Accent on Worship

In the Gospel reading for the Presentation of Our Lord, Mary and Joseph go to the temple in Jerusalem in order to present Jesus to the Lord as their first born son.

Though all the characters in this story are quite compelling, like Simeon, who would probably be considered the main character and is the one who gave Mary the bad news about how she is going to suffer, the persons who most capture my imagination in this narrative are the women, Mary and Anna.

What draws a person like Mary to say yes to God?  Truly it was her willingness to serve, but was she also not just a bit flattered that she was chosen for the task, not realizing how hard it was going to be? Remember how excited she was when she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth? The Spirit gave her only the vision of the end results. I would like to think that Mary was like many of us who are often excited and flattered into taking on the lead role in a noble venture, (one we feel called by God to do) and in the midst of it regretting our decision more times than we care to admit.  But, in the end we are glad we did it and like Mary, glad we put our trust in God and said yes.  The Gospel tells us how amazed Mary and Joseph were to hear the praise for Jesus and the prophecies of his greatness.  The mother in Mary would dwell on those things rather than on her own suffering.

Anna is the other fascinating person in this Gospel story.  I am assuming that, like most women of her time, she was a teenager when she married.  Therefore, she would have been in her early twenties when she entered the temple as a widow and never left.  I feel that Luke mentions her father and her tribe in order to make a statement about her ability to make such a decision of her own free will.  She was not a widow who went to the temple in order to be cared for.  She had family.  Therefore, it was her decision and hers alone to take on a life of prayer and fasting.  She was recognized as a prophet, which is pretty remarkable for a woman of her time.  Anna is one of only six women in both Old and New Testaments recognized as a prophet, six among forty eight male prophets, sixteen of whom have their own books in the Bible.  However, only two prophets held the Messiah and she was one of them.

– Donna Neste

Sunday Readings

February 2, 2014: Presentation of Our Lord
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 84
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
_____________________

February 9, 2014: 5th Sunday after Epiphany
 Isaiah 58:1-12
 Psalm 112:1-9
I Corinthians. 2:1-16
 Matthew 5:13-20

This Week’s Adult Forum 

February 2:  “Postures of Prayer: How our Bodies Shape and Reveal our Faith,” presented by Dwight Penas.

Book Discussion Group Upcoming Reads

For its meeting on February 8, the Book Discussion group will read and discuss The Bell, by Iris Murdoch. For March 8 they will read Howards End, by E. M. Forster.

Website Mapping Event

Do you think Mount Olive’s site could be better organized? Here’s a chance for you to offer your two cents. This Sunday, Feb. 2 between liturgies, come to the Undercroft to participate in a website mapping exercise and discussion about Mount Olive’s site. Questions? Contact bethgaede [at] comcast [dot] net.

Annual “Taste of” Festival Set For February 9

Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 9!   This year’s annual celebration will be “A Taste of Mardi Gras celebrating Lutheran Volunteer Corps!”

The Adult Forum will feature guests from Lutheran Volunteer Corps, sharing the history of LVC, its impact, and its current mission and initiatives.  Guests will include the Regional Director of Lutheran Volunteer Corps, the Development Director, and several current volunteers who are serving in the Twin Cities.  Following the second liturgy, join us for a Mardi Gras celebration with gumbo, jambalaya, slaw, dirty rice, macaroni and cheese, and bread pudding–all prepared by Mount Olive members. Feel free to invite others.

In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated over the weeks ahead of “Fat Tuesday.” So let’s kick off Mardi Gras right (And this event will be a good bookend for the Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, planned with our youth.)
 Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC), is one of the supported missions of Mount Olive through our congregational giving. Each year, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps provides opportunities for young adults and others to complete a year of full-time service work at select nonprofits in cities across the country, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.  During their year of service, participants live in community and have opportunities to reflect on their commitments, their spiritual journeys, and the ways they hope to put their values into practice.

Questions? Please e-mail Paul Schadewald at pschadew@yahoo.com.

Stories for the Journey:  Thursday Evening Bible Study

The Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. continues this week.  Pr. Crippen is leading a series on the parables of Jesus and how they provide us a vision of God’s reign. As with all these Thursday series, there will be a light supper when we begin. The series runs through February 20.

Attention Worship Assistants Schedule Request Deadline

The Servant Schedule for the second quarter of 2014 will be published at the beginning of March, 2014.  The deadline for submitting requests to me is February 14, 2014.  Please e-mail your requests to me at peggyrf70@gmail.com.  Thanks!

