April 19, 2026
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, April 19, are given to God’s glory by Jim Gullixson in memory of Connie Gullixson.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Mark Olson, Jeanette Koberg, Ann Thompson, Pastor Glenn Smith, Pastor David Meyer, Marsha Natvig, Jenny Krosch, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Asher Graham, Nada Foede, Doug Crock (father of Brian Crock), and all our loved ones who have been sick and facing ongoing health challenges.
Informational Meeting: All are welcome to join us on Sunday, April 19, at 9:40am in the church Social Hall for our spring congregational informational meeting. Get an update from our Boards and Committees about how things at Mount Olive are going!
Upcoming Sunday morning Adult Bible Studies: On April 26, Kevin Watchman will speak about his experiences with the persecution of Christians in China. There is no class on May 5 (New Member Reception). On May 12, Dr. Amir Yosef will speak about growing up as a Christian in Muslim Egypt.
Church Constitution and Bylaws Revisions: A workshop will be held on Monday, April 27, at 6:30pm in the Social Hall to work through the revisions made by legal counsel. All are welcome to attend. Copies of the edited document are available on the narthex table.
Footnotes Trauma Foundation & Footnote Counseling Services is hosting an open house on Thursday, April 30, from 6-7:30pm, at 808 N. 2nd St. in Mankato. Come and celebrate with us and meet the FTF Board of Directors and FCS staff.
Footnotes Counseling Services has a part-time office staff opening. For more information, contact the office at officemanager.footnotes@gmail.com or call 507-351-8799.
The Center for Apologetics and Worldviews will be hosting Drs. Peter and Katey Anthony on April 30 at 6:30pm in Meyer Hall. Katey’s pilgrimage from scientist, researcher, and agnosticism to Christianity, marriage, and family is quite fascinating. A poster with more information about the presentation is on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Volunteers Needed: Mount Olive provides volunteers at New 2 You on the first Saturday of each monthto run the cash register and check out customers. A sign-up sheet for Saturday, May 2, is available on the narthex table. Sign up or call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 to help.
The Board of Directors of New 2 You Family Thrift Store recently distributed $14,800.00 to Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School and $800.00 to each of the six Association churches, including Mount Olive, based on profits for the quarter ending March 31, 2026.
Calling all singers for Pentecost Sunday, May 24: We are determining if there is interest/ability in forming a choir to sing “O Day Full of Grace” (arr. F. Melius Christiansen). If you have previously sung this piece, or if you would like to learn this piece and will be attending church on May 24, please complete a brief survey at this link: https://forms.gle/KBBuTazAo9M69Znv9. Any questions can be directed to Aly Pettis at apettis@blc.edu or 507-327-5950 (texting preferred).
Lime Creek Decommissioning Service: Saturday, June 20, at 10:30am. Following the service, there will be a meal and a program. Please RSVP to attend the service and meal at FriendsofLimeCreek.org. A charter bus will be available for transportation between Mankato and Lime Creek for $26.00 per seat. It will depart Bethany College at 9am and return after the program in the afternoon. If you plan to ride the bus, please also register for that at FriendsofLimeCreek.org.
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. Use this link for the volunteer sign-up sheet: https://signup.com/go/QjPuoEF.
The Board of Directors of Cornerstone Lutheran School recently extended a divine call to Mr. Nathan Bauer to serve as the principal at Cornerstone Lutheran School. Mr. Bauer currently serves as the principal at Garden Homes Lutheran School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Please keep Mr. Bauer and his family in your prayers as he deliberates where God would lead him to serve. Mr. Bauer can be reached at 920-988-2872 or nbauer@gardenhomeslutheran.org. A copy of Mr. Bauer’s letter acknowledging receipt of the call is on the bulletin board in the narthex. Thank you for your continued support of Cornerstone and Christian education.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Events:
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.
Drama:
Performances of the MVL Drama Department’s spring musical, “Crazy for You,” are May 1 and 2 at 7pm and May 3 at 2pm at the MVL Fine Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
Bethany Lutheran College Updates:
Art
The Spring Campus Art Show, featuring displays of talent from students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college, is April 20-May 1, with the Gallery Reception immediately after the Music Department's Spring Choirs Concert on Thursday, April 23.
Music:
The Spring Choirs Concert, featuring the Concert Choir, Mary Martha Singers, and Handbell Choir, will be held in Trinity Chapel on Thursday, April 23, at 7pm. A reception will follow in conjunction with the Campus Art Show in the YFAC Gallery.
The Jazz Band Spring Concert will be held on Sunday, April 26, on the campus green at 3 pm. This fun concert is a combination of smooth jazz instrumentals and lively and contemplative vocals from a variety of student vocalists. Join us on the green or in the south gym if the weather is poor.
The Junior Recital for Andrew Wade will be on Monday, April 27, at 7pm in Trinity Chapel. Andrew will perform solo and ensemble pieces on the clarinet.
The Chamber Orchestra Finale concert will be held at 7pm in Trinity Chapel on Tuesday, April 28. This concert will open with a special guest, internationally-celebrated Norwegian pianist Oda Voltersvik. This will be a beautiful night of stirring and elegant music from our orchestra and Ms.Voltersvik that you won't want to miss.
The B-Town Drumline’s annual concert is Monday, May 2 in the Sig Lee Theater in the YFAC. See the show at either 4pm or 7pm. Enjoy the lights and sounds and plenty of energetic music (earplugs provided at the door!).
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 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.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 307; 10:45am, 152; Post Service Communion, 27; Monday: 18/15
Live Online Viewing: Sunday: 27
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Neil & Barb Kaus, Will & Lisa Holt
Dan & Joanne Maas
Offering Counters: Will Holt, Bob Fosburgh
Altar Guild: Sharon Madson, Sarah Leyrer, Lisa Holt
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $11,973.69
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,656.66
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 4/16/2026): $123,071.54
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 3/31/2026: ($12,076.09)
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement
The mission of Mount Olive Lutheran Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ through God’s Word, so that souls are called into and kept in the Christian faith unto eternal life.