Mount Olive Lutheran Church

TWIG: 5/13/20 – Cantor’s Corner #7

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Today’s hymn includes a text written by Susan Palo Cherwien, with the tune by Robert Buckley Farlee, “O Blessed Spring.” Yet another hymn that would be helpful to commit to memory. Its message will come in handy when we need it! That would include right now!
Enjoy.
-Cantor David Cherwien

Godly Play at Home, 5/10/20

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The Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 2020
During this time of physical distancing, the Godly Play teachers wanted to offer families some additional tools to tell Bible stories at home, together, and to remind the children of their time together in Godly Play. Parents and guardians: please feel free to adapt these guidelines to whatever works for your child(ren) and family.
This material, part of a weekly series, is intended to supplement, not replace, worshiping together as a family on Sundays. As such, the Godly Play team thought that Saturdays might be a good time for Godly Play-like story time, but feel free to do what timing works for your family.
Light a candle
Say: Long ago, God told us, “I am the Light of the World.” So, we light a candle together to remind us that God is always near to us.
Sing or listen to a song together.   We loved hearing your voices as you sang with the congregation here. Sing it again; we will be singing too.
Everyone is welcome to simply read together or re-tell the Gospel lesson for this week, John 14:1-14.
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 10, IS MOTHER’S DAY. ON MOTHER’S DAY WE DO NOT HAVE GODLY PLAY. WE ALL LOVE TO ATTEND THE MOTHER’S DAY YOUTH RECITAL WHERE OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SHARE THEIR GIFTS WITH US. THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT. A LINK TO THIS YEAR’S VIRTUAL RECITAL CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SUNDAY WORSHIP MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE TOMORROW MORNING. WE HOPE THAT YOUR FAMILY WILL JOIN THIS VIRTUAL RECITAL.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Please know that Mount Olive’s Youth & Families committee is here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out at youthfamily@mountolivechurch.org.