-Peggy Hoeft

Neighborhood Ministries Interim Position News

As previously announced, Mount Olive will hire an interim person to be the Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator from the time of Donna’s departure in March until a permanent replacement is hired in the fall.  A position description for this interim position is being finalized and will be ready for distribution next week.  If you are interested in the position or know of someone who would be interested, please contact the church office ASAP.   Cha will take names and contact information, including email if possible, and then send out the position details next week. This is work that would be eligible for job-sharing.  For any questions, contact Lisa Nordeen.

Godly Play Needs and Opportunities

Godly Play, our Sunday morning program with children that takes place between liturgies, is in need of people to assist on Sunday mornings by helping the children “get ready” to enter the Godly Play classroom (where we “talk more quietly and walk more slowly”) and to help with our work time and feast.  Training will be provided.  Please consider whether you might be able to serve in this wonderful ministry. Your service would be needed only once every 4-6 weeks.  For more information, or to express your interest, please contact me at diana.hellerman@gmail.com or at 612 581 5969.

In addition, the pre-school class is looking for Arch Books Bible Stories.  Do you some at home you’d like to donate? Please bring them to church.
It is a pleasure to spend Sunday mornings with the children of Mount Olive. Together with Patsy Holtmeier, Carol Austermann and Marilyn Gebauer, I thank you for this blessing and privilege and I invite you to come and be a part of this.

– Diana Hellerman

Bible Study at Becketwood

Vicar Emily Beckering is offering a second run of the six- week Bible study on human suffering at Becketwood Cooperative on five Tuesday afternoons (January 7 through February 11) from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This study examines the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering.  All are welcome!

Synod Voting Members Needed

Mount Olive is entitled to send two lay voting members (one woman and one man), in addition to Pr. Crippen, to attend the 2014 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly May 2-3  at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Ramsey.  This is the event that deals with the business of the ELCA on both a local level and beyond.
The theme this year is “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing.”  If you are interested in attending – even if you’ve never done so before – please speak to Pastor Crippen or Lora Dundek (651/645-6636 or lhdundek@usfamily.net).  The congregation pays registration fees for voting members.

A Good Time – A Great Cause

A very good time was had by all the guests who came to the wedding shower for Cathy Bosworth and Marty Hamlin, held at the home of Tom Olson and Maury Anderson on January 19.  Cathy and Marty were married at Mount Olive this past Saturday, January 25.

Their wedding shower was a tremendous blessing for the Diaper Depot! Instead of gifts, Cathy and Marty requested diapers!  On Tuesday morning, the day after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, thousands of diapers representing hundreds of dollars were waiting to be unpacked and put on the shelves of the Diaper Depot.

Thank you to all the guests who celebrated the union of Cathy and Marty in such a generous way!

National Lutheran Choir to Host City-Wide Hymn Festival

On Sunday February 23, at 4:00 p.m., the National Lutheran Choir will join forces with hundreds of Twin Cities’ church choir members for a City-Wide Hymn Festival to be held at Central Lutheran Church (333 South 12th St., Minneapolis). Mark Sedio, Cantor at Central Lutheran, will conduct the massed choir. David Cherwien and the NLC will perform with the help of the mighty Casavant organ.

Tickets for this event are $25/adults; $23/Seniors; and $20/Students, and can be obtained by calling the NLC office at 612-722-2301. or by visiting them on the web: www.nlca.com.

Accent on Worship

The people who walk in darkness…

     The first reading for this Sunday’s lectionary took me to a topic which was quite prominent both at our Conference on Liturgy January 11, and the workshop I led this past weekend for the American Guild of Organists in Tucson, Arizona.  
     Here in Minneapolis, the topic was the psalter – and the issue of “memory” came up often.  Rather than change translations we use too often, we need to recognize the value of memorizing the psalms so that we have these songs when we need them.  Staying with the same translations aids this process.

     The topic this past weekend in Arizona was the “future of the church.”  They had many more in attendance than they expected.  This is because folks are worried about the future of the church.  (Thank goodness it wasn’t only one age demographic present).  One thing was clear there: people who had been deeply a part of the church are feeling pushed out!  Memory played a huge part of that discussion as well, perhaps in a slightly different way.

     Sunday’s reading from Isaiah (Is. 9:1-4) took me there again because I thought of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s.  I can’t imagine a darkness as extreme as this.  People appear to become bodies void of a soul.  Yet I’ve heard story after story about when hymns are sung to an Alzheimer’s patient,  they perk up,  and perhaps even sing along.  Don Saliers (our main speaker at the Conference on Liturgy this year) thought song-memory, including psalms, is one of the last things the mind loses. It can perhaps be through hymns and psalms (another form of song) that we can remember Christ as our light, even in this darkness.

