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Accent on Worship

Under the Wings, or Who Is My Neighbor?

     I have a carving of a hen on my desk. Herb had it made for me, and gave it to me as I left St. John’s, to remind me of Sunday’s Gospel reading. Jesus, facing suffering and death, laments over the people’s rejection: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

     I once preached that our problem with Jesus the Mother Hen isn’t that we’re welcome under her wings. It’s all the others welcomed there. Herb admitted that was his problem; he also knew it wasn’t where he or Christ wanted him to be.

     For people who claim the love of God in Christ Jesus, we struggle to welcome some people into that love. We play a “who’s in and who’s out” game.

     In an ironic twist, those Christians who would exclude anyone who doesn’t meet their standards, whether Muslims or GLBT or poor or whatever, are the ones some of us would rather not share space with under Christ’s wings. Most of Christ’s followers have someone they look down on, someone they’d rather Christ kept out of the warm nest.

Snuggling under the warmth of a mother hen’s wings is also problematic when we consider the close quarters of such intimacy. It’s enough that Christ welcomes all, even sinners, even those whom we think are unChristlike Christians. But do they have to be so close?

     On Lenten Wednesdays at noon Eucharist and evening Vespers we’ll listen to our Mother Hen. We’ll hear from Scripture of those whom Christ welcomes and loves, whom we struggle to embrace. “The least of these,” Jesus called them. A foreign woman at a well who has a different faith. A left-for-dead member of a different race. A poor man covered in sores sitting outside a wealthy man’s home. A sinful woman dragged into the public square for humiliation and punishment.

     Paul tells us in Romans “love does no wrong to a neighbor.” Christ, our Mother Hen, stretches what neighbor means so far we struggle to embrace it. Thank God we’re not in charge of the wings. Perhaps this Lent we can learn to be truly glad for their breadth and their reach.

In the name of Jesus,

– Joseph

Sunday Readings

February 21, 2016: Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17—4:1
Luke 13:31-35

February 28, 2016: Third Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
I Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9

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

The theme for 2016 is “Love does no wrong to a neighbor: Who Christ calls us to be to those
not like us.”

A soup luncheon follows each Wednesday noon Eucharist, and a soup supper precedes each Wednesday Evening Prayer, beginning at 6 pm.

Meet the Voigts!

     This Sunday, Feb. 21, there will be an opportunity for everyone to meet the Voigt family at Mount Olive. The Voigts are from Leipzig, Germany and are in the Twin Cities until August as part of an ex-change with the Minnea-polis Area Synod’s sister synod partnership with the Leipzig Church.
Come for a light lunch on Sunday after the second liturgy to meet the Voigts.

Sunday’s Adult Forum: February 21

“Reconciliation With God: The Question of the Atonement,” part 2 of a 3-part series presented by Pastor Crippen.

     “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”   (2 Cor. 5: 19).
     This is one of the more powerful ways Paul describes just what it is God is doing for the world in Christ Jesus, what the church calls the atonement.

Centering Prayer

    Centering Prayer is a discipline practiced by many monastic communities. During the penitential season of Lent, the people of Mount Olive have the opportunity to learn about and practice this ancient discipline.

     Wednesdays during Lent, beginning at 5:30 p.m., we will gather in the north transept (columbarium area) for a brief instruction, a reading from the Psalms, followed by 20 minutes of silence. There will be a short time for debriefing, then close with the Lord’s Prayer.

     Please join us. For questions, call Sue Ellen Zagrabelny at 612- 875-7865.

Climate Justice Task Force–Join Now

     Here is your chance to take action on your concerns. In January the Vestry supported the formation of a Climate Justice Task Force to investigate and recommend education and action for our congregation and its members. This short-term (3-6 months)”big issue” task force will investigate and make recommendations to other standing committees (properties, missions, neighborhood, education, etc). Climate Justice is already a consideration for many of these committees, and the Climate Justice Task Force will offer the opportunity for creative thinking and “whole picture” action. Say, “Yes!” when asked, or volunteer by leaving your name in the church office, dropping a note to Judy Hinck at judyhinck@gmail.com, or writing your name and “Climate Justice” on one of the cream-colored cards in the pew and placing the card in the offering basket.

