The Olive Branch, September 7, 2010

Accent on Worship
Have you ever intervened for a friend in trouble? That’s what Paul was doing for the run-away slave, Onesimus, as we heard in the Second Lesson for this past Sunday. He was intervening on Onesimus' behalf to his master Philemon. Paul knew fellow-Christian Philemon and he met Onesimus, who became a Christian in prison where Paul was also incarcerated. Paul was asking Philemon to take him back. He was appealing to Philemon’s sense of Christian compassion. “Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love.”
Every motive has energy behind it and the force of love, as opposed to the force of duty, honor, hate, etc., is the most powerful motive on earth.
Recently I was watching a documentary about the brain. The last 15 minutes of the program was about a brain scientist who studied the brains of killers, and found the same pattern in each one of their brains. Because this scientist had six killers in his family tree and because he was a descendant of the infamous Lizzy Borden, he decided to scan his own brain and the brains of his siblings, his children, and his grandchildren. All were normal except for his. He had a brain like every killer whose brain he had studied. He told the interviewer that he had never felt the urge to kill, and his siblings said that he is a kind and gentle man. His children all agreed, saying that he'd never raised his voice to them, much less a hand. The only explanation that this scientist could give for why he was not also a killer was his upbringing. His parents were nurturing and encouraging and his childhood was full of love. His parents potentially stopped a killer with nothing but the force of their love. Talk about nature vs. nurture! Nature doesn’t stand a chance when the force of love is a factor.
Jesus calls us to do some seemingly impossible things, like loving our enemy and forgiving those who hurt us. But these are also the most practical things to do for a better world. Let’s stop the violence with us, let’s love and nurture our children to become good and giving adults, and let’s forgive so that we can forget and go on with our lives. Hopefully, Philemon took Paul’s advice and did the same.
- Donna Pususta Neste


Olive Branch Publication Schedule
Administrative Assistant Cha Posz will be out of the office during the week of September 13-17. The Olive Branch will return to weekly publication beginning September 20.


Worship Schedule for September 12
This Sunday, September 12, we will bless our newly renovated church facilities. The celebratory Eucharist and blessing will be at 10:45 a.m. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m. on this day, followed by fellowship and blessing of the Church School year (for all ages!) at 9:30 a.m. Our regular worship schedule of two Sunday Eucharists (8:00 and 10:45 am) resumes on Sunday, September 19.
Please note that we will utilize this same schedule on Sunday, October 17, when Pastor Crippen is installed: Morning Prayer at 8 a.m., and the Holy Eucharist at 10:45 a.m.


Why One Eucharist?
On rare occasions at Mount Olive we observe an unusual schedule of one Eucharist on a Sunday which would normally include a two-Eucharist schedule. These days include rites that should only occur once (such as an installation, or in the case of this Sunday, the blessing of the newly-renovated facilities). In addition, since these are significant occasions, the desire is for all of us to be present together at one Eucharist where these rites occur. The last time this schedule was observed was the installation of Cantor Cherwien in September of 2001.
This fall we have two such events close together: the blessing of the renovated facilities this Sunday (September 12), and the Installation of Pastor Crippen on October 17. Morning Prayer will also be offered at 8:00 am on these days, but is not intended to replace or to serve as an alternative to the Eucharist - it is offered in case there are those who desire to attend both on these days.


Farewell and Godspeed
Sunday, September 26 will be Pastor Hollie’s last day as our Interim Pastor. This will allow a couple Sundays before Pastor Crippen begins, which she felt is important. Please continue to remember Pastor Hollie and her family in your prayers as she concludes her work among us at Mount Olive and prepares to hand the mantel of pastoral care to Pastor Crippen.
A luncheon will be held following the second liturgy on September 26 to thank Pastor Hollie for her work among us during this interim, and the 10:45 liturgy will include our Farewell and Godspeed as she looks to the future and what God has in store for her next. Please join us for both.


Church School Resumes This Sunday!
Church School begins again this Sunday, September 12 at 9:30 a.m. with the Blessing of the Church School Year. This blessing is for all learners and teachers of all ages. Children and adults will gather together for this brief blessing, followed by our first Church School session of the year, which begins with Music and Sacred Story in the Godly Play model.
All Confirmation students are welcome and encouraged to join the Music and Sacred Story circle, too!


2010-2011 Confirmation Schedule
Confirmation instruction for youth in grades 6-8 will begin soon. Class will meet monthly in conjunction with the Community Meal. Instruction will be from 9:30am-11:30am, and from 11:30am-12:30pm students will assist with the community meal.
Here are the dates for the coming year:
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
(Off in December and January)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011


Upcoming Events – Heads Up!
September 12 – Blessing of newly-renovated Parish House and kitchen. (Please note revised schedule for the day: Morning Prayer at 8 am, and one Holy Eucharist at 10:45 am, with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)

September 26 – Farewell and Godspeed for Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl. All are invited to gather for lunch following the second liturgy.

October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Blessing of Animals at 7 pm

October 17 – Installation of Pastor Joseph Crippen (Please note revised schedule for this day also: The celebratory Eucharist will be at 10:45 a.m. There will also be Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m., with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)

October 18, Feast of St. Luke – Holy Eucharist with Rite of Healing at Noon and 7 pm

October 24, 9:30 am – Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting

October 31, Reformation Day – Consecration Sunday


Happy Anniversary, LSS!
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is celebrating its 145th anniversary! As a strong supporter of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Mount Olive has been invited to participate in this gala event.
The LSS Celebration for Changing Lives is Saturday, September 18, 2020, 5:30-9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South. It promises to be a wonderful evening. Here are some of the highlights:
• Jim Klobuchar and his daughter, US Senator Amy Klobuchar, will be featured in a father-daughter conversation about what it means to grow up in Minnesota and how values are passed from one generation to the next.
• Inspiring stories from participants in LSS programs like: homeless youth services, counseling services for war veterans (CORE program) and services to persons with disabilities.
• Great entertainment from musicians Jearlyn Steele, on vocals, accompanied by her brother, Billy Steele.
• A fund-the-need auction will raise much needed support for LSS services.

For more information about the LSS Celebration for Changing lives, call Jilien Harvey at 651-642-5990. You can register on line at www.lssmn.org/celebration. If you would like to be seated at the Mount Olive table, please indicate in the "notes" field of the registration page.

5:30 p.m. Reception
6:30 Dinner and Program
Fund-the-need Auction
9:00 p.m. Dessert Buffet

Tickets are $75/person ($40 tax-deductible) or $750/table of 10 ($400 tax deductible). RSVP by September 8, 2010 by calling 651-969-2309, or online at www.lssmn.org/celebration.


Meals on Wheels Thanks
Many thanks to those from Mount Olive who delivered Meals on Wheels during the week of August 23: Gary Flatgard, Elaine & Art Halbardier, Al & Margaret Bostelmann, Mary & Bob Lee, Marian & Walter Cherwien, Rod & Connie Olson, Dan Adams, Andrew Andersen, Harvey Hanson, Naomi Peterson, an JoAnn & Stan Sorenson.


Fire Victims Update
Six weeks ago Mount Olive Congregation took a special offering for neighbors Juan and Laura Quintana and their family, who lost everything they owned in a house fire, just a block or two from the church. Thanks to your generosity, over $2,000 was collected and given to them. This money helped them to relocate to a new residence within two weeks, not far from where they had been living before the fire. (This was very important to them because Laura is still able to walk or take a bus to her job at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.) Many thanks to everyone who gave a gift of any size to help them!
Thanks also to Andrew Andersen who donated some household items, to Carol Austermann who donated furniture, and to Mark Pipkorn and Art Halbardier who donated the use of their vehicles and helped Juan haul the furniture and household items to their new home.


Volunteer Tutors Desperately Needed for Way to Goals Tutoring
Last school season there were six volunteer tutors for Way to Goals Tutoring. After Christmas we had only nine students (down from 13) who came regularly. This year the program is losing two of six tutors, which leaves only four tutors. Even with six tutors, some had to take more than one student, and when we begin in October we always have more kids than we really should take. There are always a few students who should be in a one-to-one tutoring situation, but sometimes that can't happen because there are not enough volunteers.
Additional tutors are desperately needed! If YOU can find it in your heart to take on the rewarding volunteer task of helping a child with homework (for an hour each Tuesday evening at 7 pm, October-May), please call Donna Neste at church and she will give you all the details and answer any questions about the program that you may have.


Merci beaucoup!
Carolyn Mowery wishes to thank all of her friends from Mount Olive who celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday, September 5, especially for the gift of beautiful roses. They meant much and were a beautiful symbol of wonderful friendships.


North Minneapolis Through Stained Glass Windows
Saturday, October 9, 2010, 11 am – 2 pm
All are invited to attend this self-guided tour of historical churches in north Minneapolis which includes Church of the Ascension (Roman Catholic), River of Life (Lutheran), St. Olaf (Lutheran), St. Andrew’s (Episcopal), and Garden of Gethsemane Ministries Church.
Hosts will be present at each site to answer questions about architecture, history of the congregations, and current programs and building use.
Lunch will be available at noon at River of Life Lutheran Church. A freewill offering will be received for the lunch, and the proceeds from the lunch will benefit the kitchen renovation project at River of Life Lutheran Church.
If you have any questions about this event, please call River of Life church office at 612-521-7655.


September Adult Forums
September 12: Ritual opening of the Education season with Blessing of the Church School year. All learners of all ages are invited and encouraged to participate!

September 19: Alex Treitler of Lutheran Social Services will introduce Lutheran Social Services’ new Ambassador Program.

September 26: A conversation with Interim Pastor Hollie Holt-Woehl about our journey together over the past several months.