The Olive Branch, 11/2/12

Accent on Worship

     The Gospel and the first and second readings from Isaiah and Revelation for All Saints Sunday are resurrection stories.  In the first and second readings, visions are given to the prophet and to John about the end of time, but truly it is about all the saints and the re-creation of our planet. The scenes given in these passages are joyous with people from every nation celebrating together.  Isaiah writes that death will be swallowed up by our Lord and it will be no more.  There will be no more suffering.  Revelation speaks of a new heaven and new earth and God will come to us and dwell with us.  The Gospel gives us a foretaste of life everlasting by raising Lazarus from the dead.

     I have had many resurrection experiences in my life time.  These were times when I felt hopeless in certain situations.  I would continue to pray about them, but not out of hope for a good outcome. You would think that I would learn something about the power of prayer.  Sometimes I couldn’t even pray, things seemed so bad, and I would ask the Holy Spirit to pray for me.  Somehow, that high school classmate I was fervently praying for, whose lungs and bones were full of cancer responded to a new treatment at the Mayo Clinic and is cancer free today.  Somehow, my mother, who took up lots of my prayer time recently, defied all odds. After spending eight days in the ICU on a respirator she pulled through to the amazement of her doctors, and lived.  And somehow, my son’s dear, dear second mother in Honduras, who I prayed for with every fiber of my being, was connected with a doctor who will do her heart surgery (which she will die without) for no cost.  These are some of the latest resurrections in my life.  Every person, who has ever prayed for a miracle could tell of  one or more resurrection experiences in their lives, also.  These events are as much of a Godly intervention as the raising of Lazarus. Our God is in our lives and we don’t have to wait for the end of time to experience the new.

     Even as we may long for that final triumphant return of Jesus, who will bring a new heaven and a new earth, we see the work of God unfolding every day.  And that is what makes us all saints.

- Donna Pususta Neste



 Come Early to Worship on All Saints Sunday  

As in past years, members are invited to arrive early for worship this Sunday to light candles in memory of loved ones as a part of our All Saints observance.  Votive candles will be set at the font and the columbarium, and someone will be there to assist worshippers.  This will be an extended time of prayer and vigil before the liturgy begins, during which the Cantorei will also be singing.



Sunday’s Adult Education, November 4, 9:30 a.m.

 All Saints

     On the Feast of All Saints, This Sunday, November 4, we remember and celebrate those who have preceded us in the Faith and now “from their labors rest.” We recite their names at liturgy; we light votives in their memory. In the Adult Forum that day, we’ll have a chance to walk among some of them. There will be a display of icons of some of our forebears in the faith. We will reflect briefly on the meaning of “sainthood” and of their portrayal in icons. And then we’ll be free to view the icons, walking among the saints of old (any maybe not-so-long-ago), venerating them as we see fit.

     If you have an icon that you would like to set among others, we welcome and encourage you to do so. Please, if you bring an icon for display, help us: Bring only icons of persons, not events. Put your name on the back of the icon lest it go astray. And identify the icon: Who is it? If the person is relatively unknown, why is that person memorable? Note that we do not require that you bring hand-painted or hand-written icons. Most of us can’t afford those.



Sunday Readings

November 4, 2012 – All Saints Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9 + Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a + John 11:32-44

November 11, 2012 – Time after Pentecost, Sunday 32
I Kings 17:8-16 + Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28 + Mark 12:38-44



Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts to Present Alice Parker
"Sing! Hymns of the Church"
Sunday, November 11, 4:00 p.m.

     The SINGS led by Alice Parker have delighted groups throughout the United States and Canada since she started leading them forty years ago.
     Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of a great mentor of our time! The concert is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.



Book Discussion Group

     Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the November 10 meeting they will read, Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, and for December 8 they will read Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.



National Lutheran Choir Presents “The Call” 
with Milwaukee Choral Artists

     The National Lutheran Choir and special guest ensemble, Milwaukee Choral Artists, will co-present a hymn festival entitled, “The Call,” to mark All Saints.

     For tickets visit www.nlca.com or call 612-722-2301.

Saturday, November 3, 2012 – 7 pm
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
Mahtomedi, MN

Sunday, November 4, 2012 – 4 pm
St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
Wayzata, MN.



Volunteer Opportunity Day

     On Sunday, November 11, during both coffee hours, various Mount Olive organizations and committees will be seeking to sign up volunteers for their activities. Save the date on your calendar and look for more information in next week's edition of The Olive Branch.



A Message From ELCA Disaster Response
Hurricane Sandy

     “From the Caribbean to the northern Atlantic coast of the United States, millions of people have evacuated their homes and communities due to Hurricane Sandy. Strong winds and torrential rains have led to flooding and mass destruction. The storm has claimed the lives of at least 84 throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

     The storm sent trees crashing down and left neighborhood streets looking like rivers. While destruction on the Eastern coast is devastating, please also remember the damage of Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean as millions are feeling the impact of this storm.

     We need your help. The ELCA is a leader in disaster response. Working through our local affiliates and global church partners; we stand ready to respond. Your gifts will help our church meet the immediate needs of those affected by providing food, water and shelter. And we will continue to help for as long as we are needed.”

     Gifts received by Mount Olive will be sent to ELCA Disaster Response. If they are marked “Hurricane Sandy” the ELCA will use 100% of the gift for this disaster. Use the blue missions envelope in your packet (or any envelope) and mark it “Hurricane Sandy.”

     Thank you!



Fair Trade Craft Sale

     The Missions committee will be hosting a Fair Trade Craft Sale in December.  We will have a variety of items available for purchase handmade by disadvantaged artisans in developing regions.  You can preview items at http://www.serrv.org/category/consignment and if there is anything in particular you would like us to order for you, we can do that and hold it in your name for you to purchase during the sale.  Please send the item number and quantity you would like to Lisa Ruff at jklmruff@msn.com or call her at 651-636-4762 by Wednesday, November 7.  This is not a fund-raiser, just an opportunity to buy good products for a good cause.