The Olive Branch, 4/23/14

Accent on Worship

2014 Easter Message from the Presiding Bishop

     Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).     - John 20:16

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     My favorite story in Scripture is the account in John’s Gospel of Mary Magdalene going to the tomb. It was the first Easter but Mary didn’t know that. She expected death. In her profound grief she couldn’t recognize Jesus. It was only when Jesus called her by name that she was able to see the risen Lord.
     Jesus saw Mary. Jesus knew Mary. Jesus spoke “Mary.” It was being completely seen, utterly known and lovingly called that opened Mary Magdalene to the hope of the resurrection and into a deeper relationship with Christ. Because she was seen she could see.
     This is Easter vision. We have been seen, known and called by God through the crucified and risen Savior and, having received the Spirit through baptism, we all can now see. We can see Christ and we can see Christ in our neighbor. No one is invisible to God and no one is invisible to us. What wondrous love is this!
     So beloved, with newly opened eyes let us be bold to say, “Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Hallelujah!”

Blessed Easter,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America


Sunday Readings

April 27, 2014: Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
I Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
____________________

May 4, 2014: Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
I Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35



This Week’s Forum 

April 27 and May 4:  “Living, Loving, and Listening Together.”
Vicar Emily Beckering will lead a 2-part series on caring for one another and our-selves through interpersonal communication, empathy, and self-empathy as a follow-up to the Midweek Lenten focus on our life together as a servant  community.



Easter Paschal Garden

     Thanks to those who helped to beautify Mount Olive’s nave by contributing to this year's Easter Paschal Garden:

Al Bipes, in memory of parents and grandparents; Evelyn Royce; Melba Smrcka; Allen & Lora Dundek; Annette Roth; Eric Zander & Dennis Bidwell, in honor of their parents; Leila Froehlich; Michael Edwins, in memory of parents Sam & Mildred Edwins; Carol Austermann, in honor of her family; Walt & Judy Hinck; Tom Graves & Ginny Agresti; Elaine & Art Halbardier, in memory of Donna Passentino; John Rice; George Ferguson, in memory of Anita Allen; Christina Harrison, Mabel Jackson, Geri & John Bjork; Ro Griesse, in memory of Rev. Robert Griesse; Marty Hamlin & Cathy Bosworth, in memory of their parents; Kathy Thurston & Dwight Penas; Louis & Kay Krohnfeldt; Bruce & Linda Wagner, in memory of Nathan Joseph Wagner; Rob, Lynn & Adam Ruff; Brenda Bartz, in memory of her parents Laura & Bill; Mary Rose Watson; Marian & Walter Cherwien; George & Marlys Oelfke; Janet Moede, in memory of loved ones; Joseph & Mary Crippen and family, in memory of Nancy Crippen; Leanna Kloempken; Dan & Julia Adams; Mark, Lisa, Jessinia & Kaiya Ruff; Linda & Brad Holt; John, Audrey, and Eleanor Crippen; Larry Duncan; David & Susan Cherwien; Judy Graves; Beverly Shupe; Walt & Jacqui Blue; Robert Gotwalt; Don Johnson; Ken & Ellie Siess; Naomi Peterson; Donn & Bonnie McLellan; Stan & JoAnn Sorenson; Bob Diercks; Alex Treitler, in memory of Ruth Dikman; David Bryce, in honor of best friends the Timms and Anders Mattson; Jonathan Siess, whose son, Andrew, was baptized on this day, 1990; Catherine Lange, in memory of Clemens Lange; Sedona Crosby; Austin Crosby; Lillian Olson, Katherine Hanson; and Allan & Margaret Bostelmann.



Capital Campaign Corner

Check out the display case near the Narthex.  You can learn more about the projects that the capital campaign will support.

Goal:  $182,000
Pledges and donations    recorded: 28
Raised/Pledged as of 4/22: $46,790.00 (26% of our goal)



New Members to be Received May 18

     New members will be received at Mount Olive on May 18, 2014, at the 10:45 a.m. liturgy.  A welcome brunch will follow the liturgy.

     If you are not a member and are interested in becoming more fully involved in the life of the parish, we invite you to let us know of your interest.  You may call the church office and Cha will start the process. If you prefer, you may contact our Evangelism Director, Andrew Andersen, at andrewstpaul@gmail.com, or you may contact Pastor Crippen by calling the church office (612-827-5919) or via e-mail at pastor@mountolivechurch.org




Come One, Come All to the May Day Parade!

     For many years the Mount Olive Neighborhood Ministries Committee and several other Mount Olive members have made a point of participating and marching in this wonderful annual neighborhood event.  If you have never watched the parade, then you have no idea what you are missing.  It is unlike any other parade you have ever seen!

     Mount Olive has made a commitment to keep the first Sunday in May free of other afternoon events so that all of us can join with our neighborhood in this annual celebration the first Sunday in May every year.  This year we are focusing on getting more people involved.  We are not marching this year, BUT will have a dedicated Mount Olive observation area reserved so that a whole bunch can watch the parade this year.
     Plan to come to the parade on Sunday May 4 after the second liturgy.  We will meet in the undercroft where a simple lunch will be provided that can be taken with you to the parade.  Vans/cars will be available to shuttle to the Mount Olive observation area on the parade route.  We’ll even have extra chairs and blankets so people don’t have to carry anything with them.  We will also provide a simple map with directions with where to park and how to find the observation area if people prefer to drive on their own that day.

     We are making it as easy as possible for all to come! Please set the time aside now on Sunday, May 4, and watch for more details as the day approaches.



Palm Plants Available

If you would like to have one of the large palm plants which were used to decorate the nave for Palm Sunday and Easter, they are free for the taking!

The plants are currently in the East Assembly room – help yourself!



1 Thessalonians Bible Study

     The final Thursday Bible study series before summer begins on Thursday, May 8, and runs for six Thursdays through June 12.

     Meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Vicar Emily Beckering will lead a study of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.

     There will be a light supper when we begin.  If you are interested in providing the supper for our first study, please notify Vicar Beckering. All are welcome!



Book Discussion Group’s Upcoming Reads

For their meeting on May 10, The book discussion group will read, The Small Hand and Dolly, Susan Hill. For their June 14 meeting they will discuss The Orphan Master's Son, by Adam Johnson.



TRUST News: Caritas Benefit Concert

  Caritas Vocal Ensemble will present a concert entitled, “Wrap Me in Song,” to benefit the TRUST Parish Nursing program. This concert will include the premier of a new piece written especially for them by local composer J. David Moore.

  The concert will be held on Sunday, April 27, 4:00 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church (4842 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis). Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students and seniors, and may be purchased at the door.


Church Library News

Stop in the church library soon to see the books on the display across from the check-out desk.  Now that spring has decided to stay around, there are more possibilities for reading on our decks, during a coffee break, or eventually even out relaxing at the beach.  The books on display include the following:

• Celebrate Joy! (a delightful book to brighten your day), by Velma Seawell Daniels
• Roads to Reality (deeper life experiences from famous Christian women), by Joyce Blackburn
• Life’s Growing Years (a book of inspiration), by D. Verner Swanson
• A Touch of Wonder (a book to help people stay in love with life), by Arthur Gordon
• God’s Work in Our Lives (true stories of God's touch - a Guideposts Book, Volumes I and II)
• Frederick Buechner: Novelist and Theologian of the Lost and Found, by Marjorie Cassbier McCoy
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer -- Makers of the Modern Theological Mind, by Dallas M. Roark, ed. by Bob Patterson
• Time Out! A Man’s Devotional (featuring some of today's best-selling authors), compiled by Clint & Mary Beckwith
• Uncompromising Faith (one man's notes from prison), by Pavel Uhorskai

        Someone left at the library door a four volume VHS video set of The Visual Bible (Acts) -- the only dramatization using the actual scriptures from the NIV Bible, but with no note to identify the donor.  Please let me know if that was your gift!

        I recently read an article by Meganne Farbrega of the National Book Critic's Circle, who writes about "The End of Your Life Book Club” (by Will Schwelbe, published by Alfred A. Knopf).  This book is about a mother who is dying with a terminal illness and a son who remembers a childhood spent in his parent's home where reading was encouraged and good books were always available to enrich their lives.  The book further details the great rewards that both mother and son felt as they decided to re-read and discuss many books together as the end of her life approaches.  Perhaps others in a similar circumstance might find this book and this idea of immeasurable help!  The other resounding message that comes through the text is that "there are so many books and so little time!"  

    - Leanna Kloempken



Sign Up to Bring Tutoring Snacks

     Check out the snack sign-up sheet for Way to Goals Tutoring in the lower level.  Snacks for approximately 25 youth and tutors are needed on Tuesday evenings through May 27.  Your help is very much appreciated!



Life Transitions Support Group to Begin May 14

     Caregiver? Chronic Illness?  Loss of home?  Loss of loved one?

     We each encounter a variety of losses throughout our lives.  Have you wished for a familiar place where you could find some reassurance, share your story, discover a simple skill or two that could help in those moments when you feel overwhelmed?

       Beginning May 14, join us for a four-week structured support group at Mount Olive.  Cathy Bosworth and Amy Cotter will serve as facilitators for this group on Wednesday evenings.  Each week a brief educational component will be offered with time for you to share personally in a confidential, supportive setting.  Vicar Emily Beckering will offer guidance on the Lament Psalms, which we will use as a vehicle for prayer and healing.  The group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

     If you are interested in attending, or have questions, please contact Marilyn Gebauer (651-704-9539, email gebauevm@bitstream.net) or call the church office.



The Ascension of Our Lord
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m.



Restorative Justice Community Action (RJCA)

     At Mount Olive, living a life in Christ means that we worship in all aspects of our life.  I am privileged to be working in a profession of restorative work where adults and youth who have made mistakes are able to resolve their situation with dignity. Restorative justice creates a safe space, a sacred space, where people who have committed wrong doing meet face-to-face with community members and direct victims to talk about what happened, the impact it has, and create a way to make amends.  It is a blessing to see criminal activity resolved in a non-adversarial way which allows for healing by bringing people together to make things right.

     RJCA is honored to receive 9 visitors from south and central Asia hosted by the US Department of State on April 24th .  Their visit is around Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness and they are coming to learn about how RJCA helps empower Minneapolis neighborhoods to enhance offender accountability for certain crimes by empowering local citizens and communities to participate directly in the justice process.

     Mount Olive supports RJCA through funds and volunteers.  I would like to invite you to learn about us at our annual fundraiser, “Is there justice in hell?” at Hell’s Kitchen on Monday, April 28th 6-9PM in downtown Minneapolis.  $20 at the door goes directly to RJCA.  City Attorney Susan Segal will be the guest speaker, cabaret entertainment by Denise Prosek and friends, testimonials, silent auction, and fun are to be had.  Please come, check out our website, www.rjca-inc.org or stop me in church for a conversation.  Let our worship be in all we do!

Cynthia Prosek



Travel to Italy!

     Walt Blue will host a trip to Italy next fall (October 6-20) under the aegis of the OLLI Program (University of Minnesota).

     The group will visit (briefly) Milan, Cremona, Bologna and Ravenna, and will spend over a week in Florence, with multiple day trips to the regional cities of Pisa, Siena, Lucca, and San Gimignano.  The cost of the trip is $4,700, and it includes airfare, accommodations, meals (all breakfasts, five group dinners), ground transport, sightseeing, porterage, local guides, gratuities and taxes.  For more information, contact Walt Blue  at 651-646-3355, or via email to wagane@gmail.com. You may also contact Group Travel Directors (952-881-7811 / groups@gtd.org).
 


National Lutheran Choir to Present “Exalt.” 

     This Spring’s “Exalt” program showcases the artistic excellence of the National Lutheran Choir with works for choir and organ alongside unaccompanied choral pieces.    

     Nationally renowned organist, Aaron David Miller, joins the NLC for a program that is both affable and energizing. Some of the works on the program include: Benjamin Britten’s Te Deum; a world premiere of a commission by Zachary Wadsworth, Great or Small; and Frank Martin’s Mass for Unaccompanied Double Chorus.

     Organ pipes and choral pipes join together for a unique experience that will leave the listener inspired and revitalized. NLC Artistic Director, David Cherwien, conducts.

When: Sunday, May 4 – 4pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
Tickets: $25 Adult, $23 Senior, $20 Student
Contact: visit www.nlca.com or call 612-722-2301.