New Albs are Here

… at least, some of them are.

     Please wear the old albs for now and try on a new alb for fit. A chart on the closet door will help you find a size. Each alb has a tag on the sleeve noting the size. Please keep the new albs in the closet, older albs are on the rolling rack and also in the closet. Please let me know which size you will be wearing by noting it on the size chart.

     We will look very spiffy at Easter!

– Carol Austermann

Lenten Devotional Book Available

“Return to God,” Susan Cherwien’s new devotional booklet for Lent 2016, is free and available at church. Pick one up for use during Lent!

This devotional is also available on the web in blog form at http://returntogod2016.blogspot.com/

Soup-Makers Needed!

     Soup makers are needed to provide soup and bread for our midweek Lenten meals. Soup and bread for the lunch following Wednesday midday Eucharist should feed 40-50 people, and for the supper before Wednesday Evening Prayer, we need soup and bread for about 15-20 people.

     If you can help by signing up to bring a meal (or two!), the sign up chart is available at the serving window at coffee hour on Sundays.

Lenten series on Christian Nonviolence

     Every Church a Peace Church (ECAPC) and Mount Olive are sponsoring a five-Sunday Lenten video series on Christian Non-violence.  These presentations provide the background under-standings for the “soul searching by Lutherans on the U.S. continuing war efforts,” called for by the Minneapolis Synod, ELCA. The peace community is invited and encouraged to be a part of the viewing and discussion of presentations by Father Emmanuel Charles McCarthy.

     This Lenten video series is being offered during the Sundays in Lent in the East Assembly Room at Mount Olive at 12:45 and repeated at 3 pm.  Light food and coffee will be available.

     Each Sunday Lenten presentation can stand on its own and lasts about one hour followed by a half hour for questions and discussion. The first presentation held last Sunday, 2/14 is summarized below:
     In the February 14 video presentation we learned that the Lamb of God represents a different kind of power than what we normally think of as power in present day Christianity.  Power philosophically defined is the ability to make things happen or the capacity to produce change.  Violence, fear, and intimidation are “powers,” as they produce change. But curiosity or care or love are also “powers” as they produce change. American Christians tend to think of lambs as symbols of utter powerlessness; that real power comes through political might and dominative power — the very powers that Jesus rejected.

     Jewish writers on Jesus and Christianity have observed that we have rejected the life and teaching of Jesus for the same reasons they did.  One quoted Jewish writer we heard on 2/14, said Jesus’ teaching of ‘love your enemies’ was a dangerous teaching for the survival of the Jewish nation at that time. How-ever, he also noted that since Constantine, Christianity has not implemented “love your enemies” but rather viewed it as equally dangerous for the same Jewish reasons; and relegated “love your enemies to a book or to monastics (who live apart from ordinary life), thereby leaving the world cruel, wicked, and pagan” i.e. Jewish writers are saying Jesus did not have much impact on making the world a more peaceful place. Importantly, Jews view “Messiah” as one who will bring peace.

     We have to admit, few outsiders observing Christians would say, “there goes a bunch of lambs!”
(The exceptions, of course, are people like Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day etc. Admittedly, my own Lutheran upbringing and understanding was more like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” than the nonviolent love that the Lamb of God Jesus incarnates.)

     Jewish writers do acknowledge, however, that for over 300 years the Church was nonviolent. And it worked despite the fact that the Roman government sought to eradicate the movement with varying intensity during those 300 years. During that time, Christians refused to retaliate or defend themselves with violence. By the time Constantine became emperor, it was one of the largest, if not the largest, religion in the empire. What’s more, you could not be in the Roman army and kill if you were a Christian. However, in 414 after Constantine, ONLY Christians served in the fighting Roman Army (in 311 AD you couldn’t). In 104 years it was all turned around and hasn’t changed since then.

If you have any questions about this series or discussion, please contact me at 612 722-5957, or by email to allanbostelmann@msn.com.

– Al Bostelmann

The Sheridan Story

In some schools, as many as 92% of kids depend on subsidized school meals. Each weekend over 100,000 of those kids go hungry. The Sheridan Story is working to reduce that number by providing children and their families healthy nutritious food for the weekend which the children carry home from school.

What can we do?
We’re looking for at least 25 sponsors to support the children of at least one classroom at Jefferson Elementary for one year. A sponsor commits to $130 per year, or $12 per month ($144/year).

How will this work?
You can make checks to Mount Olive (marked “Sheridan Story), or arrange an automatic deduction from your bank by Sheridan Story (like Simply Giving).

What else can I do?
A big need will be volunteers to pack bags of food in children’s backpacks early each Friday
afternoon. The more volunteers for this the better, so it isn’t a burden for anyone. Also, groups or
families can participate in food packing at The Sheridan Story, either regularly or once in a
while.

When can we start?
There will be an opportunity to sign up as a sponsor or volunteer this Sunday, February 21.
Anna Scott will also be available that morning to set up the automatic deduction from your bank.

Coming Up

     JRLC (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition) Regional Day on the Hill for the South Metro are being held Tuesday, March 8, from 5:30-8:30pm at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville. This year they will focus on using our faith as “an inspiration and example as we chart our own strategy to use our stories to bring about legislative change.”

     Please contact Anna Scott if interested. More information at : www.jrlc.org

     Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Event – Help pack two million meals during the five-day packing event February 24-28, in Champlin, MN.

     Visit www.fundraising.fmsc.org/NWMetro for more information.

Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop: Feb. 27

     Have you seen Ukrainian Easter eggs (pysanky) and always wanted to know how they are made? Here’s your chance to learn! Cha Posz, Mount Olive’s administrative assistant, along with her husband Kurt, have offered to teach a basic class at Mount Olive on the making of pysanky. The class will take place on Saturday, February 27, from 9 am to 12 noon in the East Assembly Room next to the Chapel Lounge.  A fee of $10 will be charged to cover supplies (you will get to bring tools home with you). Please e-mail or call the church office by Friday, Feb. 19 to register, so we are sure to have enough supplies for everyone on hand. All ages* are welcome! (*keeping in mind that it does involve hot wax and an open flame…).

Extra Fabric and Notions Lying Around?

     If you sew or quilt or for some other reason have extra fabric and sewing supplies that you no longer use and wish to donate, please call Carol Austermann. Carol will be happy to take them to the Textile Center’s annual sale on April 9.

     This is a great opportunity to purge your space of those items – clean out your clutter!
     She will be glad to pick up your donations –give her a call at 612-722-5123.

Betty Diersen information

     Betty has moved from her apartment at Augustana to a care facility in Cambridge, Minnesota, near her daughter, Karen. She is waiting to move into a memory care unit in Princeton, Minnesota, where Karen lives.  

     Any who wish to send cards or letters to Betty may send them to: Betty Diersen, care of Karen Diersen Anderson, 1477 Alpha Road, Princeton, MN 55371.

Workshop with Gertrud Mueller-Nelson

     Our friends at Christ Church Lutheran asked us to share this information about an upcoming workshop by Gertrud Mueller Nelson. Some of you may know her as a beloved writer, others as a gifted artist and illustrator, still others as a wise teacher and workshop leader. She is all of these, and she’s coming to Minneapolis on Saturday, March 5.

     Gertrud will offer a free workshop at Christ Church Lutheran entitled, “The Home and What’s Holy: Nourishing Faith in the Home.”  Her wonderful book, To Dance with God, is a classic work on sharing faith with children and bringing ceremony and Christian practice into in the home. All are warmly invited to attend this workshop which is free and open to the public.

     Christ Church Lutheran is located at 3244 34th Ave S. in Minneapolis.

Accent on Worship

Transfiguration of our Lord

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” -Luke 9:28-31

     I recently read a story on MPR about a town called Ittoqqortoormiit. Ittoqqortoormiit is located in Greenland and for two months the sun does not rise. Yes, you read that correctly! For two months, or 58 days, the people who live in Ittoqqortoormiit live in darkness. Can you imagine what that would be like? No sunlight on Christmas when we celebrate the coming of the light into the world. No sunrise when you wake up in the morning. No sunset as the day comes to a close. The people of Ittoqqortoormiit don’t mind, though. They’re used to it. They go about all their daily business in the dark.

     But that doesn’t mean they don’t celebrate the return of the sun (which happened this year on January 20). On the day the sun is about to rise, all the kids in town put on their warm clothes and climb to the top of a hill where they have a welcome celebration. The kids carry with them posters that they’ve made that depict the sun, made of markers and con-struction paper. And together they sing a song. “Welcome back, my dear friend. Welcome back the sun.” From this day on, each day will have more sunlight than the last.

     I have no idea what it was like for this small group of disciples to experience the transfiguration of Jesus. But I wonder if it was something like welcoming back the sun for the people of Ittoqqortoormiit. The brightness and glory of that first sunrise surely had the ability to bring hope to this community. The shining sun likely reminded them of the great mystery of God and focused their attention on God’s transformative power.  

     As we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord this coming Sunday, may you too, with the people of Ittoqqortoormiit, be shaped, molded, and transformed into God’s image.

 – Vicar Anna Helgen

Climate Justice Task Force–Join Now

     Here is your chance to take action on your concerns. In January the Vestry supported the formation of a Climate Justice Task Force to investigate and recom-mend education and action for our congregation and its members. This short-term (3-6 months)”big issue” task force will investigate and make recommendations to other standing committees (properties, missions, neighborhood, education, etc). Climate Justice is already a consideration for many of these committees, and the Climate Justice Task Force will offer the opportunity for creative thinking and “whole picture” action. Say, “Yes!” when asked, or volunteer by leaving your name in the church office, dropping a note to Judy Hinck at judyhinck@gmail.com, or writing your name and “Climate Justice” on one of the cream-colored cards in the pew and placing the card in the offering basket.

Lent begins.
Ash Wednesday, February 10
Holy Eucharist at Noon and 7:00 pm

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

Sunday Readings

February 7, 2016: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2
Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]

February 14, 2016: First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 8:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

Thursday Evening Study on the Book of Daniel

     “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title of the current Thursday Bible Study, exploring the book of Daniel. Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world. As always, the study begins with a light supper at 6, followed by the study. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!  For the February 13 meeting, they will read God’s Hotel, by Victoria Sweet. For March 12  they will read In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

Attention Worship Assistants

     The Servant Schedule for the 2nd quarter of 2016 (April – June) will be published at the beginning of March 2016.   The deadline for submitting requests to me is February 10, 2016.  Please email your requests to peggyrf70@gmail.com.
Thanks!

– Peggy Hoeft

Tending the Family of God

     As a congregation, we want to be respectful of people’s journeys. Some people are here long-term; some people are here only for a short time. Both are OK. There are a multitude of reasons for staying and a multitude of reasons for leaving.

     How can we send those who are leaving on their way knowing that they have our love, our blessing, and our prayers?

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

     The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 9, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Plan to come for a night of fun and fellowship for the whole congregation!
     If you are willing to help with this event, please contact Amy Thompson via email to:
Amy.B.Thompson@wellsfargo.com.

– Sponsored by the Mount Olive Youth

Meet the Voigts!

     On Feb. 21, there will be an opportunity for everyone to meet the Voigt family at Mount Olive. The Voigts are from Leipzig, Germany and are in the Twin Cities until August as part of an exchange with the Minneapolis Area Synod’s sister synod partnership with the Leipzig Church.

     Pr. Voigt is serving at Christ Church Lutheran, but is spending time with other congregations as well.

     He and his wife, Anke, and daughters Hannah and Marie, have interesting stories to tell! Come for a light lunch on Feb. 21 after the second liturgy to meet the Voigts.

Sunday’s Adult Forum: February 7

Stewardshift!, presented by Bob Sitze. Bob Sitze is a former ELCA staff member in the ministries of hunger Christian education, stewardship education and family life. An experienced ecclesiological observer, Sitze brings more than 40 years of wide-ranging experience as a congregational leader and denominational executive. He is the author of Starting Simple: Conversations About the Way We Live (Alban, 2007). This forum is sponsored by the Stewardship Committee

Lenten Devotional Book Available

“Return to God,” Susan Cherwien’s new devotional booklet for Lent 2016, is free and available at church. Pick one up for use during Lent!

Palms Needed!

     If you have palm branches left from last year’s Palm Sunday Eucharist, please bring them to the narthex and place them in the basket provided.

     They will be burned on Shrove Tuesday to make ashes for Ash Wednesday liturgies next week.
Thanks!

Stewardshift: Join the conversation

     Are you passionate about stewardship and pretty certain that, yes, it’s about our financial support of the church’s mission, but, properly understood, it’s about much more than that in our lives as Christians and members of congregations?    

     Join us Saturday, February 6, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m., in the Chapel Lounge as Bob Sitze leads us in a Stewardshift! workshop. Bob, whose Stewardshift: An Economia for Congregational Change (Morehouse) was published in January, comes to us after years of leadership, conversations, thinking, and writing about stewardship in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, former Lutheran Church in America, and the ELCA. We’re hoping to start continuing conversations that will broaden and deepen our lived-out stewardship as the people of Mount Olive.

     If you’re coming, please let me know: agathach@bitstream.net or 952-452-2049. We’ll have coffee and goodies of some sort when you arrive, and we’ll join the community lunch at noon.

—Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

Transitions Support Group
(Please note day of week change for March only!)

     All are welcome at the Transitions Support Group. If you’re looking for new ideas or encouragement to meet the challenges or uncertain-ties that are before you, please consider joining us on Tuesday, March 8.

 This is an opportunity to share in fellowship, prayer, and discussion with others in the Mount Olive community.

 Transitions Support Group meets on Tuesday, March 8 from 6- 7 pm at Mount Olive in the lower level Youth Room, and will be facilitated by Cathy Bosworth and Amy Cotter.

For more information, please contact Cathy 612-708-1144, marcat8447@yahoo.com or Amy 612-710-1811, agate651@gmail.com.

The Sheridan Story: Fighting Child Hunger
We believe that no child should be hungry, so we are fighting child hunger through community and school partnerships

Over 100,000 children in the Twin Cities don’t always know if they will have food for their next meal. These children have access to meals at school, but on weekends they often go hungry. The Sheridan Story has taken up the challenge to closing this weekend food gap. Click here to watch the story of Jordan, and how the Sheridan Story has made a difference for her and her mom.

The Sheridan Story works to mobilize the community to partner with nearby schools. Mount Olive cares about children, and cares about our community. We will soon have an opportunity to support the children at Jefferson Elementary nearby.

The Sheridan Story makes it easy for us to make a difference for these hungry children. They locate, pack, store and deliver the food to the schools – we take it from there by distributing the food to the kids who are hungry, and perhaps discover over time other ways that we can help the children.

Children who are hungry struggle to learn and pay attention in class. The Sheridan Story has shown that when we fill this weekend food gap for them, grades, test scores, attendance and self-esteem go up. The kids have a chance to succeed that hunger takes away from them. Click here to watch a short video of how we can give hungry kids that chance.

Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop

     Pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs, are made during Lent and Holy Week among those in Slavic countries. The word “pysanky” is from the word “pysanta”= to write, because the designs are written on the egg in hot wax. The traditional designs and colors have specific meanings, and the eggs are often passed down in families from generation to generation. Pysanky is a very old tradition, combining meditation and prayer with art.

     Cha Posz, Mount Olive’s administrative assistant, along with her husband Kurt, both members of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in St. Paul, have offered to teach a basic class at Mount Olive on the making of pysanky. The class will take place on Saturday, February 27, from 9 am to 12 noon in the East Assembly Room next to the Chapel Lounge.  A fee of $10 will be charged to cover supplies. Please e-mail or call the church office to register, so we are sure to have enough supplies on hand. All ages* are welcome! (*keeping in mind that it does involve hot wax and a flame…)

Lenten series on Christian Nonviolence

     Last summer the’ Minneapolis Synod Assembly passed a resolution calling for Lutherans/Christians to “soul search on our nation’s continuing and expanding war effort.”

     Since Lent is a time for reflection and repentance, Mount Olive and Twin Cities Every Church a Peace Church will present a video series on the theology and spirituality of Christian Nonviolence as background for “soul searching” on expanding wars.

     Nonviolence is the original tradition in Christianity pre-dating the Christian Just War theory by more than three centuries.  The video series features Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, who has been leading workshops and retreats on this topic throughout the U.S. and other countries.  A nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, Fr. McCarthy has informed Twin Cities Lutherans for several decades in venues such as Luther Seminary, Lutheran Social Service, St. Paul Synod, and, more recently, to over  430 people at a two day Central Lutheran conference (in addition to numerous events in local Roman Catholic seminaries, churches, and religious orders).

     The plan is to offer this series on Sunday afternoons during Lent, beginning Feb. 14.  We are working out times and logistics for accommodating an audience which will likely include other  faith community members interested in learning more about this original but lesser known Christian understanding.

     Look for more specific information in the next Olive Branch.

Contact Al Bostelmann (allanbostelmann@msn.com, 612 722-5957) with questions, thoughts and suggestions.

Psalms & Spirituals with the National Lutheran Choir

Saturday, February 27, 2016 – 7:30pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley

Sunday, February 28, 2016 – 4pm
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth

Tickets: Adult $25 | Senior $23 | Student $10 | 17 and under FREE
Call Brown Paper Tickets (800) 838-3006 or order online at www.NLCA.com.

Minneapolis Area Interfaith Initiative Feb. Meeting

     MAII (Minneapolis Area Interfaith Initiative) holds monthly educational programs at the Southdale Library.  All are invited to attend the February meeting, “The Pope & Climate Change,” this Sunday afternoon, February 7, at 2:00 pm (Super Bowl kickoff is at 5:30) at the Ethel Berry Room, Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave. S, Edina 55435.

     This presentation will be led by Dr. Amy Levad, Associate Professor of Moral Theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where she has taught since 2009. She will present an overview of Laudato Si (“On Care for our Common Home”), the encyclical written by Pope Francis on the environment and climate change.

     More details available by sending an email to maiimpls@gmail.com.  MAII unites individuals and faith communities in the Minneapolis area in learning about other religious traditions, increasing interfaith understanding and building personal relationships across faiths.

Accent on Worship

On the 17th of January I took on the challenge of discussing panhandling and the Christian response during the adult education hour. It was very interesting, conflicting, and complicated, but a valuable attempt at further understand-ing how God calls us to live and move in the world. Though I cannot repeat this discussion verbatim, I am going to do a two part series on a few of the highlighted pieces.

Part 1

     Much research went in to this topic, but the most valuable piece was an interview with Monica Nilsson, the Director of Community Outreach at St. Stephens Human Services – a ministry focused on ending homelessness. Monica has deciphered four main cate-gories for why people begin panhandling. 1) They have untreated trauma/mental illness; 2) they are broke; 3) they have a chemical depend-ency; 4) they are lonely. For the many reasons why people start panhandling, every cardboard sign reads the same message of “I need help.” The most critical help is relationships and a sup-port network to help them start meeting their more complex needs besides just the few dollars a day for xyz. That’s where information is helpful and acknowledgement that what they’re going through, whatever it may be, is difficult.