     This can be instructive to us in a number of ways.  We can/should perhaps work harder at memorizing what we can while we can, and scrutinize that which we do commit to memory.  That is why I don’t encourage jumping from translation to translation (even if a newer one is good!) unless we’re confident the new one will be around long enough for us to go through the work of learning its new version. “Praise to the Lord” is printed with two translations:  ELW 858 (the former) and 859 (a new inclusive language version).  We sing 858 to nurture that as memory, because we should know that 859 is going to stick around before going through the work of revising our memory.  

     This is not to say that inclusive language is not important. There is an imbalance in our hymnic imagery of God.  We have plenty of God/Father and God/King hymns – we need other images represented in scripture which are equally helpful to create a better balance.  

     Memory is something we need to take seriously.  When the church – either churchwide or local congregation – denies its memory, its past, its journey along with the contributions of each era and place,  it becomes a church of Alzheimer’s.  A body without soul.

     It is important to “remember the future” (as Susan put it in hymn 548, Rise, O Church).  We need to keep the future connected – keep its “membership”; it’s connection to its past.  We are a reforming church, and reforming children of God through baptism, not something without a past in our path, not something we’ve completely reinvented from scratch.  And as individual souls of God, we need to remember from whom we get light – in spite of darknesses.  It turns out darkness is not something to fear.  Let the songs help us remember!

– Cantor David Cherwien

This Week in Adult Education

January 26: Cantor Cherwien will offer a report on his recent sabbatical

Stories for the Journey: Thursday Evening Bible Study 

     The Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. continues this week.  Pr. Crippen is leading a series on the parables of Jesus and how they provide us a vision of God’s reign. As with all these Thursday series, there will be a light supper when we begin. The series runs through February 20. 

Bible Study at Becketwood

     Vicar Emily Beckering will offer a second run of the six- week Bible study on human suffering at Becketwood Cooperative on five Tuesday afternoons (January 7 through February 4) from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This study examines the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. The meeting room at Becketwood changes each week, so announcements will be made at the study regarding the location of the following week. All are welcome!

Wedding Invitation

     Because you welcomed us, celebrated with us, loved and encouraged us, we, Marty Hamlin and Cathy Bosworth, invite you to join us as we exchange our marriage vows. 

     The service will take place here at Mount Olive this Saturday, January 25, at 3:00 p.m. A reception follows immediately in the Undercroft.  

     Please, no gifts.

Neighborhood Ministry Position News

     As previously announced, Mount Olive will hire an interim person to be the Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator from the time of Donna’s departure in March until a permanent replacement is hired in the fall.  A position description for this interim position is being finalized and will be ready for distribution next week.  If you are interested in the position or know of someone who would be interested, please contact the church office ASAP.   Cha will take names and contact information, including email if possible, and then send out the position details next week. This is work that would be eligible for job-sharing.  For any questions, contact Lisa Nordeen.

2013 Contribution Statements

     Year-end contribution statements for 2013 were mailed to all contributors last week.  If you have not received your statement, please contact the church office and another will be sent or emailed to you.

Book Discussion Group

   For its meeting on February 8, the Book Discussion group will read and discuss The Bell, by Iris Murdoch.

Annual “Taste of” Festival to Be Held February 9

     Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 9!  This year’s “Taste of” will take us to New Orleans for a Mardi Gras celebration for Lutheran Volunteer Corps.  In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated over the weeks ahead of “Fat Tuesday.” So let’s kick off Mardi Gras right with gumbo, jambalaya, slaw, dirty rice, and other fare.  (And this event will be a good bookend for the Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, planned with our youth.)

     We will celebrate and learn about the work of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC), one of the supported missions of Mount Olive through our congregational giving. Each year, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps provides opportunities for young adults and others to complete a year of full-time service work at select nonprofits in cities across the country, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.  During their year of service, participants live in community and have opportunities to reflect on their commitments, their spiritual journeys, and the ways they hope to put their values into practice.

     We will be joined during the adult forum by the Regional Director of LVC, the Development Director, and several current and past volunteers.  Then after the second service, head downstairs for the Mardi Gras meal.  

     The Missions Committee is still looking for people to cook an item and bring it to church for the meal on Sunday, February 9, and we are still looking for help in decorating and setting up the day before “Taste of.”  If you can help, please e-mail Paul Schadewald, at pschadew@yahoo.com

     All are welcome at “Taste of Mardi Gras.”  Bring friends!

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Festival Worship

     The RIC Team of Reconciling Works-Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities invites all people to join with members of RIC churches across the metro area for our ninth annual Metro Area Festival worship on Saturday, January 25, 2014, 4:30 p.m. at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, 5011 31st Ave S., Minneapolis. The Rev. Jen Nagel will preach.

     The RIC program rosters Lutheran congregations that welcome and affirm LGBT persons in their full sacred worth.  Both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are RIC Synods along with dozens of RIC worshiping communities.  Please join us in this Word and Sacrament celebration of the welcome we extend to the whole people of God. A light supper will follow the service.  All are welcome!

National Lutheran Choir to Host City-Wide Hymn Festival: “Gather”

     On Sunday February 23, at 4:00 p.m., the singers of the National Lutheran Choir will join forces with hundreds of Twin Cities’ church choir members for a City-Wide Hymn Festival to be held at Central Lutheran Church (333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis). Mark Sedio, Cantor at Central Lutheran, is set to conduct the mass choir. David Cherwien and the NLC will perform with the help of the mighty Casavant organ. 

     Tickets for this event are $25/adults; $23/Seniors; and $20/Students, and can be obtained by calling the NLC office at 612-722-2301, or by visiting them on the web: www.nlca.com.

A Note of Thanks from TRUST

     Thanks to the following volunteers from Mount Olive who delivered Meals on Wheels for TRUST during the fourth quarter of 2013: Gary Flatgard, Art Halbardier, Elaine Halbardier, Bob Lee, Connie Olson, and Rod Olson.

     All of us at TRUST are grateful for their dedicated service.

Accent on Worship

What’s Next?

     Come Sunday our worship life enters another quiet spell, Sundays with green paraments and no incense, Sundays where we don’t process the Gospel into the middle of the nave for the reading.  It is the season after Epiphany, and it’s a little welcome after a run of festivals which began in November, with only Advent to break it up a little.

     But what will these weeks be like for us when we don’t have feast days to celebrate, when we have a simpler Eucharistic liturgy?  The season of Epiphany is one which focuses on vocation, on the call of disciples, on our call as disciples.  It’s a season which begins at the shore of the Sea of Galilee and ends on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration.  We have a long Epiphany this year, since Easter is so late, and that means we’ll also start getting into readings like the summer readings, Gospels which introduce the teaching of Jesus.

     We’re in Matthew’s year, so after the next two weeks of call stories, we move into several weeks of the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus will call us to be a light to the world, salt to season the world.  He will challenge us to live by the spirit of God’s law, to follow the commandments to their fullest intent, to the thoughts of our hearts and minds.  Jesus will command us to love our enemies and all who hate us.  In short, we will be learning that this life as a disciple isn’t easy, that it asks a great deal of us.  Alongside Jesus, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus will repeat both our call as children of God and what our lives of faith will look like, doing justice, caring for the poor, obeying God in all things.

     This might seem daunting, but in fact we should be grateful.  Were we only to hear of the call of the disciples and never what the life of the disciple is meant to be in God’s eyes, we’d be in danger of being misled.  We will have ample opportunity to consider the “truth in advertising” that our Lord Jesus provides as we worship during these weeks.  As we consider our call, our vocation, it will be good to hear what that will mean, lest we commit without true willingness to follow through.

     But we also remember this: considering our vocation is the annual work of the Epiphany season, but the Epiphany season begins with, well, Epiphany.  Our call as disciples, our life in Christ envisioned by Christ himself and supported by the prophets, all this begins and is centered on the astonishing Light God has shined into the darkness of our world, all this is grounded in our awareness that in Christ God has come to be with us.  This life to which we are called, challenging as it is, is a life lived in light, not darkness, in love, not hate, and as such is a life lived in God’s grace and presence, where we’re given the power, the ability to become children of God ourselves.  It’s life worth living, challenge or not.  That’s the true grace of these green weeks.

     Oh, and should any be missing our festivals, this year Presentation of Our Lord (Feb. 2) falls on a Sunday, so in the midst of the green we’ll put on the white once again and celebrate.  But let’s pray that the green of this season truly signifies the life in Christ to which we are invited and which we most earnestly hope to see come to pass in our lives.

In Christ,
– Joseph
 

Sunday Readings

January 19, 2014 – Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 49;1-7 + Psalm 40:1-11
I Corinthians 1:1-9 + John 1:29-42

January 26, 2014 – Third Sunday after Epiphany
 Isaiah 49:1-7 + Psalm 40:1-11
I Corinthians 1:1-9 + John 1:29-42

Stories for the Journey: Thursday Evening Bible Study Returns January 16

     Starting January 16 and running for six weeks, there will be a Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Pr. Crippen will lead a series on the parables of Jesus and how they provide us a vision of God’s reign. As with all these Thursday series, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.

Bible Study at Becketwood

     Vicar Emily will offer a second run of the six- week Bible study on human suffering at Becketwood Cooperative on five Tuesday afternoons (January 7 through February 4) from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This study examines the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. The meeting room at Becketwood changes each week, so announcements will be made at the study regarding the location of the following week. All are welcome!

Wedding Invitation

     Because you welcomed us, celebrated with us, loved and encouraged us, we, Marty Hamlin and Cathy Bosworth, invite you to join us as we exchange our marriage vows.

     The service will take place here at Mount Olive on Saturday, January 25, at 3:00 p.m. A reception follows immediately in the Undercroft.

     Please, no gifts.

Neighborhood Ministry Position News

     As previously announced, Mount Olive will hire an interim person to be the Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator from the time of Donna’s departure in March until a permanent replacement is hired in the fall.  A position description for this interim position is being finalized and will be ready for distribution next week.  If you are interested in the position or know of someone who would be interested, please contact the church office ASAP.   Cha will take names and contact information, including email if possible, and then send out the position details next week. This is work that would be eligible for job-sharing.  For any questions, contact Lisa Nordeen.

2013 Contribution Statements

     Year-end contribution statements for 2013 are being mailed from the church office to all contributors this week.

     If you do not receive your statement, please contact the church office and another will be sent or emailed to you.

Book Discussion Group

   On January 18 (one week late due to Liturgical Conference) the Book Group will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively, and on February 8, The Bell, by Iris Murdoch.

Church Library News

    For many, a new year provides a new beginning, a new challenge or focus with many assurances that our Lord is there to guide and support us each step along the way.  This means we can live with a sense of spontaneity and tranquility — what a blessing!  However, there are others who do not find a new year to be especially happy or peaceful.  They may be facing a myriad of difficulties, including illness, depression, loneliness, and for those who are long-time caregivers (I remember those days/years well) a very real sense of weariness.  It is for those particularly that our newest display of books in the library was developed but everyone is encouraged to stop in soon to browse.  Included are:

• Anatomy of An Illness (as perceived by the patient), by Norman Cousins
• Make Your Illness Count (a hospital chaplain shows how God’s healing power can be released in your life), by Vernon J. Bittner
• Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life, by Kenneth C. Haugh
• Caregiving for Your Loved Ones, by Mary Vaughn Armstrong
• Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired, by Philip L. Hansen
• Emotions: Can You Trust Them?, by Dr. James Dobson
• Living With Cancer, by Mary Beth Moster
• Journey Through Cancer (My Story of Hope, Healing and God’s Amazing Faithfulness), by Emilie Barnes
• We Lived With Dying, by Margaret Woods Johnson
• Meeting Life’s Challenges, edited by Ted Miller
• Being a Caring Father, edited by Ted Miller

    The closing quote this time is by Rita Dover — “The library is an arena of possibility, opening both a window into the soul and a door onto the world.”
– Leanna Kloempken



Annual “Taste of” Festival to Be Held February 9

     Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 9!  This year’s “Taste of” will take us to New Orleans for a Mardi Gras celebration for Lutheran Volunteer Corps.  In places like New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated over the weeks ahead of “Fat Tuesday.” So let’s kick off Mardi Gras right with gumbo, jambalaya, slaw, dirty rice, and other fare.  (And this event will be a good bookend for the Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, planned with our youth.)

     We will celebrate and learn about the work of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC), one of the supported missions of Mount Olive through our congregational giving. Each year, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps provides opportunities for young adults and others to complete a year of full-time service work at select nonprofits in cities across the country, including Minneapolis and St. Paul.  During their year of service, participants live in community and have opportunities to reflect on their commitments, their spiritual journeys, and the ways they hope to put their values into practice.

     We will be joined during the adult forum by the Regional Director of LVC, the Development Director, and several current and past volunteers.  Then after the second service, head downstairs for the Mardi Gras meal.

     The Missions Committee is still looking for people to cook an item and bring it to church for the meal on Sunday, February 9, and we are still looking for help in decorating and setting up the day before “Taste of.”  If you can help, please e-mail Paul Schadewald, at pschadew@yahoo.com

     All are welcome at “Taste of Mardi Gras.”  Bring friends!

