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Mount Olive Lutheran Church

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Olive Branch, 9/24/14

Accent on Worship

     This month I had the joy of joining ministerial colleagues from the Minneapolis Synod at the Bishop’s Theological Conference in Wisconsin, reflecting on what it means to welcome the “other.” One of the many ideas that struck me was the assertion that we don’t need to be fluent in all cultures, but to be clear about who we are, what we believe, and how we feel. By doing this, we can be open to others in humble confidence, aware of our weaknesses and our strengths, aware of their strengths and their weaknesses.

     We were invited to reflect on our own cultures. I am a “white, female, gay, highly-educated, culturally-Catholic Lutheran from a Midwestern middle-class suburban entrepreneurial family,” and all of this influences how I show up in the world in ways that are both helpful and challenging . . . being middle-class makes it easy to succeed in a professsional setting, but I will never
fully understand the anxiety and stress of one who lives without the basic needs of food and shelter, or the sense of interdependence and willingness to pool resources that often goes along with generational poverty.

Without an understanding of my own point of view, I will by default judge others by my own yardstick, and not even be aware that I am doing so. It is easy, without this understanding, to slip into a mode of being that requires those different from us to adapt fully to us, while we stand comfortably unchanged.

      I think Paul is saying something about this in this week’s reading from Philippians when he calls us to the mind and heart of Jesus, who “ emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.”

The “emptying” is not a denial of self so much as it is a radical loving embrace of other human beings in a way that changes us all. When we can recognize our own unique biases and points of view, we can more easily open ourselves to someone else’s uniqueness, and receive them humbly as fellow children of God.

- Vicar Meagan McLaughlin



Sunday Readings

September 28, 2014: 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Lect. 26A)
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Psalm 25:1-9
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
______________________

October 5, 2014: 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Lect. 27A)
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46



Sunday’s Adult Forum: Sept. 28

"Preaching as Living Word,” part 2 of a 2-part series presented by Pastor Crippen.
     Martin Luther suggested that in preaching, God’s Word is alive and active. What does this mean for the community at worship? For the liturgy? For the preacher?



Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Saturday, October 4 4:00 pm
Blessing of Animals

Bring your pets and your friends (and your friends’ pets!) to this annual service of blessing!




Congregation Meeting

     The semi-annual meeting of the Mount Olive congregation will be held on Sunday, October 19, after second liturgy.  Items for discussion include:
the 2015 budget (needs congregational vote and approval)
updates from the Visioning Committee
a preview of on-going Stewardship work
news from the current Capital Campaign to replenish our designated accounts and cash reserves.



Chosen: Bible Study on Thursday Evenings  

     The first Thursday Bible study series of this year began last week and runs for six weeks.

     Meeting in the Chapel Lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Pr. Crippen is leading a study titled “Chosen.”  This is an exploration of the biblical witness to Abraham and Sarah and their family, with a focus on what the Bible means by "chosen people,” and how that continues in the present both as our calling and also a challenge in a pluralistic, often violent world.

     As usual, there will be a light supper when we begin.  All are welcome to this study opportunity!



TRUST Seeking Grocery Transportation Driver 

     TRUST, through CoAM, runs a grocery transportation program in south Minneapolis. We pick up people who are mobile but no longer drive. Pick up in south Minneapolis east of 35W and transport to Cub or Rainbow on Lake Street. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 8:30 - about 12:30 (about 8 hours a week). Use your own vehicle - must have a van, insurance and a good driving record. Pick up 2 - 5 people. $13+ an hour plus mileage. Questions? Interested? Call Nancy at TRUST at 612-827-6159 or email her at trustinc@visi.com.



Meals for the Manuels to be Continued 

     Thanks to all who have generously signed up to bring Friday dinners to the Manuel family.  The calendar to date is filled through to November 7, with the exception of Friday, October 31.  If you can bring dinner on that date (Halloween) or on any Friday from November 14 on, please let Marilyn Gebauer know at gebauevm@bitstream.net or 612-306-8872.

    Julie’s treatment will continue for at least the next several months.  The family is very grateful for the support of prayers and meals during this difficult time.



New Member Welcome

     Mount Olive will welcome new members and associate members on Sunday, October 5, during the second liturgy.   If you are interested in becoming a member or associate member, please contact the office as soon as possible via e-mail to welcome@mountolivechurch.orgor by phone, 612-827-5919. You may also contact Pastor Crippen at church, or Andrew Andersen (763-607-1689).

     A welcome brunch will follow the liturgy for new members and for all who would like to be part of the welcome festivities.



 Book Discussion Group’s Upcoming Reads

     For their meeting on October 11, the Book Discussion group will read The Reluctant Fundamentalist, by Mohsin Hamid. For the meeting on November 8 they will read Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver.

     The Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly area at church. All readers are welcome!



Sign Up for Coffee!

     The coffee chart is in need of names of those who are willing to serve coffee on Sunday mornings after the first and second liturgies. Please take a turn and sign up!

     The chart is conveniently located in the East Assembly Room – right where coffee is served each Sunday!



Mount Olive Directory Photos Fall 2014 Schedule

     If you did not get your personal, couple or family photos taken last fall there will be a time to get your photos taken in October and included in the updated directory.

     We invite folks who have been worshiping regularly but are not members at Mount Olive to also have their photo(s) taken to include in the directory so that others can put
names and faces together.

     Below are listed the time slots available to have your photos taken. Select the day and approximate time(s) that work best for you and call or email the church office to sign up (612-827-5919/welcome@mountolivechurch.org).

     You will be contacted the week before the sessions with a specific time for your photo session. Photos will be taken in the lower level of the education building.

Sunday, October 5 - 12:30 to 1:30 PM following the liturgy
Wednesday, October 8 - 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 9 - 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 11 - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday, October 12 - 12:30 to 1:30 PM following the liturgy

     Once you have signed up for a date and approximate times that work for you, we will combine all of the requests and set up a schedule to take all those requesting that specific day.
     If you have further questions please contact Paul Nixdorf (photographer) by phone at 612-296-0055, or by email to pn@paulnixdorf.com.



Empowering Learners Invites Our Support

     Recently, Ann Sponberg Peterson spoke inspiringly to the Adult Forum about “Empowering Learners,” a philanthropic project she established to provide books and computers for schools in northern Namibia. Ann invited contributions of any kind – an invitation we echo. Ann mentioned, but we want to emphasize, that any contributions we at Mount Olive make will be matched by a donor – meaning that our contributions will effectively be double what we give. We encourage you to use the envelope from the brochures Ann provided (or there are copies in the brochure rack beside the display case in the hallway) or contact one of us for a mailing address.

     This is an opportunity to provide genuinely needed and appreciated help to a significant number of children in this developing country.

 – Dwight Penas and Susan Cherwien, Adult Forum planners (with approval of the Missions Committee)


MOGAL-NOW sponsors a Mid-Century Modern Parade of Homes tour and Potluck Dinner

     Next Sunday, October 5, at 4:00 pm, MOGAL-NOW invites members of Mount Olive to visit two mid-century modern homes that are listed on the 2014 national tour of MCM homes.

     Lynn Dobson and Tony Thoe have invited us to their home at 278 Stonebridge Blvd., St Paul. Their home, along with the home of Geri and John Bjork, 316 Stonebridge Blvd, is listed as part of the Docomomo national

tour the following weekend. We get a preview tour a week early, plus dinner and great conversation.  (Visit http://www.docomomo-us.org/tour_day_2014_minnesota  to view the website about the Docomomo tour. Their home is pictured on this site).

We will gather there at 4:00 pm on October 5 to check out the interesting architecture and landscaping at their home, and also walk three homes away to Geri and John Bjork’s home. Around 5:15 pm Lynn and Tony will begin grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and we will set out our potluck items and enjoy a meal together. We will also have a short discussion about upcoming MOGAL-NOW events. The evening will end with ice cream sundaes.

     If you can join us for our Parade of Homes event please RSVP by calling the church office at 612-827-5919 or by dropping an email to welcome@mountolivechurch.org. When you email please indicate how many will be coming and also what you plan to bring for the potluck dinner that will go with hamburgers and hotdogs. Also plan to bring beverages (adult and otherwise).

     MOGAL-NOW is the new and up to date version of the MOGAL (Mount Olive Gay and Lesbian) group. MOGAL-NOW is inclusive and of course, “straight friendly”. MOGAL-NOW plans to sponsor a series of social, informative and of course fun events throughout the year bringing together the entire Mount Olive community.



Kathy Wagner Funeral  Oct. 4

     The funeral Eucharist for + Kathy Wagner + will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1:30 p.m.    
     Kathy is the daughter of Ione Wagner, a member of Mount Olive, and was on our visitation list.  There will be a lunch served after the Eucharist.
     May God grant her rest and light eternal.



Pastor’s Sabbatical

     Pastor Crippen is working with the Vestry on initial planning for his upcoming sabbatical.  The sabbatical will be from April through June of 2015, beginning on the Monday after Easter.
     At this point there aren’t many details to share, but as more is known, it will be put in the Olive Branch.  The budget being presented by the Vestry for 2015 also will reflect the costs of the sabbatical.


First Music & Fine Arts Event of the Season to be Held on October 12

     On Sunday, October 12, at 4:00 pm, Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to present a recital by organist Aaron David Miller. He will play works of Bach, Sweelinck, Gigout, and improvisation.    
     Aaron is Music Director and Organist at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. He is known as one of the finest organ improvisers in the country, having won several international awards and given concerts across the nation. The improvisation for this concert will be an on-the-spot creation, using themes gathered from the audience! Don’t miss it!

     A reception will follow.



Former Vicar Neal Cannon to be Ordained

     All are cordially invited to attend the ordination of former Mount Olive Vicar, Neal Cannon (2012-13) on Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2014, at 4:00 pm.  The service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois.

     Neal has received a call to serve as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family at Christ Lutheran Church, Belvidere, Illinois.

     Please remember Neal and Mary in your prayers.

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