TWIG: 5/12/20 – An Update from the Vestry President

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12 May 2020
It is hard to believe that it has been nearly nine weeks since we last gathered and began physical distancing. Let me begin by saying that I miss your smiling faces, sharing coffee hour with you and mostly worshiping at your side.  With that said, the Vestry still needed to get down to business, dig in and keep the work of the church moving forward. So today, I would like to offer a few updates to the congregation and hopefully answer some questions that you may have about where we are as a faith community.
In April, under more usual circumstances, we would have found ourselves at the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting. Without the opportunity to gather, we had to consider alternatives for constitutionally required activities such as the election of Vestry officers and Directors. After exploring several options, we felt a mail-in voting process allowed for greatest member participation. The slate of candidates has been officially published in the Olive Branch. Please watch for upcoming communication regarding the voting process.
As a result of the Executive Order from Governor Walz, a small Vestry committee was formed to create the Mount Olive Covid-19 Preparedness Plan. In short, the plan minimizes the opportunity for the Coronavirus to unwittingly infect our staff while conducting business in the church building. Since the implementation of the plan, James Wilkes has returned to work full time, remaining staff is able to work in the building as needed (Organ practice, some administrative functions, recording music, etc.). All staff members, except for our Sexton, will continue to work from home where possible. Here is the crucial part: Until further notice, only Staff, Vestry and essential volunteers may enter the building. Essential volunteers are counters, technical and video support, accounting, payroll, etc. Only those that have been notified by a Vestry member and provided training should enter the building. For the plan to be effective, we are asking all of you to honor these restrictions. If you feel you need to physically enter the building for essential business, you should first contact Cha at welcome@mountolivechurch.org and she will forward your request to the appropriate Vestry member. To enter the building, every Staff member, Vestry member and essential volunteer is required to pass a health screen, sign in, wear masks, maintain constant hand hygiene, mind areas marked as staff only and practice physical distancing.
As you are all acutely aware, this pandemic has created a tremendous amount financial hardship and uncertainly for so many around the world and in our community. With many jobs in limbo or lost altogether, and no historic precedence to rely on, it is impossible to see the economic future. However, the Vestry remains focused on its fiduciary responsibilities, while recognizing the reality that many among us may experience substantial changes in their own financial position. You may be anxious to know more about the financial status of Mount Olive. To be blunt, giving is down significantly. Doug Parish, our Treasurer, has been actively engaged in ways to help balance out some of the shortfalls. You can help by remaining attentive to future Olive Branch communications for updates from Doug and our Stewardship Director, Consuelo Gutierrez-Crosby, as they provide updates and ideas for creative ways to give, if you are able.
There have been regular reminders in the Olive Branch about ways to shift to electronic giving. If you currently give by mail, please consider changing over to an electronic method of giving, as it is more important the ever. The counting process for mailed giving is labor intensive and requires several volunteer counters to be near each other. Ultimately, we would like to minimize risk and exposure to our counting teams as they process your gifts to Mount Olive.
In March, the US Congress passed the CARES Act creating the Paycheck Protection Program. To provide additional budgetary support, we have secured a Paycheck Protection Program loan through Thrivent. While all the details of the program are pending dissemination, the equivalent of eight weeks of payroll will be forgivable. The Vestry will continue to focus on our budget, income, and expenses as we move to continue God’s work.
The Mount Olive Lutheran Church Foundation has also provided Mount Olive with the annual Foundation grant. The 2020 grant was $49,453.00, with a total of $566,764.92 given by the Foundation to date. The Foundation has graciously waived their usual preference for support of non-budgetary projects or programs to stand in support of the Vestry to utilize the funds to support our budgetary needs, as necessary. We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for their flexibility and support during this uncertain time.
I cannot imagine anything in our Pastor’s or Cantors’ experiences that could have prepared them for this moment in time. However, we have seen our Sunday Worship liturgy evolve, the music and learning from Cantor’s Corner come to life and Tuesday Virtual Bible Study grow. Our called leaders and Vicar Reading have wholeheartedly risen to this new challenge. They continue to deliver the Word and music as tools to guide us in our spiritual gardens. The Worship Committee has been diligent and thoughtful, providing support as our journey continues through this time of fasting from our customary liturgy.
Education, Youth & Family, Evangelism and Congregational Life directors have recruited a group of volunteers to call members of our congregation. Through their loving calls, they are checking in with each of us to ensure we stay connected and care for our needs. A simple phone call, a Mount Olive voice breaking through the loneliness that may loom large, cannot be undervalued. Additionally, many eager volunteers are available for shopping or running errands for anyone at Mount Olive who cannot or feel too vulnerable to go out. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have an errand or shopping need- there so are many who would be honored to be of service to you, it truly is a blessing to those who serve. I would encourage each of you to look to The Olive Branch for opportunities to call others or volunteer for errands and/or shopping.
While I realize that this is a lot of information, it only scratches the surface of the work done in the last nine weeks by the Staff, the Vestry and many of you. Much of this work has been difficult emotionally and spiritually simply because it represents our continued physical separation from each other. However, with love and dedication, we persevere with God’s help.
I wish I had a way to adequately express my gratitude to the Vestry and the entire staff as they have embraced new technologies, forced themselves to think outside the box, kindly tolerated my insistence on weekly Vestry meetings, and most importantly, moved expeditiously to continue God’s work. For all these things, I am humbled and honor to serve.
Your Sister in Christ,
Gretchen Campbell-Johnson
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, President

Love Made Visible #3

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Love Made Visible Challenge
May 1, 2020
As we celebrate the Easter season, we call on all Mount Olive members to participate in this Love Made Visible Challenge as we care for our precious world: a time of stewardship, of challenge, a time to move forward together. On to week 3!
Continue to send photos/videos/recipes during our Love Made Visible Challenge to missions@mountolivechurch.org. And sign up now (same link) for next Saturday’s (May 9) Care for Mount Olive’s Rain and Butterfly Gardens. Bring your own mask/glove/tools. You’ll work outside, at a distance from others.
Friday, May 1—Source Food Locally
Worship: “Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer)
Inform: Twin Cities farmers’ markets—considered “essential” under the governor’s stay-at-home order—are gradually opening, with limited offerings until crops begin to be harvested. The owners of the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market, near downtown, told a reporter they’re increasing spaces between vendors, eliminating samples, and adding sanitizing stations.
Act: Check out the schedule for your favorite farmers’ market, and shop there until it closes in the fall. Try new things. When you shop, follow the latest pandemic rules.
Saturday, May 2—Water
Worship: “You change deserts into pools of water and dry land into water-springs” (Ps. 107:35, ELW).
Inform: Municipal water systems in Minnesota and the nation provide tap water that, with some notorious exceptions, is safe and, in most places, has a pleasant or neutral taste. For most Americans, bottled water is OK in a pinch but not as a daily habit.
Act: Do an internet search for “real cost of bottled water.” If you haven’t already, get a stainless steel bottle and fill up at the tap!
Sunday, May 3—Do With Your Family
Worship: “Triune God, whose will it is that humans live in community, bless family life everywhere and fill all homes with respect, joy, laughter, and prayer. . . .” (ELW, p. 83)
Inform: One of the exceptions to “stay at home” is that we can go walking, running, or biking, whether out our front door or after driving to a park or trail.
Act: Choose a route that’s either new or one you haven’t taken for a long time. With one or more family members, challenge one another to notice significant or interesting things, maybe in nature, architecture, history, or people. Take a picture or video of you and some of your discoveries.
Monday, May 4—Meatless Mondays
Worship: “Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life” (ELW 182).
Inform: Food writer Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma and other books) says: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Following that advice is good for our planet and good for our personal and societal health.
Act: Try one of the recipes shared by Mount Olive friends. More recipes have come in since last week. See the full listing here: Perhaps try the recipe for “Butternut Squash Gratin with Goat Cheese,” from the Mount Olive Lutheran Church Centennial Cookbook (2009).
Tuesday, May 5—Influence People
Worship: But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).
Inform: “I’m only one person. What difference could I make?” Nearly all of us have had that feeling. The truth is that as individuals we can make a difference. But we have to act.
Act: By phone or email, tell your legislative, congressional, or city council member where you stand on an issue that’s important to you. Give money and/or volunteer for a political campaign. Write a letter to the editor.
Wednesday, May 6—World Connectedness
Worship: “Gracious God, . . . make us quick to welcome ventures in cooperation among the peoples of the world, so that there may be woven the fabric of a common good too strong to be torn by the evil hands of war. In the time of opportunity, make us to be diligent; and in the time of peril, let not our courage fail; through Jesus Christ of Lord, Amen (ELW, p. 76).
Inform: Today individuals, groups, and nations are more globally interconnected than ever, whether we’re talking about flows of goods and services, capital, knowledge and technology, people, or taking on the challenge of climate change.
Act: Reflect on ways global connections and the speed of those connections is affecting you and your family. Do you think of yourself as an actor in this global theater or as playing a mostly passive role?
Thursday, May 7—Energy
Worship: “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light” (Luke 8:16).
Inform: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, signed by President George W. Bush, didn’t ban the sale of all incandescent bulbs but did require about 25% greater efficiency for bulbs that traditionally used 40–100 watts.
Act: Take an inventory of your indoor and outdoor lighting. Your highest priority should be installing efficient LEDs in fixtures that both require high lumens (a brightness measure) and are on a lot. Choose an LED “color temperature,” in Kelvins, that you prefer (3000K is traditional, 5000K is really white)
Do you want to do more? Check these resources. This page will be updated and added to weekly.