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Festival Worship

     The RIC Team of Reconciling Works-Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities invites all people to join with members of RIC churches across the metro area for our ninth annual Metro Area Festival worship on Saturday, January 25, 2014, 4:30 p.m. at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, 5011 31st Ave S., Minneapolis. The  Rev. Jen Nagel will preach.

     The RIC program rosters Lutheran congregations that welcome and affirm LGBT persons in their full sacred worth.  Both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are RIC Synods along with dozens of RIC worshiping communities.  Please join us in this Word and Sacrament celebration of the welcome we extend to the whole people of God. A light supper will follow the service.

     All are welcome!

Accent on Worship

The Baptism of our Lord

     We begin this time after Epiphany in the same way in which we will end. This Sunday, the Baptism of our Lord, and again on the Transfiguration of our Lord, we will hear God say: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” God the Father only speaks two times directly in the gospel of Matthew, and both times God makes it clear to us who Jesus is: he is the Son of God, and in him, God is fully present.

     These words, however, don’t only reveal who Jesus is; they tell us who we are.

     Tara was one of my most influential friends in high school; her witness is always with me. At the age of 16, Tara’s father asked her to move out of the house because taking care of her meant that he couldn’t do the things that he wanted to do or live the way that he wanted to live. Tara’s mother agreed to take her in as long as Tara paid her rent. It was evident to Tara that she was not wanted, and she was sure that her parents weren’t the only ones who felt this way. If only she were sweet enough, generous enough, thoughtful enough, skinny enough, pretty enough, fun enough, then people might love her. She spent her adolescent life working to win this love.

     One summer at Bible camp, she found what she was looking for.

     At worship Wednesday night that week, the whole camp gathered at the lake. In remembrance of our baptisms we went to the water’s edge, and our counselor made the sign of the cross on our forehead, saying the familiar words, “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”

     At these words, Tara wept. That night at worship, Tara connected with her baptism in a way that she never had before. She whispered to me: “Now I know for sure that I am loved. I know who I belong to.”

     Tara, like all of us, needed to be reminded. How often we seek meaning and identity in people and things that will not satisfy! Searching, hoping to find the affirmation for which we long.

     We need look no further. In our baptism, God has claimed us as God’s own. God proclaims to us: “You are mine, beloved. I am pleased with you.”

     As we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, we hear again Jesus’ true identity, and we are reminded of our own. In life and in death, we belong to the Lord.

– Vicar Emily Beckering 

Sunday Readings

January 12, 2014 – The Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 42:1-9 + Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43 + Matthew 3:13-17

January 19, 2014 – Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 49;1-7 + Psalm 40:1-11
I Corinthians 1:1-9 + John 1:29-42

Conference on Liturgy: This Weekend!

     By now you should have received the brochure for this year’s Conference on Liturgy, to be held January 10-11, 2014. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Psalms: Humanity at Full Stretch.”

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m. Leadership for the hymn festival this year will be by the Mount Olive Cantorei, Cantor David Cherwien, and the Rev. Dr. Don Saliers. Don Saliers will be the keynote speaker for the conference this year, and will also be guest preacher at Mount Olive that Sunday for the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, January 12.

     Please note that the cost for Mount Olive members to attend this year’s conference is $35/person.

Hymn Festival, This Friday, January 10

     Mount Olive is offering its annual hymn festival (connected to the Conference on Liturgy) Friday, Jan 10 at 7:30.   This event is open to the public,  and you do not need to be registered for the conference activities on Saturday in order to attend.  The more singers the merrier!  The program will be led by the Cantorei and Cantor Cherwien, with reflections by guest theologian Donald Saliers,  Professor Emeritus at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

     The theme is “Psalm Dimensions” and focuses on various aspects of the Psalter, singing a variety of Psalms (in a variety of ways!) and hymns around the same topic. Themes include praise, lament, comfort, narration, supplication, thanksgiving and hope.  Well known hymns as well as some new ones will be sung – also in a variety of ways.

     The hymn festival format was firmly established by Cantor Paul Manz, and is now a tradition practiced many places.  Our continuing these events is an important contribution to the church and its song. Bring friends!

Stories for the Journey: Thursday Evening Bible Study Returns January 16

     Starting January 16 and running for six weeks, there will be a Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Pr. Crippen will lead a series on the parables of Jesus and how they provide us a vision of God’s reign. As with all these Thursday series, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.

Bible Study at Becketwood

     Vicar Emily is offering a second run of the six- week Bible study on human suffering at Becketwood Cooperative on five Tuesday afternoons (January 7 through February 4) from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This study examines the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. The next session will be in the West Dining Room at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14. The meeting room at Becketwood changes each week, so announcements will be made at the study regarding the location of the following week. All are welcome!

 It’s Cold! Think Warm!

     The May Day Parade needs us! Add the parade on May 4, 2014 (first Sunday in May) to your calendar now and plan to come to the May Day Parade. Bring your wagon and water and join the rest of our neighborhood for a good time.  We will walk Bloomington Avenue to Powderhorn Park. All of our neighbors will be there, so let’s plan to be there, too!

Every Church a Peace Church January Meeting

     Every Church a Peace Church’s bimonthly potluck supper meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, 2201 First Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404.

    The speaker this month is Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, and his presentation is entitled, “Maintaining Hope in Hard Times.” Pallmeyer is Associate Professor of Justice and Peace Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.  He is an activist academic whose life and work over the past thirty has been have focused on addressing the political, economic, faith, and foreign policy dimensions of hunger and poverty.

     This event is organized by Every Church A Peace Church, and co-sponsored by Twin Cities Peace Campaign and WAMM End War Committee. FFI: Call 612-522-1861 and/or visit them online at http://www://groups.yahoo.com/group/MnECAPC/messages.

Neighborhood Ministry Position News

     As previously announced, Mount Olive will hire an interim person to be the Neighborhood Ministries Coordinator from the time of Donna’s departure in March until a permanent replacement is hired in the fall.  A position description for this interim position is being finalized and will be ready for distribution next week.  If any member of the congregation is interested in the position, or might know of someone who would be interested, please contact the office ASAP.   Cha will take names and contact information, including email if possible, and then send out the position details next week. This is work that would be eligible for job-sharing.  For any questions, contact Lisa Nordeen.

Book Discussion Group

   On January 18 (one week late due to Liturgical Conference) the Book Group will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively, and on February 8, The Bell, by Iris Murdoch.

Help for Victims of the Cedar/Riverside Explosion/Fire

     The Minneapolis Area Synod invites prayers for the Cedar-Riverside victims and the neighborhood as it recovers from the New Year’s Day explosion and fire.

     Trinity Lutheran has been organizing ways in which help can be given. Donations of food and clothing can be made at the Brian Coyle Community Center at 420 15th Street, or through Trinity Lutheran Congregation, 2001 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454.

     Financial donations may be made through the Brian Coyle Community Center online at http://www.puc-mn.org/donate – note “Cedar-Riverside Fire Disaster Relief”. Financial donations may also be made through Trinity Lutheran Congregation; write “Fire Disaster Relief” on the memo line. Donations will go to the survivors of the fire and their families and to the family-owned business that was destroyed.

     For updates, check the Minneapolis Area Synod Facebook page.

Mount Olive T-Shirts

     Gail Nielsen is selling Mount Olive t-shirts for $7 each. These shirts come in small, medium, large (red, black, royal blue, purple), and extra large (red, royal blue).  These shirts will be sold until they are gone, at which time different colors could be ordered if desired.

     If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please contact Gail Nielsen (gmninmpls@hotmail.com).

Thank you

     We would like to thank everyone for welcoming the extra visitors who came to witness our marriage at the Advent 3 worship. It was a joy to share Mount Olive through music, liturgy, and welcoming. We thank you for the deeply meaningful experience of being held by you on that day. And our thanks to everyone that helped with the food and organization that comes with a big crowd; it is especially appreciated.

– Randy Werner and Peter Tressel

Disaster and Refugee Support

     Thank you to Mount Olive for supporting the ELCA’s call for contributions to support those affected by the typhoon and Syrians uprooted by war.  Individual Mount Olive members responded by contributing approximately $2,700 toward the ELCA’s efforts to provide typhoon assistance and $150 toward the ELCA’s support for Syrian refugees.

Accent on Worship

Presiding Bishop’s Christmas Message

“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.”

     We all know the story. The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem and found the little Lord Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. But what I think we often overlook is what the shepherds did after they left the manger.

     “When they saw this, they made known what had been told about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:17-18).

     The shepherds shared the good news that God is now with us, has become one of us and remains with us, bringing abundant life to all. As we gather this Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Christ child and hear the wondrous story, let us join together as a church to proclaim the good news. “Christ the child was born for you!”

     This time also marks the completion of our observance of over 25 years together in Christ as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are a church that belongs to Christ, and we give thanks and praise to God for the many ways in which the coming of Jesus has blessed this church and our world.

     It is all too easy for us these days to be constantly aware that this world is fraught with turmoil and danger. The same was true for the world in which Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus lived. But the ultimate hope for all people across all times is the hope God gives us in the Word made flesh, our Lord Immanuel.

     “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”

Christmas blessings,
Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sunday Readings

January 5, 2014 – Second Sunday of Christmas
Jeremiah 31:7-14 + Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14 + John 1:1-18

January 12, 2014 – The Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 42:1-9 + Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43 + Matthew 3:13-17

Thank you, thank you!

     Many thanks to the people of Mount Olive for the generous Christmas gifts we received, and for all your kindness and support throughout the year!  You are Christ to us in so many ways, and we are deeply grateful for you in our lives.  Blessings and peace to you all in this new year in God’s care!

– The staff of Mount Olive: Emily Beckering, David Cherwien, Joseph Crippen, Donna Neste, Cha Posz, and William Pratley

Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 10-11, 2014

     By now you should have received the brochure for this year’s Conference on Liturgy, to be held January 10-11, 2014. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Psalms: Humanity at Full Stretch.”

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m. Leadership for the hymn festival this year will be by the Mount Olive Cantorei, Cantor David Cherwien, and the Rev. Dr. Don Saliers. Don Saliers will be the keynote speaker for the conference this year, and will also be guest preacher at Mount Olive that Sunday for the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, January 12.

     Please note that the cost for Mount Olive members to attend this year’s conference is $35/person.

Hymn Festival, Friday, January 10

     Mount Olive is offering its annual hymn festival (connected to the Conference on Liturgy) Friday, Jan 10 at 7:30.   This event is open to the public,  and you do not need to be registered for the conference activities on Saturday in order to attend.  The more singers the merrier!  The program will be led by the Cantorei and Cantor Cherwien, with reflections by guest theologian Donald Saliers,  Professor Emeritus at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

     The theme is “Psalm Dimensions” and focuses on various aspects of the Psalter,  singing a variety of Psalms (in a variety of ways!) and hymns around the same topic. Themes include praise, lament, comfort, narration, supplication, thanksgiving and hope.  Well known hymns as well as some new ones will be sung – also in a variety of ways.

     The hymn festival format was firmly established by Cantor Paul Manz, and is now a tradition practiced many places.  Our continuing these events is an important contribution to the church and its song. Bring friends!

Stories for the Journey: Thursday Evening Bible Study Returns January 16

     Starting January 16 and running for six weeks, there will be a Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Pr. Crippen will lead a series on the parables of Jesus and how they provide us a vision of God’s reign. As with all these Thursday series, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.

Bible Study at Becketwood

     Vicar Emily will offer a second run of the six- week Bible study on human suffering at Becketwood Cooperative on five Tuesday afternoons (January 7 through February 4) from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. This study examines the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. The first session will be in the East Dining Room at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7. The meeting room at Becketwood changes each week, so announcements will be made at the study regarding the location of the following week. All are welcome!

Help with the Greens – Down They Come!

     The taking down of the greens and trees will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8:30 a.m.  In particular, this last task requires a lot of hands, so having a good group come will make the work much easier.

Mount Olive T-Shirts

     Gail Nielsen is selling Mount Olive t-shirts for $7 each. These shirts come in small, medium, large (red, black, royal blue, purple), and extra large (red, royal blue).  These shirts will be sold until they are gone, at which time different colors could be ordered if desired.
 
     If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please contact Gail Nielsen (gmninmpls@hotmail.com).

Book Discussion Group

   On January 18 (one week late due to Liturgical Conference) the Book Group will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively, and on February 8, The Bell, by Iris Murdoch.

Brunch Brochure

     In the brochure racks at Mount Olive is a small guide to recommended brunch places within, at most, three miles from the church. Most restaurants are within 1½ miles. If you notice deletions, additions, or corrections that need to be made to the brochure, please contact Susan Cherwien   (scherwien@aol.com) sometime during the month of December, so that we can have the corrected version ready and available for our guests at this January’s Liturgical Conference.

Every Church a Peace Church January Meeting

     Every Church a Peace Church’s bimonthly potluck supper meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, 2201 First Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404.

    The speaker this month is Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, and his presentation is entitled, “Maintaining Hope in Hard Times.” Pallmeyer is Associate Professor of Justice and Peace Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.  He is an activist academic whose life and work over the past thirty has been have focused on addressing the political, economic, faith, and foreign policy dimensions of hunger and poverty.

     This event is organized by Every Church A Peace Church, and co-sponsored by Twin Cities Peace Campaign and WAMM End War Committee. FFI: Call 612-522-1861 and/or visit them online at http://www://groups.yahoo.com/group/MnECAPC/messages.