Mount Olive Lutheran Church

Heart’s Joy

By

God’s words – God’s Word – speaks into existence good and beautiful and life; this is counter to the world’s wisdom, but in Christ Jesus we are invited to trust the path of God’s words as our heart’s joy.

Pr. Joseph G. Crippen
   The Third Sunday in Lent, year B
   texts:  Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; John 2:13-22

Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

In the beginning, God spoke, and it was good.

God’s words were uttered into darkness and chaos and from them came light and order and beauty and life.  This is what God does with words.  God creates.  God creates good.  God creates joy.  God creates life.

Exodus says: “Then God spoke all these words.”  The God who made all things, who called Abraham and Sarah and their family, who rescued them from slavery in Egypt, this God now speaks words to the people at Mount Sinai.  In Hebrew the Ten Commandments are “The Ten Words”.

If God creates good with words, creates joy with words, creates life and beauty and light with words, why do we fear God’s law, God’s words?  Why is our theology so thick with language about how the law kills, cuts, destroys?  Why are God’s words our enemy?

We sang with the psalmist that “the statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart.”  When was the last time you heard the law of God and your heart rejoiced?

Mount Sinai is a moment of grace and promise for God’s people.

The Hebrews knew God desired a relationship with them, sought out their ancestors.  Centuries of slavery and hardship in Egypt must have felt like abandonment.  Has the true God forgotten us?  Then came Moses, and rescue from Egypt, and even with hardships along the way, the people arrive at Sinai in hope of a new life in a land promised to be their home.

To these people, in that place, with this hope, God speaks a word of covenant promise.  God has already fulfilled the divine part of the covenant: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt,” they are told.  I am the one who has saved you, who is with you.

Now, God says, as my people, loved and saved, here’s the good path, your way of life.  God’s not threatening to withhold grace: they’ve already received life and freedom.  As always, God’s words are creating good, and beauty, and light, and life.

Seeing this giving of the law as grace and hope for Israel could set aside our ancient fear.

Our fear of God, seeing God as bringer of judgment and criticism, while we cringe.  Our fear of God’s law, seeing the law as forbidding, harsh, judgmental.  Afraid of God, of God’s words, we find ourselves enemies of the law, enemies of God.

Consider these people at Sinai, still learning about the Creator God who has just saved them from oppression and slavery, who now gives them direction for life.

In a world where people use violence, and kill to get their way, this God says, “that’s not a path of life.  You won’t kill if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where people betray those closest to them and aren’t faithful, this God says, “that’s not a path of life.  You won’t commit adultery if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where old people feel like burdens and fear not being able to care for themselves, this God says, “Honor your father and mother, that’s the path of life.  If you are my people, you will take care of your elders.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where it’s hard to know whom to trust, where people lie to get what they want, this God says, “Don’t witness falsely about each other.  That’s not a path of life.  Tell the truth and be honest, if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where people don’t know God, don’t believe in God, assume God is the cause of all suffering, this God says, “I have saved you, so get to know me.  Don’t worship other things, only me; take time to rest as I do.  That’s the path of life for my people.”  What a grace for them, to be given the promise, the command, of a relationship with the eternal God.

God speaks and good things are made.  God speaks what is good, and beauty, and light, and life.  Just as it brought joy to the hearts of Israel – as it did the times they understood instead of the ones they resented, as we do – this confidence in God’s words can bring our hearts joy, too.

Especially when we remember what God’s Word has become for us.

God’s Word, the Word that creates good and beauty and light and life, took on our human flesh, became one of us.

All of God’s Word – creation and law and grace, everything God speaks – is now incorporated – embodied – in Jesus.  His life and presence is the Word of God in the world.  His voice is the Word of God.  His actions are the Word of God.

But he also is one of us.  Jesus not only is the entire speech of God in the world, as a human being he can carry our part of the conversation with God as well.  Speak for us to God when we are afraid, when we hide, when we can’t see God’s Word as good.  Jesus teaches us to speak with God freely, without fear.

Jesus holds the conversation between God and humanity in his own person.  He teaches us in our own words that God’s good word for us and the world is still good, and beauty, and light, and life.  In Christ Jesus we are reconciled to God, Paul has told us, because both we and God are brought together.  Christ is God’s temple, as John tells us today, where we meet God.

