Accent on Worship
ELCA Presiding Bishop's 2012 Christmas Message
This year the Christmas story is inseparable from our deep sorrow for the children of Newtown, all who died and all who mourn. We can make no sense of such violence, so we cry out for mercy. And God hears our pleas.
God responds with words of promise saying, "I am with you. I am with you in Jesus, the child lying in a manger. I am with you in Jesus who has borne your grief. I am with you in Jesus on the cross and risen from the dead."
God's promise is that nothing in all creation will separate you from God's love in Jesus. So amid the unspeakable, we can join the angel choir singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace." Because our hope is in Christ, we can rejoice in the wonder of Jesus' birth.
I wish you a blessed Christmas.
Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sunday Readings
January 6, 2013 – Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6 + Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12 + Matthew 2:1-12
January 13, 2013 – Baptism of Our Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7 + Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17 + Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Thursday Evening Bible Study
Starting January 3 and running for six weeks, there will be a Thursday evening Bible study meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pr. Crippen will lead a six-week series titled “Captive Conscience” which focuses on reading the Bible, how we are shaped by God’s Word, and what lenses we use as we read the Scriptures.
As with last year, there will be a light supper when we begin. If anyone wishes to provide the first week’s meal, please let Pr. Crippen know. Looking ahead, in Lent Vicar Cannon will lead another six week study.
Conference on Liturgy: Jan. 18-19, 2013
This year’s Conference on Liturgy will be held January 18-19, 2013. The theme of this year’s conference is, “The Green Altar: Liturgy as Care for the Earth.”
The conference begins with a hymn festival on Friday, January 18, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. Leadership for the hymn festival this year will be by the Mount Olive Cantorei, Cantor David Cherwien, and the Rev. Dr. Paul Westermeyer.
Please note that the cost for Mount Olive members to attend this year’s conference is $35/person. Additional registration forms are available at church, or by calling the church office.
Every Church a Peace Church
Mount Olive will host the next monthly potluck meeting of Every Church a Peace Church on January 14, 2013, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The speaker for this meeting will be Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr., Prof. of Justice and Christian Community at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul. He will address the topic, "Peace from Below: Martin Luther King's Legacy and our Vocation."
Plan to come and give a warm Mount Olive welcome to visitors from various faith traditions and congregations and hear a highly informative presentation.
Book Discussion Group
Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the January 12 session, they will read Caleb's Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks. For the February 9 session they will read In the Company of the Courtesan, by Sarah Dunant. All readers welcome!
Reconciling in Christ Festival Worship
The Reconciling in Christ Program of ReconcilingWorks Twin Cities welcomes all people to join in their eighth annual Metro Area Festival Worship on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 4:30 p.m., at First Lutheran Church (463 Maria Avenue, Saint Paul). The service of Word and Sacrament celebrates the welcoming ministries of Metro area Lutheran churches. Rev. Anita Hill will preach.
The RIC program rosters Lutheran congregations that welcome and affirm LGBT persons in their full sacred worth. Both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synods are RIC Synods and together include dozens of RIC worship communities. A light supper will follow the service. All are welcome!
A Word of Thanks
Many thanks to you all for the gifts and kind remembrances you have given to us at this season of giving, and for your continued prayer and support of our mutual ministries.
Pastor Joseph Crippen Donna Neste
Cantor David Cherwien Cha Posz
Vicar Neal Cannon William Pratley
Altar Flowers
The sign up chart for weekly altar flowers has been posted in its usual spot next to the church office. If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for worship to commemorate a special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or simply to help beautify our church for worship, please sign up on the chart for the date you want, and be sure to include your designation. The cost of the altar flowers this year is $50 per Sunday for two bouquets. If you wish to provide only one of the bouquets, simply sign on only one of the two lines provided for each Sunday. The cost for one bouquet is $25.
Bread Bakers
Are you interested in being one of our Communion Bread Bakers at Mount Olive? Or would you just like to learn how to bake bread? A "Bread Baking Party" and demonstration will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, at John and Patsy Holtmeier's home, 601 Drillane Road, in Hopkins. Call or email Patsy if you are interested. 507-327-4999, jpholt67@gmail.com.
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