Accent on Worship

The Gift of God

     On The Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, the question that comes to mind for me is, what is baptism?  Baptism is a practice that almost all people hold dearly in the Lutheran Church.  Even those who don’t worship regularly or believe strongly have a sense that baptism is something they should do for their children.  So why is this?  Why do we baptize?

     In the Lutheran tradition (as in most mainline Christian traditions), baptism is a sacrament.  Sacraments are traditionally described as an earthly element (think water, bread, and wine) combined with God’s Word that delivers a promise to us.  According to Luther, the promise is not so much about who gets it, but who gives it.

     Luther writes in the Large Catechism, “Baptism is nothing else than water and the Word of God in and with each other, that is when the Word is added to the water, Baptism is valid, even though faith be wanting. For my faith does not make baptism, but receives it.” So according to Luther, baptism is a promise that we receive by God’s will. This promise says more about the giver than the receiver.  So while baptism is something that we can learn about, and understand through study of scripture, it’s primarily a promise and a gift of the Holy Spirit given to us by God.

     In my experience, this makes a lot of sense.  This summer I worked at a long-term care facility which housed many patients with serious brain injury.  Because of their brain injuries, many of the residents I worked with would have had trouble understanding baptism on an intellectual level, or even feeling spiritually moved towards “deciding” to be baptized.  In some traditions, this is a problem because people are encouraged to make “a decision” for Christ, or to choose him.  But how can you make a decision if you don’t understand nature and need for baptism?

     The Lutheran understanding of baptism is helpful in this because we hold that God comes to us in baptism, not the other way around.  In other words, it doesn’t matter if we’re mentally capable of understanding baptism because baptism is more about what God does for us than what we do for God.
     So in this season of Epiphany, where we remember God coming to us in the form of Jesus Christ, remember that the Triune God also comes to us in our baptism whether we were baptized old or young or whether we feel our faith is strong or weak.  In baptism we have a promise that God cares for us, seeks us out, and loves us without any work of our own!  Praise be to God!

-Vicar Neal Cannon

Sunday Readings

January 13, 2013 – Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7 + Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17 + Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 20, 2013 – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5 + Psalm 36:5-10
I Corinthians 12:1-11 + John 2:1-11

Adult Forum

     Sunday, January 13 – “An Introduction to the Church Year, part 2, presented by Susan Cherwien.

     Sunday, January 20 – “Authentic Sound: Culture in Expression,” presented by The Rev. Marilyn Witte.

Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 18-19, 2013

     This year’s Conference on Liturgy will be held January 18-19, 2013. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Green Altar: Liturgy as Care for the Earth.”

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 18, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. Leadership for the hymn festival this year will be by the Mount Olive Cantorei, Cantor David Cherwien, with reflections by The Rev. Dr. Paul Westermeyer.

     Please note that the cost for Mount Olive members to attend this year’s conference is $35/person.  Additional registration forms are available at church, or by calling the church office.

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     Starting January 3 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 six-week series titled “Captive Conscience” which focuses on reading the Bible, how we are shaped by God’s Word, and what lenses we use as we read the Scriptures.

     As with last year, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide a meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.  Looking ahead, in Lent Vicar Cannon will lead another six week study.

Every Church a Peace Church

     Mount Olive will host the next monthly potluck meeting of Every Church a Peace Church on January 14, 2013, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for this meeting will be Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr., Prof. of Justice and Christian Community at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul. He will address the topic, “Peace from Below: Martin Luther King’s Legacy and our Vocation.”

     Plan to come and give a warm Mount Olive welcome to visitors from various faith traditions and congregations and hear a highly informative presentation.

Reconciling in Christ Festival Worship

     The Reconciling in Christ Program of ReconcilingWorks Twin Cities welcomes all people to join in their eighth annual Metro Area Festival Worship on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:30 p.m., at First Lutheran Church (463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul).  The service of Word and Sacrament celebrates the welcoming ministries of Metro area Lutheran churches.  Rev. Anita Hill 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 and together include dozens of RIC worship communities.  A light supper will follow the service.  All are welcome!

Altar Flowers

     The sign up chart for weekly altar flowers has been posted in its usual spot next to the church office. If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for worship to commemorate a special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or simply to help beautify our church for worship, please sign up on the chart for the date you want, and be sure to include your designation. The cost of the altar flowers this year is $50 per Sunday for two bouquets. If you wish to provide only one of the bouquets, simply sign on only one of the two lines provided for each Sunday. The cost for one bouquet is $25.

Bread Bakers

     Are you interested in being one of our Communion Bread Bakers at Mount Olive?   Or would you just like to learn how to bake bread?  A “Bread Baking Party” and demonstration will be held at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, January 13, at John and Patsy Holtmeier’s home, 601 Drillane Road, in Hopkins.  Call or email Patsy if you are interested.  507-327-4999, jpholt67@gmail.com.

Olive Branch Deadline

     Please note that The Olive Branch is prepared each week on Wednesdays (so that those who do not have email can receive the information at roughly the same time as those who do have email). The deadline for articles or announcements to be published is each Wednesday at noon. If you have information to share with the church community and want it to be published in the newsletter, please be sure it is submitted to the church office by Wednesday of the week you would like it published. It is also helpful to note how many weeks you wish your article or information to be included.

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the January 12 session, they will read Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks. For the February 9 session they will read In the Company of the Courtesan, by Sarah Dunant. All readers welcome!

Cantor’s Sabbatical Next Fall
Do you have an Extra Room?

     Cantor Cherwien will be on Sabbatical September through November 2013.

     As specified in his letter of call, Cantor Cherwien is eligible for a three-month sabbatical leave after each six years of service. His second cycle will be completed this coming fall. It is not only a time for Cantor Cherwien to gain some new experiences and
energy, it is also a time to invite in some new and fresh ideas and experiences from a guest musician, and for Mount Olive to provide some energizing experiences to a guest musician!

     It was determined by the Worship Committee and Vestry that to continue to provide for the highest meaningful quality of liturgy during this time, an interim person would be sought who could serve full time during those three months to carry out these responsibilities. An effort was also made to find someone with some unique gifts to bring into our midst during this time (hopefully, different from Cantor Cherwien’s gifts!)

     Housing might be needed for this Interim Musician next fall.

     Having cast the net quite widely in covering those responsibilities here at Mount Olive during this time, it is very likely that the person invited to serve as interim will be from out of town. If you have extra space in your residence which could be made available to this person, please let the office know. Also let is if pets would be allowed – one prospective candidate has a dog and would hope to have this companion along while here in Minneapolis for this purpose.

Church Library News

      At the beginning of this New Year it is time to make special resolutions, even if they are sometimes difficult to keep!  One suggestion to all adults is that we resolve “to keep reading, to help children to get into the reading habit, and to make use of all libraries available to you (most especially our own church library!)

    The newest display in our library contains these interesting and helpful books:
• The Heart of Paul: A Relational Paraphrase of the New Testament, by Ben Campbell Johnson
• The Parables of Jesus in Matthew 13, by Jack Dean Kingsbury
• Salvation By Surprise, Studies in the Book of Romans, by Earl F. Palmer
• Meredith’s Second Book of Bible Lists, by J. L. Meredith
• The Complete Gospels (new Translations of the Four Gospels, Plus the Gospels of Thomas and
        Mary, the Sayings Gospel Q, The Secret Gospel of Mark and 12 Other Gospels From the First Three
        Centuries), by Robert Miller, editor
• Gifts From the Bible: An Illustrated Collection, by Ennen Reaves Hall
• The Bible’s Most Fascinating People: Stories from the Old and New Testaments, by R.P.
        Nettlelhorst
• The Fullness of Life – Aging and the Older Adult, by Cedric W. Tilberg, editor
• The Evening of Life – Thoughts for Mature Years, by Fredrik Wishoff
• Families Where Grace is the Place, by Jeff Van Vonderen

     The Second Annual “Take Your Child to the Library Day” will take place Saturday, February 2.  This is a grassroots program launched by enterprising librarians in Connecticut, and 120 libraries participated last year.  Along with the resolution mentioned above, I hope you will help extend this program during 2013.

     A bumper sticker I spotted recently seemed appropriate to share with you (let me know if you agree!) and it read like this — “Librarians Are One For The Book!”

 –    Leanna Kloempken

Thank You!

      Mount Olive’s chancel, nave and narthex were again beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.  This was accomplished through the efforts of many:  those who brought in and placed the trees, the volunteers who hung all of the greenery, and those who hung the lights and Chrismons on the trees.  

     Thanks also to those who removed the greens and trees and cleaned up after.  We are grateful and wish to thank all of you for your time and willing hands.

Another Note of Thanks

     A complete printed set of The St. John’s Bible has been given to Mount Olive by David and Susan Cherwien for display in the Chapel Lounge.  They are given in thanksgiving to God in honor of their parents, Walter and Marian Cherwien, and John Palo and Myrtle Grapatin Palo.  In addition, Art and Elaine Halbardier are creating and donating a cherry wood bookstand for it.  These seven volumes are reproductions of the original, hand-written St. John’s Bible recently completed for St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville.  Thank you to the Cherwiens and the Halbardiers for this gift of God’s Word!

Congratulations!

     Congratulations to former vicar Mark Niethammer and his wife Amalie on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Julia Astrid Niethammer. She was born on Jan. 8 at 12:01 p.m. at 8 lbs, 2 oz. Amalie and Julia are doing well.

Save the Date!

     The Mount Olive Missions Committee will sponsor Taste of Ethiopia on Sunday, February 10. Watch for more information!

Brunch Suggestions, Anyone?

     In preparation for the Conference on Liturgy and other public events at Mount Olive this season, Susan Cherwien is updating the brochure of Places To Have Brunch Near Mount Olive. If you have any suggested additions or deletions, please contact Susan at scherwien@aol.com.

2012 Year-End Contributions Statements

     Contribution statements for 2012 are printed and available to be picked up at church, near the coat room. You may call the church office if you would like your statement mailed to you.

     If you have any questions about your statement, or if you require a detailed amortization of your contributions, please call Cha at the church office.

https://www.mountolivechurch.org/2013/01/11/1376/

Accent on Worship

ELCA Presiding Bishop’s 2012 Christmas Message

     This year the Christmas story is inseparable from our deep sorrow for the children of Newtown, all who died and all who mourn. We can make no sense of such violence, so we cry out for mercy. And God hears our pleas.

     God responds with words of promise saying, “I am with you. I am with you in Jesus, the child lying in a manger. I am with you in Jesus who has borne your grief. I am with you in Jesus on the cross and risen from the dead.”

     God’s promise is that nothing in all creation will separate you from God’s love in Jesus. So amid the unspeakable, we can join the angel choir singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” Because our hope is in Christ, we can rejoice in the wonder of Jesus’ birth.
     I wish you a blessed Christmas.

Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sunday Readings

January 6, 2013 – Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6 + Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12 + Matthew 2:1-12

January 13, 2013 – Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7 + Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17 + Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Thursday Evening Bible Study

     Starting January 3 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 six-week series titled “Captive Conscience” which focuses on reading the Bible, how we are shaped by God’s Word, and what lenses we use as we read the Scriptures.

     As with last year, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.  Looking ahead, in Lent Vicar Cannon will lead another six week study.

Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 18-19, 2013

     This year’s Conference on Liturgy will be held January 18-19, 2013. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Green Altar: Liturgy as Care for the Earth.”

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 18, 2013, 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. Paul Westermeyer.

     Please note that the cost for Mount Olive members to attend this year’s conference is $35/person.  Additional registration forms are available at church, or by calling the church office.

Every Church a Peace Church

     Mount Olive will host the next monthly potluck meeting of Every Church a Peace Church on January 14, 2013, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for this meeting will be Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr., Prof. of Justice and Christian Community at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul. He will address the topic, “Peace from Below: Martin Luther King’s Legacy and our Vocation.”

     Plan to come and give a warm Mount Olive welcome to visitors from various faith traditions and congregations and hear a highly informative presentation.

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the January 12 session, they will read Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks. For the February 9 session they will read In the Company of the Courtesan, by Sarah Dunant. All readers welcome!

Reconciling in Christ Festival Worship

     The Reconciling in Christ Program of ReconcilingWorks Twin Cities welcomes all people to join in their eighth annual Metro Area Festival Worship on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:30 p.m., at First Lutheran Church (463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul).  The service of Word and Sacrament celebrates the welcoming ministries of Metro area Lutheran churches.  Rev. Anita Hill 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 and together include dozens of RIC worship communities.  A light supper will follow the service.  All are welcome!

A Word of Thanks

     Many thanks to you all for the gifts and kind remembrances you have given to us at this season of giving, and for your continued prayer and support of our mutual ministries.

     Pastor Joseph Crippen         Donna Neste
     Cantor David Cherwien Cha Posz
     Vicar Neal Cannon William Pratley

Altar Flowers

     The sign up chart for weekly altar flowers has been posted in its usual spot next to the church office. If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for worship to commemorate a special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or simply to help beautify our church for worship, please sign up on the chart for the date you want, and be sure to include your designation. The cost of the altar flowers this year is $50 per Sunday for two bouquets. If you wish to provide only one of the bouquets, simply sign on only one of the two lines provided for each Sunday. The cost for one bouquet is $25.

Bread Bakers

     Are you interested in being one of our Communion Bread Bakers at Mount Olive?   Or would you just like to learn how to bake bread?  A “Bread Baking Party” and demonstration will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, at John and Patsy Holtmeier’s home, 601 Drillane Road, in Hopkins.  Call or email Patsy if you are interested.  507-327-4999, jpholt67@gmail.com.

https://www.mountolivechurch.org/2013/01/04/1378/

Accent on Worship

Always Advent

     I think the assignment for this week’s “Accent on Worship” is to reflect on Christmas, as this issue of the Olive Branch is the last to go out before our celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus.  But it is still only the Monday of the third week of Advent, and given what happened in Connecticut last week, I’m reluctant to leave Advent just yet.  This Sunday we will have a foretaste of Christmas, as we hear of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth during their pregnancies, John the infant’s leaping in recognition of his holy cousin, and we will continue with Mary’s song of praise and hope, the Magnificat.  It will still be Advent, but it will feel as if we’re already leaning toward Monday and Tuesday’s celebration.

     But I am, as I said, reluctant to go there yet.  Because Advent is a season which speaks to the realities of this world in which we live and helps us navigate through the darkness.  It points to the light, to the coming of Jesus into the world then, now, and in times to come, and that is a good thing.  But Advent speaks to our hearts in a time when that coming seems far too distant in either direction to have an impact, times when the darkness seems to be able to overcome the light.  As we despair over the senseless deaths, are frustrated by our nation’s continuing unwillingness to join every single one of our fellow Western, developed nations in having real control of guns in this country and thereby enjoy their much-reduced rates of gun-related deaths, and are deeply saddened and grieving once more to face the mass death of children and teachers, Advent speaks to our hearts.

     We had planned last Sunday’s worship well before the shootings at the elementary school, and didn’t change the service.  We had planned to come and worship God last Sunday, using the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, and singing hymns which reflected those readings, Advent hymns which we sing every year, and so that is what we did.  And yet, this is the gift of the Church, the gift of Advent to me, and I suspect to many who gathered Sunday, that what we sang and heard powerfully spoke to where we were.  We sang a plea that we see the coming of Jesus bring light to a world seemingly steeped in impenetrable darkness: “Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear; arise, O Sun so longed for, o’er this benighted sphere” (ELW 244).  We sang hope that our Lord indeed comes “the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure” (ELW 239).  And we sang this promise: “In darkest night, his coming shall be, when all the world is despairing, the morning light so quiet and free, so warm and gentle and caring. Then shall the mute break forth in song, the lame shall leap in wonder, the weak be raised above the strong, and weapons be broken asunder” (ELW 242).

     This is the gift of Advent, that we can name our fears alongside our hopes, name our longing and desire for God’s grace and life in spite of the way the world looks, name our desperate need for God’s coming in light and healing.  When we celebrate our Lord’s birth next week, we will begin to celebrate how God has come and is coming, how that light makes a difference even in a world where children are killed.  Because we do believe that the coming of the Son of God into the world is the beginning of the restoration of all things.

     For now, I’m not ready to go there, not just yet.  For now, I’m grateful for you all gathered in this place with me in Advent waiting, watching, hoping.  Grateful for honesty about the brokenness of the world and our need for healing from God which our worship helps us find.  And most of all, grateful that we belong to a God whose promised coming then, now, and in the future is already bringing about the healing that this world needs, if only we watch for it, and are a part of it.  Advent helps us do just that.
     Amen, come, Lord Jesus, we pray.  For now, that’s enough.

In Jesus’ name,
– Joseph

Sunday Readings

December 23, 2012 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5a + Psalmody: Luke 1:46b-55
Hebrews 10:5-10 + Luke 1:39-55

December 30, 2012 – First Sunday of Christmas
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 + Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17 + Luke 2:41-52

Christmas Worship Schedule

Christmas Eve, December 24
9:30 pm – Choral Prelude
10:00 pm – Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day, December 25
9:00 a.m. – Christmas Carry-In Breakfast
10:00 am – Festival Holy Eucharist

Name of Jesus, January 1, 2013
10:00 am – Holy Eucharist

Can You Help?

     We’ve received a request for assistance from a former friend of Mount Olive, Joyce Davies-Venn.  She and her husband, Emile, and their daughter, Ophelia, were part of the Mount Olive community for a few years; Ophelia was confirmed here in 2002. (Emile’s sister, Caroline Roy-Macauley, was very active at Mount Olive at that time. They have all since moved away, Caroline to England and the Davies-Venns to Georgia.) Some may remember this family, they were immigrants from Sierra Leone, West Africa.

     Emile died unexpectedly last May, as a result of complications from surgery, and Joyce is struggling in Atlanta with the financial burden this has placed on her. Their daughter, Ophelia, recently graduated from college with a degree in social work, but has been unable to find work to help support herself and her mother. Joyce has contacted Mount Olive to ask if we can provide any financial assistance at all.

     If you can help and wish to make a contribution, please make your donation payable to Mount Olive and clearly designate on the envelope or in the memo line that the gift is for “Joyce Davies-Venn.”  Mount Olive will pass along to Joyce whatever is received in the next couple of weeks.

Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 18-19, 2013

     By now you should have received the brochure for this year’s Conference on Liturgy, to be held January 18-19, 2013. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Green Altar: Liturgy as Care for the Earth.”

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 18, 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. Paul Westermeyer.

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

Out of Darkness

     All are invited to attend the annual candlelight vigil, “Out of Darkness,” for child victims of war, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. This vigil is hosted by the Twin Cities Peace Campaign at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis.  This moving and beautiful service has become part of the Christmas tradition for many local many Christians.

Christmas Carry-In Breakfast
Christmas morning, December 25, 9:00 a.m. 
Bring a favorite breakfast or brunch dish to pass.

Olive Branch Publication Schedule

     Please note that there will be no Olive Branch published during the week between Christmas and New Year. Weekly publication will resume on January 4, 2013.

Many Thanks!

     Thanks to the following people who pitched in – sometimes weekly – to help with all of the custodial duties while our Sexton, William, was recuperating from surgery. They ably covered all sorts of tasks from event set-up/tear-down, snow removal, restroom cleaning, dust mopping, vacuuming, dusting, changing light bulbs, yard clean up, boiler maintenance, recycling and trash removal, and sanctuary cleaning.

     Andrew Andersen, Don McLellan, Joe Beissel, Victor & Marilyn Gebauer, Art & Elaine Halbardier, Judy Graves, Dan Adams, Adam Krueger, JoAnn Sorenson, Gretchen Campbell-Johnson, Jerry Jones, Al Bostelmann, Steve Manuel, Carla Manuel, John Meyer, Stan Sorenson, Eric Manuel, Vicar Neil Cannon, David Molvik, and George Oelfke.

Every Church a Peace Church

     Mount Olive will host the next monthly potluck meeting of Every Church a Peace Church on January 14, 2013, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for this meeting will be Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr., Prof. of Justice and Christian Community at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul. He will address the topic, “Peace from Below: Martin Luther King’s Legacy and our Vocation.”

     Plan to come and give a warm Mount Olive welcome to visitors from various faith traditions and congregations and hear a highly informative presentation.

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the January 12 session, they will read Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks. For the February 9 session they will read In the Company of the Courtesan, by Sarah Dunant. All readers welcome!

Thursday Evening Bible Study Returns January 3, 2013

     Starting January 3 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 six-week series titled “Captive Conscience” which focuses on reading the Bible, how we are shaped by God’s Word, and what lenses we use as we read the Scriptures.

     As with last year, there will be a light supper when we begin.  If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know.  Looking ahead, in Lent Vicar Cannon will lead another six week study.

Reconciling in Christ Festival Worship

     The Reconciling in Christ Program of ReconcilingWorks Twin Cities welcomes all people to join in their eighth annual Metro Area Festival Worship on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:30 p.m., at First Lutheran Church (463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul).  The service of Word and Sacrament celebrates the welcoming ministries of Metro area Lutheran churches.  Rev. Anita Hill 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 and together include dozens of RIC worship communities.  A light supper will follow the service.  All are welcome!

Accent on Worship

Wait for It

     “I thank my God every time I remember you . . . I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1:3, 6)

     I’m not the best “waiter” in the world.  I don’t mean the person who takes your order in a restaurant; I used to do that and was actually pretty good at it.  I mean I don’t wait well.  I can get impatient at times.  But God has slowly been teaching me patience in my life and now I’ve come to value the perspective a little patience brings.

     Advent is a time of waiting for the Church.  It is a season where the Church has learned to practice patience, where the Church teaches patience to those of us who do not wait well.  Patience as we wait for the Lord’s coming again.  Patience as we wait for God to restore all things.  Patience as we look for signs of the coming of God into a broken and evil world.  Coinciding with the darkest time of the year, Advent also carries that sense of patience as we wait for God’s light to come into our darkness.

     In the words of Paul above (which were actually from last Sunday’s readings), Paul is also waiting for something.  He waits for the completion of God’s salvation among the Philippians, the shaping of these beloved friends of his into people of God, children of God who bear the mind and heart of Christ, who rejoice always, who give themselves for the sake of the world.  People who pray with thanksgiving, and who keep their hearts and minds focused on what is good and excellent, people who welcome the peace of God into their lives, peace which surpasses all understanding.  Paul believes that God is working this transformation on them and is confident it will be accomplished.

     I would like God to finish me, to make me the person I’m meant to be, but I’d rather it happen sooner rather than later.  I’d like to be the kind of people Paul sees in the Philippian congregation, but I’d like it to happen much more quickly than it seems to be happening.  The Advent prayer that our Lord comes and re-makes us as a part of the healing of the world is one I deeply hope for.  I’m just not eager to have it take the rest of my life.

     So my prayer this Advent is for patience.  According to Paul in his letter to the Galatians, patience is a spiritual gift, so the good news is we can pray for it.  And so I do.  This is my prayer for all of us at Mount Olive as well, that we might be given the gift of patience as we seek God’s grace and transformation as a congregation into the people of God we’re meant to be.  Patience, as we wait for God to work through us and others to bring healing to the world.  Patience, as we learn to trust God’s timing, and not ours.

     Come, Lord Jesus, stir up your power and come.  And give us patience as we wait for your coming to bless the world.

– Joseph

Advent Evening Prayer

Wednesdays in Advent at 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Worship Schedule

Christmas Eve, December 24: 
9:30 pm – Choral Prelude
10:00 pm – Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day, December 25
9:00 a.m. – Christmas Carry-In Breakfast
10:00 am – Festival Holy Eucharist

Sunday Readings

December 16, 2012 – Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20 + Psalmody:  Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7 + Luke 3:7-18

December 23, 2012 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5a + Psalmody: Luke 1:46b-55
Hebrews 10:5-10 + Luke 1:39-55

Special Congregation Meeting to be Held This Sunday, December 16, Noon

     A milestone meeting of the congregation will be held in the Undercroft following the second liturgy on December 16 to receive and approve the work of the Capital Campaign Tithe Task Force.  A total of 30 invitations were sent to not-for-profit organizations based on the recommendations of members/friends of the congregation, Neighborhood Ministries, and Missions committees.  Twenty of these invitations resulted in requests for funding (26 projects totaling $217,560) from the remaining $91,000 of the tithe ($20,000 was already awarded to Lutheran Social Services for their Center for Changing Lives).

After a thorough review of the requests received using the process and criteria endorsed by the congregation, the Task Force recommended the distribution of remaining funds as outlined in the attachment/insert to the vestry who in turns recommends approval by the congregation.  

Fair Trade Craft Sale – one more Sunday!

     The Missions committee is hosting a Fair Trade Craft Sale during Advent.  Purchase beautiful and unique Fair Trade items 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.  Lutheran World Relief partners with SERRV, a nonprofit Fair Trade organization, to bring you the LWR Handcraft Project.

     The crafts will be available for purchase after both services for one more Sunday, December 16 (cash and check only).  See the separate attachment/insert to view some of the items that will be for sale.  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

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the January 12 session, they will read Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks. All readers 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 stove for a family in Guatemala that provides a safer and more efficient way of cooking. 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/gift-catalog/

Christmas Carry-In Breakfast

     All are invited to come to Christmas Day Eucharist an hour early for a Christmas breakfast together, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Bring a favorite breakfast or brunch dish to pass.

Thanks for Hurricane Sandy Donations

     Thank you to those from Mount Olive who responded to the ELCA’s call for donations to support those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the United States and internationally.  Between donations received and the Missions Committee’s allocation of $250 from its discretionary funds, Mount Olive was able to provide $1,935 to the ELCA as it responds to those most in need.  We have expedited this check to the ELCA so that our funds could be utilized immediately. The Missions Committee will continue to monitor the situation and will continue the congregation’s contributions to Lutheran World Relief, which works for long-term support for challenged communities, including those affected by natural disasters.

     Once again, thank you for helping Mount Olive support those in need in our neighborhood, our nation, and beyond.

Can You Help?

     We’ve received a request for assistance from a former friend of Mount Olive, Joyce Davies-Venn.  She and her husband, Emile, and their daughter, Ophelia, were part of the Mount Olive community for a few years; Ophelia was confirmed here in 2002. (Emile’s sister, Caroline Roy-Macauley, was very active at Mount Olive at that time. They have all since moved away, Caroline to England and the Davies-Venns to Georgia.) Some may remember this family, they were immigrants from Sierra Leone, West Africa.

     Emile died unexpectedly last May, as a result of complications from surgery, and Joyce is struggling in Atlanta with the financial burden this has placed on her. Their daughter, Ophelia, recently graduated from college with a degree in social work, but has been unable to find work to help support herself and her mother. Joyce has contacted Mount Olive to ask if we can provide any financial assistance at all.

     If you can help and wish to make a contribution, please make your donation payable to Mount Olive and clearly designate on the envelope or in the memo line that the gift is for “Joyce Davies-Venn.”  Mount Olive will pass along to Joyce whatever is received in the next couple of weeks.

A Note from Our President

Dear fellow redeemed,
     At the December meeting of the Vestry, we received our normal review of the previous month’s financial statements.  Your directors have done an excellent job of managing expenses to the 2012 budget as approved by the congregation.  In fact, spending is well below budgeted amounts for most areas.  At the same time, we find that overall giving for general operating fund expenses has also been under what was projected for the approved budget.  The net result is that, as of November 30, we have spent approximately $40,000 more in carrying on the various missions of Mount Olive than we have received.
     Historically, the final weeks of the year have been a time when we see a surge in giving and some or even all of this shortfall may disappear naturally.  However, rather than simply count on that being the case and in an effort to be forthcoming with the congregation, the Vestry decided to make you aware of where things currently stand financially.  Ending the year in the black without making additional draws on our line of credit is our objective and making members and friends of Mount Olive aware of our current cash position is an important part of realizing this.
     If your charitable giving plan includes additional contributions toward our shared work before year-end, thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness.  Likewise, if you have been blessed in a way that allows you to consider doing more financially than you intended before year-end, again thank you and God bless you for your generous spirit.

Kind regards in Christ,
Adam Krueger, President
Mount Olive Vestry

Staff Gifts

     Reminder: in order to be a part of this year’s Christmas gifts from the Congregation to our Staff, contributions should be received no later than this Sunday, December 16.  Thank you.

Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 18-19, 2013

     By now you should have received the brochure for this year’s Conference on Liturgy, to be held January 18-19, 2013. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Green Altar: Liturgy as Care for the Earth.”
The keynote speaker this year is the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, special adviser on environmental issues to His Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch.

     The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 18, 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. Paul Westermeyer.

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

Out of Darkness

     All are invited to attend the annual candlelight vigil, “Out of Darkness,” for child victims of war, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. This vigil is hosted by the Twin Cities Peace Campaign at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis.  This moving and beautiful service has become part of the Christmas tradition for many local many Christians.

Olive Branch Publication Schedule

     Please note that there will be no Olive Branch published during the week between Christmas and New Year. Weekly publication will resume on January 4, 2013.

Accent on Worship

Free to Worship

     Once you open a package, you can’t put things back in the way they were before.

     These words were spoken at the Tuesday noon Bible study and I’m struck by how true they are.  Have you ever tried to put a newly bought item back in its tightly wrapped packaging?  It never fits quite right, almost like it has groaned and stretched its arms outside of its original compact shape.  You can never get it back in, no matter how hard you try.

     The words of the prophet Malachi remind me of this type of newly opened gift, “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like a fuller’s soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.” That’s what its like when we encounter the grace, forgiveness, and love offered to us through the Christ Child.  Every time we, like unrefined silver and gold, truly encounter this love we become refined, heated, and changed permanently.  When we truly encounter God things never really go back to the way that they were.

     That doesn’t mean that we don’t sin.  Like silver, we have to be constantly heated and churned over and over by the Refiner.  It’s not a one-time process.  We are called every day to encounter the Great Refiner in worship and prayer so that our lives can be changed, and molded so that sin does not reign over us.  We remember, especially in this Advent season, that we are freed from sin by the child who came to us in a manger.  We sing Zechariah’s song from Luke 1 as our psalm this week, and we sing that because of the coming of this child, “We are free to worship you without fear,” because salvation and forgiveness came to us in the manger, and ever since the world has not been the same.

     During this season of Advent, let us consider what it means that God sent his Son into the world as a child in a manger, and how this helps us to encounter God in new and amazing ways.  Let us come to worship and be refined through word, song, prayer, and meal.  And when we head out into the world, let us remember that we are a like a gift that cannot be put back the way we were before.

     Praise be to God!

– Vicar Neal Cannon

Advent Evening Prayer

Wednesdays, December 5, 12, and 19
at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Readings

December 9, 2012 – Second Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4 + Psalmody: Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11 + Luke 3:1-6

December 16, 2012 – Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20 + Psalmody:  Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7 + Luke 3:7-18

Special Congregation Meeting to be Held December 16, Noon

     A milestone meeting of the congregation will be held in the Undercroft following the second liturgy on December 16 to receive and approve the work of the Capital Campaign Tithe Task Force.  A total of 30 invitations were sent to not-for-profit organizations based on the recommendations of members/friends of the congregation, Neighborhood Ministries, and Missions committees.  Twenty of these invitations resulted in requests for funding (26 projects totaling $217,560) from the remaining $91,000 of the tithe ($20,000 was already awarded to Lutheran Social Services for their Center for Changing Lives).  After a thorough review of the requests received using the process and criteria endorsed by the congregation, the Task Force recommended the distribution of remaining funds as outlined in the attachment/insert to the vestry who in turns recommends approval by the congregation.  

Fair Trade Craft Sale

     The Missions committee will be hosting a Fair Trade Craft Sale this Advent.  Purchase beautiful and unique Fair Trade items 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.  Lutheran World Relief partners with SERRV, a nonprofit Fair Trade organization, to bring you the LWR Handcraft Project.

     The crafts will be available for purchase after both services on December 2, 9, and 16 (cash and check only).  See the separate attachment/insert to view some of the items that will be for sale.  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.  

     New this year, we will also have items available for sale from The Art Shoppe. The Art Shoppe, located in Midtown Global Market, is a local artist collective and micro business venture that Mount Olive helps to support.

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 stove for a family in Guatemala that provides a safer and more efficient way of cooking. 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/gift-catalog/

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the December 8 meeting they will read Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, and for the January 12 session, Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks.

Help Needed!

     Our Sexton, William Pratley, has been out for several weeks recovering from surgery. He returns to work next week (thanks be to God!), but with lifting restrictions. Until he is completely recovered, snow removal help may be needed!

     If you are willing to help clear sidewalks and steps at church when needed, please call the church office and let us know. We own a snow blower and several shovels, so we have the tools needed – all we need is a few folks who are willing to use them.

     Volunteers labor with snow removal will save the church $125 per snow event.

You Can Help!

Our Saviour’s Residents

     Sixty five people now have their own apartments after years of homelessness and health problems.  Their limited budgets make it tough for them to afford the necessities to care for their homes.  Brighten their holidays by providing some holiday Cheer (pun intended).
     Some suggestions:
• Dish soap
• Laundry soap
• Trash bags
• All-purpose cleaner
• Sponges or towels
• Glass cleaner
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels

     Feel free to add additional cleaning supplies or other items:
• Personal hygiene items
• Candy, cookies, snack mixes, cocoa,
or other treats
• Socks, gloves, hats, scarves or slippers

     Gifts can be packaged in any way: a laundry basket, reusable shopping bag, plastic tub, etc.  Feel free to decorate the gift or include a card.  Dollar Stores are great shopping sources.

     Please bring your gifts to Mount Olive’s coat room no later than December 16.  Your usual generous response is anticipated and will be much appreciated.