a common theme here. As Jesus was crucified, He cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Why would this perfect Man ever do such a thing as that? He loved them.

Episode after episode can be underlined in the Gospels in which Jesus is cursed, rejected, spat upon, and even put to death. Yet, in every one of those episodes, Jesus refrains from calling forth ten legions of angels. Why? Because He loves them.

Fast forward to today, and there is still Jesus' love. Our weeks are full of screw ups and failures and rebellion against our Lord, yet Jesus still comes to us with His Word of forgiveness, giving us Himself. Why? Because He looks at us, and He loves us. His love is not brought about by us, but from Himself.

Oh, don't get me wrong. There will be plenty who will not see the Pearly Gates of heaven. They reject their Lord over and over again. They tell the true God to leave them alone. Yet, that never stops the Lord Jesus Christ from looking at them and loving them, earnestly desiring that they repent and live in faith.

This week, as we live in God's love, make it a special point to pray: Pray in thanksgiving for God's great love shown to you in your baptism. Pray in thanksgiving that your Lord has kept you safe and secure in the holy Christian Church. Pray that, when your last hour comes, your Lord will deliver you from this veil of tears and to Himself in heaven. Pray that, as you live your Christian vocations this week, in word and deed, you proclaim the great love of Christ. And, finally, pray that there will be willing ears and hearts to hear you.

Two major functions are approaching rapidly, both happening at different times on October 24. Beginning in the morning, Jr. Youth and those going to New Orleans will be holding a car wash. Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $5. I have it on good authority that someone will be present with the "Car Wash" CD, and that some of the washers will dance.

The second major function occurs in the evening of October 24: Mt. Olive's own version of Octoberfest. Tickets are $10 before the event and $15 at the door. Included in the menu is one of my favorites: sauerbraten.

This week at Mt. Olive, the Girl Scouts will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Their special meeting will include lessons in marketing.

Also meeting this week is the Guitar Worship group, in preparation for this coming Sunday, will rehearse Wednesday at 7 p.m. About once every six weeks or so, Mt. Olive celebrates the Divine Service with guitar music - traditional hymns accompanied by some not so traditional instruments.

Every year about this time, those involved with the Boy Scouts of America are going about, selling some of the best popcorn you will ever eat. If you're interested in this, please see Brandon Rhode or Michael Jennings (both of Pack 278), Andrew Jones (Troop 255), Jonathan Jennings or Matthew Catherman (Troop 3).

I will be in and out of the office tomorrow, hopefully getting in at least nine holes with my son.

Remember in Prayer:
Those who serve in the Armed Forces: Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell), Dru Blanc, Chris Sorensen, Ryan Radtke (all of NAS Corpus Christi).
Those who serve in law enforcement, emergency response, and keeping us safe in daily life
Those who serve in the medical fields during this time of increased influenza
All the teachers of the Church and those who are commended to their teaching
All missionaries of the Church, both here and throughout the world

God bless!
Pastor Kevin Jennings

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, October 12
School classes are not in session, but Extended Care is running and the Church Office will be open
Girl Scouts, meeting in the Fellowship Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, meeting place TBA, 6:30 p.m.
Church Council, Pastor's Conference Room, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 8:30 a.m.
Choir, 6 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.
Guitar Worship Practice, 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 15
Cub Scout Pack Meeting, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 23 October 11, 2009

Lessons for Proper 23 (Lutheran Service Book)

Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 ~ The people of Amos’ day used power to deprive the poor rather than promote justice.
Psalm 90:12–17 (antiphon: v. 1)
Hebrews 3:12–19 ~ Through confidence in Christ we encourage one another and share in His eternal rest.
Mark 10:17–22 ~ Eternal life is an inheritance given to family members; it is not deserved or bought.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: It is a Matter of Inheritance.
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The man asked Jesus, as if inheritance depends on performance. Even in the Prophet Amos’ day, riches were thought to be an indication of God’s favor. The wealthy used that misconception as an excuse to oppress the poor. It also explains the disciples’ amazement at Jesus’ words: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” Inheritance is a matter of sharing in Christ and encouraging one another to draw near to God with confidence in Him. By His grace God extends His household to us through Jesus Christ because “with God all things are possible.”

