Here is the link to the second of the series “Cantor’s Corner.” It explores hymns that we all enjoy singing, little of their background stories, and why they can be helpful in these days of isolation. Today’s hymn is “When Peace Like a River.”

I hope you sing along – remembering that you are undoubtedly being joined by others.

The next one will come next Tuesday, on the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”

Cantor David Cherwien

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 is intended to supplement, not replace, worshipping 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. This is the first in a weekly series to come out on Saturdays.

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.

This Little Gospel Light of Mine

Here’s a recording you might like to sing along with: This Little Gospel Light of Mine

Tell a story and talk about it together:

This week’s Gospel is the combination of the Palm Sunday and Passion stories:

Palm Sunday: Matthew 21:1-11

Passion: Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

Here are some options to adapt those stories to your own home:

After the stories, the children often hear invitations to discussion that start with, “I wonder…” After telling the stories, try asking them:

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).

If you’d like, now might be a good time to craft or color some palms for the Palm Sunday liturgy out of paper or other materials you have at home (there is a multitude of craft ideas and coloring pages online). Or, you could go on a walk outside and find some branches that you could wave for your Palm Sunday procession. Notice other signs of spring and new life as you go.

If you’d like to continue preparing for Easter throughout the week, consider dying eggs, baking or decorating cookies, or making Easter decorations for your home.

We’d like to invite any who are able to make a very short video, people of all ages, to record a video of yourself shouting “Christ is risen indeed” and send it to us so we can put them all in one video for Easter morning. We may not be able to say it together in one place. But we will shout it, declare it, rejoice in it.

Record yourself wherever you like – in your house, out in nature, in your car, someplace fun (where you’re not within 6 feet of anyone else). Email it to Vicar Reading – vicar@mountolivechurch.org – and she’ll put them together into one joyous video. If there are more than one in a household, do it together, or each do one, whatever feels right. A simple video off your phone or computer will be perfect.

We still have to walk Holy Week with Jesus. But as we walk, let’s get ready to declare to the world that death has no more power, for Christ is risen indeed!

3 April 2020

Not unlike a river, when the downstream path becomes impeded, water always finds a way to continue its journey. As is God’s work at Mount Olive. This time separation in the last month has presented a great number of challenges for a congregation that LOVES, literally loves, being with each other in worship, in fellowship, and in service to our community.

The good news here is the new path forward being forged during this period of physical distance. I am so grateful for our amazing staff: for innovative ways that Pastor Crippen and Vicar Reading deliver the Word and teach Bible Study; for Cantor Cherwien and Interim Cantor Fothergill sharing the blessed music our hearts long to hear; for Jim Bargmann finding new ways to continue his ministry to our neighborhood; for Cha and her irreplaceable support of all our activities both new and old.

As you are aware, Governor Walz “Stay at Home” order means that our staff must work from the safety of their homes. As Sexton, James is the only staff member whose job duties cannot be performed “virtually.” Therefore, until the “essential service only” status from the Governor is lifted, James will remain at home with full pay. As I’m sure you can imagine, James is anxious to be back at Mount Olive as soon as possible.

The Vestry has been working diligently during this time to support the congregation as well. We are meeting online every Monday night to bring forward ideas, provide updates, and to ensure we have our ears and hearts open to the needs of the congregation. As a result, we have a large cadre of volunteers calling folks in the congregation to “Check-in,” visit, and ensure any needs are addressed, especially for the most vulnerable in our Mount Olive family. Additionally, group of healthy, less vulnerable volunteers have signed up to delivery groceries to those in the congregation that should not or can not go out for essential needs. Education and Youth & Family are working with the Godly Play team to engage our children.

There is some congregational business activity that will need to be postponed, most prominently, the Semi-Annual Congregational meeting originally scheduled for April 26, 2020. Although our constitution mandates this meeting occur in April, given the circumstances, it will need to be rescheduled. We have a slate of Vestry candidates that require a congregation vote prior to the July 1 start of the new terms on Vestry. Over the course of the next month, we will assess the need for an alternative form of voting if an in-person meeting is not feasible before July 1. However, the 2020 Nominating Committee has completed their work and the following list of candidates will be submitted to the congregation for consideration:

___________________________________________________

President: Gretchen Campbell-Johnson – 1-yr. term

(2 yrs eligibility remain)

Vice President: Mark Ruff – 1-year term

(1 yr eligibility remains)

Secretary: Gene Janssen – 1-year term

(2 yrs eligibility remain)

Treasurer: Doug Parish – 1-year term

(2 yrs eligibility remain)

Education: Katie Krueger – 3rd year of a 3 year term

Stewardship: Consuelo Gutierrez-Crosby – 3 year term

Missions: Judy Hinck – 3 year term

Worship: Dan Hellerich – 3 year term

Property: Carol Martinson – 3rd year of a 3 year term

___________________________________________

Let me finish by saying this: I am so thankful to each one of you. Your resilience, care and genuine love for one another has been an extraordinarily beautiful example of Christ in the World.

Thank You,

Gretchen Campbell-Johnson

Mount Olive Lutheran Church, President