At the cross God’s Word absorbs all our bad words, all our breaking of the law, and destroys death’s power over us.  God’s Word creates good even in dying, and fully joins us to the life of the Triune God forever.  There is no need for us to be enemies anymore.  In Christ Jesus there is no way we can be enemies with God.

Look at God’s law, then, and rejoice: here’s the path to life.

In Christ we see God’s path – love of God and love of neighbor – as the only way we want to live.  We understand God’s forgiveness in Christ not as avoiding punishment but as putting our feet right, our hearts right, our eyes right, our heads right, on the path God’s Word shows is life.

God’s law, Christ reveals, is the instructions for how we’re designed to live in happiness and love, the operating manual for humanity to live in joy and hope.  It’s the wisdom to how we can live in a world of peace for all, the answer to the suffering of this planet.  If we lived according to the Ten Words, adding to them Jesus’ deepening in the Sermon on the Mount and Luther’s expansion of them into positive actions toward God and neighbor, this world would be an astonishingly good place to live in.  That’s our heart’s joy.

Today God still speaks and it’s still good.

God’s words are uttered into the darkness and chaos and evil of this world and from them come light and order and beauty and life.  This is what God does with words.  God creates.  God creates good.  God creates joy.  God creates life.  God creates a path that is good, and beauty, and light, and life, for all people.

When we understand that, we can really start to sing our psalm.  We become people living in the heady world of joy in God’s goodness.

We can sing “the teaching of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart.  The commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.”

We can sing it because we know now it’s true.  Because we know now this is the path of joy we’ve been looking for our whole lives.

And because God spoke this Word.  And when God speaks, it is good.

In the name of Jesus.  Amen

Heart’s Joy

By

God’s words – God’s Word – speaks into existence good and beautiful and life; this is counter to the world’s wisdom, but in Christ Jesus we are invited to trust the path of God’s words as our heart’s joy.

Pr. Joseph G. Crippen
   The Third Sunday in Lent, year B
   texts:  Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; John 2:13-22

Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

In the beginning, God spoke, and it was good.

God’s words were uttered into darkness and chaos and from them came light and order and beauty and life.  This is what God does with words.  God creates.  God creates good.  God creates joy.  God creates life.

Exodus says: “Then God spoke all these words.”  The God who made all things, who called Abraham and Sarah and their family, who rescued them from slavery in Egypt, this God now speaks words to the people at Mount Sinai.  In Hebrew the Ten Commandments are “The Ten Words”.

If God creates good with words, creates joy with words, creates life and beauty and light with words, why do we fear God’s law, God’s words?  Why is our theology so thick with language about how the law kills, cuts, destroys?  Why are God’s words our enemy?

We sang with the psalmist that “the statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart.”  When was the last time you heard the law of God and your heart rejoiced?

Mount Sinai is a moment of grace and promise for God’s people.

The Hebrews knew God desired a relationship with them, sought out their ancestors.  Centuries of slavery and hardship in Egypt must have felt like abandonment.  Has the true God forgotten us?  Then came Moses, and rescue from Egypt, and even with hardships along the way, the people arrive at Sinai in hope of a new life in a land promised to be their home.

To these people, in that place, with this hope, God speaks a word of covenant promise.  God has already fulfilled the divine part of the covenant: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt,” they are told.  I am the one who has saved you, who is with you.

Now, God says, as my people, loved and saved, here’s the good path, your way of life.  God’s not threatening to withhold grace: they’ve already received life and freedom.  As always, God’s words are creating good, and beauty, and light, and life.

Seeing this giving of the law as grace and hope for Israel could set aside our ancient fear.

Our fear of God, seeing God as bringer of judgment and criticism, while we cringe.  Our fear of God’s law, seeing the law as forbidding, harsh, judgmental.  Afraid of God, of God’s words, we find ourselves enemies of the law, enemies of God.

Consider these people at Sinai, still learning about the Creator God who has just saved them from oppression and slavery, who now gives them direction for life.

In a world where people use violence, and kill to get their way, this God says, “that’s not a path of life.  You won’t kill if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where people betray those closest to them and aren’t faithful, this God says, “that’s not a path of life.  You won’t commit adultery if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where old people feel like burdens and fear not being able to care for themselves, this God says, “Honor your father and mother, that’s the path of life.  If you are my people, you will take care of your elders.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where it’s hard to know whom to trust, where people lie to get what they want, this God says, “Don’t witness falsely about each other.  That’s not a path of life.  Tell the truth and be honest, if you are my people.”  What a grace for them.

In a world where people don’t know God, don’t believe in God, assume God is the cause of all suffering, this God says, “I have saved you, so get to know me.  Don’t worship other things, only me; take time to rest as I do.  That’s the path of life for my people.”  What a grace for them, to be given the promise, the command, of a relationship with the eternal God.

God speaks and good things are made.  God speaks what is good, and beauty, and light, and life.  Just as it brought joy to the hearts of Israel – as it did the times they understood instead of the ones they resented, as we do – this confidence in God’s words can bring our hearts joy, too.

Especially when we remember what God’s Word has become for us.

God’s Word, the Word that creates good and beauty and light and life, took on our human flesh, became one of us.

All of God’s Word – creation and law and grace, everything God speaks – is now incorporated – embodied – in Jesus.  His life and presence is the Word of God in the world.  His voice is the Word of God.  His actions are the Word of God.

But he also is one of us.  Jesus not only is the entire speech of God in the world, as a human being he can carry our part of the conversation with God as well.  Speak for us to God when we are afraid, when we hide, when we can’t see God’s Word as good.  Jesus teaches us to speak with God freely, without fear.

Jesus holds the conversation between God and humanity in his own person.  He teaches us in our own words that God’s good word for us and the world is still good, and beauty, and light, and life.  In Christ Jesus we are reconciled to God, Paul has told us, because both we and God are brought together.  Christ is God’s temple, as John tells us today, where we meet God.

At the cross God’s Word absorbs all our bad words, all our breaking of the law, and destroys death’s power over us.  God’s Word creates good even in dying, and fully joins us to the life of the Triune God forever.  There is no need for us to be enemies anymore.  In Christ Jesus there is no way we can be enemies with God.

Look at God’s law, then, and rejoice: here’s the path to life.

In Christ we see God’s path – love of God and love of neighbor – as the only way we want to live.  We understand God’s forgiveness in Christ not as avoiding punishment but as putting our feet right, our hearts right, our eyes right, our heads right, on the path God’s Word shows is life.

God’s law, Christ reveals, is the instructions for how we’re designed to live in happiness and love, the operating manual for humanity to live in joy and hope.  It’s the wisdom to how we can live in a world of peace for all, the answer to the suffering of this planet.  If we lived according to the Ten Words, adding to them Jesus’ deepening in the Sermon on the Mount and Luther’s expansion of them into positive actions toward God and neighbor, this world would be an astonishingly good place to live in.  That’s our heart’s joy.

Today God still speaks and it’s still good.

God’s words are uttered into the darkness and chaos and evil of this world and from them come light and order and beauty and life.  This is what God does with words.  God creates.  God creates good.  God creates joy.  God creates life.  God creates a path that is good, and beauty, and light, and life, for all people.

When we understand that, we can really start to sing our psalm.  We become people living in the heady world of joy in God’s goodness.

We can sing “the teaching of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart.  The commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.”

We can sing it because we know now it’s true.  Because we know now this is the path of joy we’ve been looking for our whole lives.

And because God spoke this Word.  And when God speaks, it is good.

In the name of Jesus.  Amen

Midweek Lent 2015 + Clay Jars Filled with Grace (Paul’s second letter to Corinth)

By

Week 2: “Gifted to Serve”

When we live in God’s love, we bear the fruit of sharing our gifts with the world. We don’t need to depend on our own competence or abilities, but trust in God working through us. Open yourself to the work of God through you in the world.

Vicar Meagan McLaughlin
   Wednesday, 4 March 2015; texts: 2 Corinthians 3:4-18, John 15:1-11

Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What are your greatest strengths? If it’s been a while since your last job interview, you may not have thought about that question lately. And if you are job seeking, just hearing me say that may give you sweaty palms! Usually, when someone asks this, we know they are looking for a reason to offer us a job—or not.

Especially in today’s competitive world, this question is an invitation to prove to a potential employer—and perhaps to ourselves—that we are the best candidate, that our gifts and talents outweigh those of all the other candidates hoping to come out on the top of the resume pile. Do we have enough years of experience? Good enough skills? The right degree?

Whether we are currently working for pay or not, the world judges us by the same standards. Either we are good enough, or we are not. And those of us who are not chosen, those not able to work because of illness or disability, those who have retired, even those choosing to be a full-time care-giver for our children or loved ones, can often be left feeling as if we don’t have anything valuable to give, and if we do, those around us aren’t seeing it.

There is a lot of competition out there—limited jobs, first place trophies, awards, and a lot of people scrambling for success. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and we are all aware that only so many dogs can win.

Paul points out to us today that God sees things differently. We tend to think of our strengths as skills we acquire through our own efforts, and how competent we are—how valuable we are in this world—is judged by how we measure up against those around us. But from God’s perspective, it’s not that. Or at least, it’s not only that.

In God’s view, the greatest strength we have is the ability to be “ministers of the new covenant of the Spirit,” the ability to serve God and others. And that is a gift that comes to each one of us from God, not from our own efforts. Each of us has a particular part to play, and God has given us everything we need to play it well. There are not a limited number of open positions on God’s team, and we don’t have to apply or compete to be included.

On God’s team, the abilities God has given us are not revealed through competition or display of our own effort and strength. We have gifts and value to offer the world simply because we are created and gifted by God. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that he is the vine, and we as branches are all tapped into the source of love and grace. Our gifts come directly from our connection to God, and because God works through us, we all bear fruit that reveals God’s glory.

This is really good news! We don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone, even God. We don’t ever need to be afraid that we have nothing to offer to the world. It is not about us being perfect, and therefore useful to God. In fact, it is just the opposite. In our uniqueness, even our imperfections, we are vessels of God just as we are.

We are most useful to God when we make ourselves vulnerable to God and others, and allow God to work in and through us. This is a really radical idea for us when we are surrounded by a culture that prizes individual achievement and self-sufficiency. How can our imperfection, our vulnerability, serve God and our community?

To be completely honest, there are moments when this scares me, because there is a part of me that feels like I am not capable of this. That no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to be that vulnerable. And then I realize that I have turned even surrender into a task to be judged, a competition that I can win or lose.

The truth is, on our own, we can’t do it, but we can have confidence in God’s presence with us. As Paul writes, “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” Our competence comes from God, and when we are open to the work of God in us, we are made more and more like Christ. Because we are connected to God, the love of God can reveal itself in everything we do.

Lest we be left thinking that we can sit back and rest and let God do all the work, Paul goes on to call us to be bold in the hope we have in Jesus. God gives us gifts not for ourselves, but for the good of the world, and we are called to use them, without fear.

Each of us is unique, and no one of us can replace another. God has work for each of us to do here, and God has equipped us to do the work. This means we are called to grow in our awareness of the gifts God has given us. We are called to ask God for guidance in where and how to use these gifts. And most importantly, we are called to remember that God is the source of all good things, and that we cannot claim anything as coming from ourselves. We are called to be stewards of gifts that do not belong to us.

Today’s scriptures are a celebration of God’s abundance that calls us to care for the gifts we have been given, and share them freely with the world. So, set aside for the moment any fear or doubt you may have. Know that God has entrusted you with work to do, and listen with new ears to this question: “What are your greatest strengths?”

Amen.

Midweek Lent 2015 + Clay Jars Filled with Grace (Paul’s second letter to Corinth)

By

Week 2: “Gifted to Serve”

When we live in God’s love, we bear the fruit of sharing our gifts with the world. We don’t need to depend on our own competence or abilities, but trust in God working through us. Open yourself to the work of God through you in the world.

Vicar Meagan McLaughlin
   Wednesday, 4 March 2015; texts: 2 Corinthians 3:4-18, John 15:1-11

Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What are your greatest strengths? If it’s been a while since your last job interview, you may not have thought about that question lately. And if you are job seeking, just hearing me say that may give you sweaty palms! Usually, when someone asks this, we know they are looking for a reason to offer us a job—or not.

Especially in today’s competitive world, this question is an invitation to prove to a potential employer—and perhaps to ourselves—that we are the best candidate, that our gifts and talents outweigh those of all the other candidates hoping to come out on the top of the resume pile. Do we have enough years of experience? Good enough skills? The right degree?

Whether we are currently working for pay or not, the world judges us by the same standards. Either we are good enough, or we are not. And those of us who are not chosen, those not able to work because of illness or disability, those who have retired, even those choosing to be a full-time care-giver for our children or loved ones, can often be left feeling as if we don’t have anything valuable to give, and if we do, those around us aren’t seeing it.

There is a lot of competition out there—limited jobs, first place trophies, awards, and a lot of people scrambling for success. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and we are all aware that only so many dogs can win.

Paul points out to us today that God sees things differently. We tend to think of our strengths as skills we acquire through our own efforts, and how competent we are—how valuable we are in this world—is judged by how we measure up against those around us. But from God’s perspective, it’s not that. Or at least, it’s not only that.

In God’s view, the greatest strength we have is the ability to be “ministers of the new covenant of the Spirit,” the ability to serve God and others. And that is a gift that comes to each one of us from God, not from our own efforts. Each of us has a particular part to play, and God has given us everything we need to play it well. There are not a limited number of open positions on God’s team, and we don’t have to apply or compete to be included.

On God’s team, the abilities God has given us are not revealed through competition or display of our own effort and strength. We have gifts and value to offer the world simply because we are created and gifted by God. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that he is the vine, and we as branches are all tapped into the source of love and grace. Our gifts come directly from our connection to God, and because God works through us, we all bear fruit that reveals God’s glory.

This is really good news! We don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone, even God. We don’t ever need to be afraid that we have nothing to offer to the world. It is not about us being perfect, and therefore useful to God. In fact, it is just the opposite. In our uniqueness, even our imperfections, we are vessels of God just as we are.

We are most useful to God when we make ourselves vulnerable to God and others, and allow God to work in and through us. This is a really radical idea for us when we are surrounded by a culture that prizes individual achievement and self-sufficiency. How can our imperfection, our vulnerability, serve God and our community?

To be completely honest, there are moments when this scares me, because there is a part of me that feels like I am not capable of this. That no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to be that vulnerable. And then I realize that I have turned even surrender into a task to be judged, a competition that I can win or lose.

The truth is, on our own, we can’t do it, but we can have confidence in God’s presence with us. As Paul writes, “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” Our competence comes from God, and when we are open to the work of God in us, we are made more and more like Christ. Because we are connected to God, the love of God can reveal itself in everything we do.

Lest we be left thinking that we can sit back and rest and let God do all the work, Paul goes on to call us to be bold in the hope we have in Jesus. God gives us gifts not for ourselves, but for the good of the world, and we are called to use them, without fear.

Each of us is unique, and no one of us can replace another. God has work for each of us to do here, and God has equipped us to do the work. This means we are called to grow in our awareness of the gifts God has given us. We are called to ask God for guidance in where and how to use these gifts. And most importantly, we are called to remember that God is the source of all good things, and that we cannot claim anything as coming from ourselves. We are called to be stewards of gifts that do not belong to us.

Today’s scriptures are a celebration of God’s abundance that calls us to care for the gifts we have been given, and share them freely with the world. So, set aside for the moment any fear or doubt you may have. Know that God has entrusted you with work to do, and listen with new ears to this question: “What are your greatest strengths?”

Amen.

The Olive Branch, 3/4/15

By

Accent on Worship

Young Among Us!

     It’s so wonderful to see so many young people in our midst again.  It’s bringing us toward an even better balance – as every age group brings to the others unique qualities.  We need the wisdom of the elders, we need the responsibility of the middle-agers, we need the intellectual curiosity of the young adults, and we need the energy and openness of the young.  All compliment each other and an imbalance can be challenging!

     You might have noticed some things in particular with regard to our younger people.  They sit in front.  How else can they see what all is going on?  We do not have a nursery as our hope is for them to be with us in worship from the start.  They really pick up on certain parts of the liturgy and already enter into them at a very early age – such as sharing of the peace or perhaps even the Eucharist.          
     Here are some things for us to think about with regard to the young among us. They’re watching us.  What are they seeing?  Commitment?  Compassion?  Participation?  Loving interaction?  Singing?  It’s my belief that all people sing – especially the youngest.  Sometimes folks “unlearn” singing as they grow older.  If you think your voice isn’t that particularly wonderful, all the more reason to be singing.  It’s not an exclusive activity.  We can treat them with the same respect as we do our own peers.

