The Olive Branch - January 9, 2008

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Accent on Worship

Several years back, when I taught our preschool choir, I took the small group of tiny children into the sanctuary to look at the furnishings there. We clambered (respectfully) onto the predella (altar platform). Then the children squeezed into the pulpit and huddled around Pastor Heisley. They were amazed to see the nave from that vantage point. (You should try it sometime; it is pretty amazing.) Finally, we looked at the font, which in preparation for a festival liturgy was standing front and center in the chancel. I turned my back for an instant, and when I turned around, the children were standing on tiptoes, splashing in the water. They were doing it quietly and seriously, with awe. It was a poignant sight that I will never forget. How appropriate and how natural - to see a “sink” and decide to wash your hands – to relish the feel of cool, soothing water…Water, with its simultaneous power to destroy (the December 26, 2004, “Boxing Day tsunami” had more than twice the total explosive energy used during all of World War II - including the two atomic bombs- and killed 230,000 people, of which 1/3 were children) and to restore (“The thirsty fields drink in the rain…”)
At the festival of the Baptism of Our Lord, we are reminded that when Jesus stepped into the water, a dove and a voice affirmed him as a divine Being at one with the Father and the Holy Spirit – beloved, commissioned and strengthened for his temptation, ministry, suffering, and death. With him, and in him, we too are beloved, chosen and washed.

All that the mortal eye beholds is water as we pour it.
But before the eye of faith unfolds the power of Jesus’ merit.
--Martin Luther 

Have you splashed around in your baptismal waters lately?

- Mark Spitzack

The Presentation of Our Lord
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Festival Holy Eucharist - 7:00 p.m.

Taste of Nigeria

The Missions Committee will be hosting the Taste of Nigeria on Sunday, February 3. Plan to attend worship services, education hour and a banquet celebrating Nigerian culture, music and food and learn more about the missions in Nigeria.

Flower Chart

The flower chart for 2008 is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office door. If you wish to sign up to provide flowers for church for a given week (or weeks!), please sign your name on the chart, and include any designation you wish to have included for the Sunday bulletin this week. Instructions for payment are posted on the chart.

Welcome Erik Floan

Erik Floan, full time musician at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Washington, has graciously accepted our invitation to serve as our interim musician while Cantor Cherwien is on sabbatical. Mr. Floan’s first liturgies will be on Sunday, January 20 and he will serve through Sunday, April 13. Be sure to greet him warmly, during the week or on Sunday mornings after services. And pray for our dear Cantor as he explores the world outside of Mount Olive’s walls!

January Book Discussion

Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group will meet on Saturday, January 19th, due to the annual Conference on Liturgy the previous week. We will be discussing Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. All readers welcome! 

Organ Vespers

You are cordially invited to join me for evensong on Sunday, January 27, at 4:00 p.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield. This service of silence, chant, scripture, prayer, and hymnody will include music by Herbert Howells, Marcel Dupré, and John Rutter. A chant ensemble and the Mount Olive Church School Choir will participate.

The planning and playing of this worship project are a requirement of the Master of Sacred Music degree at Luther Seminary, a program of theological and musical study operated in conjunction with St. Olaf College. The college’s chapel underwent a major renovation in 2006, including the installation of a 70-rank main organ and a 15-rank gallery organ. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. 

- Mark Spitzack

Jen Nagel to be Ordained

Ms. Nagel, who has served as pastoral ministry at Salem Lutheran Church for several years and who has been denied access to regular ordained ministry because of her sexual orientation, will be ordained in an extraordinary liturgy on Saturday, January 19, at 2 p.m. at Salem. The congregation shares a building at 810 West 31st Street. A reception will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Church , 4100 South Lyndale. Your prayers and presence are requested.

RIC Worship at Mount Olive

Mount Olive is this year’s host for the annual Reconciling in Christ liturgy on Sunday, January 27 at 7 p.m. Pastor Emily Meyer will preside and Pastor Mary Halvorson will preach. A reception will follow. This liturgy is for all members of the 26 RIC worship communities in the Twin cities who celebrate full inclusion in ministry.

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