April 20, 2025
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Owen Saidler, Solomon Faugstad, Katie Tweit, Lois Otto, Jeanette Koberg, Pastor Mike Barlow, Teresa Dzwonkowski, Marsha Natvig, Rhea Wassman, Becky Bequette, Jim Tessien, and John Foede. We also prayed for Jake Beilke as he considers his call to Trinity Lutheran in Nicollet, MN.
Vision 2030 Committee Updates: A flyer with additional information will be handed to congregation members at Mt. Olive, Peace, and Peace--Eagle Lake as they exit the sanctuary on Sunday, April 20.
Easter Breakfast: Sunday, April 20, from 8:30-9:30am in the gym. The Mt. Olive Youth Group will be serving deep-fried potatoes, bacon, biscuits and gravy, a yogurt bar, fruit, milk, orange juice, and coffee with the help of Chef de Cuisine Kurt Shrader. Your donations will help pay the cost of their attending LYA or Camp Indianhead.
Mt. Olive CDS Blueprint Progress Report—Town Hall: Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. A recording will be available after the town hall. You can submit your questions in advance by going to https://tinyurl.com/BlueprintQuestions. For more information, call 507-345-7927 or email principal@mtolivelutheran.org. To read the summary report, go to https://tinyurl.com/MTOBlueprint. If you would like a printed copy of either the summary or the full report, please contact the Mt. Olive church office. Please Note: The Blueprint Schools' "Progress Report & Blueprint Plan" shares individual responses taken from surveys shared among the various stakeholders of Mt. Olive Lutheran School. These opinions and perceptions are shared by the Blueprint Schools consultants for constructive purposes as we develop plans for the future. These comments that are shared are to be understood and taken in a spirit of Christian love—for the purpose of positive improvement of our school. The guidance provided in this report by Blueprint Schools are recommendations. The voters of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School—and likewise, the voters of Peace Lutheran Church—will ultimately determine how to move forward at respective, upcoming Voters’ Meetings. Please pray that God may bless this work that has been done and that He will guide and lead our school and churches into the future!
Double Violin & Piano Recital: Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30 pm. Madeline Gutzke, Elisabeth Urtel, and Megan Wehrwein will be performing music by Beethoven, Kreisler, and Moszcowski. Refreshments will be provided following the recital in the Social Hall. Freewill donations will support Mt. Olive’s Year of Jubilee Fund.
Special M.O.M’s Bible Study: Thursday, April 24, 8:30-10am, at Peace Lutheran, North Mankato. Amber Albee Swenson, a WELS Christian author and podcast host on the WELS’s program “Time of Grace,” will be speaking on the topic “Seeking Jesus in a Noisy World.” All moms are invited to attend; if you need more information, contact Heidi Graham at heidijennifergraham@gmail.com.
Bethany Auxiliary Meeting: Monday, April 28, at 7pm, in Meyer Hall, Room 130. Learn about the master’s degree counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College through a presentation by Program Director Ben Kohls entitled "Faith-Informed Counselor Education."
Handel's Messiah: In 1742, George F. Handel provided concert goers a feast for the ears with the first performance of his oratorio “Messiah.” Join us on Thursday, May 1, at 7pm as the Bethany Lutheran College Art Department provides a feast for the eyes by combining “Messiah’s” music and texts with sand-animations. It will be held in the Film Viewing Room on the lower level of Bethany's Honsey Hall. Led by Bethany alum Pastor Tony Pittenger, attendees will hear and see their Lord’s comforting words such as “Unto us a Child is Born” & “The Lord Hath Laid on Him the Iniquity of us All” (Isaiah 9:6 & 53:6). This presentation is part of the In Depth series--everyone is welcome to attend.
The Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG) provides Christ-centered support to WELS and ELS military service members, veterans, and their families. LMSG is hosting a 10-year anniversary celebration at Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, May 3. Worship is at 10am, followed by a ceremony at 11am. Check the poster on the BLC bulletin board in the narthex for more information.
Softball Umpires Needed: Mt. Olive Lutheran School sponsors a grade school co-ed softball tournament on Tuesday, May 13, at Caswell Park. Games begin at 8:30am and finish around 3:30pm. We are looking for volunteers (or paid individuals) for umping. Umps do not need to worry about balls and strikes, since they just call the bases. Each batter gets 4 pitches to attempt to get a hit. Batters may still strike out. Umps will need to know the basic softball rules. If you can help on this day (all day or partial), please contact Mr. Zibrowski by calling the school office at 345-7927 or by emailing Mr. Zibrowski at mrz@mtolivelutheran.org.
Theatre Bible School: June 16-20, on the Bethany campus, hosted by Mt. Olive. Registration is open to students entering 3rd-8th grade. There is a $40 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. Payment will be collected upon arrival of the students; registration closes on June 1. To register or find out more information about the schedule, go to https://forms.gle/CiXNFQyViMmSHTcLA
LYA National Youth Convention ’25: July 24-27 at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. Early registration is available until June 1; cost is $300. Late registration is June 2-July 1; cost is $350. Register early to ensure your top picks for classes. Check the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more details. Additional information and registration are available at www.els.org/LYA. There may still be seats available on the bus for youth looking to travel with our group; if interested, speak with Pastor Ulrich.
Save the Date: Vacation Bible School at Mt. Olive will be held on June 30-July 2.
Thank you, Mt. Olive members, for your generous donations of food items for Easter Dinner for clients and staff of The REACH. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated!
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Updates
Sign-up for MVL’s Summer Camps is now available at MVL.org. The registration deadline is April 25.
MVL’s After-Prom Event is Saturday, April 26, at the New Ulm Rec Center. This event gives our students a safe space to celebrate after their big night. MVL’s Junior parents are reaching out for donations to help cover costs like venue rentals, food, and entertainment. You can donate by going to this link online: https://gofund.me/05027fd3. Donation checks can also be made out to the MVL After-Prom Committee and mailed to MVL. Thank you for considering our request and for your ongoing support of our students!
MVL’s Drama Department presents the musical “Newsies” on May 2 and 3 at 7pm and May 4 at 2pm at the MVL Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door; adults: $7, students: $5.
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College
Please plan to attend the Music events happening in April:
April 24: Spring Choirs Concert (Concert Choir, Mary Martha Singers, Handbell Choir) - Trinity Chapel, 7pm
April 27: Jazz Band Spring Concert - Campus Green, 3pm (Ron Younge Gym if raining)
April 29: Concert Band and Full Orchestra Spring Concert - Trinity Chapel, 7:30pm
Lutheran Youth Honor Choir ’25: June 14-18, on the Bethany campus. This five day camp for high school-aged youth (completed 8th grade) is an immersive study and performance in our rich Lutheran musical heritage; students will be collaborating with both current and alumni members of the Bethany Concert Choir. Registration is open until June 1; cost: $250. Check the poster on the Bethany bulletin board in the narthex for more details. Additional information and registration are available at https://els.org/2025-els-honor-choir-registration/.
Summer Art Camp: June 16-20, on the Bethany campus. There will be a morning camp for students entering grades 5-8, and an afternoon camp for students entering grades 9-12. For more information and to register, click here. You may also contact Jenna Thompson at jennathompson@blc.edu with questions. Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot for this enriching camp!
Registration for BLC’s 2025 summer camps is now available at blc.edu/campus-life/camps-and-community-education/.
BLC is taking applications for the following positions: Assistant/Associate Professor – Nursing; Adjunct Faculty – Nursing; Custodian - Academic Buildings. For more information, go to https://blc.edu/campus-life/campus-services/human-resources/bethany-jobs/.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER:
Sunday: 8:30am, 335; 10:45am, 219; Monday: 30/25; Tuesday: 20/15
Maundy Thursday: 351/252
Live Online Viewing, Sunday (8:30am): 21
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK:
Greeters: 1st Service — Tom & Joni Bode, Craig & Lisa Brown 2nd Service — Terri Westphal, Dan & Joanne Maas Offering Counters: Lisa Holt, Brenda Garbers, Connie Meyer Altar Guild: Lyn Merseth, Krista Petzel
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $10,794.28
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $151.38
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2024-April 17, 2025): $141,963.58
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 3/31/2025: $37,133.73
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.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement