December 21, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, December 21, are given to God’s glory by Will & Lisa Holt in honor of family member birthdays in December.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Patricia Elwood, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Jeanette Koberg, Matt Lukasek, Ruth Faye, Donna Lee, Annette Feistner, Jenny Krosch, and all of our loved ones who have been sick and facing challenges with their health.
Christmas Cheer in the Narthex – A Gathering for Our Retired Folks and Friends: Join us on Monday, December 22, at 3:30pm for a special Advent and Christmas celebration in the church narthex! Enjoy festive décor, light refreshments, seasonal music, and other entertainment as we share in the joy of the season. Space is limited to 50 guests, so please sign up on the sheet on the Narthex table or call the church office to reserve your spot. If you would like to help, contact Pastor Ulrich at 507-345-4966 or by email at lukeulrich@gmail.com.
Join us for our Special Christmas Services:
Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24
4:30pm, Divine Service (Preservice music by the Mt. Olive Strings at 4pm); Adult Choir
7pm, Candlelight Service
Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25
10am, Divine Service w/Holy Communion; Adult Choir and Mt. Olive Brass Band
New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31
6:30pm, Divine Service w/Individual Absolution and Holy Communion
New Year’s Day
Thursday, January 1
No Service
2026 Offering Envelopes are now available on a table in the old narthex area. The 2026 offering envelope order was placed based on individuals who were using them in 2025. Please look for the box with your name on it as your number might have changed. To avoid confusion in applying your contributions, please only use 2026 envelopes in 2026. Thank you. If you would like to have a box of offering envelopes and did not see them on the table, please let the church office know.
The Year of Jubilee “Match Challenge” is back! An anonymous member has pledged up to $25,000 for the Year of Jubilee debt reduction drive. All donations received between December 14, 2025 and January 12, 2026 for the YOJ campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25k! Donations can be made through the offering plate or online at mtolivelutheran.org. This is a fantastic opportunity to reduce our debt by $50,000 or more and put us closer to reaching our goal of $250k for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Please be sure to earmark your funds for the “Year of Jubilee” so that they can be counted for the match!
Care Share helps students whose families face financial or medical hardship, keeping Christian education accessible to all. Starting January 1, 2026, our current Tuition Assistance fund will be rolled into Care Share, the official tuition support program of Newco, funded by all three congregations and outside donors.
To give, mark “Care Share” on cash or check donations, or use the Tuition Assistance button on Mount Olive’s Online Giving platform, Vanco. In January, this will be transitioned to Care Share.
Donations and pledges continue to come in—see the updated amounts in the Weekly Financial Update section at the end of the Announcements. Thank you! If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Tenold at school@mtolivelutheran.org or 507-345-7927.
Volunteers Needed! Mt. Olive provides volunteers at New 2 You on the first Saturday of each month to run the cash register and check out customers. Our next scheduled date is Saturday, January 3. The sign-up sheet is on the narthex table. Sign up or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 if you can help. Your time and support are much appreciated!
Mr. Shu-Ting Lai has returned the call to serve as the first principal of NewCo Lutheran School; a copy of his letter regarding the call is on the narthex bulletin board.
Mount Olive First Grade Teacher Update: Mrs. Barbara Halvorson graciously agreed to teach first grade this year in support of Mrs. Anita Krienke, who stepped away from her call to remain at home with her new son. Mrs. Halvorson initially agreed to serve in this role until a long-term or solid temporary option became available. We had hoped that a December graduate from Martin Luther College might be available to serve for the remainder of the school year; however, no graduate was assigned to Mount Olive at this time. After prayerful consideration, Mrs. Halvorson believes that God is calling her to continue serving in her role as our first grade teacher. We are deeply thankful for her willingness to continue in this position; she will remain in the classroom for the near future or through the end of the 2025–2026 academic year. If you have any questions, please contact Principal Ben Springer at principal@mtolivelutheran.org or Board of Education Chairman Jake Krier at jkrier@blc.edu.
A site supervisor is needed for Mount Olive gym rentals--must be 18 years of age or older and know how to set up a volleyball net. This is a paid position. Shifts are weekday evenings. If interested, please reach out to the athletic director, Jackie Libby, at ad@mtolivelutheran.org.
Basketball refs needed! These are paid positions. If interested, please reach out to the athletic director, Jackie Libby, at ad@mtolivelutheran.org.
Mankato seniors (55+): Bethany Lutheran College is offering a limited number of walking memberships on its 200-meter, cushioned indoor track in the Bethany Activity Center located on the corner of Marsh and Division Streets. Memberships are available from December 1 to April 30. Walking hours are 9am to 2pm. Cost is $50 per person (parking is included). To reserve a pass, please email Nick.Neubauer@blc.edu.
Several MVL Christmas wreaths remain in the north (Marsh Street) entrance. If you ordered a wreath, cross, or swag from MVL as part of their annual Holiday Fundraiser, please pick it up.
Thank you to everyone who donated and cut fleece for the After School Care blanket project. With your help, we were able to tie 15 blankets that will be donated to the Wellcome Manor in Garden City, MN.
From the Andreas Cancer Center: Thank you to the Mount Olive members who created such beautiful hats for our chemo patients. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated!
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 260; 10:45am, 87; Post-Service Communion, 22
Children’s Christmas Program, ~850
Monday: 32/22; Wednesday: 206
Live Online Viewing: Sunday: 34; Wednesday: 20
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Mark Klammer, Barents Family
Joyce Petersen, Emily Christensen
Offering Counters: John Baumann, Jana Finken
Altar Guild: Sharon Madson, Heidi Graham
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $18,025.94
Year of Jubilee Debt Match Challenge Given Last Week: $2,577.50
Year of Jubilee Match Challenge Total (December 14-18, 2025): $2,577.50
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 11/30/2025: ($36,058.25)
Care Share Tuition Assistance Account (balance as of December 18): $15,655.44, with an additional $12,650.00 in pledges to come in before the end of the year.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement