January 25, 2026
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, January 25, are given to God’s glory by the children of Walther & Mildred Gullixson in honor of what would have been their 80th wedding anniversary on January 25, 2026.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Patricia Elwood, Katie Tweit, Jeanette Koberg, Donna Lee, Jenny Krosch, Eric Davis, Owen Saidler, and all our loved ones who have been sick and facing challenges with their health; for Kristin Litynski and her family as they mourn the sudden passing of Kristin’s father, Mark Matzke, this past week; and for Mr. Michael Koestler and his family as he deliberates his call to serve as principal at Cornerstone Lutheran School.
Join us for a four-part Bible class on Sundays, January 25 and February 1 & 8, at 9:40am in the Social Hall. Pastor Soule is leading a study of the early church entitled “The Apostles’ Teaching and Fellowship.”
Voters: Plan to attend the Semi-Annual Voters’ Meeting on Sunday, January 25, at 12:15pm. Paper copies of a packet containing documents for the meeting are available on the narthex table. A PDF of the packet is included in the Weekly Announcements that were emailed to Mount Olive members.
Monthly Prayer Fellowship: In the words of Ephesians 6:18, we are encouraged to “Pray in the Spirit…and keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Following this encouragement, a prayer group is being formed for those who wish to join together monthly in interceding for the needs of the congregation and community. Please join us on Sunday, January 25, at 2pm in the Church Nursery for our first meeting. For any questions or prayer requests to be included, please email James Albright at Jamesfalbright84@gmail.com.
Art After Dark, a miniseries of lectures on art appreciation from a Christian perspective, by Bethany Professor Emeritus and Artist Bill Bukowski, will be held at Mount Olive from 8-9pm on January 29, February 5 and February 12. See the poster on the church bulletin board in the narthex for more information.
Mount Olive’s Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Congregation Night is Thursday, January 29. Watch the MVL Boys Basketball Team play Maple River Schools. Free tickets are available at the church office: first-come, first-served.
Registration for students at Minnesota Valley Lutheran for the 2026-27 academic year is now open. Apply at mvl.org.
The Charger Classic Basketball Tournament: Saturday, January 31, at Bethany Lutheran College. Enjoy a full day of basketball and support our athletes by visiting the concession stand.
Volunteers are needed; sign up here: https://signup.com/go/pUXCgFa. Note that volunteers get free entrance to the tournament!
Concessions donations are also needed; sign up here: https://signup.com/go/uXCxhNd. Drop off all items in the Mount Olive kitchen during the week of January 26; deadline for item drop-off is Thursday, January 29, at 3:30pm.
Feedback Survey: The church leadership is seeking your feedback about Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Complete the survey online at https://tinyurl.com/MTOJanuary2026. Paper copies of the survey are available on the narthex table and may be left with an usher or placed in the offering plates as you exit. Please return all surveys by Sunday, February 1. Thank you for your feedback!
Camp Indianhead Summer 2026 Camp Information Updates: Join ELS youth at Camp Indianhead this summer. Two camps are available:
1. High School Week - at Lutheran Island Camp in Henning, MN from July 5 - 10 for ages 14-17 (students entering high school). Thanks to our donors, High School Week will only cost $495 per camper. Don’t forget to register on our website for bussing! We’ll arrange a bus to leave from Mankato and swing through the Twin Cities to make transportation easier.
2. Classic Camp - at Camp Omega in Waterville, MN from July 12 -17 for ages 10-13 (students entering 5th-8th grade). Thanks to our donors, we are partnering with Camp Omega to offer scaled camp tuition based on your family’s unique needs: Tier C (heavily subsidized by donors): $450; Tier B (moderately subsidized by donors): $530; and Tier A (true cost of camp): $640. For campers wanting a more extreme time at camp, register for our new outpost experience!
Registration opens on Monday, February 2, at 8am and closes Monday, February 13, at 5pm. Register online at www.campindianhead.com. Mount Olive provides a subsidy for each camper. Use discount code mtol2026t when you register to reduce your camper's tuition by $50. Space is limited, so be sure to register early! Reach out to Pastor Josh Mayer at pastorjmayer@gmail.com if you have questions.
M.O.M.s On a Mission Bible Study Spring Schedule: The Peace/Mount Olive/Eagle Lake Moms On a Mission (M.O.M.s) Bible study will begin its Spring 2026 Session on Thursday, February 5, at 8:30am, using the book “The Meaning Full Life: Living Every Day in Light of the Last Day,” by Pastor Ben Sadler. A limited number of books will be available at the Bible study; alternatively, you can purchase a copy of your own at the Bethany Bookstore or on Amazon. M.O.M.s Bible study is for any mom in any stage of life. Childcare is provided for little ones. Questions? Contact Jenna Londgren at 507-469-9044 or at Jennifer.londgren@mnsu.edu.
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. A sign-up sheet for Saturday, February 7, is available on the narthex table. Sign up or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 if you can help.
The 2025 Giving Statements were emailed to congregation members on January 12. If you don’t have an email on file with the church, or you didn’t receive your statement, please contact the church office to obtain a printed copy of your giving statement.
Thursday Night Meals for Minnesota State University-Mankato Students: The Beacon Campus Ministry serves dinner to around 40 college students every Thursday at 5:30pm. We’re looking for volunteers willing to provide a meal for our students. Financial assistance is available if necessary to help cover the cost—we need help preparing the food. If you are available, please contact Pastor Noah Hartmann, the Campus Pastor at Beacon Campus Ministry & Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s, at pastorhartmann@stpaulsnorthmankato.com or at 414-335-8604.
New School Name
The following letter was emailed to all Mount Olive members and school families this past Tuesday morning. Copies of the letter and a list of “Questions and Answers: Next Steps” are available on the narthex table.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We give thanks to God and appreciation for the thoughtful input from many as we are pleased to share that our new joint school name will be Cornerstone Lutheran School.
The name reflects a clear and meaningful commitment to Christ-centered education. The term Cornerstone points directly to Jesus Christ as the firm and enduring foundation of the Church and of all Christian instruction, as affirmed in Ephesians 2:20—“You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone.” This biblical imagery aligns strongly with the school’s commitment to both academic excellence and assisting parents in the Christian training of their children, to live a life of faith here on earth and forever after in Heaven.
Cornerstone conveys stability, strength, reliability, and permanence—values that should reassure current families and will appeal to prospective families seeking an education grounded in truth, integrity, and enduring Lutheran doctrine. It communicates that the school is built upon a foundation that will not shift with time or circumstance.
It allows all three supporting congregations to affirm together that Christ is the cornerstone and foundation for all that the school does. It honors the heritage of the school while establishing a shared spiritual, intellectual, and physical center where children can grow together in faith, integrity, and academic excellence.
Cornerstone Lutheran School was the prominent choice in the ranking survey sent to the Executive Council, Board of Directors, Faculty, and Pastors. The name was provided multiple times after soliciting suggestions from our school and congregations, and was also a name given from Blueprint Schools in one of their final reports, reflecting broad support and shared conviction.
We invite you to join us in prayer as we move forward together — for our students, families, teachers, and church and school leaders — that God would richly bless Cornerstone Lutheran School and to use this ministry to glorify Christ and bring children to saving faith in Him.
In His service,
The Board of Directors, Cornerstone Lutheran School
Bethany Lutheran College Events
Theatre/Music:
The box office is now open to reserve seats for the Theater and Music Departments' winter musical production of Mary Poppins. Performances are January 30-31and February 6-7 at 7:30pm, and February 1 and February 7at 2 pm. Visit blc.edu/box-office to reserve your seats.
Summer Art Camp:
This camp for students in grades 5-8 and 9-12 takes place on the Bethany campus June 22-26. Registration is now open. Class size is limited to 25 for elementary students in the morning camp and 15 students for the afternoon high school camp, so register today. For more details and to sign up, visit the registration form or contact Jenna Thompson at jenna.thompson@blc.edu.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 209/172; 10:45am, 249/168; Monday: 28/21
Live Online Viewing: Sunday: 27
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Steve & Lois Jaeger, Joe & Connie Meyer
Bill & Sherri Bukowski, Steve Lussky
Offering Counters: Steve Lussky, Jon Pfeffer
Altar Guild: Connie Meyer, Brenda Garbers, Vivian Smith
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $9,490.30
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $9,327.30
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-January 22, 2026): $102,842.30
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 12/31/2025: (20,872.43)
Psalm 116:12-13: What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement