Accent on Worship

Nothing Ordinary about “Ordinary Time!”

     We have just finished the first half of the Church Year, some-times called the Festival half or our Lord’s half.  It runs from Advent to Pentecost and keeps us focused on God’s saving activity in Jesus Christ.

     Now, with the Ascension of our Lord and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we turn our attention to the life of the Church.  No more great festivals, bombastic worship, or striking symbols.  Instead, we settle into “green worship,” marked by a subdued liturgy, a simplified style, and a more modest agenda.  We count these Sundays by noting their numerical place “after Pentecost.”    
     This second half of the church year is often called “ordinary time;” but not because it is in any way bland or mundane.  It comes from the Latin ordinal and means something counted in a
sequence. So we count the Sundays after Pentecost in sequence.

     This is a time when we hear about our Lord’s teaching, his miracles, and his parables.  We struggle to apply what we hear to our Christian lives so that we can grow in sanctification, or become “greener.”  As the psalmist pleads, “Teach us all to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

     This numbering should be a salutary time for us—not just one darn thing after another!  Time that marks our mundane existence we call “chronological,” from the Greek word chronos.  So, we waste time, kill time, save time, etc.  The Church also knows a different time; time that is marked not by a clock, but by the significance of an event.  For that time, the church borrows a different Greek word, kairos.  As we head into this ordinary season, I trust that we will know many more kairotic moments, filled with grace and truth.

– Interim Pastor Robert A. Hausman      

Summer Worship

Holy Eucharist is celebrated each summer Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Readings

June 7, 2015: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 10 B
 Genesis 3:8-15
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Mark 3:20-35
______________

June 14, 2015: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 11 B
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Mark 4:26-34

BACH TAGE: This Weekend!

     Bach Tage is this Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and June 7. Two public concerts are a featured part of Bach Tage – invite your friends!

• Saturday, June 6, 4:00 pm: Music of Johann Sebastian Bach presented by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra
     Cantata BWV 196, Der Herr denket an uns,  by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra; Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R, with soloists Marc Levine and Stanley King; and Prelude and Fugue in c minor for organ, by Cantor David Cherwien.

• Sunday, June 7, 4:00 pm: Service of Evening Prayer with Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, and Buxtehude’s Befiehl dem Engel dass er komm will be performed by the participants in the weekend conference, with soloists and orchestra. Kathy Romey of the University of Minnesota is our guest conductor for the weekend, with Cantor David Cherwien, organist.

There will be great music at both programs. Tell others – and don’t miss it!

Honoring the Graduates

     Next Sunday, June 14, we will honor our graduates at a reception following the 9:30 a.m. liturgy.
     Those in our midst that are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school include:

• Kaiya Ruff
• Maddie Nelson
• Peter Crippen
• Mikkel Sawyer
• Erika Thurston
• Jacob Ruff
• Micah Marty
• Steve Lenius
• Elsa Marty

   Plan to stay a few minutes following the morning liturgy for a light reception and to greet and congratulate the graduates!

Communion Ministers Needed!

     Every week, parishioners bring the Eucharist to Mount Olive members who are unable to join us for liturgy.  

     Additional communion ministers are needed, especially for the summer months. If you are willing and able to bring communion to Mount Olive members in their homes, please contact Tom Graves and Ginny Agresti.

Neighborhood Garage Sale: Saturday, June 20, 9am to 3pm

     This is a great opportunity for you to step into the journey of Being the Presence of God in this neighborhood.  Please join in this activity and connect hearts, break barriers and spend some fun time in your church neighborhood.

     Actions you can take to participate:

• Be a vendor!  Find some items you no longer need and reserve a parking space size spot in our church parking lot to sell your goods and have fun with neighbors. Collaborate with others or call Anna for options if you’re interested.

• Be a volunteer!  Take a shift from 8:00am – Noon or Noon – 4:00pm to host and help.  Welcome the vendors, put up signs, and be available and visible.  We open our sanctuary doors to welcome any who want to see who we are and what is going on inside as well.

• Be a promoter and spread the word! And then come shop!

     Questions? Contact any Open Space team member to join in or for further information:  Tim Pipkorn, George Ferguson, Connie Marty, Julie Manuel, Carol Austermann, Paul Nixdorf, Patsy Holtmeier, and Anna Kingman.
   
     Thanks be to God for our life together!

The Bargain Box

     Saturday, August 1 will be a busy day at Mount Olive! We will be helping to get neighbor-hood children ready for school year with Bargain Box fitting children with new school clothes and distributing school supplies during the Community Meal.

     We are looking for donations of cash, new and gently used children’s clothes (no adult clothes, please), school supplies, and backpacks.

     If you have time to help with the meal, or assist with clothing or school supplies, please plan to come to the August Community Meals!
     
– Neighborhood Ministries Committee

Olive Branch Summer Publication

     During the summer months of June, July, and August, The Olive Branch is published every other week. June issues will be published on June 4 and June 17.

     If you have information to be published in the June 17 issue, please have that information to the church office by Monday, June 15.

Our Saviour’s Housing: Building Home

      Next Sunday, June 14, Our Saviour’s Housing will host a block party to benefit the homeless – and all are invited!  Tour the newly refurbished emergency shelter and enjoy a backyard cookout for $5/plate. This event will feature a live concern with folk-blues musician Charlie Parr.

     Celebrate summer, meet your neighbors and learn more about our local homeless shelter.

     No tickets or RSVP needed. Come and go as you please. Activities will happen between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. For more information, visit their website at
www.oscs-mn.org/buildinghome.

News From the Neighborhood                        
Anna Kingman            
   
Profiles: 
     I had a young woman in recently who was struggling with an electric bill. Her lights had been shut off for 15 days and she was exasperated by the process and the monumental cost of getting them back on. Sixty days ago she became unemployed, and this was so foreign to her as she had worked since she was 11 years old and had never needed assistance like this before. Everything had always gotten paid for and the extras she used for her son. Now it was a desperate situation with only closed doors and no options. As she said, it’s made her thank God for what she had and helped her realize how easy it is to sit in a position above people and judge. She now sees how terribly difficult it is to need help.

     I was really humbled today by her sharing this good reminder that we are all just sheep in the field of the Shepherd – no better or worse than the other, just together and under the mercy of our caretaker. It caused me to examine my heart to any stores of feeling any more or less privileged, blessed, superior or inferior than any of my sisters and brothers. Please take a moment in your day and examine your heart, your head, and your tongue for any ways that we may judge or shame people whose stories we do not know, and how instead we can boast love, encouragement, and care for ourselves and for our neighbor.

Coming Up: Summer ACTS:

     Summer ACTS will take place for 4 weeks, June 22– July 16, from 10am-2pm Monday–Thursday. Kids ages 9-14 will learn about service and responsibility by holding a summer job while participating in fun, meaningful projects. WE NEED MENTORS to work and play alongside them. Please consider if this is an option for you and your family to be involved for 2 days during 1 or all of the weeks! Sign up at church. Questions? Ask Anna Kingman 612-827-5910 or Neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

June 22-25:  Summer ACTS Orientation and Baking Skills with Cynthia at Mount Olive
June 29-July 2:  Food Packing at CES and gardening at Stone’s Throw Urban Garden
July 6-9:  Helping our neighbors with HandyWorks and TBD activity
July 13-16:  Nutrition & Cooking skills at Mount Olive, and Personal Art with Courageous heArts

 Upcoming Grant-Writing Workshop Opportunity!
     Mount Olive is hosting a 2-day grant writing workshop held by Grant Central USA on July 16 – 17, from 9am-4pm. For hosting, we are given two free spots at this event. Are you interested in attending this free workshop? Whether professional, personal, non-profit, or fun, please let Anna know ASAP if you’d like to attend. For more information, visit: http://www.grantwritingclasses.org/gallery.html or contact Anna at church or neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

Needed! 

     Neighborhood Ministries is currently in need of two things:
• Paper grocery bags with handles (these may be left in the donation area of the coat room)
• 10×10 pop-up canopies to borrow for the Neighborhood Garage Sale on June 20 in our parking lot.

Food and Personal Items Needed!

      Now that school is out for the summer, many children who receive free or reduced-price lunches at school will often go hungry.  Please keep up or increase your monetary and food contributions during the summer months.  You may use your blue envelopes and designate “food shelf” as the recipient.  Food contributions may be placed in the shopping cart in the coat room.

      In our summer travels, let’s remember that the complimentary toiletries provided by hotels and motels are ideal for homeless people who have little space for such items. Most of the time, we are charged for these items as a part of the payment for accommodations.  Please bring your unused toiletries to the designated basket in the coat room.

Book Discussion Group Update

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!

     For the June 13 meeting, the Book Discussion group will read The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones, and for July 11, Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.

CoAM Day Tour: St. Croix River and Stillwater

     All are invited to ride the stern-wheeler “Showboat” on the St. Croix and enjoy a buffet lunch before taking a trolley tour of Stillwater with Cooperative Adult Ministries.

     The tour will take place on Friday, July 17. A bus leaves from Bethel Lutheran (4120 17th Ave. S., Minneapolis) at 10:15 a.m. Cost for this event is $57/person.

     Interested in joining them? Call the CoAM office at 612-721-5786 and leave a message to reserve your space, or send an email to trustinc@visi.com.

Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival

     Again this year, Mount Olive will be one of the area churches who will staff an information booth at the Twin Cites Gay Pride Festival, June 27-28, 2015.

     Would you be interested in staffing a one or two hour shift at the booth?  If you can help, call Andrew Andersen at 763-607-1689 or the church office at 612-827-5919.  Times are open:  Saturday 10 – 6, and Sunday 12 – 6.  If you would be willing to share information about Mount Olive with folks who stop by the booth, please call.

Accent on Worship

   My birth story is my favorite story to tell. You may have heard it already, but it’s got a surprise part that I love. It’s the part where, despite ultra sounds and medical knowledge, my parents did not know that they were having two babies instead of just one. Surprise!  After my twin sister Amy squirmed her way out into the light of the world, no one was anticipating that there was another baby waiting in the wings, umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, pressing for light and air. Alas, with many exclamations of disbelief greeting me, I made my grand entrance. I’d like to consider it a blessing, although I imagine for my parents it was more of a shock.

     My twin sister and I share a type of bond that only other twins can know. It’s one of separation and sameness alike. It’s another person who is so similar to you in experience, there from the literal beginning, and sharing in the lifeblood that makes a human a human. We have the same face, the same mannerisms, and dispute certain memories we both share.  
   
     This experience as a twin gives me even the smallest sense of what it means to be one, but three. To be whole, separate, complete, but to be a part, a moving piece with no boundaries or borders between the others. This Sunday we acknowledge the triune God, that there is community within God – not outside, but reflecting from within. One of the most grounding phrases for me right now is “in you we live and move and have our being.” It eliminates any separation between us and the God the flows within, before, beyond, and forever around us. This is an encouragement to me on the days when I feel like I’ve let things fall away, or I’m holding back out of worldly fears, or just laziness- the matter that I the triune God in all the ways that the Spirit moves in the world, despite my efforts or lack thereof.

     Far from understanding all of the intricacies of the triune God, I will lean in to my understanding of being a twin – of sharing in the special relationship that we have as a guide to how we all, as sisters and brothers under one God the Father live, move, and have our being together in this world.

– Anna Kingman  

Sunday Readings

May 31, 2015: The Holy Trinity
 Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
______________

June 7, 2015: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 10 B
Genesis 3:8-15
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Mark 3:20-35

Sunday’s Adult Forum: May 31, 11 a.m.

     Lora Dundek and Larry Duncan will share high- lights from the recent Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly.

Book Discussion Group Update

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!

     For the June 13 meeting, the Book Discussion group will read The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones, and for July 11, Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.

Calling All Graduates!

     On Sunday, June 14, we will honor our graduates at a reception following the 9:30 a.m. liturgy.
     If you are graduating from high school, college, seminary, or another post-secondary school, or if you know of some-one else from Mount Olive who is graduating this spring, please take a moment to notify the church office. We want to be sure that all of our graduates are invited!

Personal-sized Toiletries Needed!

     During your summer travels, save the personal-sized toiletries provided by hotels. We are collecting them for distribution to the homeless who stay at Our Saviour’s Shelter. Place them in the designated basket in the coat room.

That Campaign? We’re Still Giving

     The “asking” phase of last year’s campaign to restore funds borrowed from Mount Olive’s restricted funds and to create a reserve fund to see us through future general-fund shortfalls ended some months ago, but we continue to receive gifts—and they’re welcome and needed.

     Paid gifts now stand at $107,578, and outstanding pledges total $10,600. (It should be noted that close to half the dollars received to date come from households that did not turn in pledge cards!)
     What should your priority be if you have outstanding pledges to the campaign and to this year’s general fund and find it difficult to give to both just now? Give to the general fund, from which we pay the congregations ongoing expenses.

     To check the status of your campaign pledge or to adjust it, phone or email Cha at the church office.
     If you’ve forgotten the exact purpose of the campaign, here’s a quick recap. We’ve repaid what the congregation borrowed from its restricted funds in lean times several years ago, and now have formally made those funds unavailable for future borrowing. We’ve established a reserve fund, now about $26,000, from which we could borrow before needing to turn to more costly short-term loans at the bank. The reserve fund will be minimal—but still important—even if all pledges are fulfilled.

– Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

YOUR Neighborhood Garage Sale:  June 20,  9am to 3pm

     This is a great opportunity for you to step into the journey of BEING THE PRESENCE OF GOD in this neighborhood.  Please join in this activity and connect hearts, break barriers and spend some fun time in your church neighborhood.

     Actions you can take to participate:
• Be a vendor!

Find some items you no longer need and reserve a parking space size spot in our church parking lot to sell your goods and have fun with neighbors. We will call you a vendor for the day. Our youth will be selling food and drink to raise funds for their mission.  Bring your own table.

• Be a volunteer!
Take a shift from 8:00am – Noon or Noon – 4:00pm to assist with set up and hosting for the day.  We will welcome the vendors, put up signs to encourage neighbors to stop by and shop and just be available and visible.  We open our sanctuary doors to welcome any who want to take a peek inside these walls and see who is here and what is going on.  We will also offer restrooms to the vendors.

• Be a promoter and spread the word!
Take an assignment to walk the neighborhood and deliver flyers door to doors and/or post flyers in businesses so people know what Mount Olive is doing on June 20.

     Questions? Contact any Open Space team member to join in or for further information:  Tim Pipkorn, George Ferguson, Connie Marty, Julie Manuel, Carol Austermann, Paul Nixdorf, Patsy Holtmeier, and Anna Kingman.

          Thanks be to God for our life together!

Help Earthquake Victims

     From your Global Missions Committee–Our ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief on large scale disaster response in Nepal. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please mark either a blue envelope contribution or a donation check ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response and our collected contributions will be forwarded to this important work.

Communion Ministers Needed!

     Every week, parishioners bring the Eucharist to Mount Olive members who are unable to join us for liturgy. Additional communion ministers are needed, especially for the summer months. If you are willing and able to bring communion to Mount Olive members in their homes, please contact Tom Graves and Ginny Agresti.

The Ninth Annual BACH TAGE

     Bach Tage is Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and June 7. Two public concerts are a featured part of Bach Tage – invite your friends!:

• Saturday, June 6, 4:00 pm: Music of Johann Sebastian Bach presented by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra

     Cantata BWV 196, Der Herr denket an uns,  by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra; Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R, with soloists Marc Levine and Stanley King; and Prelude and Fugue in c minor for organ, by Cantor David Cherwien.

• Sunday, June 7, 4:00 pm: Service of Evening Prayer with Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, and Buxtehude’s Befiehl dem Engel dass er komm will be performed by the participants in the weekend conference, with soloists and orchestra. Kathy Romey of the University of Minnesota is our guest conductor for the weekend, with Cantor David Cherwien, organist.

Great music at both programs. Tell others, and don’t miss!!

May 31 Adult Forum

     On May 31, there will be an opportunity to hear what the Minneapolis Area Synod did during the Synod Assembly a couple of weeks ago.  The Assembly theme was “The Word Was Made Flesh and Moved into the Neighborhood.”

     The Mount Olive representatives to the Assembly were Lora Dundek and Larry Duncan, and they will present a few observations on the gathering.  Meet in the Chapel Lounge following the liturgy, and after you get your coffee, of course!

The Bargain Box

     Saturday, August 1 will be a busy day at Mount Olive! We will be helping to get neighborhood children ready for school year with Bargain Box fitting children with new school clothes and distributing school supplies during the Community Meal.

     We are looking for donations of cash, new and gently used children’s clothes (no adult clothes, please), school supplies, and backpacks.

     If you have time to help with the meal, or assist with clothing or school supplies, please plan to come to the August Community Meals!
     
– Neighborhood Ministries Committee

Olive Branch Summer Publication

     During the summer months of June, July, and August, The Olive Branch is published every other week. June issues will be published on June 4 and June 17. If you have information to be published in these newsletters, please have that information to the church office by Monday, June 1, and Monday, June 15, respectively.

News From the Neighborhood
Anna Kingman                

 Coming Soon!   Summer A.C.T.S.  (Adults, Children Teaming to Serve)

     This is going to be fun! Neighborhood Ministries Summer Program this year is an opportunity for adults and youth from the congregation and community to work together on “jobs” with meaning and purpose while building relationships and learning from each other.  The program will run four half-days a week for four weeks from June 22 through July 16 (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM including a light lunch). Youth ages 9 to 14 can work for four weeks, two half-days a week on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, and earn $30/week.  Adults can volunteer to work on a team with youth for any length of time – whatever fits into your schedule. Each week we will focus on a different community project and skill building. The program will culminate on July 17 with a celebration! Job sites include: food packing at CES, Artwork at Courageous heARTS, cooking/baking skills at Mount Olive, Urban gardening, etc!

     Do you have a child, grandchild or friend who would like to work this summer, earn a little cash, and learn about service at the same time?  Would you like to take two half days off work and be a part of the action?  Are you available this summer and looking for a way to serve as a mentor, helper, or kitchen worker extraordinaire? WE NEED YOU!

     For applications for participants, sheets are located outside the main office or from Anna
If you are interested in any way, please contact Anna Kingman Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach and Ministry at 612-827-5919, neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org, or just talk to her on Sunday.

Upcoming Grant-Writing Workshop Opportunity!

     Mount Olive is hosting a 2-day grant writing workshop held by Grant Central USA on July 16 – 17, from 9am-4pm. For hosting, we are given two free spots at this event. Are you interested in attending this free workshop? Whether professional, personal, non-profit, or fun, please let Anna know ASAP if you’d like to attend. For more information, visit: http://www.grantwritingclasses.org/gallery.html or contact Anna at church or neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

Spanish phrase:

     Part of sharing in community is understanding one another through language, culture, or experience. As we explore our community and get to know our neighbors, let’s continue with some helpful language lessons.
English: “We are a part of Mount Olive Church”
Spanish: ”Somos parte de la Iglesia Mount Olive” (Sow-mohs par-tay day lah Eeg-lay-see-ah Mount Olive)
Review: ‘Where is your family from?”’ Spanish:”De donde es su familia?” (Day-dohn-day es sue fah-meel-ee-ah)
     Go out and be fearlessly friendly folks!

Needed! 

     Neighborhood Ministries is currently in need of two things:
• Paper grocery bags with handles (these may be left in the donation area of the coat room)
• 10×10 pop-up canopies to borrow for the Neighbor-hood Garage Sale on June 20 in our parking lot.

Keep Heroin out of Hennepin County!
     Learn, share, and support the Keep Heroin Out of Hennepin County Town Hall. This meeting will take place on Thursday, May 28 (tomorrow!), from 7:00- 8:30 pm at the Church of Gitchitwaa Kateri (3045 Park Ave.) right down the street. Heroin, Opiates, and Meth are a problem everywhere, so let’s support the efforts to stamp them out.

Accent on Worship

   My birth story is my favorite story to tell. You may have heard it already, but it’s got a surprise part that I love. It’s the part where, despite ultra sounds and medical knowledge, my parents did not know that they were having two babies instead of just one. Surprise!  After my twin sister Amy squirmed her way out into the light of the world, no one was anticipating that there was another baby waiting in the wings, umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, pressing for light and air. Alas, with many exclamations of disbelief greeting me, I made my grand entrance. I’d like to consider it a blessing, although I imagine for my parents it was more of a shock.

     My twin sister and I share a type of bond that only other twins can know. It’s one of separation and sameness alike. It’s another person who is so similar to you in experience, there from the literal beginning, and sharing in the lifeblood that makes a human a human. We have the same face, the same mannerisms, and dispute certain memories we both share.  
   
     This experience as a twin gives me even the smallest sense of what it means to be one, but three. To be whole, separate, complete, but to be a part, a moving piece with no boundaries or borders between the others. This Sunday we acknowledge the triune God, that there is community within God – not outside, but reflecting from within. One of the most grounding phrases for me right now is “in you we live and move and have our being.” It eliminates any separation between us and the God the flows within, before, beyond, and forever around us. This is an encouragement to me on the days when I feel like I’ve let things fall away, or I’m holding back out of worldly fears, or just laziness- the matter that I the triune God in all the ways that the Spirit moves in the world, despite my efforts or lack thereof.

     Far from understanding all of the intricacies of the triune God, I will lean in to my understanding of being a twin – of sharing in the special relationship that we have as a guide to how we all, as sisters and brothers under one God the Father live, move, and have our being together in this world.

– Anna Kingman  

Sunday Readings

May 31, 2015: The Holy Trinity
 Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
______________

June 7, 2015: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 10 B
Genesis 3:8-15
Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Mark 3:20-35

Sunday’s Adult Forum: May 31, 11 a.m.

     Lora Dundek and Larry Duncan will share high- lights from the recent Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly.

Book Discussion Group Update

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!

     For the June 13 meeting, the Book Discussion group will read The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones, and for July 11, Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.

Calling All Graduates!

     On Sunday, June 14, we will honor our graduates at a reception following the 9:30 a.m. liturgy.
     If you are graduating from high school, college, seminary, or another post-secondary school, or if you know of some-one else from Mount Olive who is graduating this spring, please take a moment to notify the church office. We want to be sure that all of our graduates are invited!

Personal-sized Toiletries Needed!

     During your summer travels, save the personal-sized toiletries provided by hotels. We are collecting them for distribution to the homeless who stay at Our Saviour’s Shelter. Place them in the designated basket in the coat room.

That Campaign? We’re Still Giving

     The “asking” phase of last year’s campaign to restore funds borrowed from Mount Olive’s restricted funds and to create a reserve fund to see us through future general-fund shortfalls ended some months ago, but we continue to receive gifts—and they’re welcome and needed.

     Paid gifts now stand at $107,578, and outstanding pledges total $10,600. (It should be noted that close to half the dollars received to date come from households that did not turn in pledge cards!)
     What should your priority be if you have outstanding pledges to the campaign and to this year’s general fund and find it difficult to give to both just now? Give to the general fund, from which we pay the congregations ongoing expenses.

     To check the status of your campaign pledge or to adjust it, phone or email Cha at the church office.
     If you’ve forgotten the exact purpose of the campaign, here’s a quick recap. We’ve repaid what the congregation borrowed from its restricted funds in lean times several years ago, and now have formally made those funds unavailable for future borrowing. We’ve established a reserve fund, now about $26,000, from which we could borrow before needing to turn to more costly short-term loans at the bank. The reserve fund will be minimal—but still important—even if all pledges are fulfilled.

– Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

YOUR Neighborhood Garage Sale:  June 20,  9am to 3pm

     This is a great opportunity for you to step into the journey of BEING THE PRESENCE OF GOD in this neighborhood.  Please join in this activity and connect hearts, break barriers and spend some fun time in your church neighborhood.

     Actions you can take to participate:
• Be a vendor!

Find some items you no longer need and reserve a parking space size spot in our church parking lot to sell your goods and have fun with neighbors. We will call you a vendor for the day. Our youth will be selling food and drink to raise funds for their mission.  Bring your own table.

• Be a volunteer!
Take a shift from 8:00am – Noon or Noon – 4:00pm to assist with set up and hosting for the day.  We will welcome the vendors, put up signs to encourage neighbors to stop by and shop and just be available and visible.  We open our sanctuary doors to welcome any who want to take a peek inside these walls and see who is here and what is going on.  We will also offer restrooms to the vendors.

• Be a promoter and spread the word!
Take an assignment to walk the neighborhood and deliver flyers door to doors and/or post flyers in businesses so people know what Mount Olive is doing on June 20.

     Questions? Contact any Open Space team member to join in or for further information:  Tim Pipkorn, George Ferguson, Connie Marty, Julie Manuel, Carol Austermann, Paul Nixdorf, Patsy Holtmeier, and Anna Kingman.

          Thanks be to God for our life together!

Help Earthquake Victims

     From your Global Missions Committee–Our ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response is working with the Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief on large scale disaster response in Nepal. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please mark either a blue envelope contribution or a donation check ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response and our collected contributions will be forwarded to this important work.

Communion Ministers Needed!

     Every week, parishioners bring the Eucharist to Mount Olive members who are unable to join us for liturgy. Additional communion ministers are needed, especially for the summer months. If you are willing and able to bring communion to Mount Olive members in their homes, please contact Tom Graves and Ginny Agresti.

The Ninth Annual BACH TAGE

     Bach Tage is Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and June 7. Two public concerts are a featured part of Bach Tage – invite your friends!:

• Saturday, June 6, 4:00 pm: Music of Johann Sebastian Bach presented by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra

     Cantata BWV 196, Der Herr denket an uns,  by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra; Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R, with soloists Marc Levine and Stanley King; and Prelude and Fugue in c minor for organ, by Cantor David Cherwien.

• Sunday, June 7, 4:00 pm: Service of Evening Prayer with Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, and Buxtehude’s Befiehl dem Engel dass er komm will be performed by the participants in the weekend conference, with soloists and orchestra. Kathy Romey of the University of Minnesota is our guest conductor for the weekend, with Cantor David Cherwien, organist.

Great music at both programs. Tell others, and don’t miss!!

May 31 Adult Forum

     On May 31, there will be an opportunity to hear what the Minneapolis Area Synod did during the Synod Assembly a couple of weeks ago.  The Assembly theme was “The Word Was Made Flesh and Moved into the Neighborhood.”

     The Mount Olive representatives to the Assembly were Lora Dundek and Larry Duncan, and they will present a few observations on the gathering.  Meet in the Chapel Lounge following the liturgy, and after you get your coffee, of course!

The Bargain Box

     Saturday, August 1 will be a busy day at Mount Olive! We will be helping to get neighborhood children ready for school year with Bargain Box fitting children with new school clothes and distributing school supplies during the Community Meal.

     We are looking for donations of cash, new and gently used children’s clothes (no adult clothes, please), school supplies, and backpacks.

     If you have time to help with the meal, or assist with clothing or school supplies, please plan to come to the August Community Meals!
     
– Neighborhood Ministries Committee

Olive Branch Summer Publication

     During the summer months of June, July, and August, The Olive Branch is published every other week. June issues will be published on June 4 and June 17. If you have information to be published in these newsletters, please have that information to the church office by Monday, June 1, and Monday, June 15, respectively.

News From the Neighborhood
Anna Kingman                

 Coming Soon!   Summer A.C.T.S.  (Adults, Children Teaming to Serve)

     This is going to be fun! Neighborhood Ministries Summer Program this year is an opportunity for adults and youth from the congregation and community to work together on “jobs” with meaning and purpose while building relationships and learning from each other.  The program will run four half-days a week for four weeks from June 22 through July 16 (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM including a light lunch). Youth ages 9 to 14 can work for four weeks, two half-days a week on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, and earn $30/week.  Adults can volunteer to work on a team with youth for any length of time – whatever fits into your schedule. Each week we will focus on a different community project and skill building. The program will culminate on July 17 with a celebration! Job sites include: food packing at CES, Artwork at Courageous heARTS, cooking/baking skills at Mount Olive, Urban gardening, etc!

     Do you have a child, grandchild or friend who would like to work this summer, earn a little cash, and learn about service at the same time?  Would you like to take two half days off work and be a part of the action?  Are you available this summer and looking for a way to serve as a mentor, helper, or kitchen worker extraordinaire? WE NEED YOU!

     For applications for participants, sheets are located outside the main office or from Anna
If you are interested in any way, please contact Anna Kingman Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach and Ministry at 612-827-5919, neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org, or just talk to her on Sunday.

Upcoming Grant-Writing Workshop Opportunity!

     Mount Olive is hosting a 2-day grant writing workshop held by Grant Central USA on July 16 – 17, from 9am-4pm. For hosting, we are given two free spots at this event. Are you interested in attending this free workshop? Whether professional, personal, non-profit, or fun, please let Anna know ASAP if you’d like to attend. For more information, visit: http://www.grantwritingclasses.org/gallery.html or contact Anna at church or neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

Spanish phrase:

     Part of sharing in community is understanding one another through language, culture, or experience. As we explore our community and get to know our neighbors, let’s continue with some helpful language lessons.
English: “We are a part of Mount Olive Church”
Spanish: ”Somos parte de la Iglesia Mount Olive” (Sow-mohs par-tay day lah Eeg-lay-see-ah Mount Olive)
Review: ‘Where is your family from?”’ Spanish:”De donde es su familia?” (Day-dohn-day es sue fah-meel-ee-ah)
     Go out and be fearlessly friendly folks!

Needed! 

     Neighborhood Ministries is currently in need of two things:
• Paper grocery bags with handles (these may be left in the donation area of the coat room)
• 10×10 pop-up canopies to borrow for the Neighbor-hood Garage Sale on June 20 in our parking lot.

Keep Heroin out of Hennepin County!
     Learn, share, and support the Keep Heroin Out of Hennepin County Town Hall. This meeting will take place on Thursday, May 28 (tomorrow!), from 7:00- 8:30 pm at the Church of Gitchitwaa Kateri (3045 Park Ave.) right down the street. Heroin, Opiates, and Meth are a problem everywhere, so let’s support the efforts to stamp them out.

Accent on Worship

About those hymns…

     I’ve noticed in my travels that very few of our colleague congregations practice what we do with hymnody:  alternation.  (Alternation means that various sub-groups sing stanzas, like “men,” “women,” “choir,”  “organ,” etc).  In case you’ve wondered why we do that, the bottom line is that this practice helps bring and maintain vitality to our hymnody. How?    

     First, it provides variety. When we have men and women alter-nate, it’s really two different octaves, musically.  I’ve experienced other attempts to accomplish the same without using gender language, but it always led to confusion.  With the example of “high voices” and “low Voices,” tenors and altos would say, “which am I?”  I’ve found it most clear to simply say “men” and “women.”   I’ve also noticed that when we return to an “all” stanza after taking turns, the singing is always increased – as if having the unity of the entire room adds to the freedom to sing out more!  We also achieve variety through alternating unison and harmony, and often in canon.  These, too, are tools for variety which contributes to vitality in our song.  We had a rule in Germany when I studied there, and we prepared 12-14 stanza hymns:  Never the same thing twice.

     When a choir sings a stanza, it provides the opportunity for a more involved setting, since they have the great advantage of a rehearsal prior.  Or, in the case of our young choir singers, they spend time memorizing that particular stanza.

     The organ occasionally “sings” a stanza as well – which provides the opportunity for the music painting a picture of what the text is saying, thus bringing out the meaning of the words even more profoundly.

     The practice of alternating stanzas also provides rest.  Orchestra players know this: a trumpet cannot play through an entire symphony without rest, nor can wind instruments.  The rests are important rejuvenation time.  This is also true for us. When it’s our turn to “not” sing, it never implies that we cease participating – we can notice the words more, we can participate through listening.  It’s also a time when we can appreciate our singing partners through listening.

     For me it’s very practical.  When alternation is used, the singing is almost always stronger in general.  When we all sing every stanza, it’s more taxing and harder to maintain vitality and, for me, less effective.  Because alternating is our constant practice, we’ve grown accustomed to it and it’s not tricky. Indeed – even when directions are omitted for a hymn, you all decide on your own alternations – which I love!

     Now you know!

– Cantor David Cherwien

Sunday Readings

May 10, 2015: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
I John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17

May 17, 2015: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
I John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19

Sunday’s Adult Forum: May 10, 9:30 am

There will be no adult Forum this Sunday. Instead, all are invited to attend the annual Mother’s Day recital, presented by the youth of Mount Olive.

Transitions Support Group

     All are welcome to visit the Transitions Support Group meetings if you’ve been hoping to find new ideas or encouragement to meet the challenges or uncertainties that are before you. This is an opportunity to share in fellowship, prayer, and discussion with others in the Mount Olive community.
     The next session meets this evening Wednesday, May 6, from 6- 7 pm, at Mount Olive in the lower level Youth Room, and will be facilitated by Amy Cotter and Cathy Bosworth.  If you have questions, please contact Cathy at 612-708-1144 or marcat8447@yahoo.com.

Congrats to our Amazing gRace Racers

     Anna Dundek and Eric Bell raced hard on Saturday, riding bikes from north to south Minneapolis and through St. Paul, and completing tasks from planting a garden to matching housing applicants with just the right house, all the while learning about the peace and justice work of Lutheran Volunteer Corps volunteers. . Together with your Global Mission Committee, Anna and Eric raised over $1,400 in support of the work carried out by LVC volunteers throughout the Twin Cities. Many thanks to Anna and Eric, and to all who supported their efforts. It was a fun day; we learned much and met many others who are being God’s presence in our world.

Book Discussion Group Update

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!
     For the May 9 meeting, the Book Discussion group will read, The Boat of Longing, by O. E. Rølvaag. For June 13, The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones, and for July 11, Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.

Calling All Graduates!

     On Sunday, June 14, we will honor our graduates at a reception following the 9:30 a.m. liturgy.

     If you are graduating from high school, college, seminary, or another post-secondary school, or if you know of some-one else from Mount Olive who is graduating this spring, please take a moment to notify the church office. We want to be sure that all of our graduates are invited!

The Ascension of Our Lord
Thursday, May 14
Holy Eucharist at 7:00 pm

Manz Endowment Fund Established

     In recognition of the long-time excellence of the musical and liturgical experience at Mount Olive, anonymous donors recent-ly completed their initial funding of the “Ruth and Paul Manz Endowed Fund for Music and Liturgy at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.”  Meeting the initial $25,000 threshold, the Manz Fund will be managed by the ELCA Foundation as a separate fund within Mount Olive Lutheran Church Foundation’s overall endowment.

     Income from the Fund may be used for out-of-the-ordinary course expenses for the Schlicker organ and its successors as well as fees and expenses which benefit and promote Mount Olive’s music program.  The donors’ overall intent is to help sustain the high standards of the worship experience which they find so meaningful.

     The donors intend to supplement the Manz Fund in the future but welcome anyone who shares their passion to join them by benefiting this endowment through a one-time gift, multi-year pledge, or an estate provision.

New Members to be Received on May 17

     New members will be received on May 17, 2015, at the second liturgy.  A welcome brunch will follow the liturgy in the Undercroft.

     Please contact Andrew Andersen at 763-607-1689, or call the church office at 612-837-5910, if you are interested in becoming a member at Mount Olive. The brunch is open to all Mount Olive folk as well as families and friends. Plan to come to meet our newest members and welcome them!

Help Earthquake Victims

     From your Global Missions Committee: ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief on large scale disaster response in Nepal. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please mark either a blue envelope contribution or a donation check ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response and our collected contributions will be forwarded to this important work.

Spiritual Gifts Workshop

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”   ~ 1 Peter 4: 10-11
Have you been asking yourself these questions?

• What gifts has God given me?
• I can’t do the same things I did before.
• Where is God calling me now?
• How can I be the presence of God for my family? My co-workers? My neighbors?

Explore these questions and more in the upcoming Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts Workshop to be held Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m.–noon at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

Workshop Leaders:
Connie Marty and Vicar Meagan McLaughlin

Before the workshop, take an online gifts inventory:
RSVP Required: Vicar McLaughlin at 612.827.5919 or vicar@mountolivechurch.org

News From the Neighborhood                          
Anna Kingman                  

Profiles: Meseret which means ‘Foundation of Jesus’ in Amharic

     Meseret was told by a friend “Go to Mount Olive and they will help you.” So she came with her lovely daughter and her father and a heavy heart. Without many personal details and a love of bravery, she simply said, “things are very complicated for us.” Her father, an elderly man who only speaks Amharic, had just moved to a new public housing apartment and has nothing at all. Meseret needs to care for him, as well as her two other children all by herself and this is all very over-whelming for her. And yet she said to me, “I don’t want to complain. Everywhere I look there is hope.” Even the way Cantor Cherwien opened the door to her told her that she was in the right place. But this family needs our help and I assured her that we will do just that! Can you and will you help with any of these items to help make this empty apartment a home? Here’s what she is requesting:

–  PRAYERS!  “Prayer is my road, my sunshine” (Meseret asked mostly for prayers for strength)
–  A bed and bedding (sheets, a blanket)           – A small table and chairs
–  Bathroom rug & shower curtain, supplies     – Small kitchen items (kettle, mugs, towels)
–  Lamp, small fan, bedside table                        – Toiletries, paper products
–  Her father has already received towels, silverware and a microwave – thanks to who brought those!

     If you can help with any of these items, please call Cha at the church office so that we don’t double up on items, and then bring the items (smaller items) to church, so that Meseret can pick them up. We must arrange for delivery of larger items.

Just so you know…

A few MO folks and I walked over to All God’s Children Metro Community Church, just west of Mount Olive on 31st  St. This was prompted by the Open Space project to connect with our neighbor churches, and just good old fashioned neighborliness. We met with Donna Olsen, who wears many hats at AGC, and learned about what programs they run there and things they care about, as we shared ours as well. It’s a good reminder of the opportunities for collaboration and care that we easily overlook. So – Opportunities to BE involved: Go somewhere new this week! Pick a new coffee shop, art store, local food corner you haven’t been in yet, or head to a different park than usual and see what lies beyond the beaten path that has something of the marvelous waiting for you to discover!

Open Space First Event

     Outdoor Community Garage Sale & Local Art Sale: June 20, 9am – 2pm in our “Open Space” (the parking lot!) Neighbors, friends, and local artists can have a parking space plot, bring their own table, and set up their goods to sell to the public. We will go door to door to invite neighborhood residents to reserve a spot or come to the sale, and ask churches, coffee shops and businesses to help publicize the event. Mount Olive will publicize and host, opening our doors to offer a glimpse of who we are inside and out.

     We need members willing to post flyers around the neighborhood, assist with hospitality that day, and put up direction signs that morning.  Because we are hosting the community meal that noon hour, around 100 friends and neighbors will be dining with us already, and perhaps they will be customers at the sale. (In case of rain the event is canceled).
Can you help distribute flyers? Please contact Anna at neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

The Ninth Annual BACH TAGE: Time to Register!

     The conference this year will focus on two cantatas from Bach’s youth, plus a piece by Dietrich Buxtehude, whose music was an important influence on young Johann. Bach Tage is Saturday and Sunday, June 6 – 7.

Two public concerts are a featured part of Bach Tage – invite your friends!:

Saturday, June 6, 4:00 pm: Music of Johann Sebastian Bach performed by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra

Cantata BWV 196, Der Herr denket an uns
Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R, with soloists Marc Levine and Stanley King
       Prelude and Fugue in c minor for organ, by Cantor David Cherwien.

Sunday, June 7, 4:00 pm: Service of Evening Prayer            

Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, and Buxtehude’s Befiehl dem Engel dass er komm will be performed by the participants in the weekend conference, with soloists and orchestra. Kathy Romey of the University of Minnesota is our guest conductor for the weekend, with Cantor David Cherwien, organist.

     Musical scores will be mailed next weekend, so the time to register is now. Brochures were sent in the mail, and are still available at Mount Olive. Or, you can find a brochure at www.mountolivechurch.org.

     This is a great opportunity, not to be missed!

Mother’s Day Recital – This Sunday!

     All are invited to attend the annual Mother’s Day Recital by our church youth. The recital takes place this Sunday, May 10, during the Education Hour, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Encounters with Jesus: Bible Study on Thursday Evenings  

     The spring Bible study series on encounters with Jesus continues this Thursday, May 7, in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00-7:30pm. The fifth and final session next week on May 14, will conclude with Eucharist for the Feast of the Ascension. The study begins with a light supper at 6 pm. RSVPs to (vicar@mountolivechurch.org) not required, but appreciated for meal planning purposes.    

New Giving Update

     At our April 26 semi-annual meeting we reported that we ended the first quarter with general-fund giving about where it was in the first quarter of last year—not good news in a year we face increased expenses of some 7%.  

     However, our April giving total, which we got a couple days after the meeting, was about 21% over the same month in 2014 and brought our cumulative giving for the four months to 5% over the same period a year ago. The danger, of course, is that this 5% lead could evaporate over the eight Sundays remaining in our second quarter. Together, let’s make certain it doesn’t and keep working toward our 7% target—which is really about mission and ministry.

– Lora Dundek, Vestry President
– Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

Attention Mount Olive Worship Assistants!

    The Servant Schedule for the 3rd quarter of 2015  (July-September) will be published at the beginning of June, 2015.   The deadline for submitting requests to me is May 10, 2015.  Please email your requests to peggyrf70@gmail.com.

Accent on Worship

About those hymns…

     I’ve noticed in my travels that very few of our colleague congregations practice what we do with hymnody:  alternation.  (Alternation means that various sub-groups sing stanzas, like “men,” “women,” “choir,”  “organ,” etc).  In case you’ve wondered why we do that, the bottom line is that this practice helps bring and maintain vitality to our hymnody. How?    

     First, it provides variety. When we have men and women alter-nate, it’s really two different octaves, musically.  I’ve experienced other attempts to accomplish the same without using gender language, but it always led to confusion.  With the example of “high voices” and “low Voices,” tenors and altos would say, “which am I?”  I’ve found it most clear to simply say “men” and “women.”   I’ve also noticed that when we return to an “all” stanza after taking turns, the singing is always increased – as if having the unity of the entire room adds to the freedom to sing out more!  We also achieve variety through alternating unison and harmony, and often in canon.  These, too, are tools for variety which contributes to vitality in our song.  We had a rule in Germany when I studied there, and we prepared 12-14 stanza hymns:  Never the same thing twice.

     When a choir sings a stanza, it provides the opportunity for a more involved setting, since they have the great advantage of a rehearsal prior.  Or, in the case of our young choir singers, they spend time memorizing that particular stanza.

     The organ occasionally “sings” a stanza as well – which provides the opportunity for the music painting a picture of what the text is saying, thus bringing out the meaning of the words even more profoundly.

     The practice of alternating stanzas also provides rest.  Orchestra players know this: a trumpet cannot play through an entire symphony without rest, nor can wind instruments.  The rests are important rejuvenation time.  This is also true for us. When it’s our turn to “not” sing, it never implies that we cease participating – we can notice the words more, we can participate through listening.  It’s also a time when we can appreciate our singing partners through listening.

     For me it’s very practical.  When alternation is used, the singing is almost always stronger in general.  When we all sing every stanza, it’s more taxing and harder to maintain vitality and, for me, less effective.  Because alternating is our constant practice, we’ve grown accustomed to it and it’s not tricky. Indeed – even when directions are omitted for a hymn, you all decide on your own alternations – which I love!

     Now you know!

– Cantor David Cherwien

Sunday Readings

May 10, 2015: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
I John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17

May 17, 2015: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
I John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19

Sunday’s Adult Forum: May 10, 9:30 am

There will be no adult Forum this Sunday. Instead, all are invited to attend the annual Mother’s Day recital, presented by the youth of Mount Olive.

Transitions Support Group

     All are welcome to visit the Transitions Support Group meetings if you’ve been hoping to find new ideas or encouragement to meet the challenges or uncertainties that are before you. This is an opportunity to share in fellowship, prayer, and discussion with others in the Mount Olive community.
     The next session meets this evening Wednesday, May 6, from 6- 7 pm, at Mount Olive in the lower level Youth Room, and will be facilitated by Amy Cotter and Cathy Bosworth.  If you have questions, please contact Cathy at 612-708-1144 or marcat8447@yahoo.com.

Congrats to our Amazing gRace Racers

     Anna Dundek and Eric Bell raced hard on Saturday, riding bikes from north to south Minneapolis and through St. Paul, and completing tasks from planting a garden to matching housing applicants with just the right house, all the while learning about the peace and justice work of Lutheran Volunteer Corps volunteers. . Together with your Global Mission Committee, Anna and Eric raised over $1,400 in support of the work carried out by LVC volunteers throughout the Twin Cities. Many thanks to Anna and Eric, and to all who supported their efforts. It was a fun day; we learned much and met many others who are being God’s presence in our world.

Book Discussion Group Update

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 am in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!
     For the May 9 meeting, the Book Discussion group will read, The Boat of Longing, by O. E. Rølvaag. For June 13, The Last Chinese Chef, by Nicole Mones, and for July 11, Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.

Calling All Graduates!

     On Sunday, June 14, we will honor our graduates at a reception following the 9:30 a.m. liturgy.

     If you are graduating from high school, college, seminary, or another post-secondary school, or if you know of some-one else from Mount Olive who is graduating this spring, please take a moment to notify the church office. We want to be sure that all of our graduates are invited!

The Ascension of Our Lord
Thursday, May 14
Holy Eucharist at 7:00 pm

Manz Endowment Fund Established

     In recognition of the long-time excellence of the musical and liturgical experience at Mount Olive, anonymous donors recent-ly completed their initial funding of the “Ruth and Paul Manz Endowed Fund for Music and Liturgy at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.”  Meeting the initial $25,000 threshold, the Manz Fund will be managed by the ELCA Foundation as a separate fund within Mount Olive Lutheran Church Foundation’s overall endowment.

     Income from the Fund may be used for out-of-the-ordinary course expenses for the Schlicker organ and its successors as well as fees and expenses which benefit and promote Mount Olive’s music program.  The donors’ overall intent is to help sustain the high standards of the worship experience which they find so meaningful.

     The donors intend to supplement the Manz Fund in the future but welcome anyone who shares their passion to join them by benefiting this endowment through a one-time gift, multi-year pledge, or an estate provision.

