March 15, 2026
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, March 15, are given to God’s glory by Elli Fisher in thanksgiving for the blessings of family and friends.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Katie Tweit, Jenny Krosch, Marsha Natvig, Lorena Merseth, Asher Graham, Ann Thompson, Jeanette Koberg, ELS Pastor Glenn Smith, and all our loved ones who have been sick and facing ongoing health challenges.
Patricia Elwood passed away on Tuesday, March 10; a private service will be held on Thursday, March 19, in Marshall, MN.
Adult Sunday Bible Class: Join Pr. Ulrich on Sunday, March 15, from 9:40-10:30am in the Social Hall as he continues his Bible study based on The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. On Sunday, March 22, Principal Springer will present a historical overview of Mount Olive Lutheran School.
Diaper Drive, March 8-20: Help Options for Women, a local pregnancy care center, provide for women in need by your donations of diapers, formula, and pacifiers. Donation boxes are available in the Youth Room Hallway.
Our 2026 Midweek Lenten Worship is based on the theme “It Is Finished: The Holy Week Prophecies of Zechariah.” On March 18, Pastor Ben Wiechmann is preaching on Zechariah 13:7-9, with a message entitled “Scattered Sheep.” The Church Council will serve walking tacos beginning at 5pm, with the worship service at 6:30pm.
I:55 Book Fair: Mount Olive gymnasium. Hours are Wednesday, March 18, 2:45-6:15pm and after church until 8:30pm; Thursday, March 19, 8:30am–12pm; and Friday, March 20, 8:30-12pm (no Sunday times this year).
Grandparents: Mount Olive Lutheran School’s Grandparents Days are Thursday or Friday, March 19-20, from 8-11:15am at the school. Join your grandchild(ren) for a morning in his/her/their classroom(s). Be sure to let your families know which day you plan to attend, and they will RSVP for you as the dates get closer.
Registration for the 2026 Camp Indianhead Summer Camps has re-opened; registration deadline is Friday, March 20, at 5pm. Register online at www.campindianhead.com. Mount Olive provides a subsidy for each camper. Use the discount code mtol2026t when you register to reduce your camper's tuition by $50. Reach out to Pastor Josh Mayer at pastorjmayer@gmail.com if you have questions.
The funeral service for Donna Lee is Saturday, March 21, at 1pm at Mount Olive, with visitation from 12-1pm at the church.
Stewardship Sunday and All-Church Potluck: Sunday, March 22. All three congregations will hear a stewardship-focused message during worship. Then, join us for Cornerstone Lutheran School’s 1st Annual One Mission Potluck at 12:15pm in the Mount Olive gym. Bring a dish or dessert to share; chicken is provided. A pie auction will help raise funds for Cornerstone Lutheran School. There will be a short weekend recap presentation including an update on the total funds raised. Attendees will receive a pass for a guided tour of the middle school campus after the potluck. Please RSVP by March 16 for the potluck by going to https://tinyurl.com/242sa2m6 or by calling the church office at 507-345-4966.
Volunteers are needed to help with the set-up and serving of the all-church potluck on March 22. To sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C44AEA72FA5FF2-62616701-onemission. You can also call the church office at 507-345-4966 to sign up. Thank you for your help.
Call Extended: The Cornerstone Lutheran School Board of Directors voted to extend a Divine Call to Mr. Joseph Rodewald to serve as Principal at Cornerstone Lutheran School. The Board believes his leadership background would serve Cornerstone well. Mr. Rodewald currently serves as Principal at Divine Savior Academy in Santa Rita Ranch, Texas. Please keep Mr. Rodewald and his family in your prayers as he deliberates where God would lead him to serve. A copy of Mr. Rodewald’s letter acknowledging the call is on the narthex bulletin board. Mr. Rodewald may be contacted at joe.rodewald@divinesavioracademy.com.
Easter Flower Baskets: If you would like to contribute towards Easter flower basket arrangements, please use the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex. Suggested donation is $25; however, any amount is acceptable. Insert checks made payable to Mount Olive Lutheran Church into the provided envelope and place it in the church office Flower Box. Last day to order is Sunday, March 22.
Jesus’ Lambs at Peace Preschool Open House: Tuesday, March 24, from 6-8pm at 2090 Commerce Drive in North Mankato. Register your preschool child for the 2026-27 school year and enjoy face-painting, learning games, food, toys, and a tour of the school. If you are unable to attend that evening, call Joslyn at 507-594-8929 to set up a tour.
Your help is needed: The Evangelism Committee is looking for volunteers to help canvass the neighborhood with flyers advertising the Holy Week worship services and the Easter egg hunt. Meet at the church on March 28 at 9am.
Join us on Easter Sunday after the 10am Service for an Easter Egg Hunt. Over 1000 eggs will need to be found (collection bags provided). Bring a friend to share the Good News and participate in the Easter Egg hunt!
Attention All Brass Players: If you are able to play for the Easter Sunrise service, please contact Hannah Zibrowski at 507-720-2095.