     Monica and the St. Stephens’s staff do not recommend directly giving panhandlers tangible items (money, socks, tooth-brushes), she does however say that everyone deserves to be acknowledged and respected. When she encounters someone on the street, she does not give money, but she will ask their name and say, “I wish you well,” and may ask if there’s any information or resources that they need.  

Resources available at Mount Olive:

–  The St.  Stephens Street Outreach booklet gives all the shelter and other immediate need info. These are posted on the kiosk or I can get you any if you want copies to keep in your car (see page 5);
–  The Handbook of the Streets is a complete listing of most/all resources available in South Minneapolis;
–  A short list of nearby food shelves, free meals, shelters, etc. is posted on the kiosk and the bulletin board downstairs. Take pages, make copies, and give them away to those that need them;
–  Anna Scott, Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach and Ministry;
–  You. Your compassion. Your willingness. Your care and concern and action.

– Anna Scott
Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach & Ministry

Sunday Readings

January 31, 2016: 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
I Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

February 7, 2016: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2
Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]

The Presentation of Our Lord
Tuesday, February 2
Holy Eucharist 
at 7:00 pm

Thursday Evening Study on the Book of Daniel

     “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title of the current Thursday Bible Study, exploring the book of Daniel. Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world. As always, the study begins with a light supper at 6, followed by the study. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!  For the February 13 meeting, they will read God’s Hotel, by Victoria Sweet. For March 12  they will read In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

Attention Worship Assistants

     The Servant Schedule for the 2nd quarter of 2016 (April – June) will be published at the beginning of March 2016. The deadline for submitting requests to me is February 10, 2016. Please email your requests to peggyrf70@gmail.com.
Thanks!

– Peggy Hoeft

Coffee Hosts Needed!

     There are currently very few hosts signed up for the coffee hour served between liturgies. If you’d like to help in some way, but don’t want to serve, consider making an extra batch of bars, cookies, or cake the next time you bake. You can bring the extra to church to be frozen for those days when no one signs up. Carla is glad to serve the treats, but would welcome help with the baking. Thank you for considering this important ministry of fellowship.

Music & Fine Arts News
Sunday, January 31, 4:00 p.m.
“A Winter Tapestry”
From Age to Age Choral Ensemble

     Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to welcome From Age to Age choral ensemble for the first time on their concert series. From Age to Age brings a program that will warm your heart as you listen to an eclectic mixture of repertoire representing all musical eras, and the standard of excellence that resounds the mission of our ensemble.

     A reception follows the concert in the church’s Chapel Lounge.

Lent is Coming:  Mark Your Calendars!

     The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 9, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Plan to come for a night of fun and fellowship for the whole congregation!
     If you are willing to help with this event, please contact Amy Thompson via email to:
Amy.B.Thompson@wellsfargo.com

– Sponsored by the Mount Olive Youth

Stewardshift!

Sitze will lead February 6 “Stewardshift!” workshop

     Bob Sitze, author of Stewardshift: An Economia for Congregational Change (Morehouse, January 2016), will lead a “Stewardshift!” workshop Saturday, February 6, for Mount Olive leaders and others who want to deepen and broaden their understanding of stewardship for congregational mission and daily life. The workshop, in the Chapel/Lounge, will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., with participants joining Mount Olive’s Community Meal at noon.

     Sitze (pronounced sights) says participants in the interactive workshop will wrestle with questions about the present and future of stewardship. They’ll examine the meaning of stewardship as the church and the secular world have understood it. Using ideas detailed in his new book, Bob will challenge common stewardship beliefs and practices, arguing that some may have run their course in the life of the church. He proposes a “shifted stewardship”—simultaneously more biblically centered and more secular—to more effectively shape and serve personal identity and congregational purpose. Bob’s workshops incorporate discovery-based methods, intellectual and emotional honesty, and what he calls “Lutheran levity.” Advised that Mount Olive people are not shy about asking questions and sharing opinions, Bob responded that he welcomes that prospect.

     Bob Sitze is a former teacher and director of Christian education in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He worked for many years—until his recent retirement—in the ELCA’s national offices as a resource developer and workshop leader in the areas of stewardship, Christian education, hunger, and ministry in everyday life. Four of his previous books, all focused on congregational dynamics, were published by the Alban Institute. Bob and his wife, Chris, live in Wheaton, Illinois.

    To help estimate the need for seating, tables, and handouts, please let us know you’re coming by leaving a note marked “stewardship” in the church office or a message for Donn at agathach@bitstream.net or 952-452-2049.

—Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

Hungry Children?

     Last week, you read about Jefferson elementary school, just a few miles from Mount Olive:
92% of children at Jefferson receive free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. But, on weekends,these children often have little to eat:

• 17% are homeless or “highly mobile;”
• children are often alone at home on weekends, because parents are at work. Imagine the feeling of arriving for school on Monday hungry. How hard it is for these children to begin
the week prepared to learn in the presence of gnawing hunger, because there was little to eat over the weekend.

     The SHERIDAN STORY exists to fill that “food gap” between Friday and Monday. Studies have shown that children who receive adequate food on weekends experience increased self-esteem, improved behavior at school, better academic performance, significant improvement in standard-
ized test scores, increased interest in school, and better relationships with school personnel.
     We’re going to learn how we can personally be part of THE SHERIDAN STORY. Keep watch on this space in coming weeks for more information.

St. Stephen’s Outreach

     St. Stephens is a resource if you are concerned about someone on the street and would like an outreach team to make contact with them. The smaller booklet is for immediate needs and helpful in explaining how to enter a shelter. The Handbook of the Streets is a comprehensive collection of most types of aid in the Minneapolis area. Calling 2-1-1 will connect you with United Way and give you access to personal advice and contacts and is the fastest source of up-to-date information.

It’s a Clothing and Seed Swap!

     Mount Olive will host the Do It Green Clothing Swap this Saturday, January 30, from 2-4 p.m.

     Do It Green Minnesota is a non-profit organization committed to educating Minnesotans about making sustainable and green choices to better their lives and their community.

     These clothing swaps provide a place for people to exchange clothes free of charge, which prevents waste, encourages reuse, and provides access to clothes to those who might not be able to afford them.

     The event is free and open to the public. Bring clothes and seeds to share with others!

Winter Gear Drive Continues

     Neighborhood Ministries is receiving donations of winter gear for children and adults.

     New or gently used items (hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and coats) can be donated in the box near the coat room. There is designated space for coats in the coat rack area. Items will be given away at the Community Meal throughout the winter or brought to the Central Lutheran Free Store.

     Thank you!

Psalms & Spirituals with the National Lutheran Choir

Saturday, February 27, 2016 – 7:30pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley

Sunday, February 28, 2016 – 4pm
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth

Tickets: Adult $25 | Senior $23 | Student $10 | 17 and under FREE
Call Brown Paper Tickets (800) 838-3006 or order online at www.NLCA.com.

Church Library News

     Reminders — We would like to remind all patrons of our church library to search their homes for books or other media that belong to the main church library (or the Courtyard library) and somehow haven’t been returned on time. Please do it soon and return those items, thus giving you peace of mind (no fines, no questions) and we will be happier too, and able to function more efficiently!

     The second reminder involves bags of books that seem to appear at our library door or on our check-out desk; no doubt left as a kind donation, but with no identification as to just who left them for us!  First, we would like to know who you are when you leave bags of books for us.  Second, if these items are old or in poor shape, please don’t assume we are going to want them either.  We have to be selective, not only because of limited room, possible duplication, or even usefulness of topic etc.  If we decide not to use them, we would like to have your name so that we can offer them back to you or offer further suggestions.

     An appropriate quote for the beginning of a new year: “A truly great book teaches me better than to just read it.  I must soon lay it down, and commence living on it’s hint; what I began by reading, I must finish by acting.”  – Thoreau

     Resolve to come in and use the library resources often — we are looking for you and want to welcome you warmly!

– Leanna Kloempken