Accent on Worship

Eyes Wide Open

     Many Christmases ago when my brother and sister and I were young, we went on a special shopping trip downtown with my mother. By the end of the day, the car was filled with presents for our cousins and grandparents and one another.

     On the way home, we stopped at a stoplight under the freeway. There, under the bridge, stood an older man with a sign. As he approached the car, my mother rolled down the window and reached for her purse.

     My sister, who sat in the front seat, began to cry out, “No, mama! Please! You don’t know that man! He’s scary!”

     The man paused. The light turned green.

     My mother looked at the man apologetically.

     He looked back at her with his kind, weathered eyes, and smiled softly. And we drove away.

     To this day, my mother remembers the man’s eyes.

     I remember what she told my sister as we drove away: “I do know him, Abbey. That was Jesus.”

     The difference between my mother and us children that afternoon was that she knew who to look for. She expected to meet Jesus often, and her eyes were wide open, always on the lookout to see him.

     In this season of Advent, we hear again of what God has done, but we are not preparing ourselves for the baby Jesus to come or imagining ourselves at the manger. Advent means “arrival, approach, coming.” During Advent, the Holy Spirit is preparing us to see Christ coming to us here and now, and opening our eyes to how God’s future is already breaking into our midst so that we may live this season of Advent—and all of our lives—with eyes wide open.

– Vicar Emily Beckering

Evening Prayer
Wednesdays in Advent
December 4, 11, and 18
7:00 p.m.

Sunday Readings

December 8, 2013 – Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10 + Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13 + Matthew 3:1-12

December 15, 2013 – Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10 + Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10 + Matthew 11:2-11

Fair Trade Craft Sale

     The Missions committee is hosting a Fair Trade Craft Sale during Advent. Purchase beautiful and unique Fair Trade items from SERVV International, handmade by disadvantaged artisans in developing regions around the world. With each purchase, you help artisans maintain steady work and a sustainable income so they can provide for their families.

     The crafts will be available for purchase after both services on December 1, 8 and 15 (cash and check only).  Fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate from Equal Exchange will also be available. This is not a fund-raiser, just an opportunity to buy good products for a good cause.

Book Discussion Group

     For December 14, The Book Discussion group will discuss The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty, and on January 18 (postponed one week due to the Liturgy Conference), we will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively.

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     On Thursday evenings (except for Thanksgiving Day) through December 19, Vicar Beckering is leading a topical study on the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. This Bible study series meets in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each gathering will begin with a light supper. All are welcome!

Alternative Gift Giving

     Are you looking for something different to do this year for Christmas gifts?  Take part in a growing tradition by giving gifts that help those in need.  The Missions Committee is promoting the idea of alternative gift giving this Christmas.  For example, in honor of a loved one, for $120 you can “buy” a sheep for a family through the Heifer Project that provides warm clothing and income through the sale of the wool. We have catalogues from different charitable organizations that you can use or you can order from the organizations’ websites.  Some of these organizations are:
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
www.elca.org/goodgifts
• Lutheran World Relief   http://lwrgifts.org/
• Heifer Project International
 http://www.heifer.org
• Common Hope
      http://commonhopecatalog.myshopify.com/
• Bethania Kids
http://bethaniakids.org/creative-giving-catalog/

Chancel-Cleaning Gathering

     The Altar Guild is hosting a chancel-cleaning event on Saturday, December 14, from noon to 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to help out for an hour or two. Bring your favorite duster and polishing rags, and help spiff up our worship space for Christmas. Questions? Contact Beth Gaede via email at bethgaede [at] comcast [dot] net.

Caring Bridge

     Several have asked for a Caring Bridge web address for Gene Hennig. His daughter, Kate, has asked us to share the following, for those who want the latest updates on his surgery and recuperation: www.caringbridge.org/visit/genehennig.

An Opportunity to Thank Our Terrific Staff

     Each year at this time the Vestry asks that you consider a monetary gift to recognize our Mount Olive staff for the faithful service that they provide throughout the year.   If you would like to contribute, please leave (or mail) a donation marked “staff gift” in the church office.   Checks can be made payable to Mount Olive Lutheran Church.  Gifts should be received by December 15.

     Thank-you.

– Lora Dundek, Vestry President

Friday Afternoon Support Group

      Caregiver? Chronic Illness?  Loss of home?  Loss of loved one?

     We each encounter a variety of losses throughout our lives.  Do you wish for a familiar place where you could find some reassurance, share your story, discover a simple skill or two that could help in those moments when you feel overwhelmed?

      Beginning Friday, December 27 at 1:00 p.m., join us for a four-week structured support group at Mount Olive.  Cathy Bosworth, Vicar Emily Beckering, and Marilyn Gebauer will serve as facilitators for this group on consecutive Fridays through January 17.  Each week a brief educational component will be offered with equal time for you to share personally in a confidential, supportive setting.

     If you are interested in attending, or have questions, please contact Cathy Bosworth (952-949-3679 or by email to marcat8447@yahoo.com) or Marilyn Gebauer (651-704-9539 or  by email to gebauevm@bitstream.net).   If four or more people have interest in participating, each will be contacted to confirm the group will meet as planned.

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.

Home Care Holiday Kits for Our Savior’s Housing

     Many residents of Our Savior’s Shelter have moved into the Permanent Supportive Housing Program. These individuals have struggled with homelessness for years and are now finally settled into their very own apartment, which they are able to maintain with the support of Our Saviour’s Housing Case Management. Holiday Home Care Baskets are a wonderful gift to help ease their budgets and maintain a beautiful and clean home of their own.

Suggested items include:
-glass cleaner -toilet cleaner
-all-purpose cleaner -disinfectant wipes
-micro-fiber cloths -laundry soap
-sponges -fabric softener
-dish soap -bleach

     Our Savior’s currently has 75 Residents in this program and would happily accept any number of baskets the people of Mount Olive are able to put together!  In order to deliver the baskets to each resident in time for the holiday’s, we are asking that all baskets be delivered to Mount Olive by Sunday,  December 15.

National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival: LIGHT 

     This year’s treasured Christmas Festival, “Light No Dark Can Overcome,” features both well-known and new music, including Midwest premieres by Kevin Siegfried and Tom Trenney. Carols, anthems and poetry combine to create a journey in time and space. Directed by NLC Artistic Director, David Cherwien, Gregory Peterson, organist/pianist.

Friday, December 13, 2013 – 4:30pm
Friday, December 13, 2013 – 8:00pm
Saturday, December 14, 2013 – 8:00pm

     All performances held at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 North 17th St. in Minneapolis (612.333.1381).

Mittens + Gloves = Warm Hands

     At the Community Meals in December (7th and 21st), mittens and glove will be given to our guests who need/want them. If you would like to donate mittens and/or gloves to this cause, please call Irene Campbell at 651/230-3927.

Dec. 8 Forum: Incarnation Icon

     Adam Krueger and Thomas Fenner have commissioned an Incarnation icon, which they are giving to Mount Olive in memory of Adam’s mother. The icon writer (or painter), Nicholas Markell (who also wrote the icon of the Ascension in Mount Olive’s columbarium), will present the icon to Adam and Thomas and will discuss the icon — its genesis, its symbolism, its meanings — at the Adult Forum on December 8 (rescheduled from December 1 as previously announced).

Field Trip!

     Interested in attending the largest choral music event in the world?  Ever seen the film “The Singing Revolution” or maybe have heard the recent concert of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir?  Ever thought of visiting Saint Saviour’s Church in Riga, Latvia that Mount Olive was instrumental in resurrecting (with Arden and Jana Haug) in the 1990’s?

     Join former Mount Olive Cantor Mark Sedio and his partner, Jeff Sartain as they lead a trip to the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this summer from June 27 through July 7.  The group will visit three interestingly diverse capital cities: Vilnius (Lithuania – a gem of a city with stunning Baroque architecture and a center of Jewish learning), Riga (Latvia’s lovely capital – not only lots of red brick like Copenhagen but also a treasure chest of a peculiar brand of Art Nouveau), and finally Tallinn (Estonia – boasting one of the best preserved Medieval city centers in all of Europe).  The culmination of the trip is the All-Estonia LAULUPIDU (the Song Festival which happens only once every five years) in which 120,000 people join together in song. It is one of the largest choral events in the world!  All this, plus side trips to places like Cesis (Latvia) – a pristinely preserved Latvian town and the Estonian island of Saaremaa with its many windmills, mysterious crater lakes, and one of Europe’s largest stone Teutonic fortresses.

     Tour brochures will soon be available in the church office. For more information, contact Mark at 612/767-9230 or msedio@centralmpls.org.  Hope you’ll consider joining us!

– Mark Sedio

Accent on worship

     This week as I considered the beginning of Advent, the church’s New Years’ Day,  perhaps a bit irreverently I found my mind going back to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, with Bill Murray. He played Phil Connors, a reporter sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on the festivities surrounding the celebrity rodent. In the movie, the twist is that when his alarm goes off the next morning, he begins a cycle of repeating the same Groundhog Day over and over again. Of course he is soon able to predict each occurrence that he encounters, because he had “been there” the day before.

     Doesn’t that sound like our church year, except we have a three-year cycle?

     Have you heard the phrase, “they always showed up”? It’s a phrase I hear as I check references related to someone I may consider hiring. It is, of course, intended to be complimentary. Who would say anything derogatory when asked to provide a reference? To my cynical, now senior-citizen ears, it sounds distinctly negative. I ask myself, did the person do or accomplish anything once they “showed up”? This empty affirmation is consistent with our current social consciousness, where we cannot accept anything but affirmation. (Have you noticed that in youth sports, there can no longer be winners or losers, and that everyone gets a trophy?)

     Does the promise of salvation through our baptism sometimes allows us a similar type of “no losers in this game” mentality?  All we have to do is “show up” (or not)! After all, we know the end of the story.

     Nothing sets us Christians at odds with the world like the season of Advent.  This year I saw the first signs of the approaching, “Holiday Season” the week after Labor Day! We Advent Christians drag our feet until Advent 4, and then hang the greens. We have our own “Black Friday”, it will be April 18 this year.

     So if Advent is all about preparation, for what are we preparing this year that we didn’t prepare for last year or the year before?

     The Church celebrates its New Year on December 1 this year. Perhaps when our alarm goes off, and we expect to start the same predictable Groundhog Day, we need to realize that this Incarnation invites a response from us, it requires far more of us than just showing up. Wachet auf! Preparation asks us to see December 25 through the eyes of the thief we heard about on Christ the King Sunday, and then to respond accordingly. Each moment of every day, preparation asks us to find, make, and LIVE that connection to our Incarnate Lord.

     Thank God for Advent!

    – Al Bipes 

Sunday Readings

December 1, 2013 – First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5 + Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14 + Matthew 24:36-44

December 8, 2013 – Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10 + Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13 + Matthew 3:1-12

Thanksgiving Eucharist
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
10:00 a.m.

     Bring non-perishable food items to help re-stock local food shelves. Monetary donations are especially welcome (for every $1 donated, food shelf personnel are able to buy about $9 worth of food!)
     The entire offering received at the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day will be given to Sabbathani Community Center and Community Emergency Services.

Advent Procession to be Held This Sunday, December 1 – 4:00 p.m.

All are invited to this contemplative service of lessons and carols for Advent.

Please Note

Church offices will be closed this Friday, November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving).

Incarnation Icon

     Adam Krueger and Thomas Fenner have commissioned an Incarnation icon, which they are giving to Mount Olive in memory of Adam’s mother. The icon writer (or painter), Nicholas Markell (who also wrote the icon of the Ascension in Mount Olive’s columbarium), will present the icon to Adam and Thomas and will discuss the icon — its genesis, its symbolism, its meanings — at the Adult Forum on December 8 (rescheduled from December 1 as previously announced).

2014 Pledge Cards

     A letter and pledge card for 2014 was sent to Mount Olive members last week. The Stewardship Committee would like to have all pledge cards returned by this Sunday, December 1, either to the church office or placed in the designated box next to the coat area.

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     On Thursday evenings (except for Thanksgiving Day) through December 19, Vicar Beckering is leading a topical study on the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. This Bible study series meets in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each gathering will begin with a light supper. All are welcome!

 Creche Needed

     Our Godly Play church school program is in need of a Christmas creche, preferably one made of wood that the children can handle.  If you have one you can donate or loan to us for a while, please bring it to the church office.  Thank you!

 –  Patsy Holtmeier and Carol Austermann

Mittens + Gloves = Warm Hands

     At the Community Meals in December (7th and 21st), mittens and glove will be given to our guests who need/want them. If you would like to donate mittens and/or gloves to this cause, please call Irene Campbell at 651/230-3927.

Book Discussion Group

     For December 14, The Book Discussion group will discuss The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty, and on January 18 (postponed one week due to the Liturgy Conference), we will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively.

How are you?

