Bishop Hanson’s 2011 Easter Message
"So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. “
- Matthew 28:8
Mary Magdalene and Mary walked to Jesus’ grave, expecting to find death. It’s understandable. Images of violence filled their minds. Thoughts of their vulnerability and mortality deadened their spirits. Death had become the defining story of their lives.
Instead of death, the women met a resurrection messenger who said, “He is not here: for he has been raised, as he said.” As they hurried to tell others, the risen Jesus met them. They were changed. Now resurrection, not death, would define their lives.
Jesus lives! Now resurrection, not death, defines our lives. Jesus continues to meet you in resurrection messengers, just as Jesus met me in Pastor Josephus Livenson Lauvanus, president of the Lutheran Church of Haiti. As we walked through the ruins and rubble that lie in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, Pastor Livenson Lauvanus proclaimed, “We will not be defined by rubble, but by restoration, for we are a people of the resurrection.”
Baptized into Jesus’ death and raised to newness of life we, too, are people of the resurrection. We, too, are resurrection messengers. We, too, are about God’s work of restoration.
The world aches to hear the message we have to tell. Sing with joy! Jesus lives! We are a people of the resurrection.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sunday Readings
May 1, 2011 – Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-23 + Psalm 16
I Peter 1:3-9 + John 20:19-31
May 8, 2011 – Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 + Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
I Peter 1:17-23 + Luke 24:13-35
Join Us In the May Day Parade This Sunday!
Hey everyone, it's time to put on your walking shoes and march with Mount Olive members and friends in the May Day Parade, on Sunday May 1! It has been our tradition to let folks know that we are in the neighborhood by marching behind the Mount Olive banner. Meet after the second liturgy at Cedar Park on 18th Ave. and 25th Street. MONAC members will be there to greet you with fun stuff to wave. We will walk from there down Bloomington Ave. to Powderhorn Park.
If you have never done this and want to participate this year, you are in for a treat. It is energizing and fun to have thousands of people wave back at you and wish you a happy May Day! It might be a good idea to carpool or have someone drop you off at the park, because parking is limited there.
Book Discussion Group
For its meeting on May 14, the Book Discussion Group will red the essay collection Small Wonder, by Barbara Kingsolver. For the June 11 meeting, Nine Stories, by J. D. Salinger.
First Sunday Ingathering
This Sunday, May 2, is our first-Sunday-of-the-month ingathering of non-perishable food items to be donated to area food shelves. Please pick up a few extra groceries to share and bring your donations to the coat room and place them in the grocery cart.
Also needed are donations of “travel-sized” toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap, lotion, etc.). These personal items will be shared with local homeless people, who necessarily “travel light.”)
Thanks
Many thanks to all whose efforts contributed to a beautiful and meaningful Lenten season and joyful celebration of Easter:
- To those who made and served our Lenten Soup Luncheons and Suppers: Gail Nielsen, Margaret Bostelmann, Carla Manuel, Andrew Anderson, Jean Glabe, Art & Elaine Halbardier, Lora & Allen Dundek, Allan Bostelmann, Kay Krohnfeldt, and Cheryl Holmgren.
- To Kate Sterner, for her diligent work with the scheduling of worship participants for Sundays and all of the extra services of the season.
- To Susan Cherwien for assembling the “Journey Into Lent” devotional booklet;
- To the drivers who provided transportation for others to Maundy Thursday worship: Al & Margaret Bostelmann, Joe & Liz Beissel, Stan & Jo Sorenson, and Warren Peterson & Gary Nack (and to those who volunteered but were not needed to provide rides);
- To the Mount Olive Cantorei;
- To Donna Neste and the Jobs After School kids who assembled worship folders during Holy Week;
- To those whose contributions purchased palms and flowers for the Paschal Garden: Marcella Daehn; Gail Nielsen; Melba Smrcka; Evelyn Royce; Leanna Kloempken; Geri & John Bjork; Mabel Jackson; Helen Bender; Beth Hering; Rosalie Griesse, Rob & Lynn Ruff & family; Jim & Marlene Sorenson; Annette Roth & John Clawson; Catherine Lange; Rod & Connie Olson; Pastor Joseph & Mary Crippen; Elizabeth & Joe Beissel; Eric Zander & Dennis Bidwell; David Bryce; Steve & Julie Manuel; the Hennig family; Leila Froehlich; Lillian Olson; Al & Margaret Bostelmann; Michael Edwins, in memory of loved ones; Louis & Kay Krohnfeldt; Don Johnson; Mark & Linda Pipkorn; Al Bipes; Paul R. & V. Darlene Engwall; Walter & Judy Hinck; Steve & Dixie Berg; Beverly Shupe; Kate Sterner; Thomas Fenner; Tim Sneer; Ann Bruggeman; Lora & Allen Dundek; Wally & Lydia Iverson; George & Marlys Oelfke; Carol Austermann; and Dan & Julia Adams.
Bach Tage - For You
In just six weeks, June 4 and 5, Mount Olive will host our Fifth Annual Bach Tage.
That weekend, we will again welcome guests, both professional church musicians and ordinary music lovers, from the local area and far away. Over the past four years, members of Mount Olive have also participated in Bach Tage, and again this year you are invited. Mount Olive members are entitled to a special discounted rate of $50.
Kathy Saltzman Romey will again be conducting the Bach Tage singers and orchestra. Kathy Romey is well known locally as faculty member at University of Minnesota and conductor of the Minnesota Chorale, but she is an internationally recognized conductor as well, especially for her work with the Oregon Bach Festival and her many collaborations with Bach specialist, Helmuth Rilling.
Bach’s cantata 106, Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit also known as Actus Tragicus, plus one of his motets will be on the program for this year. Musicologist Alfred Dürr wrote, “The Actus Tragicus belongs to the great musical literature of the world.”
Participants will study and rehearse on Saturday and Sunday, and then perform the music with orchestra and soloists during a service of Evening Prayer on Sunday, June 5. Scores will be available to all who register in advance to allow time for preparation.
Bach Tage brochures with more information, the schedule for the days, and a registration form are available around the building. Invite friends you think may enjoy this experience to share it with you. Be sure to register soon to allow yourself time to learn the music before Bach Tage.
Of course the Evening Prayer on June 5, and the all-Bach recital on Saturday, June 4, presented by Cantor David Cherwien are public events, and all are welcome.
Consider being part of this memorable event at Mount Olive, June 4 and 5.
New Members to Be Received This Sunday
We are pleased to welcome a number of people into membership this Sunday, May 1, at the second liturgy. Come to meet and greet them at the second coffee!
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