A Great Gift
Once a young J. S. Bach set out on foot for a 250 mile journey, a four week leave to observe Buxtehude in Lübeck. It turned into a three-month absence for which he was punished. Since he had hired a replacement (Johann Ernst Bach), he didn’t worry about the extension because he had “hoped the organ playing had been so well taken care of by the one he had engaged for the purpose that no complaint could be entered on that account.” Indeed.
We have no way of knowing the significance of Bach’s trip, but I’m guessing it was pretty influential for the 20-some year-old budding genius. What’s three months in the grand scheme of things, given the impact of this person’s lifetime of work? Imagine if his superiors gripped on to him and his time, thus depriving him of what most likely was significant input.
I am lucky. I serve a congregation who understands the value of this kind of thing. I’m hardly in my twenties anymore, but input is still vital for me, and for all of us, actually. The best way I learn is through experiences, through observation, having the chance to get out and hear and experience what’s going on elsewhere. This will be my third sabbatical in my career, and the second one during my time here at Mount Olive. Each of the previous times were rich with experiences which fed our energy upon returning. I’m expecting the same this go around.
I’m energized by travel – by adventure. And I will be doing a lot of it! I will begin in Europe, where my calling was begun – twice – first as a 13- year-old organ student in southern France, then as a fresh college graduate studying Church Music in Berlin. I will be in Paris for two weekends, attending 5 liturgies each Sunday (I’ve developed a Sunday itinerary that includes 3 Eucharists, and 2 organ recitals). I will then head to Berlin to see the people and places of my schooling 30 years ago, and then to Leipzig, to attend the weekend’s activities which include Motets and Cantatas.
Following that trip, I was able to accept hymn festival invitations that I normally would not (because I GET to be here!), and they will take me (and Susan who has also been invited to present at these) to Midland, Texas, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Orange County, California, Phoenix, Arizona, and Indianapolis, Indiana!
In mid October, I will observe rehearsals and attend Evensong at King’s College, Cambridge England – an experience that I’m especially excited about.
To top it off, there is a wonderful series of concerts in New York City on the theme of spirituality – and I’m hoping we can go there to experience some of those in November.
It will be a rich time – and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and the time. Who knows what three months of input will do to my output in the six years that follow!
Yet, sabbaticals work in both directions! It is an opportunity for you to experience gifts of someone with different set of experiences, bringing new and fresh ideas to into your midst.
In my place here at Mount Olive will be William Beckstrand. He is an outstanding musician, known for composition and church music! He has served several parishes in the Twin Cities and Duluth, and is currently a full time composer. His gifts will be different, and I know wonderful. And I pray your gifts to him will also be a blessing!
I will keep in touch. Watch The Olive Branch for how I’ll decide to do that.
- Cantor Cherwien
Sunday Readings
Aug. 25, 2013 – Time after Pentecost: Sunday 21
Isaiah 58:9b-14 + Psalm 103:1-8
Hebrews 12:18-29 + Luke 13:10-17
Sept. 1, 2013 – Time after Pentecost: Sunday 22
Proverbs 25:6-7 + Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 + Luke 14:1, 7-14
Regular Worship Schedule to Resume September 8
On Sunday, September 8, we return to our regular worship schedule of two Sunday
liturgies at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Church School and Adult Education also resume on that day.
Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at church. For the September 14 meeting they will discuss Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, and for November 9, Parade's End, by Ford Madox Ford.
Women’s Vocal Ensemble – for August
A women’s ensemble will be assembled to sing at the Eucharist this Sunday, August 25, 9:30 service. We will have one rehearsal, that morning at 8:00 a.m. (coffee provided!) Contact Cantor Cherwien if you would like to sing, or simply come this Sunday, August 25, at 8:00 am.
Congregational Care Comes to the Forum
The art of giving and accepting care will be a forum topic during the coffee hour on Sunday, October 13. Many at Mount Olive find themselves in the role of caregiver while others find themselves in the often unfamiliar spot of having to accept care from others. While we tend to think of this as an “old people’s problem”, this is a generational concern as people care for aging parents, sick friends, special needs children, and ourselves.
Key to care is knowledge of services and programs available in our state and city and how to access them. While most of us know a little bit about some things, laws change and it is hard to keep up. The forum could address a variety of topics, such as:
- End of life issues - how to plan for known and unknown entities and how to access help. Learn about health care directives, Hospice, and plan your funeral.
- Family support - shifting roles, new responsibilities, changes in and losses of a loved one. What will you need to help get through the tough times?
- Unexpected life transitions – i.e. divorce, suicide, chronic illness, parenting small and adult children, and all the unanticipated twists and turns of life.
- Spiritual resources – accepting God’s grace through the loving action of the Mount Olive community. We all need to learn and be open to how this works.
This is a tall order for one forum! The final shape of the hour depends on what topical interest emerges as a “high demand” priority. Please weigh in via phone, email, or conversation by contacting Marilyn Gebauer at 651-704-9539 or by email at gebauevm@bitstream.net. Feel free to speak with any of the other members of the Congregational Care Committee: Cathy Bosworth, Peggy Hoeft, and Warren Peterson.
Arts on Chicago
On the counter outside of the church office reception window, there is a basket that contains a handy pocket-sized "Arts On Chicago" guide. Please help yourself and take advantage of the many arts offerings in the neighborhood around Mount Olive.
A Note of Thanks
Thank you to the many friends and members of Mount Olive who lifted my health in prayer during and following my recent surgery. Pastor's visit to the hospital along the many expressions of encouragement and good health, both in person and via cards, have indeed been a blessing and brought about the desired healing. Now to work on getting my voice back!
- Adam Krueger
Mission spotlight: LWF–Jerusalem
Mount Olive’s Missions Committee each year selects new and continuing national and global projects for relatively modest direct grants that are in addition to our mission support through the ELCA. Our funding—on behalf of the congregation—of the Lutheran World Federation’s Jerusalem work, which falls under LWF’s Department for World Service, supports Palestinian refugees and others through the 100-year-old Augusta Victoria Hospital (which, happily for us, is located on the Mount of Olives!), a vocational training program for young men and women, scholarships, and work in peace, justice, and reconciliation. Last year LWF’s Jerusalem program (which now extends to serving Syrian refugees in the Zaatari camp in northern Jordan) served nearly 28,000 people at the hospital, more than 700 in the vocational program, and awarded scholarships and material help to almost 3,500 people. Mount Olive’s role in this troubled part of the world may be small, but we are there.
Neighborhood Ministries Newsletter
Available This Weekend
Greetings from Mount Olive Neighborhood Ministries, the Neighborhood Ministries quarterly newsletter, will be distributed following the liturgy this Sunday, August 25. If you will not be in church that day and wish to pick it up, it will be in the church office and also in the narthex.
Pictorial Directory Information
Photography for the new Mount Olive On Line Pictorial Directory will begin the first week of September with EARLY dates in August.
****SPECIAL EARLY TIME SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST***
If you would like to have the picture for your household taken before kids depart for college or if you are not available during the month of September for a photography session, please call the church office at 612-827-5919, or contact Paul Nixdorf at 612-296-0055 or by email to pn@paulnixdorf.com to arrange for a photography session before the end of August.
We will be producing an online digital directory. This online directory will be password-protected so that access is limited to Mount Olive folks who are issued a password through the church office. For those who do not have computer access a hard copy will be available.
Photography sessions will take place at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Arrangements will be made for photographs of shut-ins.
An email will be sent to each household of the parish giving instructions as to how you can sign up for a photography session. There will be time slots for photography sessions during the month of September on weekday afternoons and evenings. Time slots will be available on weekends.
For those households that do not have e-mail, a letter will be sent via US Mail with instructions for scheduling their photography session.
After the initial period of self-initiated photography session sign up, follow up contacts and phone calls will be made to arrange for those households that have not scheduled their session.
In the week following your photography session, you will be asked to select one of the photographs taken of you or your household for the directory. Each person/household will be given a digital copy of the photo selected for the directory. There will be an opportunity to purchase prints and or digital copies of your photos should you want to do so.
We need volunteers for the following jobs related to the project:
a) Hosts during the photo sessions at the church
b) Data entry and photo management that can be done from your home online
c) Follow up phone scheduling.
If you would be willing to assist with one of these jobs, please contact Andrew Andersen at andrewstpaul@gmail.com, or Sandra Pranschke at spranschke@gmail.com.
First MFA Event for 2013-14 Season
The Portland Cello Project
Friday, September 13, 7:30 pm
Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts presents cellists doing innovative things with music!! The Portland Cello Project has wowed audiences all over the United States with extravagant performances. The group has built a reputation mixing genres and blurring musical lines and perceptions wherever they go. No two shows are alike, with everything from Beethoven to Arvo Pärt to instrumental covers for Adele, Kanye West and Pantera. Check them out at https://portlandcelloproject.com/.
A reception follows in the Chapel Lounge. This event is free and open to the public, and a free-will offering will be received to support the Music and Fine Arts program.
Summer Worship Schedule Draws to a Close
Sunday, September 1 (Labor Day weekend) will be our last day on summer worship schedule. Beginning Sunday, September 8, we resume our regular worship schedule of two Sunday liturgies at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Stop and Shop
Summer art fairs are over and The Art Shoppe in the Midtown Global market is well stocked! Beautiful and unique works of art from over 60 artists are waiting to be purchased and worn or used by you and your friends and loved ones.
Come and shop in the air-conditioned comfort of the Midtown Global Market!
Freedom of the Christian: Bible Study on Thursday Evenings Starting Sept. 19
The first Thursday Bible study series of this year begins on Thursday, Sept. 19, and runs for six weeks. Meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Pr. Crippen lead a study of the book of Galatians, one of Paul’s most vital and important letters. As usual, there will be a light supper when we begin. If anyone wishes to provide the first meal, please let Pr. Crippen know. All are welcome to this study opportunity!
TRUST: Coming Activities
Cooperative Older Adult Ministries (CoAM) will sponsor a new Life Enrichment Series beginning October 7. This educational series will focus on the relations between the U.S. and other countries, such as China and Egypt. Mount Olive member, Dan Burow, will speak on the founding of our country and the Revolutionary War.
Two tours will also be offered in the coming months. The first is an autumn train excursion on October 24, cost is $57 per person. The second is a trip to see a Christmas play, “Sorry, Wrong Chimney,” presented by Day Trippers Dinner Theater on December 12. The cost for that trip is $51 per person.
For more information about these and other TRUST happenings, see the bulletin board downstairs near Donna’s office.
Friendly Callers Meet for Check-In This Sunday August 25
Mount Olive’s Friendly Callers will meet for a brief check-in August 25, following the 9:30 Eucharist. We will meet near the Library for a short stand-up meeting to check the progress of our Friendly Calling Program and to offer each other support. Any questions about the Friendly Callers can be directed to Sue Ellen Zagrabelny at 815-997-6020.
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