     It’s important for us to be encouraging! Expect and encourage their participation in whatever way they can.  They can find page and hymn numbers, and most from second grade on can read.  Let them and their parents know we’re glad they are here.  It’s hard work for parents to bring the young to worship, and any sounds the child makes seem ten-fold to the parents. Let them know it’s OK, and that we’re rooting for them in this endeavor!  Some parts of the service are harder to stay with for the young, and we can learn that rather than being distracted by activity and noise, we can be grateful.

     It is also our responsibility to see to their needs.  We need teachers for Godly Play – our Sunday education program for children.  Is it your turn?  This is an amazingly important responsibility, and it belongs to all of us in the community – men and women alike,  from any age bracket,  whether we have children or not.  What about you?

     I’m very happy to once again have a children’s choir up and running.  There are seven singers who gather on Wednesdays (through heavy traffic to get here) at 5:30 for a light supper, then rehearsal at 6.  Most of what we do is liturgy songs, hymns, and learning about participating in liturgy.  Last month they even composed the Psalm antiphon for worship as a group.  I love these young people and their curiosity.

     Let us be grateful!  And remember:  a smile goes a long way (an accidental frown, unfortunately, goes farther).

– Cantor David Cherwien

Sunday Readings

March 8, 2015: Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
I Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

March 15, 2015: Third Sunday in Lent
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

Sunday’s Adult Forum

March 1-22, 2015: Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Craig Koester, on the book of Revelation.

Save the Date: 

Saturday, April 18, 10:00 am-Noon
End of Life Decisions:  The Conversation Continues

     The conversation began at the February 1 Sunday Forum (to view Pastor Crippen’s presentation on line visit  http://youtu.be/npRfQf8TTJg), and the February 7 workshop at Mount Olive.

     We will continue to look at how we as people of faith approach our deaths and the deaths of our loved ones by specifically addressing the Honoring Choices Health Care directive. How do we know what we want and what are the options?  How, when, and with whom do we have the conversation?  These and other questions will be addressed.  Help with completing the form will be available, as well as a notary to finalize any documents that are completed on that date.

     Scheduling this workshop is dependent upon the demand for it.  If you would like to participate, please let Marilyn Gebauer or the church office know in advance.  You can contact Marilyn at 612-306 -8872 or gebauevm@bitstream.net, or the church office at (612) 827-5919.

     Some suggestions made previously for future workshops include:
• Estate planning – with or without an agent
• Funeral planning – burial rites, “green funerals,” the Columbarium
• Writing a will
• Assisted suicide – ethical and faith considerations
• Establishing a volunteer group at MO to serve as
            healthcare proxies for fellow members who are
            without close family, friends, etc.
• Near death experience
• You may have ideas for future topics of discussion.
            If so let Marilyn or the church office know.

Book Discussion Group Update

For the March 14 meeting we will discuss  The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho; for April 11, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain; and for May 9, The Boat of Longing, by O. E. Rølvaag.

 Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend!       

     Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night, March 7!

Midweek Lenten Worship
Wednesdays during Lent
Holy Eucharist, at noon
Evening Prayer at 7 pm

March is Minnesota FoodShare Month!

     Donate cash or groceries to the local food shelf during Minnesota FoodShare month in March!

     A donation of money more than doubles the amount of food available to food shelves, because food shelves can purchase food at discounted prices.  If you choose to give in this way, make your check payable to Mount Olive and write Food Shelf on the memo line. If you prefer to donate non-perishable groceries, they may be brought to the grocery cart in the coat room.

Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children

     Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to nearly 70 countries around the world.

     Mount Olive Youth are going and invite everyone to volunteer with them!  We have 26 spots reserved for Feed my Starving Children in Chanhassen on Saturday, March 7, from 7-9 pm. We plan to meet at church between 5-6 to share dinner beforehand and rides if needed.  You can also meet us at the site.

     If you are interested or need additional information, please contact Aimee Engebretson at enge0052@gmail.com or 612-387-1820, or Amy Thompson at amy.b.thompson@wellsfargo.com
Please include in your email:
-Full names of the people who will be attending (age 5 and over).  And their ages if <18 .="" p="">-Your email address (this will be sent to them so they can send you a reminder about the event). You don’t have to provide this if you don’t want to.

     Space is limited, so we can take the first 26 committed volunteers who email or call.  

Holy Week at Mount Olive

Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday, March 29
Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:45 am

Monday-Wednesday of Holy Week, March 30-April 1
Daily Prayer at Noon, in the side chapel of the nave

Maundy Thursday, April 2
Holy Eucharist at Noon
Holy Eucharist, with the Washing of Feet, 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 3
Stations of the Cross at Noon
Adoration of the Cross at 7 pm

Holy Saturday, April 4
Great Vigil of Easter, 8:30 pm, followed by a festive reception

The Resurrection of Our Lord, Sunday, April 5
Festival Eucharist at 8 & 10:45 am
Easter Brunch at 9:30 am

Crossing Bridges: Selma to Minnesota, Sunday, March 8, 2:00pm

     March in solidarity with those gathered in Selma to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery. We gather to celebrate the work of Martin Luther King Jr and countless others, and to re-commit to new levels of action for justice.

     2:00pm: Gathering at the State Capitol
     2:20pm: March begins
     3:00pm: Program at Central Presbyterian Church in            
                    downtown Saint Paul

     Dr. Barbara Holmes, spoken word artist Joe Davis and local religious and civic leaders with music by Larry Long, Tonia Hughes and Cameron Wright.

     Crossing Bridges is supported in part by Luther Seminary and United Theological Seminary. For details and to register, see www.crossingbridgesmn.com.

     To join other Mount Olive members attending, contact Vicar McLaughlin.

JRLC Day On the Hill

     Calling ALL people of faith! Consider participating in the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) Day on the Hill on March 10, from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at the RiverCentre in St. Paul and the State Capital.  This year’s theme is Dignity in Democracy.

     Use your gift of citizenship to speak out for the needs of the most vulnerable in Minnesota and make a difference.  The keynote speaker is Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Vice President for Catholic Relief Services. There will also be Issue Briefings and District Table strategy sessions before we shuttle via buses to the Capitol to meet with our elected officials. The Social Justice issues and background papers that people of faith will be invited to advocate for on March 10 can be found by visiting JRLC online at: http://www.jrlc.org/advocacy/legislative-goals.  The cost is $40).

     As an extra bonus to the day, arrangements have been made for the group from Mount Olive to meet with Mount Olive member, Senator John Marty in his office at the State Capitol.  Contact Connie Marty if you want to be included in this opportunity: conniejmarty@gmail.com;  651-633-8934.

     Brochures with more information about the event and important ways to contact your representatives are placed on the cabinet in the West Assembly area.

Vestry Listening Sessions Continue

     Vestry Listening sessions continue this Sunday, March 8. This is an opportunity for the congregation to discuss the Vision Expression statements introduced earlier this month.

     This week’s focus will be on Congregational Life and Neighborhood Ministries.  Following both the first and second liturgies, Amy Thompson (Youth) and Donn McLellan (Stewardship) will be available in the East and West Assembly rooms to hear your ideas on the work of their committees.

     Grab your coffee and join the small group to talk. Each session will last 30-45 minutes, and you may move in and out as you wish.

Jearlyn Steele in Concert, Sunday, March 15 

     Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to present Jearlyn Steele, accompanied by Billy Steele, in concert at Mount Olive next Sunday, March 15, at 4 pm.

     This concert is free and open to the public – bring your friends!

     A light reception will follow the concert.

Concordia Choirs to Perform in Twin Cities March 7

     The Concordia Choir will present a concert on Saturday, March 7, 7:30 pm at Roseville  Lutheran Church, 1215 Roselawn Ave. W. in Roseville. Tickets available at concordiatickets.com

     The Concordia College Chapel Choir will present a concert on Saturday, March 7, 7:30 pm, at First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights. A freewill offering will be received.

Pastor’s Sabbatical Is Coming

     Plans for Pr. Crippen’s up-coming sabbatical are coming into focus.  As was discussed at the October semi-annual meet-ing, his sabbatical is this spring.  He will be on sabbatical from the Tuesday after Easter, April 6, through July 19.
     Pr. Crippen spoke with several pastors about serving as interim.  After consulting with staff, President Lora Dundek, and with the approval of the Vestry, Pr. Crippen has invited the Rev. Robert Hausman to serve as full-time interim during his absence.  In the next couple weeks in The Olive Branch there will be more about the Rev. Hausman, and more about what Pr. Crippen will be doing on sabbatical.  If you have any questions, please ask Pr. Crippen or President Dundek.

News from the Neighborhood
Anna Kingman

     In effort to share in the relationships being built through our interaction in the neighborhood, we will hear from the people who find support, relief, and help through Mount Olive.