     “Just fine!” or some similar response is often our automatic reply.  If things aren’t really all that fine, we aren’t sure the inquirer really wants to know so we hesitate to elaborate further.  The fact is life brings changes to each of us and we are often surprised by how difficult and even painful these changes can be.  As Christians we know we can share the complications of life with each other, but often we aren’t sure how to go about it.

     Mount Olive Congregational Care group would like to open a conversation so that those of us who care for others can share experiences and insights, and in so doing, strengthen one another through shared faith.  A four-week structured group will be offered at Mount Olive on Fridays at 1:00 PM beginning December 27. Cathy Bosworth, Vicar Emily Beckering and Marilyn Gebauer will act as facilitators. Each week a brief educational component will be offered with equal time for each person to share personally in a confidential, supportive setting.

     If you have interest in attending, or have questions about this, please call Cathy Bosworth or Marilyn Gebauer. Cathy can be reached at 952-949-3679 or marcat8447@yahoo.com. Marilyn can be reached at 651-704-9539 or gebauevm@bitstream.net. If four or more people have interest in participating, each will be contacted to confirm the group will meet as planned.

To the Wearers of Albs

     As the season of Advent approaches and the worship assistants’ albs get more frequent use, please take a moment or two to check your alb to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Take a good, long look! Also, look for additional information on the alb closet door. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Carol Austermann at 612/722-5123.

Caring Bridge

     Several have asked for a Caring Bridge web address for Gene Hennig. His daughter, Kate, has asked us to share the following, for those who want the latest updates on his surgery and recuperation: www.caringbridge.org/visit/genehennig.

Communion Ministry at Mount Olive

     We are looking to add some new Communion Ministers to our team.

      As an extension of Pastor Crippen’s ministry, each week Communion Ministers visit members of our congregation who aren’t able to attend a Sunday service because of a short-term recuperation or long-term illness. During our visits, we share the Eucharist, creating a connection to our weekly worship.

     Each year Communion Ministers make more than 200 visits, and we want make sure we meet the needs of congregation members as they arise.

     We typically ask Communion Ministers to visit 1-2 members one time per month, and while the visits are usually on Sundays, they can be scheduled for other days, too.

     If you are interested in becoming a part of this rewarding experience or would like more information about it, please contact Tom Graves and Ginny Agresti at 651-292-1685, or by email at thgravesmn@msn.com.

Fair Trade Craft Sale

     The Missions committee is hosting a Fair Trade Craft Sale during Advent. Purchase beautiful and unique Fair Trade items from SERVV International, handmade by disadvantaged artisans in developing regions around the world. With each purchase, you help artisans maintain steady work and a sustainable income so they can provide for their families.

     The crafts will be available for purchase after both services on December 1, 8 and 15 (cash and check only).  Fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate from Equal Exchange will also be available. This is not a fund-raiser, just an opportunity to buy good products for a good cause.

ELCA Disaster Relief: Super Typhoon Haiyan

     Gifts designated to “Pacific Typhoon Response” will be used by Lutheran Disaster Relief in full – 100 percent – to help with immediate and long-term need. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help those affected as they journey to recover.

     If you wish to make a donation toward relief efforts, use your blue missions envelope or any other and mark it clearly for Typhoon Relief. This past Sunday, November 17, Mount Olive members contributed $2420 toward this effort. The need is great, and our continued donations help.

Field Trip!

     Interested in attending the largest choral music event in the world?  Ever seen the film “The Singing Revolution” or maybe have heard the recent concert of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir?  Ever thought of visiting Saint Saviour’s Church in Riga, Latvia that Mount Olive was instrumental in resurrecting (with Arden and Jana Haug) in the 1990’s?

     Join former Mount Olive Cantor Mark Sedio and his partner, Jeff Sartain as they lead a trip to the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this summer from June 27 through July 7.  The group will visit three interestingly diverse capital cities: Vilnius (Lithuania – a gem of a city with stunning Baroque architecture and a center of Jewish learning), Riga (Latvia’s lovely capital – not only lots of red brick like Copenhagen but also a treasure chest of a peculiar brand of Art Nouveau), and finally Tallinn (Estonia – boasting one of the best preserved Medieval city centers in all of Europe).  The culmination of the trip is the All-Estonia LAULUPIDU (the Song Festival which happens only once every five years) in which 120,000 people join together in song. It is one of the largest choral events in the world!  All this, plus side trips to places like Cesis (Latvia) – a pristinely preserved Latvian town and the Estonian island of Saaremaa with its many windmills, mysterious crater lakes, and one of Europe’s largest stone Teutonic fortresses.

     Tour brochures are available in the church office. For more information, contact Mark at 612/767-9230 or msedio@centralmpls.org.

Accent on Worship

     My major in college was history.  I took a lot of European history classes and learned that most kings in history, even when they started out with much promise, were corrupted beyond belief by the time of their death.  Most held unlimited power in their kingdoms which, I believe, was their undoing and the cause of great hardship and suffering for their subjects.

     The image of God and God in Jesus as king is made clear in the readings for Christ the King Sunday, and it is quite the opposite of historical kings and their kingdoms.  God in Jesus is depicted in all three readings.  In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah describes him as a king who is wise, just, and righteous, the one who is coming and will put all things right.  “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”  Strong words are reserved for the string of kings who came and went in Judah during Jeremiah’s time. They were referred to as shepherds who allowed their sheep to be scattered and did not attend to them.

     The second reading, an inspired letter to the Colossians, tells of the one so powerful, through whom all was created and who rules over all dominions and powers.  Yet in him, we are rescued from the power of darkness, transformed, forgiven, and redeemed.  In these passages Paul paints a picture of Jesus, who is one with God from the beginning and who holds all power, yet because he willingly became so lowly through the blood of his cross, dispenses eternal mercy.  In God, who holds unlimited power over everything in heaven and earth, there is eternal mercy.

     This mercy is revealed in the suffering and death of Jesus, who offers his forgiveness and an invitation to be with him in paradise to the sinner on the cross beside him, who recognized the kingship and kingdom of Jesus and asked to be a part of it.

           – Donna Pususta Neste

Sunday Readings

November 24, 2013 – Christ the King, Sunday 34
Jeremiah 23:1-6 + Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20 + Luke 23:33-43

December 1, 2013 – First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5 + Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14 + Matthew 24:36-44

Thanksgiving Eucharist
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
10:00 a.m.

     Bring non-perishable food items to help re-stock local food shelves. Monetary donations are especially welcome (for every $1 donated, food shelf personnel are able to buy about $9 worth of food!)

     The entire offering received at the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day will be given to Sabbathani Community Center and Community Emergency Services.

Neighborhood Ministries Newsletter

     This Sunday, November 24, the ushers will distribute the fall issue of the Neighborhood Ministries newsletter, Greetings from Mount Olive Neighborhood Ministries.  If you will not be in church that day and would like a copy, they will be available to be picked up at the church, in the office or in the narthex.

Adult Forum
 • November 24:  “An Introduction to Matthew,” part 3 of a 3-part series, led by Pastor Crippen.

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     On Thursday evenings (except for Thanksgiving Day) through December 19, Vicar Beckering is leading a topical study on the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. This Bible study series meets in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each gathering will begin with a light supper. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

     For December 14, The Book Discussion group will discuss The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty, and on January 18 (postponed one week due to the Liturgy Conference), we will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively.

Please Note

Church offices will be closed on Friday, November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving).

2014 Pledge Cards

     A letter and pledge card for 2014 was sent to Mount Olive members last week. The Stewardship Committee would like to have all pledge cards returned by Sunday, December 1, either to the church office or placed in the designated box next to the coat area.

Creche Needed

     Our Godly Play church school program is in need of a Christmas creche, preferably one made of wood that the children can handle.  If you have one you can donate or loan to us for a while, please bring it to the church office.  Thank you!

                        Patsy Holtmeier and Carol Austermann

Advent Procession
Sunday, December 1 – 4:00 p.m.
All are invited to this contemplative service of lessons and carols for Advent.

A Note of Thanks

     At Mount Olive, one would, of course, need to say that our spirits are fed by the Eucharist that we share every Sunday morning.   But we do food and drink for the body pretty well, too!  Many thanks to Gail Nielsen and her crew for Sunday’s wonderful NovemberFest meal and celebration!  It was a great time.

ELCA Disaster Relief: Super Typhoon Haiyan

     One of the most powerful storms ever recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, crashed across the central islands of the Philippines. With winds of over 200 miles per hour and torrential rains, it has caused massive destruction, loss of lives and forced millions of people to flee their homes.

    Our help is needed to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Through partnerships and as a member of ACT Alliance, Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to the most urgent needs of food, water, clothing, shelter, sleeping material and medicine. Possible assistance may also include helping those whose livelihood of fishing or farming has been destroyed.

     Gifts designated to “Pacific Typhoon Response” will be used by Lutheran Disaster Relief in full – 100 percent – to help with immediate and long-term need. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help those affected as they journey to recover.

     If you wish to make a donation toward relief efforts, use your blue missions envelope or any other and mark it clearly for Typhoon Relief. This past Sunday, November 17, Mount Olive members contributed $2420 toward this effort. The need is great, and our continued donations help.

The Art Shoppe

     For those who are new to Mount Olive, I would like to extend a special invitation to visit and shop at the Art Shoppe for the upcoming holidays.

     Three years ago, Mount Olive was invited to join A Minnesota Without Poverty in a micro-enterprise that would support local artists. A retail space in the Midtown Global Market, in the old Sears building one block from Mount Olive, was obtained for this purpose. The Art Shoppe faces Lake Street in the west corridor of the Midtown Global Market.

     There are now sixty artists involved who offer their work in a variety of forms: clothing, jewelry, pottery, photos, cards, glass-blowing, and woodworking.

     Are you looking for some one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts this year? Shop and support the artists at The Art Shoppe.

Carol Austermann, 
  Neighborhood Ministries Director

How are you?

     “Just fine!” or some similar response is often our automatic reply.  If things aren’t really all that fine, we aren’t sure the inquirer really wants to know so we hesitate to elaborate further.  The fact is life brings changes to each of us and we are often surprised by how difficult and even painful these changes can be.  As Christians we know we can share the complications of life with each other, but often we aren’t sure how to go about it.

     Mount Olive Congregational Care group would like to open a conversation so that those of us who care for others can share experiences and insights, and in so doing, strengthen one another through shared faith.  A four-week structured group will be offered at Mount Olive on Fridays at 1:00 PM beginning December 27. Cathy Bosworth, Vicar Emily Beckering and Marilyn Gebauer will act as facilitators. Each week a brief educational component will be offered with equal time for each person to share personally in a confidential, supportive setting.

     If you have interest in attending, or have questions about this, please call Cathy Bosworth or Marilyn Gebauer. Cathy can be reached at 952-949-3679 or marcat8447@yahoo.com. Marilyn can be reached at 651-704-9539 or gebauevm@bitstream.net. If four or more people have interest in participating, each will be contacted to confirm the group will meet as planned.

Narthex Updating

     A big thank you goes out to Mount Olive members who helped with new upgrades and maintenance of the narthex.

     The changes have been subtle but over the last couple months you may have noticed a few changes in the narthex. It started with some tough scrubbing of the brick walls in the north stairwell to the balcony.  Many years of buildup on the walls had had turned the stairwell bricks a very dark color, accentuated by much lighter colored chips in the  brick.  Steve Pranschke, Bob Lee, John Meyer and Sue Ellen Zagrabelny applied a fair amount of elbow grease and heavy duty cleaner to brighten those brick walls. Thank you, Steve, Bob, John and Sue Ellen.
 
     A few days later, new carpet was delivered and as the carpet layers were removing the old carpet from the stairwells, they found that the floor boards on the first landing of the south staircase were dangerously decaying from an old water damage problem and needed to be replaced before the new carpet could be installed.  Who do you call in an emergency situation where some major floor repair is needed immediately??  Well, the dream team of Art Halbardier and George Oelfke appeared on a moment’s notice, and they cut out the decayed floor boards and replaced them with new flooring all in time for the new carpet to be installed without any delays.  Thank you, Art and George.

     Also over the last few weeks, new brighter lighting has been installed in the stairwells leading to the balcony and in the two stairwells leading to the undercroft.  Future plans call for painting the stairwells to the undercroft and more new lighting at the bottom of the stairwells.

     Lastly, Mark Pipkorn hand crafted new brighter globes for the four main lights in the narthex.  The original globes were installed in the early 1960s and were made of fiberglass that had darkened considerably, especially when larger, hotter light bulbs had been used and caused the fiber glass to discolor.  Thank you, Mark!

     Also a special thank you to Brian Jacobs for providing his decorative expertise and help in choosing and ordering and installing the carpet and lighting.

Mittens + Gloves = Warm Hands

     At the Community Meals in December (7th and 21st), mittens and glove will be given to our guests who need/want them. If you would like to donate mittens and/or gloves to this cause, please call Irene Campbell at 651/230-3927.

To the Wearers of Albs

     As the season of Advent approaches and the worship assistants’ albs get more frequent use, please take a moment or two to check your alb to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Take a good, long look! Also, look for additional information on the alb closet door. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Carol Austermann at 612/722-5123.

Communion Ministry at Mount Olive

     We are looking to add some new Communion Ministers to our team.

      As an extension of Pastor Crippen’s ministry, each week Communion Ministers visit members of our congregation who aren’t able to attend a Sunday service because of a short-term recuperation or long-term illness. During our visits, we share the Eucharist, creating a connection to our weekly worship.

     Each year Communion Ministers make more than 200 visits, and we want make sure we meet the needs of congregation members as they arise.

     We typically ask Communion Ministers to visit 1-2 members one time per month, and while the visits are usually on Sundays, they can be scheduled for other days, too.

     If you are interested in becoming a part of this rewarding experience or would like more information about it, please contact Tom Graves and Ginny Agresti at 651-292-1685, or by email at thgravesmn@msn.com.

Field Trip!

     Interested in attending the largest choral music event in the world?  Ever seen the film “The Singing Revolution” or maybe have heard the recent concert of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir?  Ever thought of visiting Saint Saviour’s Church in Riga, Latvia that Mount Olive was instrumental in resurrecting (with Arden and Jana Haug) in the 1990’s?

     Join former Mount Olive Cantor Mark Sedio and his partner, Jeff Sartain as they lead a trip to the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this summer from June 27 through July 7.  The group will visit three interestingly diverse capital cities: Vilnius (Lithuania – a gem of a city with stunning Baroque architecture and a center of Jewish learning), Riga (Latvia’s lovely capital – not only lots of red brick like Copenhagen but also a treasure chest of a peculiar brand of Art Nouveau), and finally Tallinn (Estonia – boasting one of the best preserved Medieval city centers in all of Europe).  The culmination of the trip is the All-Estonia LAULUPIDU (the Song Festival which happens only once every five years) in which 120,000 people join together in song. It is one of the largest choral events in the world!  All this, plus side trips to places like Cesis (Latvia) – a pristinely preserved Latvian town and the Estonian island of Saaremaa with its many windmills, mysterious crater lakes, and one of Europe’s largest stone Teutonic fortresses.

     Tour brochures will soon be available in the church office. For more information, contact Mark at 612/ 767-9230 or msedio@centralmpls.org.  Hope you’ll consider joining us!

                                     Mark Sedio

Incarnation Icon

     Adam Krueger and Thomas Fenner have commissioned an Incarnation icon, which they are giving to Mount Olive in memory of Adam’s mother. The icon writer (or painter), Nicholas Markell (who also wrote the icon of the Ascension in Mount Olive’s columbarium), will present the icon to Adam and Thomas and will discuss the icon — its genesis, its symbolism, its meanings — at the Adult Forum on December 1.

Accent on Worship

     “Such times we live in,” the saying goes.  And if the old Chinese blessing has any merit (“May you live in interesting times.”), we must be blest indeed!

     For Christians, the experience of time is a very blessed and hallowed reality, as we live into God’s New Creation. In worship especially, our participation in Christ’s body has one foot planted in our experience of time, and one foot in the timeless eternity of God’s kingdom, where we sing with saints and angels. For our Orthodox sisters and brothers, liturgy is the one place in this life where we get to step out of our temporal lives and enter into this new creation of God’s making. Though we cannot grasp anything other than our experience of passing time, faith allows us to see in a mirror, dimly, a different reality—a simultaneous reality—a continuum within which our lives are held fast.

     I had an uncle who taught at Luther Seminary while I was a student there. I remember a classmate who thought my Uncle Bob’s ideas were terribly dated and old fashioned, and in class one day, this student accused him of “having one foot in the grave.”  My Uncle Bob sighed, and said: “the minute the church no longer has one foot in the grave, it is in dire trouble.”

     So in these last Sundays of the church year, these last Sundays of “Ordinary Time,” we focus on time itself, and the nature of God’s reign among us. We are reminded that we have one foot in the grave, even as we “live, and move, and have our being.”

     For the secular world, time is a cruel and ruthless master and serves-up a sentence that continually reminds us of our death. Thanks be to God for our life in Christ, who transforms this death-sentence into life itself, right through the center of every moment. Gone is the futile feeling that history is “just-one-damned-thing-after-another” (Arnold Toynbee).  In Christ’s new creation each moment of time is blasted open into eternity itself, leading on to God instead of death.  This, to me, is what these “end-time” Sundays at the end of the church year are all about. They are, to be sure, Sundays in “Ordinary Time,” yet the message is clear, and hope-full, and indeed, extraordinary!

– William Beckstrand, Interim Cantor

Sunday Readings

Nov. 17, 2013 – Time after Pentecost, Sunday 33
Malachi 4:1-2a + Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 + Luke 21:5-19

Nov. 10, 2013 – Christ the King, Sunday 34
Jeremiah 23:1-6 + Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20 + Luke 23:33-43

NovemberFest!

     This Sunday, November 17, the Congregational Life Committee will hold a NovemberFest Fundraising Dinner. This event will be a fun opportunity for Mount Olive members and friends to visit with each other and guests, eat a wonderful meal of German food prepared by members of our church, play some games (led by Hans Tisberger), all to help raise money for new ovens for the Undercroft kitchen.  A freewill offering will be received. If you want to come and haven’t signed up, call Gail Nielsen at 612/825-9326 to RSVP, so we know how much food to prepare.

Theology on Tap

Faith journey conversations for folks 21 and up
When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30pm
Where: Longfellow Grill, 2990 W. River Pkwy, Mpls
Topic: That “small, quiet voice”– how and when do you hear it, what does it tell you, what gets in the way?
Contact: Bob Anderson, 952-937-8656

Thanksgiving Eucharist
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
10:00 a.m.

     Bring non-perishable food items to help re-stock local food shelves. Monetary donations are especially welcome (for every $1 donated, food shelf personnel are able to buy about $9 worth of food!)
     The entire offering received at the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day will be given to Sabbathani Community Center and Community Emergency Services.

Adult Forum 

• November 17: “An Introduction to Matthew,” part 2 of a 3-part series, led by Pastor Crippen.

• November 24:  “An Introduction to Matthew,” part 3 of a 3-part series, led by Pastor Crippen.

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     On Thursday evenings (except for Thanksgiving Day) through December 19, Vicar Beckering will lead a topical study on the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. This Bible study series will meet in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each gathering will begin with a light supper. All are welcome!

Attention, Bakers!