4/27/20 TWIG: Cantor’s Corner #6

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On the heels of this past Sunday’s Gospel narrative “The Road to Emmaus,” this week’s Cantor’s Corner focuses on a hymn which begins with a quote from that story: “Abide with us, fast falls the eventide…”
This could be another among those we could consider “rehearsing” throughout our lifetimes – both for the road along the way, and for when “eventide” comes for ourselves, as the text writer experienced. We are never alone. Never.
-Cantor David Cherwien

Godly Play at Home, 4/26/20

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Godly Play at Home
The Third Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2020
During this time of physical distancing, the Godly Play teachers wanted to offer families some additional tools to tell Bible stories at home, together, and to remind the children of their time together in Godly Play. Parents and guardians: please feel free to adapt these guidelines to whatever works for your child(ren) and family.
This material, part of a weekly series, is intended to supplement, not replace, worshiping together as a family on Sundays. As such, the Godly Play team thought that Saturdays might be a good time for Godly Play-like story time, but feel free to do what timing works for your family.
Light a candle.
Say: Long ago, God told us, “I am the Light of the World.” So, we light a candle together to remind us that God is always near to us.
Sing or listen to a song together.
Tell a story and talk about it together:
This week’s story is:
  • Circle 1 (taught by Patsy Holtmeier and Matt Crosby) is scheduled to hear about The Road to Emmaus
  • Circle 2 (taught by Sue Browender, Larry Duncan, and Judy Hinck) is scheduled to hear the story Jesus and the 12 You can either watch the video of the story together, or talk to your child(ren) about the different apostles. You may refer to bibles verses Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, and Acts 1:2 and 13 for your discussion.
  • Circle 3 (taught by Tricia and Chandler Molbert, Mary Dodgson, and Amy Thompson) is scheduled to hear about the twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, and Acts 1:13). There isn’t a complete Godly Play video for this, but you could tell what you know about the twelve disciples (or read to the next bullet point!)
  • Everyone is welcome to simply read together or re-tell the Gospel lesson for this week, about The Road to Emmaus: Luke 24: 13-35. If you have a Sparks Story Bible, read the story, The Road to Emmaus (p. 388-341).
After whatever story you tell, in whatever way you tell it, try asking the children:
  • I wonder what there is in this room that can help us tell more of this part of the story. Look around and see if you see something you can bring to help show more of this story.
  • If they aren’t able to think of something to bring, consider inviting them into discussion with these questions, or make up your own:
  1. I wonder where you see yourself in this story?
  2. I wonder what your favorite part of the story is?
  3. I wonder if there is any part of this story we could leave out and still have it be a complete story?
Close by saying the Lord’s prayer together (if the children are younger, perhaps the adults can say it and help the children to learn as they go on).

Love Made Visible #2

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Love Made Visible Challenge
April 24, 2020
Love Made Visible Challenge—Celebrating Earth Day #50
Week 2 of 4
As we celebrate the Easter season and the new life spring brings, we call on all Mount Olive members to participate in daily expressions of this Love Made Visible Challenge as we care for our precious world: a time of stewardship, of challenge, a time to move forward together. On to Week 2!
Friday, April 24—Food Source Locally
Worship: God of provision, you gave to your people manna and quail in the wilderness. Open our eyes to the food that is right in front of us, that we may support our neighbors and be kind to creation. Amen
Inform: “Local food supports the local economy. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.” (MSU Extension)
Act: To support local producers, buy local products. For example, look for the Minnesota Grown label. Minnesota Grown is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and producers of specialty crops and livestock in Minnesota. More information is available at www.minnesotagrown.com.
Saturday, April 25—Water
Worship: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
Inform: Trash and organic pollutants flow through storm drains and into waterways. Organic pollutants encourage algae to grow, which blocks sunlight. Plants can’t grow. Fish and wildlife lose their habitat. When a lot of algae die, they create a dead zone. (Adopt-a-Drain)
Act: (1) Sweep leaves, trash, and other debris off a storm drain and nearby surfaces. Join Minnesotans in Adopt-a-Drain to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th birthday. (2) Capture your efforts in photo(s), video, and/or writing to share with others on Tuesday. More information is available at https://mnearthday.org/event/minnesotans-invited-to-adopt-a-drain-in-honor-of-50th-earth-day-birthday/
Sunday, April 26—Do with Your Family
Worship: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
Inform: “Environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With . . . compassion and heart, The Human Element relates captivating stories from coast-to-coast, inspiring us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world.” (MNIPL)
Act: Be inspired by the documentary The Human Element. It’s available for free online viewing through today, April 26. If you haven’t signed up yet to receive the password, visit this page: https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/2020/01/the-human-element/
Monday, April 27—Meatless Mondays
Worship: “The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:12
Inform: Waste from hogs, chicken, and cattle in factory farms puts dangerous levels of nitrates into groundwater.
Act: A few options . . . (1) Visit this link to see meatless recipes shared by Mount Olive friends in response to last week’s invitation. (2) Keep it going – reply to this week’s email to share your favorite meatless recipe(s). (3) Explore this web site all about Meatless Mondays and pick a recipe to make.
Tuesday, April 28—Influence People
Worship: “Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “That’s right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do.” Ezra 10:12
Inform: Jana Larson, director of the Adopt-a-Drain program, said, “Even though many community cleanup events have been canceled, we can still honor Earth Day by taking joint action to protect Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. Adopt-a-Drain invites everyone to participate in a safe way during social distancing.”
Act: Help increase participation in Adopt-a-Drain by posting your experience, through writing, photo(s), and/or video, on social media with the hashtags #adoptadrain and #earthdaybirthday2020.
Wednesday, April 29—World Connectedness
Worship: Gracious God, we are thankful for our neighborhood, city, state, and country. Help us to be mindful of the ways in which our political and organizing voice can influence our government to improve our planet. Give us courage and hope. Amen
Inform: With “the emergence of COVID-19, … our country has gone from low unemployment and steady growth to a situation in which it is clear that government stimulus will be necessary to ensure that people can put food on the table and pay rent. … Investments in renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture can put people back to work once the pandemic is behind us and lead to a greener future.” (MNIPL).
Act: Advocate for a green recovery. Send one or more letters to elected officials encouraging prioritization of programs that both strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis. Template provided here: https://www.congressweb.com/MIPL/4#/4/
Thursday, April 30—Energy
Worship: Loving God, give us wisdom in our homes and hearths, that as we care for our own bodies and households, we also care for the earth. Amen (Creation Care).
Inform: On average, more than half of energy use in U.S. homes is for heating and air conditioning. (Energy Kids)
Act: Adjust your thermostat setting by two degrees (lower in winter, higher in summer) to lower energy bills by four percent and prevent 500 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. Fully open your shades in the winter to allow the sun to heat your home. In the summer, make use of the shades to block the sun and keep your interior cool.
Do you want to do more? Check the Additional Resources page. It will be updated and added to weekly.