Help us deliver Easter Dinner to the Reach, a drop-in center for homeless and at-risk youth in the Mankato area. Sign-up sheets are on the narthex table. Please deliver your donations to the church kitchen by Tuesday, March 31.
Mount Olive is once again hosting Theatre Bible School, June 22-26, at Bethany Lutheran College. Registration is open to students entering 3rd-8th grade. There is a $50 registration fee (with family discount options) to cover costs of food, costumes, and props, as well as to help compensate directors for taking time out of their work week. A deposit of $20 per child is due by June 1st and can be paid to Abby Bloedel by check or by Venmo, @AbigailBloedel. The remaining balance will be collected upon arrival on the first day at camp. For more information and to register, go to https://forms.gle/XrtAUWUZPDjYDt9z7.
Mount Olive’s 2026 Vacation Bible School is June 29-July 1. Similar to last year, this year’s VBS will use art to deliver Christ’s redeeming message to the children. Volunteers are needed to serve as teachers, leaders, and helpers. Here’s the link for the volunteer sign-up sheet: https://signup.com/go/QjPuoEF.
Please save your pop can tabs and help the Ronald McDonald House provide a community of support and respite for families with seriously ill or injured children.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Events:
Jeans & Dreams 2026:
Saturday, March 28, in Turner Hall, beginning at 5:30pm. Enjoy food, fellowship, an online silent auction, and a live auction while supporting the arts, academics, and athletics at MVL. Donations of baked goods and pies are needed; drop off your items at Turner Hall on March 28 between 12pm-4pm. Contact Misty at mistyut@gmail.com or call 507-380-0684 if you have questions.
Music:
The Spring Sacred Concert, featuring the A Cappella Choir, Chargaliers, Freshman Choir, and Concert Band, is Wednesday, April 1, at 7pm in the Fine Arts Center. This year's program, entitled What Wondrous Love, will celebrate the Lent and Easter seasons with performances by the A Cappella Choir, Freshmen Choir, MVL Chargaliers, and the Symphonic Band. A freewill offering will be collected.
Service Recognition:
During the April 1 Spring concert, MVL will give thanks to God for Mrs. Rebecca Berg and her forty years of service in the ministry and recognize the ministry of Mr. Rollin Timm and Mr. Craig Morgan as they retire from their service at the close of this current school year. Following the concert, there will be a reception in the Activities Commons. All are invited to attend.
Summer Camps:
Registration for MVL’s Summer Camps is now available at mvl.org. A poster with more information and sign-up deadlines is on the narthex bulletin board. Registration deadline is April 24.
Bethany Lutheran College Updates:
Art:
The work of Artist and Educator Charlie Putnam will be on exhibit in the YFAC from March 11-31. The display, entitled "Past and Present,” provides a retrospective look at his work from 1982 to the present and explores a variety of materials, techniques, and design.
Space remains for the Summer Art Camp Art Camp on June 22-26. Students going into grades 5-8 and 9-12 are invited to visit the Camp registration page to obtain information and to register.
Music:
March introduces a season of junior and senior recitals, celebrating the talents of many of our music majors throughout March and April. Visit the blc.edu/events for information on the five recitals happening this month.
The Music Department will host a tri-college organ event on Tuesday, March 17, in Trinity Chapel. Students from Bethany, MLC, and Gustavus will perform in this recital beginning at 7 pm. All are welcome.
Lutheran Youth Honor Choir ‘26: June 20-24, on the Bethany campus. Registration is available from now through June 1 at https://els.org/honorchoir/; cost: $300. Professor Dennis Marzolf created the camp in 1986 and is serving as choir director. He is joined by Professor Mark DeGarmeaux (accompanist) and Professor David Paulson (handbells). The five-day camp is an immersive study and performance in our rich Lutheran Musical Heritage, and high school students will be collaborating with both current and alumni members of the Bethany Concert Choir. The Lutheran Youth Honor Choir plans to sing and ring at several performances during the ELS Synod Convention.
Theatre:
Performances of the BLC Theatre Department’s spring play, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, are April 10, 11, 17, & 18 at 7:30pm and April 12 & 18 at 2pm. To reserve seats for this show, visit blc.edu/box-office beginning Friday, March 20, or call 507-344-7374, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 1-4pm. Reach out to Jenna Thompson with questions.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 205; 10:45am,171; Post-Service Communion, 31; Monday: 33/28;
Wednesday: 181
Live Online Viewing: Sunday: 20
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Emily Pleiss, Steve & Sue Beilke
Keith Anderson, Steve Lussky
Offering Counters: Lisa Holt, Brenda Garbers, Connie Meyer
Altar Guild: Beth Ulman, Joni Bode, Beth Westphal
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $16,547.42
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $519.91
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-March 12, 2026): $117,769.21
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 2/28/2026: ($10,174.23)
Care Share Tuition Assistance Account (balance as of 2/26/2026): $52,658.39
Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement