Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 10:30 a.m.
Funeral liturgy for Ella Falkingham, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, September 5, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
Ordinary Time: Sunday 23
Holy Eucharist
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sermon from August 29, 2010
“Table Manners”
Luke 14:1, 7-14
As I read the gospel for this day I thought of the news paper columnist, Miss Manners. The gospel gave me an idea for a letter to Miss Manners
Dear Miss Manners, I went to a banquet the other day I went right to the head table and sat down. The host asked me to move, I was annoyed but I moved. I found another seat in the middle of the banquet hall, however after a few minutes the host came again and asked me to move. This time I was irritated, but when the host took me by the hand a brought me to a seat by the kitchen door I was downright insulted. Throughout the entire banquet the servers where going past me. I was served last. During the meal the pots and pans were banging in the kitchen, I could barely hear myself think. Also, because I was way in the back of the banquet hall I was unable to meet the important people I had come to see. I paid good money to come and I have a right to be treated better. I think the host was rude. What should I do? Signed, Seeking My Rights
That is a letter we could maybe see ourselves writing at one time or another in our lives. If not in this blatant form we have nuances of seeking our own advantage. How about those times were we see other people schmoozing and rubbing elbows with big name, important people. We feel anger at that person for always seeking their own advantage. How about the name dropping game that some people play? “You know the other day when I was having lunch with President Obama.” Or “On my way into the grocery store I ran into Ron Gardenhire...” Or “When I have coffee with Osma Vänskä…” If we don’t do this ourselves, we find ourselves jealous of those who do. I wish I could have lunch with President Obama, I would love to have chat with Ron Gardenhire or Osma Vänskä. There is something innate in us that seeks our own advantage, we may not be blatant about it but we do want to get close to the people with influence.
Notice what happens at company parties. Everyone is trying to bend the ear of the CEO and VP’s, but do you see people busting down the door to rub elbows with the custodians or the 3rd shift press operator. We want to seek our own advantage.
I think the football player Randy Moss epitomizes this natural instinct the best. Many years ago, when he played for the Minnesota Vikings, and had an exceptional year, John Madden said of Moss, “without a doubt, excluding quarterbacks, Moss is the best player in the game.” Moss responds, “Excluding NOBODY, I’m the best player in the National Football League.” That’s self exaltation and seeking one’s own advantage.
What’s so wrong with wanting to be exalted or even just noticed for the good that we are doing? Maybe it is not even the exaltation we care about maybe we just want to be noticed. I look at some of the youth today, I see them crying out loud to be noticed. They may not be using words but they are using different ways to have others notice them. Clothes, hair, pierced body parts, noticeable tattoos. They are crying out for attention, even if they don’t realize it.
What’s wrong with wanting to be noticed? When you do a big project at work you want your name on it so others (mainly the boss) can see how valuable you are to the company. When you get an award you want it published in the paper.
What’s wrong with seeking your rights? Well according to Jesus, when you seek your won advantage, you get in the way of Jesus doing the work. You can’t exalt yourself as high as or higher than Jesus.
Let’s look at the gospel passage again. This is a parable Jesus tells, after he sees people seeing places of honor, seeking their own advantage. His parables do two things, one they teach about the kingdom of God and two they turn everything upside down.
If we see the banquet as our right and it is something we deserve then we get caught in this self exalting business. If we deserve it then we will get into a continuum of earning it, “I really earned it,” “I kind of earned it,” “I worked hard,” “I could have worked harder.” It was worked for or earned.
But if we see the banquet as an invitation into God’s kingdom that we did not work for or earn, that would not have come to us at all, then we are just happy to be there at all.
You see when we think it is our right we miss out on the meaning. When we think we don’t deserve it, it tastes better and you don’t care where you sit because you are just pleased to be there. You also don’t care who you rub shoulders with because all who are there are worthy in God’s eyes.
Jesus invites us to a banquet, in which there are no bad seats. Where all are welcome not based on what they have done but what Jesus has done. We come empty to the table, we hold out empty hands and we seek to be filled by the one who has the power to forgive and lift up those who are in need. Proper table manners for Jesus’ table are this: to remember it is a gift.
How might Jesus respond to the letter from Seeking My Rights and the banquet?
Dear Gentle Soul,
Welcome to my banquet. I am so delighted you are here. You know some people would say you don’t deserve to be here, but I love you and I am so happy to see you. I didn’t have to invite you but I wanted to. I want you to know that you cannot control whether you are exalted or humbled, that is my job, relax and let me do it. Enjoy the banquet. This is a feast to celebrate my kingdom in this world. Come take and eat. The wine is forgiveness of sins. The bread is release of that which troubles you. These are gifts for you, to strengthen you in the meanwhile, to strengthen you until I come again. This is my gift to you whether you deserve it or not. This is my gift: I come to you. Drink deep and let me take control of your life. Signed, with great Love for you and all people, Jesus.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
As I read the gospel for this day I thought of the news paper columnist, Miss Manners. The gospel gave me an idea for a letter to Miss Manners
Dear Miss Manners, I went to a banquet the other day I went right to the head table and sat down. The host asked me to move, I was annoyed but I moved. I found another seat in the middle of the banquet hall, however after a few minutes the host came again and asked me to move. This time I was irritated, but when the host took me by the hand a brought me to a seat by the kitchen door I was downright insulted. Throughout the entire banquet the servers where going past me. I was served last. During the meal the pots and pans were banging in the kitchen, I could barely hear myself think. Also, because I was way in the back of the banquet hall I was unable to meet the important people I had come to see. I paid good money to come and I have a right to be treated better. I think the host was rude. What should I do? Signed, Seeking My Rights
That is a letter we could maybe see ourselves writing at one time or another in our lives. If not in this blatant form we have nuances of seeking our own advantage. How about those times were we see other people schmoozing and rubbing elbows with big name, important people. We feel anger at that person for always seeking their own advantage. How about the name dropping game that some people play? “You know the other day when I was having lunch with President Obama.” Or “On my way into the grocery store I ran into Ron Gardenhire...” Or “When I have coffee with Osma Vänskä…” If we don’t do this ourselves, we find ourselves jealous of those who do. I wish I could have lunch with President Obama, I would love to have chat with Ron Gardenhire or Osma Vänskä. There is something innate in us that seeks our own advantage, we may not be blatant about it but we do want to get close to the people with influence.
Notice what happens at company parties. Everyone is trying to bend the ear of the CEO and VP’s, but do you see people busting down the door to rub elbows with the custodians or the 3rd shift press operator. We want to seek our own advantage.
I think the football player Randy Moss epitomizes this natural instinct the best. Many years ago, when he played for the Minnesota Vikings, and had an exceptional year, John Madden said of Moss, “without a doubt, excluding quarterbacks, Moss is the best player in the game.” Moss responds, “Excluding NOBODY, I’m the best player in the National Football League.” That’s self exaltation and seeking one’s own advantage.
What’s so wrong with wanting to be exalted or even just noticed for the good that we are doing? Maybe it is not even the exaltation we care about maybe we just want to be noticed. I look at some of the youth today, I see them crying out loud to be noticed. They may not be using words but they are using different ways to have others notice them. Clothes, hair, pierced body parts, noticeable tattoos. They are crying out for attention, even if they don’t realize it.
What’s wrong with wanting to be noticed? When you do a big project at work you want your name on it so others (mainly the boss) can see how valuable you are to the company. When you get an award you want it published in the paper.
What’s wrong with seeking your rights? Well according to Jesus, when you seek your won advantage, you get in the way of Jesus doing the work. You can’t exalt yourself as high as or higher than Jesus.
Let’s look at the gospel passage again. This is a parable Jesus tells, after he sees people seeing places of honor, seeking their own advantage. His parables do two things, one they teach about the kingdom of God and two they turn everything upside down.
If we see the banquet as our right and it is something we deserve then we get caught in this self exalting business. If we deserve it then we will get into a continuum of earning it, “I really earned it,” “I kind of earned it,” “I worked hard,” “I could have worked harder.” It was worked for or earned.
But if we see the banquet as an invitation into God’s kingdom that we did not work for or earn, that would not have come to us at all, then we are just happy to be there at all.
You see when we think it is our right we miss out on the meaning. When we think we don’t deserve it, it tastes better and you don’t care where you sit because you are just pleased to be there. You also don’t care who you rub shoulders with because all who are there are worthy in God’s eyes.
Jesus invites us to a banquet, in which there are no bad seats. Where all are welcome not based on what they have done but what Jesus has done. We come empty to the table, we hold out empty hands and we seek to be filled by the one who has the power to forgive and lift up those who are in need. Proper table manners for Jesus’ table are this: to remember it is a gift.
How might Jesus respond to the letter from Seeking My Rights and the banquet?
Dear Gentle Soul,
Welcome to my banquet. I am so delighted you are here. You know some people would say you don’t deserve to be here, but I love you and I am so happy to see you. I didn’t have to invite you but I wanted to. I want you to know that you cannot control whether you are exalted or humbled, that is my job, relax and let me do it. Enjoy the banquet. This is a feast to celebrate my kingdom in this world. Come take and eat. The wine is forgiveness of sins. The bread is release of that which troubles you. These are gifts for you, to strengthen you in the meanwhile, to strengthen you until I come again. This is my gift to you whether you deserve it or not. This is my gift: I come to you. Drink deep and let me take control of your life. Signed, with great Love for you and all people, Jesus.
Monday, August 23, 2010
This Week's Liturgies
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Ordinary Time: Sunday 22
Holy Eucharist, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship
Ordinary Time: Sunday 22
Holy Eucharist, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship
The Olive Branch, August 23, 2010
The Witness of Song and Open Windows
Earlier this summer I served as organist at a two-week workshop for Presbyterian Musicians in Montreat, NC. There was daily Eucharist at 11:00, and workshop sessions went on all day in the un-air-conditioned worship space. That meant my practice time on the organ was limited to 7 to 8 am. While wailing away with preparations one morning, I was approached. Some neighbors had complained about the organ music coming from the open windows, and because of this police would be coming at 11:00 to be sure our liturgy didn’t violate the legal noise level limits of the community. Wow. I was imagining what a wonderful ticket that would be to
brag about: cited for “praising God too much”. Bring it on! They did come with their meter, but unfortunately we were just below the limit. Too bad. I should have used all the reeds.
One Sunday here at Mount Olive, Susan came to church a bit late and had to park a block and a half away. As she approached the building, she could hear the robust singing with its full organ accompaniment (from as far as a block away!) So could the neighborhood. People walking by would slow down, looking in. Cars with rolled-down windows were also looking.
I had never considered this. The neighborhood HEARS us all summer as we “suffer in the heat.” They can hear that God means something to us. They hear us, and they want to see what all that noise is about. I have said it before and will continue to say it: our participation – our meaningful participation – gets noticed. And what it says gets noticed too: God really does mean something to us. Our songs are not just noise, they are expressions from deep within of what is most important to us. We should not sing just to get ourselves noticed, but we can enjoy the fact that God gets noticed in our song. And that is enticing. People want to look in. Those inside want to sing along.
Sing on!
- Cantor David Cherwien
Pastor Joseph Crippen’s Installation as Mount Olive’s Seventh Pastor
October 17, 2010 – Save the Date!
As most of you learned in last week’s ‘Twig’ Pastor Joseph Crippen has accepted the Solemn Call of Mount Olive Lutheran Church to be our next pastor. What an exciting, affirming, and busy time the next few weeks will be as we prepare for his arrival and installation. His last day at St. John’s is September 12, and he will take some time with his family before beginning his work among us on October 11. Please continue to remember him, his family, both congregations and their staffs in prayer during this time of transition and change.
The 8:00 service on October 17 will be Morning Prayer, so that Pastor Crippen’s installation during the 10:45 Eucharist may be emphasized. Glenndy Ose, Bishop Johnson’s associate for Stewardship and Rostered Ministries in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA, will be our guest preacher for this service and will conduct the Rite of Installation. The liturgy will be
followed by a welcome luncheon/reception for Pastor Crippen, his wife Mary, and their family—both immediate and extended. Mark this important date on your calendar and join us to warmly welcome the Crippens to Mount Olive. Additional details of the day’s activities will be published as they become available.
Getting to know our new Pastor and his family (and they, us) will be an important part of our shared experience in coming months. One of the first things we hope to have after the installation is an adult forum time to begin those conversations. In the meantime, I had a
more basic question: “What do we call him?” We have had a wide range of ‘pastor naming conventions,’ at least in my time at Mount Olive. I already knew that ‘Joe’ was a ‘no-go’. Mary, his best friends, and even his own mother call him ‘Joseph’, but I’ve never been able to call
my Pastor by only his first name. So I asked; and found that he has been ‘Pastor Crippen’ to most people at St. John’s, though ‘Pastor Joseph’ has also been uttered in informal conversations with no ill effects. Formally and in print, though, he is most comfortable with Pastor Crippen. Now I know--and so do you.
And I haven’t forgotten Elayne’s question about what he is reading…so stay tuned for this and more.
Regards,
Adam
And Speaking of Transition—
Pastor Hollie and I have discussed and concluded that Sunday, September 26, 2010 will be her final day as our Interim Pastor. This will allow a couple Sunday’s before Pastor Crippen begins, which she felt is important. Please continue to remember Pastor Hollie and her family in your prayers as she concludes her work among us at Mount Olive and prepares to hand the mantel of
pastoral care to Pastor Crippen.
The Adult Forum time on September 26 will be a time for us to thank Pastor Hollie for her work among us during this interim, and the 10:45 liturgy will include our Farewell and Godspeed as she looks to the future and what God has in store for her next. Please join us for both.
Members in the News
From Bench & Bar of Minneapolis:
“The Hennepin County Bar Association recognizes two individuals each year - a judge and a lawyer – for their commitment to the highest of professional standards in the legal community. This year’s recipients are the Hon. Jay Quam, judge of the 4th Judicial District Court, and Gene H. Hennig. Judge Quam is currently the presiding judge in probate/mental health court. Hennig is a member of Gray Plant Mooty’s business advisory group.”
Congratulations, Gene!
Book Discussion
For its meeting on September 11, the Book Discussion group will discuss Troubles, by J.G. Farrell, and for the October 9 meeting they will read The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. All readers welcome!
Summer Worship Schedule to End Soon
Summer worship schedule ends on Labor Day weekend. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 12, we return to two services each Sunday, at 8 and 10:45 a.m.
On Sept. 12, Morning Prayer will be prayed at 8 a.m., with a single Eucharist at 10:45 a.m., in order that we may celebrate together the blessing of our newly renovated facilities.
Our regular worship schedule of two Sunday Eucharists resumes on Sunday, September 19.
Notes of Thanks
From the family of Harold Diersen: Thanks to the staff and musicians of Mount Olive for their
contributions to the funeral liturgy for Harold Diersen, and to the members and friends who have given gifts to the Mount Olive Foundation and to Music and Fine Arts in his memory.
From Anne & Warren Bartz: In our recently published note of thanks to those who came to help us clean out our basement, we inadvertently forgot to include Mark Spitzack, who organized the project. Thanks, Mark!
Highlights from the Vestry Meeting
The Vestry met on Monday, August 9, at 6 pm to spend a full hour on refining the church calendar through May of next year. It was confirmed that plans are underway for the
blessing of our newly-renovated parish house. A celebration will be held on September 12 during and after the 2nd liturgy. Worship and Congregational Life Committees are working together on the events of the day.
The Evangelism Committee will be looking into publishing a "Parish Events" sheet that may be
distributed to worshipers upon exiting the sanctuary after each service.
Staff members and directors gave their reports. Pastor Hollie introduced her Confirmation Handbook, which is designed using a three-year teaching cycle. Donna Neste noted that the Bible for Big Kids activity will no longer be on the calendar. Paul Sundquist discussed the Capital
Campaign and indicated that Art Halbardier is overseeing a renewed emphasis on campagin proceeds and pledges. Paul indicated that Capital Campaign giving has held up very nicely, compared to regular giving to the general fund. He also indicated that general giving continues to be disturbingly lower than last year. We are still paying our bills and have good cash flow, but we are not paying down our line of credit as quickly as we'd like to, and our deficit is widening.
The most notable directors' reports were from Properties and Stewardship this month. David Molvik shared plans for a rain garden that will be planted along the west side of the parking lot. This will be done for free by Metro Blooms in conjunction with the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, to help clean up the runoff water that empties into Powderhorn Lake. The Vestry approved this action and David will inform Metro Blooms to proceed. The kitchen renovation is going along as planned, and other than signage and furnishings, the upstairs project has been completed. David indicated that his committee will prepare and implement an updated preventative maintenance plan for building equipment. The building committee is considering
refurbishment of the Choir School room for the new Godly Play program; is performing various minor heating repairs; is making various lighting upgrades in the Nave and Narthex; and plans to upgrade the sound systems in the Nave and Undercroft. They are also considering reallocating space in the basement along with building cabinetry and remodeling other rooms on that floor.
Paul Odlaug reported that the Stewardship committee is revamping the Financial Secretary position and the counting procedures. He indicated that we are in dire need of an interim Financial Secretary to replace John Meyer, and that anyone interested in becoming a counter and/or joining the Stewardship Committee would be most welcome!
The Vestry went into Executive Session to prepare the Letter of Call and salary/benefits package for Pastor Crippen, drawing upon previous work done by the Salary Review Committee.
The next Vestry meeting will be September 13 at 7 pm. We will begin preparing next year's budget that evening and finalize it during the October meeting.
Cantorei is Open to You
We float the word "member" around the church - and sometimes it may send an incorrect message. It can sound like a club - either you're in (a member) or out. Not so with our worship, and also not so with our choir. Some basic information about Cantorei: It is really open to anyone, regardless of your age, musical ability (we can teach), your ability to attend every rehearsal or be here every Sunday. There are no auditions, we just hope for positive energy, and a love of singing. We rehearse each Wednesday from 7:00-8:45 pm. While it may seem cumbersome to commit to a weekday evening, folks who sing in Cantorei find this time to be refreshing, and actually energizing. As director, I work on not wasting time of those who come. We work hard. We learn good music and leave the so-so out of our folders. Liturgies in the choir loft are just as formal as the main floor. We do everything the main floor does except
kneel(since we have no kneelers). We can see and hear wonderfully. We can sing lustily. It doesn't feel like another room up there. Personally, I like the company.
On Sundays we generally sing in the 10:45 Eucharist, warming up in the choir room at 10:20 am.
It's also a kind of open-community within our community. We laugh a lot as we work. We get together socially. We try to be there for each other. As we work at our task, we get to know each other fairly well. I say "open" community, because often people sing with us just for a while - they come and go. Some of the singers have been singing for more years than they'd like to admit. Some are brand new to the whole idea. All are valued, appreciated, and contribute equally.
We won't ask you to be a "member" of the choir - but we do invite you to sing with us. As often as you can - or whenever you can. Try it for a short season, and see how it works for you.
We start on Wednesday, September 8, singing in the September 12 Eucharist. Just come. You can let me know you are coming, or simply show up. We'll hand you some music and join you in singing.
- Cantor David Cherwien
Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts Announces 2010-2011 Series
Brochures for the new series is in preparation, and will be mailed soon. Here is an advance notice of the events:
Sunday, October 3, 4:00 pm: Silent Movie with improvised organ accompaniment. John
Schwandt, Organist
Sunday, December 5, 4:00 pm: Advent Procession Service
Friday, January 7, 2011, 7:30 pm: Hymn Festival (Conference on Liturgy)
Sunday, February 13, 4:00 pm: Minnesota Boychoir
Sunday, March 13, 4:00 pm: Lent Procession Service
Sunday, May 15, 4:00 pm: WolfGang Chamber Music Concert
Sunday, June 5, 4:00 pm: Bach Cantata Vespers (as a part of Bach Tage 2011)
Upcoming Events – Heads Up!
Earlier this summer I served as organist at a two-week workshop for Presbyterian Musicians in Montreat, NC. There was daily Eucharist at 11:00, and workshop sessions went on all day in the un-air-conditioned worship space. That meant my practice time on the organ was limited to 7 to 8 am. While wailing away with preparations one morning, I was approached. Some neighbors had complained about the organ music coming from the open windows, and because of this police would be coming at 11:00 to be sure our liturgy didn’t violate the legal noise level limits of the community. Wow. I was imagining what a wonderful ticket that would be to
brag about: cited for “praising God too much”. Bring it on! They did come with their meter, but unfortunately we were just below the limit. Too bad. I should have used all the reeds.
One Sunday here at Mount Olive, Susan came to church a bit late and had to park a block and a half away. As she approached the building, she could hear the robust singing with its full organ accompaniment (from as far as a block away!) So could the neighborhood. People walking by would slow down, looking in. Cars with rolled-down windows were also looking.
I had never considered this. The neighborhood HEARS us all summer as we “suffer in the heat.” They can hear that God means something to us. They hear us, and they want to see what all that noise is about. I have said it before and will continue to say it: our participation – our meaningful participation – gets noticed. And what it says gets noticed too: God really does mean something to us. Our songs are not just noise, they are expressions from deep within of what is most important to us. We should not sing just to get ourselves noticed, but we can enjoy the fact that God gets noticed in our song. And that is enticing. People want to look in. Those inside want to sing along.
Sing on!
- Cantor David Cherwien
Pastor Joseph Crippen’s Installation as Mount Olive’s Seventh Pastor
October 17, 2010 – Save the Date!
As most of you learned in last week’s ‘Twig’ Pastor Joseph Crippen has accepted the Solemn Call of Mount Olive Lutheran Church to be our next pastor. What an exciting, affirming, and busy time the next few weeks will be as we prepare for his arrival and installation. His last day at St. John’s is September 12, and he will take some time with his family before beginning his work among us on October 11. Please continue to remember him, his family, both congregations and their staffs in prayer during this time of transition and change.
The 8:00 service on October 17 will be Morning Prayer, so that Pastor Crippen’s installation during the 10:45 Eucharist may be emphasized. Glenndy Ose, Bishop Johnson’s associate for Stewardship and Rostered Ministries in the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA, will be our guest preacher for this service and will conduct the Rite of Installation. The liturgy will be
followed by a welcome luncheon/reception for Pastor Crippen, his wife Mary, and their family—both immediate and extended. Mark this important date on your calendar and join us to warmly welcome the Crippens to Mount Olive. Additional details of the day’s activities will be published as they become available.
Getting to know our new Pastor and his family (and they, us) will be an important part of our shared experience in coming months. One of the first things we hope to have after the installation is an adult forum time to begin those conversations. In the meantime, I had a
more basic question: “What do we call him?” We have had a wide range of ‘pastor naming conventions,’ at least in my time at Mount Olive. I already knew that ‘Joe’ was a ‘no-go’. Mary, his best friends, and even his own mother call him ‘Joseph’, but I’ve never been able to call
my Pastor by only his first name. So I asked; and found that he has been ‘Pastor Crippen’ to most people at St. John’s, though ‘Pastor Joseph’ has also been uttered in informal conversations with no ill effects. Formally and in print, though, he is most comfortable with Pastor Crippen. Now I know--and so do you.
And I haven’t forgotten Elayne’s question about what he is reading…so stay tuned for this and more.
Regards,
Adam
And Speaking of Transition—
Pastor Hollie and I have discussed and concluded that Sunday, September 26, 2010 will be her final day as our Interim Pastor. This will allow a couple Sunday’s before Pastor Crippen begins, which she felt is important. Please continue to remember Pastor Hollie and her family in your prayers as she concludes her work among us at Mount Olive and prepares to hand the mantel of
pastoral care to Pastor Crippen.
The Adult Forum time on September 26 will be a time for us to thank Pastor Hollie for her work among us during this interim, and the 10:45 liturgy will include our Farewell and Godspeed as she looks to the future and what God has in store for her next. Please join us for both.
Members in the News
From Bench & Bar of Minneapolis:
“The Hennepin County Bar Association recognizes two individuals each year - a judge and a lawyer – for their commitment to the highest of professional standards in the legal community. This year’s recipients are the Hon. Jay Quam, judge of the 4th Judicial District Court, and Gene H. Hennig. Judge Quam is currently the presiding judge in probate/mental health court. Hennig is a member of Gray Plant Mooty’s business advisory group.”
Congratulations, Gene!
Book Discussion
For its meeting on September 11, the Book Discussion group will discuss Troubles, by J.G. Farrell, and for the October 9 meeting they will read The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. All readers welcome!
Summer Worship Schedule to End Soon
Summer worship schedule ends on Labor Day weekend. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 12, we return to two services each Sunday, at 8 and 10:45 a.m.
On Sept. 12, Morning Prayer will be prayed at 8 a.m., with a single Eucharist at 10:45 a.m., in order that we may celebrate together the blessing of our newly renovated facilities.
Our regular worship schedule of two Sunday Eucharists resumes on Sunday, September 19.
Notes of Thanks
From the family of Harold Diersen: Thanks to the staff and musicians of Mount Olive for their
contributions to the funeral liturgy for Harold Diersen, and to the members and friends who have given gifts to the Mount Olive Foundation and to Music and Fine Arts in his memory.
From Anne & Warren Bartz: In our recently published note of thanks to those who came to help us clean out our basement, we inadvertently forgot to include Mark Spitzack, who organized the project. Thanks, Mark!
Highlights from the Vestry Meeting
The Vestry met on Monday, August 9, at 6 pm to spend a full hour on refining the church calendar through May of next year. It was confirmed that plans are underway for the
blessing of our newly-renovated parish house. A celebration will be held on September 12 during and after the 2nd liturgy. Worship and Congregational Life Committees are working together on the events of the day.
The Evangelism Committee will be looking into publishing a "Parish Events" sheet that may be
distributed to worshipers upon exiting the sanctuary after each service.
Staff members and directors gave their reports. Pastor Hollie introduced her Confirmation Handbook, which is designed using a three-year teaching cycle. Donna Neste noted that the Bible for Big Kids activity will no longer be on the calendar. Paul Sundquist discussed the Capital
Campaign and indicated that Art Halbardier is overseeing a renewed emphasis on campagin proceeds and pledges. Paul indicated that Capital Campaign giving has held up very nicely, compared to regular giving to the general fund. He also indicated that general giving continues to be disturbingly lower than last year. We are still paying our bills and have good cash flow, but we are not paying down our line of credit as quickly as we'd like to, and our deficit is widening.
The most notable directors' reports were from Properties and Stewardship this month. David Molvik shared plans for a rain garden that will be planted along the west side of the parking lot. This will be done for free by Metro Blooms in conjunction with the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, to help clean up the runoff water that empties into Powderhorn Lake. The Vestry approved this action and David will inform Metro Blooms to proceed. The kitchen renovation is going along as planned, and other than signage and furnishings, the upstairs project has been completed. David indicated that his committee will prepare and implement an updated preventative maintenance plan for building equipment. The building committee is considering
refurbishment of the Choir School room for the new Godly Play program; is performing various minor heating repairs; is making various lighting upgrades in the Nave and Narthex; and plans to upgrade the sound systems in the Nave and Undercroft. They are also considering reallocating space in the basement along with building cabinetry and remodeling other rooms on that floor.
Paul Odlaug reported that the Stewardship committee is revamping the Financial Secretary position and the counting procedures. He indicated that we are in dire need of an interim Financial Secretary to replace John Meyer, and that anyone interested in becoming a counter and/or joining the Stewardship Committee would be most welcome!
The Vestry went into Executive Session to prepare the Letter of Call and salary/benefits package for Pastor Crippen, drawing upon previous work done by the Salary Review Committee.
The next Vestry meeting will be September 13 at 7 pm. We will begin preparing next year's budget that evening and finalize it during the October meeting.
Cantorei is Open to You
We float the word "member" around the church - and sometimes it may send an incorrect message. It can sound like a club - either you're in (a member) or out. Not so with our worship, and also not so with our choir. Some basic information about Cantorei: It is really open to anyone, regardless of your age, musical ability (we can teach), your ability to attend every rehearsal or be here every Sunday. There are no auditions, we just hope for positive energy, and a love of singing. We rehearse each Wednesday from 7:00-8:45 pm. While it may seem cumbersome to commit to a weekday evening, folks who sing in Cantorei find this time to be refreshing, and actually energizing. As director, I work on not wasting time of those who come. We work hard. We learn good music and leave the so-so out of our folders. Liturgies in the choir loft are just as formal as the main floor. We do everything the main floor does except
kneel(since we have no kneelers). We can see and hear wonderfully. We can sing lustily. It doesn't feel like another room up there. Personally, I like the company.
On Sundays we generally sing in the 10:45 Eucharist, warming up in the choir room at 10:20 am.
It's also a kind of open-community within our community. We laugh a lot as we work. We get together socially. We try to be there for each other. As we work at our task, we get to know each other fairly well. I say "open" community, because often people sing with us just for a while - they come and go. Some of the singers have been singing for more years than they'd like to admit. Some are brand new to the whole idea. All are valued, appreciated, and contribute equally.
We won't ask you to be a "member" of the choir - but we do invite you to sing with us. As often as you can - or whenever you can. Try it for a short season, and see how it works for you.
We start on Wednesday, September 8, singing in the September 12 Eucharist. Just come. You can let me know you are coming, or simply show up. We'll hand you some music and join you in singing.
- Cantor David Cherwien
Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts Announces 2010-2011 Series
Brochures for the new series is in preparation, and will be mailed soon. Here is an advance notice of the events:
Sunday, October 3, 4:00 pm: Silent Movie with improvised organ accompaniment. John
Schwandt, Organist
Sunday, December 5, 4:00 pm: Advent Procession Service
Friday, January 7, 2011, 7:30 pm: Hymn Festival (Conference on Liturgy)
Sunday, February 13, 4:00 pm: Minnesota Boychoir
Sunday, March 13, 4:00 pm: Lent Procession Service
Sunday, May 15, 4:00 pm: WolfGang Chamber Music Concert
Sunday, June 5, 4:00 pm: Bach Cantata Vespers (as a part of Bach Tage 2011)
Upcoming Events – Heads Up!
- September 4 – NO Community Meal this day, postponed to Sept. 11 (holiday weekend)
- September 6– Labor Day; Church offices closed
- September 12 – Blessing of newly-renovated Parish House. (Please note revised schedule for the day: Morning Prayer at 8 am, and Holy Eucharist at 10:45 am, with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)
- September 19, Noon – Opportunities for Service Brunch
- September 26 – Farewell and Godspeed for Pastor Hollie (her last liturgy as Mount Olive’s interim pastor)
- October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – Blessing of Animals at 7 pm
- October 17 – Installation of Pastor Joseph Crippen (Please note revised schedule for this day also: Morning Prayer at 8 am, and Holy Eucharist at 10:45 am, with celebration luncheon following the liturgy.)
- October 18, Feast of St. Luke – Holy Eucharist with Rite of Healing at Noon and 7 pm
- October 24, 9:30 am – Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting
- October 31, Reformation Day – Consecration Sunday
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Rev. Joseph Crippen to be the Next Pastor of Mount Olive
The Rev. Joseph G. Crippen has accepted the call to become pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church beginning October 11, 2010. Details on Pr. Crippen's installation as the parish's seventh pastor will be announced in the coming days.
For 14 years he has served St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, MN. In a letter to Mount Olive president Adam Krueger and the congregation's vestry and members, Pr. Crippen said, "I am deeply grateful for your confidence in extending me this call, and I ask God's grace and strength to serve you faithfully."
For 14 years he has served St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, MN. In a letter to Mount Olive president Adam Krueger and the congregation's vestry and members, Pr. Crippen said, "I am deeply grateful for your confidence in extending me this call, and I ask God's grace and strength to serve you faithfully."
Sermon from August 15, 2010: Mary, Mother of Our Lord
“Mary: Mother and More”
Luke 1:46-55
A program we at Mount Olive offer neighborhood youth is something called Jobs After School, loving known as J.A.S. (pronounced jazz). You will see the Jobs After School in the weekly calendar of events printed in the bulletin. J.A.S. is a program that is offered after school during the school year and also in the summer. The kids do a variety of jobs and receive pay for their work. They pick up trash a long a couple of city streets, they clean the pews in the sanctuary, this summer they painted a mural (which you can see a picture of it on the Neighborhood ministries bulletin board). For a while our J.A.S. kids stuffed our Sunday bulletins until too many errors were found so they were given other duties.
This past week it was raining on Wednesday so the J.A.S. kids were working indoors. I was in the pastor’s office working on some things with the door open. And a group of four girls were walking down the hallway by the offices to get some supplies. One of the girls saw the sign “pastor” on the door and said “Pastor.” I thought someone was looking for me so I replied, “yes?” “Oh,” the girl giggled as she walked by. Then I heard the whispered tones and giggles that only teen girls can do. After a few minutes the group walked by the door again. This time the young girl whispered something then I heard “Pastor,” then she whispered something else. Donna was following behind the girls and said, “She is the pastor,” referring to me. Then the girls giggling turned to laughter, “SHE’S the pastor?” They thought it was the funniest thing they ever heard. The girls made three or four trips past my door and each time they giggled.
The girl who got the most giggles for this was a 13 or 14 year old Latina girl. Donna figured she must be Roman Catholic which would explain why a woman pastor seemed to tickle her funny bone.
I thought about how this young girl with a Roman Catholic background does not have it on her radar that a woman even could be a pastor because her tradition does not allow it. I wonder if one of the reasons the role of Mary is more highlighted in the Roman Catholic tradition is so that women have someone with whom they can identify in a male dominated hierarchy.
This giggly girl could not grasp the radicalism of a woman pastor. It was so far outside of the reach of possibility all she could do was giggle.
I wonder if that might have been Mary’s first response when the Angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of God’s son. Remember Mary is more than likely a 13 or 14 year old teen, like the giggly J.A.S. girl. Did she giggle when she heard the news? Did she giggle in that way only teen girls can giggle? I think she might have. But unlike the disbelief of the J.A.S. girl, Mary responded with flat out faith and receptivity to God.
It is difficult for us to know what to do with Mary the Mother of Our Lord. Do we venerate her like some in the Roman Catholic tradition? Do we see her as a prophet? For her words in the magnificat are words of a prophet. Do we see her as an apostle? After all she was called and sent out with a task to literally bear Jesus to the world. Do we see her as an Evangelist? For she speaks the word of God to the world. Or do we see her as a saint? A holy one who was receptive to the will of God, who lived a life of great faith.
She fits all of these roles, but she doesn’t.
As a mother she fits this role fully but do we only see her for her womb, do we relegate her to the role of “producing” the son of God and nothing else. Do we make her so holy that she, too, was conceived in her mother’s womb by another immaculate conception, which takes away the miracle of her belief and Jesus’ conception?
The thing about Mary is that we cannot make too much out of the mother of Jesus to the extent that we miss the more she has to offer. We need to look beyond the prescribed roles to her actions.
The richness of her very being, of her faith, of her part in the plan of God, of her part in the life of Jesus all adds to the wonder of Mary the person. This is the teen girl who not only gave birth to a divine being but raised him as any mother would. She fed him, changed his diaper, rocked him to sleep, and clothed him. This is not to venerate her more than any mother, or parent, who tends to these duties, but she is raising the son of God. What is it like to have divine in-laws? Sure she had Joseph’s family and her own to ground her but what about knowing that the baby’s real father is the creator of the universe. I mean that puts a different perspective on things.
What do we do with Mary, who is the mother of the Lord and a whole lot more?
What would it be like if we looked at her as a giggling teenage girl who is open and receptive to the wonders and mysteries of God? She says that God has looked at her low estate and chose her. She then glorifies God with her words and her life.
God regards the low estate of Mary. She, then, gives birth to Jesus, who enters our low estate and changes our lives and our world.
The life of faith is one in which we step out of prescribed roles and situations and let God work. It is scary and wondrous at the same time.
So we celebrate Mary as mother of our Lord and more.
Luke 1:46-55
A program we at Mount Olive offer neighborhood youth is something called Jobs After School, loving known as J.A.S. (pronounced jazz). You will see the Jobs After School in the weekly calendar of events printed in the bulletin. J.A.S. is a program that is offered after school during the school year and also in the summer. The kids do a variety of jobs and receive pay for their work. They pick up trash a long a couple of city streets, they clean the pews in the sanctuary, this summer they painted a mural (which you can see a picture of it on the Neighborhood ministries bulletin board). For a while our J.A.S. kids stuffed our Sunday bulletins until too many errors were found so they were given other duties.
This past week it was raining on Wednesday so the J.A.S. kids were working indoors. I was in the pastor’s office working on some things with the door open. And a group of four girls were walking down the hallway by the offices to get some supplies. One of the girls saw the sign “pastor” on the door and said “Pastor.” I thought someone was looking for me so I replied, “yes?” “Oh,” the girl giggled as she walked by. Then I heard the whispered tones and giggles that only teen girls can do. After a few minutes the group walked by the door again. This time the young girl whispered something then I heard “Pastor,” then she whispered something else. Donna was following behind the girls and said, “She is the pastor,” referring to me. Then the girls giggling turned to laughter, “SHE’S the pastor?” They thought it was the funniest thing they ever heard. The girls made three or four trips past my door and each time they giggled.
The girl who got the most giggles for this was a 13 or 14 year old Latina girl. Donna figured she must be Roman Catholic which would explain why a woman pastor seemed to tickle her funny bone.
I thought about how this young girl with a Roman Catholic background does not have it on her radar that a woman even could be a pastor because her tradition does not allow it. I wonder if one of the reasons the role of Mary is more highlighted in the Roman Catholic tradition is so that women have someone with whom they can identify in a male dominated hierarchy.
This giggly girl could not grasp the radicalism of a woman pastor. It was so far outside of the reach of possibility all she could do was giggle.
I wonder if that might have been Mary’s first response when the Angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of God’s son. Remember Mary is more than likely a 13 or 14 year old teen, like the giggly J.A.S. girl. Did she giggle when she heard the news? Did she giggle in that way only teen girls can giggle? I think she might have. But unlike the disbelief of the J.A.S. girl, Mary responded with flat out faith and receptivity to God.
It is difficult for us to know what to do with Mary the Mother of Our Lord. Do we venerate her like some in the Roman Catholic tradition? Do we see her as a prophet? For her words in the magnificat are words of a prophet. Do we see her as an apostle? After all she was called and sent out with a task to literally bear Jesus to the world. Do we see her as an Evangelist? For she speaks the word of God to the world. Or do we see her as a saint? A holy one who was receptive to the will of God, who lived a life of great faith.
She fits all of these roles, but she doesn’t.
As a mother she fits this role fully but do we only see her for her womb, do we relegate her to the role of “producing” the son of God and nothing else. Do we make her so holy that she, too, was conceived in her mother’s womb by another immaculate conception, which takes away the miracle of her belief and Jesus’ conception?
The thing about Mary is that we cannot make too much out of the mother of Jesus to the extent that we miss the more she has to offer. We need to look beyond the prescribed roles to her actions.
The richness of her very being, of her faith, of her part in the plan of God, of her part in the life of Jesus all adds to the wonder of Mary the person. This is the teen girl who not only gave birth to a divine being but raised him as any mother would. She fed him, changed his diaper, rocked him to sleep, and clothed him. This is not to venerate her more than any mother, or parent, who tends to these duties, but she is raising the son of God. What is it like to have divine in-laws? Sure she had Joseph’s family and her own to ground her but what about knowing that the baby’s real father is the creator of the universe. I mean that puts a different perspective on things.
What do we do with Mary, who is the mother of the Lord and a whole lot more?
What would it be like if we looked at her as a giggling teenage girl who is open and receptive to the wonders and mysteries of God? She says that God has looked at her low estate and chose her. She then glorifies God with her words and her life.
God regards the low estate of Mary. She, then, gives birth to Jesus, who enters our low estate and changes our lives and our world.
The life of faith is one in which we step out of prescribed roles and situations and let God work. It is scary and wondrous at the same time.
So we celebrate Mary as mother of our Lord and more.
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