February 1, 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, Lorena Merseth, Asher Graham (grandson of Carolyn Graham), Pam Davis, Jim Gullixson, Annette Feistner, MaryEllen Velzke (mother of Raelene Kovaciny), and Karen Springer (mother of Dr. Ben Springer)and all our loved ones who have been sick and facing ongoing health challenges. We also prayed for families that are mourning the loss of loved ones: the Struck family at the sudden death of Karl’s father, Fred Struck; the Soule and Leyrer families at the death of Sarah & Catharine’s grandmother, Joy Morin; the Springer family at the death of Michelle’s uncle Chris; the Langhorst family at the death of Keri’s grandmother, Edith; and the Litynski family as they continue to mourn the death of Kristin’s father, Mark.
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
Fred Struck, father of Karl Struck, passed away on January 22. The funeral is Monday, February 2, at 11am at Norseland Lutheran Church. Visitation is Sunday, February 1, at Traverse de Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter from 2-5pm and on Monday at the church from 10-11am. Memorials are preferred to Norseland Lutheran Church or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. For a complete obituary or to view the service livestream, visit www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Michael Koestler has returned the call to serve as the principal of Cornerstone Lutheran School; a copy of his letter is on the bulletin board in the narthex.
The Mount Olive Church Directory has recently been updated; copies are available on the narthex table.
Special Voters Meeting
A special voters meeting will be held on Sunday, February 15, at 12:30pm. The purpose of this brief meeting is to vote on an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of our jointly operated school corporation to update the legal name to Cornerstone Lutheran School. This is a required legal step to align the corporate name with current filings and public use. No changes to doctrine, mission, or governance structure are involved. Voting members are encouraged to attend so quorum is present and the vote can be completed.
Thank you,
Ben Tweit
Chair, Church Council
Cornerstone Lutheran School Giving Update
Thank you for supporting Cornerstone Lutheran School. Until our IRS 501(c)(3) determination is finalized, all donations and gifts for the school must be processed through Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
Please follow these steps:
• Make checks payable to: Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
• Include in the memo line: For Cornerstone Lutheran School (or specific purpose if designated, such as Tuition Assistance or Care Share).
• Do not make checks payable to Cornerstone or Newco at this time.
• All cash donations should be clearly labeled for Cornerstone before processing.
• Provide all donations to the school office for proper receipting and classification.
Contributions are receipted through Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Cornerstone-designated gifts are tracked separately and used for school purposes in accordance with donor intent.
If you have questions, please see the school office.
For more updates and all other new announcements, pick up your copy of the February 2026 edition of the Olive Press from the narthex table. The Olive Press is also available on the Mount Olive website: mtolivelutheran.org/publications. For Mount Olive members who receive the Weekly Announcements via email, note that the February Olive Press is attached to the February 1 Weekly Announcements.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 254; 10:45am, 171; Post-Service Communion: 22; Monday: 44/26
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Tom & Joni Bode, Chad Feistner
Dean & LuAnn Shoop, Peggy Harstad, Lois Johnson
Offering Counters: Andy Overn, Chris Kind
Altar Guild: Elli Fisher, Jane Zibrowski
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $12,162.43
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $5,508.24
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-January 29, 2026): $108,512.93
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