     We will again bake communion bread for our liturgies from Advent through Holy Trinity.  There is currently a regular group of five bakers, but additional bakers are always welcome. If you are interested in baking communion bread, Please contact John and Patsy Holtmeier either by email to jpholt67@gmail.com, or by phone: 952-582-1955.

Book Discussion Group

For December 14, The Book Discussion group will discuss The Optimist’s Daughter, by Eudora Welty, and on January 18 (postponed one week due to the Liturgy Conference), we will discuss Moon Tiger, by Penelope Lively.

Please Note

Church offices will be closed on Friday, November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving).

Families with Kids, Please Note!

    Families with children and teens are invited to assist with the noon meal this Saturday, November 16.  Come at noon for the meal and help bus tables, visit with guests and make Thanksgiving cards for Meals on Wheels recipients.  Call Beth Sawyer with any questions.  651-434-0666

Every Church a Peace Church

Thursday, November 14, 7-8:30 p.m. at
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave., St. Paul

     Every Church a Peace Church, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Veterans for Peace and Fellowship of Reconciliation invite you to an evening with Fr. Michael Lapsley on November 14.

     Father Lapsley became chaplain of the African National Congress in 1976. He survived an assassination attempt by the South African Apartheid government. It destroyed both of his hands, one eye and his eardrums. Fr. Lapsley believed God was with him and he was able to move from victim to victor. During his lengthy recovery he became a staff member of the Training Center for Survivors of Violence and Torture and later was involved with Bishop Desmond Tutu in the Truth and Reconciliation effort in South Africa. Fr. Lapsley helped develop the Healing of Memories (HOM) American. He leads HOM retreats in Minnesota for returning veterans.

CoAM Fundraiser

     CoAM (Cooperative Adult Ministries) will have a fun fundraiser on Monday, November 18, beginning at noon, at Bethel Lutheran Church (4120 17th Ave. S.). The musical group From the Heart will perform songs from the Great American Songbook. Plan to come, share a meal, and listen to the music! For reservations, call the CoAM office at 612/721-5786. CoAM is a program of TRUST, of which Mount Olive is a part (TRUST sponsors our Meals on Wheels program).

ELCA Disaster Relief: Super Typhoon Haiyan

     One of the most powerful storms ever recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, crashed across the central islands of the Philippines. With winds of over 200 miles per hour and torrential rains, it has caused massive destruction, loss of lives and forced millions of people to flee their homes.

    Our help is needed to make a difference in affected areas. Through partnerships and as a member of ACT Alliance, Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to the most urgent needs of food, water, clothing, shelter, sleeping material and medicine. Possible assistance may also include helping those whose livelihood of fishing or farming has been destroyed.

     Gifts designated to “Pacific Typhoon Response” will be used by Lutheran Disaster Relief in full – 100 percent – to help with immediate and long-term need. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help those affected as they journey to recover.

     If you wish to make a donation toward relief efforts, use your blue missions envelope or any other and mark it clearly for Typhoon Relief.

Lynn Dobson in the News

     The most recent issue of The American Organist features Lynn Dobson’s new organ at Merton College in Oxford, England. Several from Mount Olive will travel to Oxford in April for the dedication of this fine instrument. Stop in the church office and pick up a copy of the article which features Lynn and the work of Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, and this exceptional organ.

Special Request from CES

     Community Emergency Services has informed us of some current special needs: computers, a 2-stage snow blower, shopping carts, fans, and a vacuum cleaner. The most important need, however, is people! The need volunteers for their mail crew, clerical assistance, drivers, and painters. If you can help, please contact CES at 612/870-1125. CES is the local recipient of our food shelf donations.

2014 Pledge Cards

     A letter and pledge card for 2014 was sent to Mount Olive members this week. The Stewardship Committee would like to have all pledge cards returned by Sunday, December 1, either to the church office or placed in the designated box in the narthex.

Accent on Worship

Transferring a wee little man

     For those of us who pay attention to little details, there might be something that looks like a typographical error in this Olive Branch.  In the little shaded box in the lower right corner of the page, where it lists the readings for the next two Sunday Eucharists, it says Sunday 31 followed by Sunday 33.  So either this is a typo or we have to ask, what happened to Sunday 32?

     Well, the simple answer is that it was overridden by a transferring of Sunday 31’s readings to this Sunday.  “Transferring” is the word we use when we take the lectionary assigned to one day and move it to another.  Some Lutheran churches, for example, rather than celebrating Epiphany on January 6, the actual day, will transfer the Epiphany lectionary to the next Sunday.  The same is often done to Ascension Day.  Mount Olive typically doesn’t do this.  If a lesser festival (of one of the apostles and Biblical saints) falls on a green Sunday, we celebrate it.  We always celebrate the Epiphany and the Ascension on their proper days, even if it means (as it always does with Ascension) coming here on a weeknight to celebrate the Eucharist.  They are important feasts in the life of the Church and here we have appreciated the rich and ancient tradition of stopping our daily lives when they arrive, and gathering to worship.  We also value the lectionary’s assigning of texts so we never replace the Sunday readings with other readings of our choosing to suit our needs.

     The one exception is that for decades here we’ve followed the traditional Lutheran practice of transferring the Reformation Day (Oct. 31) lectionary to the preceding Sunday and the All Saints Day (Nov. 1) lectionary to the following Sunday.  While there has been good reason for that, the outcome that is often unseen is that we never read the actual lectionary readings assigned to those two Sundays, and there are some important words of Scripture we never get to hear in worship as a result.

     This year it seemed worth our while to rectify this at least in one way.  The readings for Sunday 31 are powerful readings that help us consider our stewardship of our wealth and our relationship with our neighbors, and it is the time of year for us to consider such things with a little more intentionality.  So we’re going to read Sunday 31’s readings this week (and you can see a little more reflection on stewardship in my pastoral letter in another part of this Olive Branch.)  This year, Sunday 32 will take the back seat because of All Saints instead of Sunday 31.  [It’s worth noting, by the way, that the numbers don’t refer to “Sundays after” a specific date, as the lectionary used to count.  (Most will remember “The 24th Sunday after Pentecost” style.)  In the revised common lectionary which we use, the numbers are simply a consecutive numbering of the lectionary readings for the green seasons, ordinary time.  So the Sunday after Holy Trinity this year wasn’t “the Second Sunday after Pentecost,” it was “Sunday 9.”]

     What this means is that we hear the story of Zacchaeus this Sunday, and he will invite us into a passionate way of considering how we steward the resources God has entrusted to us.  It will be good to hear from this old friend who has been absent from our liturgies for too long.

Sunday Readings

Nov. 10, 2013 – Time after Pentecost, Sunday 31
Isaiah 1:10-18 + Psalm 32:1-7
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 + Luke 19:1-10

Nov. 17, 2013 – Time after Pentecost, Sunday 33
Malachi 4:1-2a + Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 + Luke 21:5-19

Adult Forum 

• November 10: “An Introduction to Matthew,” part 1 of a 3-part series, led by Pastor Crippen.
• November 17 & 24:  Parts 2 and 3 of this series.

Thursday Evening Bible Study Begins Tomorrow!

     In Psalm 13, David cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” No doubt David is not the only one to ask God these questions, for here is not a household untouched by pain or suffering. Thursday evenings starting on Nov. 7, Vicar Beckering will lead a topical study on the Biblical witness to suffering and who God is for us in the midst of that suffering. This Bible study series will meet Thursday evenings in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and run for six weeks, with the exception of Thanksgiving. Each gathering will begin with a light supper. All are welcome!

Volunteer Opportunities Abound

     This Sunday, November 10, during both coffee times representatives from various Mount Olive groups will be available to talk about volunteer opportunities with their committees and groups. Please come see what volunteers accomplish at Mount Olive, what opportunities exist for service at Mount Olive, and how you can get involved. Volunteering is a great way to serve our congregation and our neighbors.

Attention, Bakers!

     We will again bake communion bread for our liturgies from Advent through Holy Trinity.  There is currently a regular group of five bakers, but additional bakers are always welcome. If you are interested in baking communion bread, Please contact John and Patsy Holtmeier either by email to jpholt67@gmail.com, or by phone: 952-582-1955.

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at church. For Nov. 9, they will read Parade’s End, by Ford Madox Ford, and for December 14, The Optimist’s Daughter, by Eudora Welty.

A Word of Thanks

     As the photo directory project is winding down, I’d like to thank the many people who helped make it happen: Andrew Andersen, Paul Nixdorf  for heading up the project and Cha Posz for lots of support; Elisabeth Hunt, Marty Hamlin, and Bonnie McLellan for registering appointments; Marcia Burrow for recruiting hosts; and all those who helped me with hosting: Steve Pranschke, Mary Rose Watson, Elizabeth Beissel, Don Johnson, Kate Sterner, Margaret Bostelmann, Sue Ellen Zagrebelsky, John and Patsy Holtmeier, Kathy Kruger, Tim Lindholm and many more who were willing but whose schedules didn’t match with the photo session times. I am truly grateful for everyone’s help and I apologize if I have left anyone out.

– Sandra Pranschke, Congregational Life

Mark Your Calendars for NovemberFest!

     On Sunday, November 17, the Congregational Life Committee will hold a NovemberFest Fundraising Dinner. This event will be a fun opportunity for Mount Olive members and friends to visit with each other and guests, eat a wonderful meal of German food prepared by members of our church, play some games (led by Hans Tisberger), all to help raise money for new ovens for the Undercroft kitchen.  A freewill offering will be received. If you want to come and haven’t signed up, call Gail Nielsen at 612/825-9326 to RSVP, so we know how much food to prepare.

Theology on Tap
Faith journey conversations for folks 21 and up

When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30pm
Where: Longfellow Grill, 2990 W. River Pkwy, Minneapolis
Topic: That “small, quiet voice”– how and when do you hear it, what does it tell you, what gets in the way?
Contact: Bob Anderson, 952-937-8656

Sign Up, Sign Up for Coffee!

     On Sunday at the Stewardship event, there will be a new sign up chart for hosting coffee hour. Please consider signing up for this important time of food and conversation. Willing to host but don’t want to do it alone? Let us know and we’ll pair you with someone. See you at the Congregational Life table on Sunday.

Two Events for Every Church a Peace Church

Monday, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m. at
United Church of Christ in New Brighton
1000 Long Lake Road
New Brighton, MN     (651 633-1327)

     Every Church a Peace Church bi-monthly potluck supper meeting presents “An Introduction to Nonviolent Peaceforce and Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping.”
     This international organization originated here in Minnesota. Its mission is to train civilians to accompany people who have been targeted in various foreign countries to provide nonviolent protection for them.

Thursday, November 14, 7-8:30 p.m. at
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave., St. Paul

     Every Church a Peace Church, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Veterans for Peace and Fellowship of Reconciliation invite you to an evening with Fr. Michael Lapsley.

     Father Lapsley became chaplain of the African National Congress in 1976. He survived an assassination attempt by the South African Apartheid government. It destroyed both of his hands, one eye and his eardrums. Fr. Lapsley believed God was with him and he was able to move from victim to victor. During his lengthy recovery he became a staff member of the Training Center for Survivors of Violence and Torture and later was involved with Bishop Desmond Tutu in the Truth and Reconciliation effort in South Africa. Fr. Lapsley helped develop the  Healing of Memories (HOM) American. He leads HOM retreats in Minnesota for returning veterans.

Thanksgiving Eucharist
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
10:00 a.m.

     Bring non-perishable food items to help re-stock local food shelves. Monetary donations are especially welcome (for every $1 donated, food shelf personnel are able to buy about $9 worth of food!)
     The entire offering received at the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day will be given to Sabbathani Community Center and Community Emergency Services.

Please Note

Church offices will be closed on Friday, November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving).

Special Request from CES

     Community Emergency Services has informed us of some current special needs: computers, a 2-stage snow blower, shopping carts, fans, and a vacuum cleaner. The most important need, however, is people! The need volunteers for their mail crew, clerical assistance, drivers, and painters. If you can help, please contact CES at 612/870-1125. CES is the local recipient of our food shelf donations.

CoAM Fundraiser

     CoAM (Cooperative Older Adult Ministries) will have a fun fundraiser on November at, beginning at noon, at Bethel Lutheran Church (4120 17th Ave. S.). The musical group From the Heart will perform songs from the Great American Songbook. Plan to come, share a meal, and listen to the music! For reservations, call the CoAM office at 612/721-5786. CoAM is a program of TRUST, of which Mount Olive is a part (TRUST sponsors our Meals on Wheels program).

A Word From Your Pastor

Sisters and brothers,
     In the second of these letters to you on stewardship I’d like to consider the possibilities that could be before us when we learn to think of our stewardship of financial resources in a deeper, more profound way.  In particular, what might happen if we were to deepen in our understanding of the spiritual discipline of tithing.

     In some Christian settings, tithing (the giving of a percentage of one’s income to the work of the church, often set at 10% due to a biblical precedent) is nearly a law, a requirement.  Other Christian groups teach tithing as almost an investment scheme: give a certain percentage and God will turn your investment into much more, you will be even more wealthy and blessed.  Neither of these approaches are faithful to Scripture.

     What is truer to Scripture is the biblical tradition of the faithful people of God committing – joyfully, gratefully, enthusiastically – a percentage of what they have been blessed to receive from God to share with God for the work of ministry.  That’s the place of discipleship we could find more fully at Mount Olive, and the accompanying blessing of deepening faith that results.

     We are already a high-commitment community.  We commit a great deal of time and energy to worship, to caring for our neighbors, to supporting each other in this congregation.  In our visioning process the leadership team continually heard the desire of members to deepen in that commitment of time and life to work together for the ministry God needs us to be doing here.  Learning the spiritual discipline of intentionally committing a percentage of our income to the work we do together flows along the same lines, and is in keeping with our other understandings of the work we are called to do together.

     What is interesting is to dream about what it would look like if we, the members of this congregation, deepened in this faith practice.  The most recent numbers this fall state that the median household (not individual) income in Minnesota is now $58,000 per year.  Clearly not all of our households are at that level and some are at a higher level.  But let’s use that and play with the numbers a bit.

     We have roughly 230 households who give to Mount Olive every year.  Assuming that averaging those households’ income would be close to the Minnesota median, if each of those households began in 2014 to give 10%, we as God’s people would have $1,335,000 to use for the work of God.  Just for 2014.  Now we know it takes us about $600,000, give or take, to keep our own things taken care of, building, staff, utilities, necessities.  So what would happen if we found ourselves next year with over $700,000 to give away, to invest in the neighborhood, to transform this world?  What kind of a congregation would we be in 5 years, in 10 years, if every year we were sending nearly three quarters of a million dollars out into the world to bring God’s justice and grace to the world?  Do you see?  We barely scratch the surface of the joy we could be a part of when we just “take care of business.”

     The transformation in our life together would be equally profound.  What Christians have discovered in two millennia is that letting go of the things of this world that seem so important opens us to rely ever more deeply on the grace of God in which we live and move, and when we share the resources God has entrusted to us in our wealth we find a joy in participating in God’s grace for the world we might never have dreamed possible.

     This is a theology which assumes God has abundantly blessed the world with enough for all, and certainly abundantly blessed us.  This is a theology wherein we are overwhelmed by the many and various ways God’s grace has blessed and enriched our lives and can only respond by an outpouring of our own.  This is an ancient spiritual discipline which, like so many others, helps us learn ever more to rely on God and not ourselves.  The astonishing bonus to all of this is the wonders that we will be able to do together when we share our resources in such a way.

     This Sunday we will consider our stewardship in our Sunday liturgy, and between liturgies.  All of us will have opportunities after each liturgy to sign up for ways in which we feel called to commit our time to this shared ministry we do.  In our Eucharist, the readings for the day, the hymns, the preaching will help us listen to what God is saying, and think deeply about what we are each called to do with the stewardship of God’s wealth entrusted to us.

     We have not sent out pledge cards yet.  This is intentional.  I wanted us to have some time to consider these things, both in these two Olive Branches, and next Sunday.  A letter from Dennis Bidwell, the stewardship director, and from me, will go out next Monday with pledge cards for 2014.  I invite all of us to look at this card and, whatever each has done in the past, ask ourselves what new things God might be calling us, calling you, to commit to do with this pledge.  I knew a couple once who was giving at 10% and felt that they needed to risk more in faith and began to push to increase that percentage by a percentage point each year.  Because the percentage isn’t a magical thing.  The grace comes from the moving in faith, the committing.

     So let us continue to pray about this together.  When we each get our invitations to pledge to our shared ministry, let us ask God for the courage to let go and trust.  And then let’s be ready to be astonished even more than we have been by what God’s powerful grace can do among us.
In the love of Christ,

– Joseph

A Reflection on Volunteering

     Last Sunday in church we heard this from Vicar Emily:
“In the fullness of that story, an end will come to poverty, and hunger, and pain, and weeping, and hate, and we and all the faithful dead will be united with God.  But here and now, God is in our very midst putting to death our harmful beliefs and behaviors and raising us once again by the power of the Holy Spirit to live as Christ—to fill and be filled by the hungry, to weep with the weeping, to return hate with love, to forgive and lift up before God those who hurt us, and to give of ourselves and our resources for the joy of being apart of what God is doing. When this happens, all around us the clouds part and God’s future breaks in now.”

     I was sitting in the pew reflecting on these words when a finger gently tapped me on the shoulder and motioned for me to come.  It was the usher asking if I could help out and carry the sacraments to the altar.  Now, you must know that I have never done this before.  Last time I walked down that aisle was at my wedding more than 3 decades ago (other than communion each Sunday).

     So my first reaction was slight terror.  I would not know what to do; when to bow, stop, turn, follow, lead, etc.  I have watched but not been attentive to the details.  But I had just heard this incredible sermon and been moved by it.  The words came to my mind again (paraphrased).   “Stop your harmful beliefs and patterns that limit Gods work and rise up with the power of the Holy Spirit to live as Christ!”

     So I was being asked to get off my duff and be part of something wonderful.  Now I know many of you do this regularly and it is no big deal but we cannot see one another’s inner fears and I would never have offered myself for this volunteer activity.

     I nodded a yes but was not comfortable as the elements were placed in the palm of my hands.  But as I moved down that aisle toward the altar an amazing presence filled me.  I forgot myself and my fears seemed way behind me and even silly. I felt the fullness of the body of Christ surrounding me.  I sensed being a part of something much bigger than me.  I was no longer a bystander but I was in the midst of the Holy and I felt the presence of God deeply.

     Outwardly all I did was walk down an aisle.  All I did was hand over some bread to another member.  Yet from the moments of being asked, saying yes, taking one step at a time and walking into the midst of the people of God gathered for worship, I knew without a doubt that my fear was gone and a deep joy came to my heart because I knew I belonged to the body of Christ.

     This Sunday during the social hour you will be tapped on the shoulder and invited to see, hear, touch, taste the opportunities to volunteer in this congregation.  Will you be attentive to what God is asking you to do or be in this place?  Will you take some time to perhaps burst out of some of your old patterns and say yes to try something new?

     As Vicar Emily stated in the sermon:  “This God who has made us saints and called us blessed, will continue to call us back, to put to death harmful patterns, to raise us again to live as Christ, and to remind us whose we are until that time when before the throne with all the saints in light, we will know in complete fullness, the God to whom we belong.”

– Connie Jaarsma Marty