New Members to be Received on May 17

     New members will be received on May 17, 2015, at the second liturgy.  A welcome brunch will follow the liturgy in the Undercroft.

     Please contact Andrew Andersen at 763-607-1689, or call the church office at 612-837-5910, if you are interested in becoming a member at Mount Olive. The brunch is open to all Mount Olive folk as well as families and friends. Plan to come to meet our newest members and welcome them!

Help Earthquake Victims

     From your Global Missions Committee: ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response is working with Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief on large scale disaster response in Nepal. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please mark either a blue envelope contribution or a donation check ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response and our collected contributions will be forwarded to this important work.

Spiritual Gifts Workshop

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”   ~ 1 Peter 4: 10-11
Have you been asking yourself these questions?

• What gifts has God given me?
• I can’t do the same things I did before.
• Where is God calling me now?
• How can I be the presence of God for my family? My co-workers? My neighbors?

Explore these questions and more in the upcoming Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts Workshop to be held Saturday, May 23, 9 a.m.–noon at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

Workshop Leaders:
Connie Marty and Vicar Meagan McLaughlin

Before the workshop, take an online gifts inventory:
RSVP Required: Vicar McLaughlin at 612.827.5919 or vicar@mountolivechurch.org

News From the Neighborhood                          
Anna Kingman                  

Profiles: Meseret which means ‘Foundation of Jesus’ in Amharic

     Meseret was told by a friend “Go to Mount Olive and they will help you.” So she came with her lovely daughter and her father and a heavy heart. Without many personal details and a love of bravery, she simply said, “things are very complicated for us.” Her father, an elderly man who only speaks Amharic, had just moved to a new public housing apartment and has nothing at all. Meseret needs to care for him, as well as her two other children all by herself and this is all very over-whelming for her. And yet she said to me, “I don’t want to complain. Everywhere I look there is hope.” Even the way Cantor Cherwien opened the door to her told her that she was in the right place. But this family needs our help and I assured her that we will do just that! Can you and will you help with any of these items to help make this empty apartment a home? Here’s what she is requesting:

–  PRAYERS!  “Prayer is my road, my sunshine” (Meseret asked mostly for prayers for strength)
–  A bed and bedding (sheets, a blanket)           – A small table and chairs
–  Bathroom rug & shower curtain, supplies     – Small kitchen items (kettle, mugs, towels)
–  Lamp, small fan, bedside table                        – Toiletries, paper products
–  Her father has already received towels, silverware and a microwave – thanks to who brought those!

     If you can help with any of these items, please call Cha at the church office so that we don’t double up on items, and then bring the items (smaller items) to church, so that Meseret can pick them up. We must arrange for delivery of larger items.

Just so you know…

A few MO folks and I walked over to All God’s Children Metro Community Church, just west of Mount Olive on 31st  St. This was prompted by the Open Space project to connect with our neighbor churches, and just good old fashioned neighborliness. We met with Donna Olsen, who wears many hats at AGC, and learned about what programs they run there and things they care about, as we shared ours as well. It’s a good reminder of the opportunities for collaboration and care that we easily overlook. So – Opportunities to BE involved: Go somewhere new this week! Pick a new coffee shop, art store, local food corner you haven’t been in yet, or head to a different park than usual and see what lies beyond the beaten path that has something of the marvelous waiting for you to discover!

Open Space First Event

     Outdoor Community Garage Sale & Local Art Sale: June 20, 9am – 2pm in our “Open Space” (the parking lot!) Neighbors, friends, and local artists can have a parking space plot, bring their own table, and set up their goods to sell to the public. We will go door to door to invite neighborhood residents to reserve a spot or come to the sale, and ask churches, coffee shops and businesses to help publicize the event. Mount Olive will publicize and host, opening our doors to offer a glimpse of who we are inside and out.

     We need members willing to post flyers around the neighborhood, assist with hospitality that day, and put up direction signs that morning.  Because we are hosting the community meal that noon hour, around 100 friends and neighbors will be dining with us already, and perhaps they will be customers at the sale. (In case of rain the event is canceled).
Can you help distribute flyers? Please contact Anna at neighborhood@mountolivechurch.org.

The Ninth Annual BACH TAGE: Time to Register!

     The conference this year will focus on two cantatas from Bach’s youth, plus a piece by Dietrich Buxtehude, whose music was an important influence on young Johann. Bach Tage is Saturday and Sunday, June 6 – 7.

Two public concerts are a featured part of Bach Tage – invite your friends!:

Saturday, June 6, 4:00 pm: Music of Johann Sebastian Bach performed by the Bach Tage soloists and orchestra

Cantata BWV 196, Der Herr denket an uns
Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060R, with soloists Marc Levine and Stanley King
       Prelude and Fugue in c minor for organ, by Cantor David Cherwien.

Sunday, June 7, 4:00 pm: Service of Evening Prayer            

Cantata BWV 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, and Buxtehude’s Befiehl dem Engel dass er komm will be performed by the participants in the weekend conference, with soloists and orchestra. Kathy Romey of the University of Minnesota is our guest conductor for the weekend, with Cantor David Cherwien, organist.

     Musical scores will be mailed next weekend, so the time to register is now. Brochures were sent in the mail, and are still available at Mount Olive. Or, you can find a brochure at www.mountolivechurch.org.

     This is a great opportunity, not to be missed!

Mother’s Day Recital – This Sunday!

     All are invited to attend the annual Mother’s Day Recital by our church youth. The recital takes place this Sunday, May 10, during the Education Hour, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Encounters with Jesus: Bible Study on Thursday Evenings  

     The spring Bible study series on encounters with Jesus continues this Thursday, May 7, in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00-7:30pm. The fifth and final session next week on May 14, will conclude with Eucharist for the Feast of the Ascension. The study begins with a light supper at 6 pm. RSVPs to (vicar@mountolivechurch.org) not required, but appreciated for meal planning purposes.    

New Giving Update

     At our April 26 semi-annual meeting we reported that we ended the first quarter with general-fund giving about where it was in the first quarter of last year—not good news in a year we face increased expenses of some 7%.  

     However, our April giving total, which we got a couple days after the meeting, was about 21% over the same month in 2014 and brought our cumulative giving for the four months to 5% over the same period a year ago. The danger, of course, is that this 5% lead could evaporate over the eight Sundays remaining in our second quarter. Together, let’s make certain it doesn’t and keep working toward our 7% target—which is really about mission and ministry.

– Lora Dundek, Vestry President
– Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

Attention Mount Olive Worship Assistants!

    The Servant Schedule for the 3rd quarter of 2015  (July-September) will be published at the beginning of June, 2015.   The deadline for submitting requests to me is May 10, 2015.  Please email your requests to peggyrf70@gmail.com.