Profiles:  Hilda

     “You know the feeling like you’re drowning and you just can’t pull yourself up?” a teary Hilda shared in my office this week. She feels like she’s drowning in unpredictable problems with car repair bills, insurance, and an eviction notice. It’s hard to know what would comfort this beautiful grandma-like woman who keeps apologizing for crying through the stress. Hilda holds her head high, though. She brought in her resume and is looking for work. With three stents and bad knees, it needs to be a type of receptionist position, but she wants to be busy. Since losing her job last June she has not been able to deal with life’s emergencies on Government Assistance and needed a financial helping hand to be able to stay in her apartment. Through grace and generosity, this place is somewhere she can find that help. From here she was headed to LSS to get support navigating her situation and developing a plan.
     If anyone connects with Hilda’s story or knows of any employment opportunities for an older woman close to this area, please let me know. Please keep Hilda in your prayers and in your smile as you meet others who may be struggling to stay above the water.
Neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org

Get to Know Our Neighbors!

Part of sharing in community is understanding one another through language, culture, or experience. As we explore our community and get to know our neighbors, let’s continue with some helpful language lessons.
English: “Do you live in this neighborhood?”
Spanish: “Usted vive en este barrio?”
(Oo-sted vee-vay ehn es-tay bah-ree-oh)
Review: ‘Excuse me’  Spanish: Permiso’ (Pear-mee-soh)

Who We Are, Where We Are Map

     Have you “pinned” yourself yet? If not, please do so by letting us know where you live, using the map hanging in the East Assembly room. Instructions are posted by the map – please contribute your pin!

Opportunities to BE involved:

Check out the information in front of the main office or in The Olive Branch for more details. There is also a sheet listing coming events and opportunities throughout March. Post it on your fridge or door and pick at least one to do!

• Feed My Starving Children – Sat., Mar. 7, 7-9 pm Chanhassen
• March with Selma – Sun. Mar. 8, 2-4 pm State Capital
• JRLC Day on the Hill – Tue., Mar. 10, 9 am – 3 pm River Centre, St. Paul
• “Bottom,” a play about sex-trafficking – Sat., Mar. 17,  7 pm, Minnehaha Upper Academy
• Better Halves Couples Financial Workshop – Sat., Mar. 21, 9- 11:30 am at Mount Olive Church.

Every Church A Peace Church  

      The next regular bimonthly potluck supper meeting of Every Church a Peace Church Twin Cities will be on Monday, March 16, 6:30 p.m., at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S. in Minneapolis; (parking lot access), 612-823-8205, www.stjoan.com.

     The theme for the March meeting is “An Apocalyptic Peace? Pacifism and the end of the world (as we know it). The speaker for this meeting will be David Weiss.

     David Weiss is a theologian, writer, poet and hymnist committed to doing “public theology,” thinking out loud in plain (and poetic) English about how faith informs the way we view, encounter, and respond to God, the world, and each other. He has taught college religion classes for 15 years and is the author of two books, a collection of hymns, and a set of Reader’s Theater scripts, among many other writings.

     His interests range from sexuality to eco-theology to peace. Although in recent years his work has focused primarily on inclusion of LGBT persons in faith communities, David has long history of peace activism, including nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. He is an adjunct faculty member in Religion at Hamline University. Besides writing and teaching, he speaks on college campuses and at church and community events.

Vets Ministry Roundtable

     The next meeting of the Vets Ministry Roundtable will be Tuesday, March 10, 12:30-2 pm, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2315 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis.

The speaker at this meeting will be Cortney Amundson. Her presentation will be “Nature As A Partner in Healing.”

     Many veterans are finding recovery and growth by way of a cultivated connection to nature, some through projects Cortney guides with the Wounded Warrior Project. Cortney will explain the healing that is possible when humans spend time in and with nature in a variety of ways including outdoor recreation, gardening, bonding with animals, nature-based journaling, and wilderness restoration.  

     This meeting and lunch are made available at no charge by the Coming Home Collaborative and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church as a way of promoting best practices in ministry with veterans and their families.    

     Come to learn, network with others, and add your wisdom to the mix!

     Pre-register now by sending an email to buddy@listentovets.org.

MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
3045 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Map and Directions >

612-827-5919
welcome@mountolivechurch.org


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