Love Made Visible #1

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Love Made Visible Challenge
Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed! How wonderful to proclaim this virtually together last Sunday.
As we enter the Easter season and the new life spring brings, we call on all Mount Olive members to join in daily expressions of a Love Made Visible Challenge as we care for our precious world: a time of stewardship, of challenge, a time to move forward together.
Each of the next four Fridays you will receive an email with daily suggestions for worship, information, and action. This next month we join with people of faith around the world in committing to making our love and care for creation visible. Let’s begin today!
Friday, April 17—Food Source Locally
Worship: God of the harvest, your earth brings forth harvest in due season. Help us, in our eating, to honor the earth, the farmers and our bodies. Amen
Inform: Food in the U.S. travels an average of 1,300 miles from farm to supermarket. Almost every state in the U.S. buys 85% of its food from someplace else.
Act: In this time of social distancing and supporting local farms, find a local restaurant that sources food locally as much as possible and order a take-out dinner from them.
Saturday, April 18—Water
Worship: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14
Inform: Appliances account for about 20 percent of a typical household’s energy use. Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water.
Act: Run that load of laundry with cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty clothes, and always use cold water in the rinse cycle.
Sunday, April 19—Do With Your Family
Worship: “Cry aloud; do not hold back, lift up your voice like a trumpet. “ Isaiah 58:1
Inform: From the BBC: “There are many ethical reasons to use nonviolent strategies. But compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms it is the most powerful way of shaping world politics – by a long way…she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change. Once around 3.5% of the whole population has begun to participate actively, success appears to be inevitable.”
Act: Plan and make a poster or video answering this question: Why do you stand for climate justice? Take a photo or make a video of you sharing this message. We’ll put together another great Mount Olive montage.
Monday, April 20—Meatless Mondays
Worship: “Whether you eat or drink, do all of God’s glory.” 1 Cor. 10:31
Inform: It takes 12 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of hamburger.
Act: Meatless Monday. Do you have a favorite meatless recipe to share? Reply to this email, and we’ll share it with others. Click here for a favorite: https://www.greensnchocolate.com/vegetarian-quinoa-burrito-bowls-avocado-cream-sauce/
Tuesday, April 21—Influence People
Worship: Holy God, we are thankful for the ways in which our system allows the voices of many people to be heard. Give us the will to use our voices that creation might have abundant life. Amen
Inform: From our partner Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light: “One way you can help make this Earth Day livestream powerful is to take a photo of yourself answering this question: Why do you stand for climate justice? We’ll be sharing this visual mosaic on the Earth Day livestream and with candidates and decision-makers throughout the year!”
Act: Send the video or photo your family made on Sunday to Mount Olive at missions@mountolivechurch.org and to Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light at chariss@mnipl.org. Post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #MNEarth Day. We’ll make a Mount Olive montage and share it with you.
Wednesday, April 22—World Connectedness
Worship: The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1
Inform: From MNIPL: “This moment of pandemic reminds us how deeply connected we are to each other and to the earth. On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, join us for a virtual gathering of prayer, storytelling, art, and wisdom. We invite you to connect and support one another and to send a powerful message to decision-makers that climate justice is a top priority. Sign up here.
Act: Two actions: 1) Sign up for and join the Call to Collective Care livestream and join others around the country in prayer. 2) Sign up for next Sunday’s family movie (The Human Element) here: https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/2020/01/the-human-element/
Thursday, April 23—Energy
Worship: Holy God, with the waters of baptism you have claimed us as your children. Give us the commitment, as we heat the water that washes us, to conserve energy and your precious water. Amen.
Inform: We could cut the cost of heating, cooling, and lighting our homes and workplaces by up to 80% just by using energy efficient technologies. In a world of finite resources, for all to have enough means that those with more than enough will have to change their patterns of acquisition and consumption.
Act: Right now—Set your water heater to 120° F. Take shorter showers. Don’t let the water run when you are washing the dishes or even during the 20 seconds that you suds your hands!
Do you want to do more? Check these resources. This page will be updated and added to weekly.

4/14/20 TWIG: Cantor’s Corner #4

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Christ is risen indeed!
I have to say, this is probably going to be the most memorable Lent season ever. Many church musician colleagues are saying things like “In 40 years I have never missed Holy Week with all its preparations, practicing, and liturgies.”  But as I heard said this past Easter Sunday, “It’s Easter. It doesn’t look like it, but it is.” How true. Easter is not an annual “SURPRISE!”  We live in a state of “Easter life” – which cannot be taken away. Easter, IS.
So, I thought this week, time for some happiness. A little dance. Darkness is gradually diminishing, as will our stay-at-home disciplines to protect other.
For now, enjoy a bright spot with these two Easter hymns: “Alleluia, Christ is Arisen,” and “Now the Green Blade Rises.”
Cantor David Cherwien

MOUNT OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
3045 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407

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612-827-5919
welcome@mountolivechurch.org


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