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Dear Father in heaven, You have made me and claimed me. You have given me all that I have. Help me remember that the greatest gift is a place in your family. Help me use all my possessions in ways that are appropriate for a child of Your kingdom. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: The greatest inheritance is given us through the Father’s will and consists of eternal treasures. The riches of this world that God gives us are best used to promote justice and bring the poor into God’s kingdom of grace.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, in Your mercy let us seek
to right the wrongs that crush the meek.
Now bless these gifts to gracious ends
that we may win eternal friends. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: As in Amos’ day, so today, not only in the legal system but also in daily life, we turn power to our advantage and make the goal winning rather than seeking justice. We think we can use the same tactics to win blessings from God instead of bringing blessings to the poor and oppressed in God’s kingdom. But God gives the blessing of His eternal rest as an inheritance to those who are His children because they believe in the One He has sent to finish the work we are unable to do.

This Week at Mt. Olive

At the end of Sunday's Old Testament Lesson in Genesis 2, Moses records, "And the man and the woman were both naked and felt no shame."

Shame - that element that used to be in abundant supply in our society and now isn't so plentiful. Think of the things that cause shame, besides being naked: scoring low on a test, being rejected by a girl or boy, losing a job. More shameful, though, are the things that affect our relationship with God: our sinfulness, our attempts at covering up our sinfulness, and the like.

But, it's an even greater shame that heals our relationship with God and takes away the shame of our rebellion and sin. The greater shame that takes away our shame is the shame of the cross - the shame the sinless Jesus endured as He was mocked, condemned, crucified, and died.

Coming this next summer, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod holds its triennial convention in Houston, Texas. As required by the synodical constitution, Circuit 27, also known as the Coastal Bend Circuit, elected pastor and lay delegates to represent us: myself as pastoral delegate and Rebecca Kieschnick of Trinity Lutheran Church, West Sinton, as lay delegate.

Tuesday morning, Mt. Olive will host the monthly Circuit Conference or "winkel" for the pastors of our circuit.

The suggested activity for Young Adults this month is attending an Ice Rays game this coming Saturday (against Laredo). According to the web site, the least expensive tickets are $11.50. If you are a young adult and would like to attend, please give me a call at the church office.

Also this month, the Young Adults are planning to serve the community around Mt. Olive with a Trunk Treat night on October 31. Look for more details and how you might also participate!

Mt. Olive's Jr. Youth, as well as those planning to attend the National Youth Gathering next summer, will host a car wash on October 24. Presale tickets are available, and the suggested donation is $5 per car.

Mt. Olive's version of Octoberfest will be held on Saturday, October 24. I've heard rumors that there will be some really good sauerbraten to be had.

Special Prayer Needs:
Those who are ill or hospitalized, especially Ruth Prytz
Those serving in our armed forces: Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), Andrew Epley (preparing for deployment), Richard Rhode (North Carolina), Dru Blanc and Chris Sorensen (NAS Corpus Christi)
The pastors of our circuit and the circuit counselor, Pastor Eckert
The mission work of the Church throughout the world, that eager voices would faithfully proclaim Christ, and that eager ears would hear them
Students in our schools, especially those preparing for graduation during this school year

God bless!
PKJ

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, October 5:
Girl Scouts, 6:30 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6
Circuit 27 Conference, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, October 7
School Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Guitar Worship Rehearsal, 7 p.m.
Zumba Aerobics, 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 8
Cub Scout Den Meetings, 6:30 p.m.

Circuit Forum

The Circuit Forum to elect delegates to the synodical convention will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Texas on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 9;00 A.M.