May 4, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, May 4, are given to God’s glory by Will & Lisa Holt in honor of family birthdays and anniversaries in May.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Bob Stelter, Owen Saidler, Katie Tweit, Lois Otto, Jeanette Koberg, Pastor Mike Barlow, Hal & Marsha Natvig, John Foede, Rhea Wassman, ELS Pastor Roger Holtz, Diane Sorensen (Chad Sorensen’s mother), and for the family of Bob Soule (Pastor Soule’s grandfather) as they mourn his passing. We also prayed for our new confirmands that they continue steadfast in their faith.
Join us on Sunday, May 4, at 9:40am in the Social Hall for the first of a two-part presentation entitled “Lessons From the Lives of the Saints—St. Augustine’s Confessions”, by Dr. David Reagles. To learn more about St. Augustine, you can sign up to join a reading group that will be going through Augustine’s “City of God” this summer. Check the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more information.
The 1st Blueprint School Report Townhall Meeting was held on April 22. To watch the recording, go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-f-zCymtKNZBscZrbz9IW13LV1Vn0Vp-/view?usp=sharing
The 2nd Blueprint School Report Town Hall Meeting is Sunday, May 4, at 12pm 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!
The final performance of the musical “Newsies” by the Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Drama Department is Sunday, May 4, at 2pm at the MVL Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door; adults: $7, students: $5.
The Mt. Olive Night at Bethany Lutheran College Baseball Event that was scheduled for Monday, May 5, has been cancelled.
Mt. Olive CDS Band Concert: Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30pm at Mt. Olive. The 6th, 7th , and 8th grade band students will be performing. Free-will donations will be accepted to support the band program.
Softball Umpires Needed: Mt. Olive Lutheran School is sponsoring 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.
“Disney: the Movies, the Music, the Magic”: Come and join the Mt. Olive Kindergarten class as they pay tribute to the movies, music, and magic of Disney on Wednesday, May 14, at 6:30 pm at Mt. Olive.
Celebrate 10 years of Christ-centered military ministry with Lutheran Military Support Group! From now through May 17, your gift will go twice as far—thanks to a $10,000 matching challenge. Your support helps provide spiritual care, mental health resources, scholarships, and more for WELS and ELS military service members, veterans, and their families. Give today at www.lutheranmilitary.org.
Norseland Lutheran Church’s Annual Syttende Mai Smørgåsbord is Saturday, May 17, from 4-7pm at the church at 37777 MN Highway 22, northwest of St. Peter. Check the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more information.
Special Voters Meeting on Sunday, May 18, at 12pm to make a decision on Blueprint School’s recommendations to address our school capacity issue.
Mt. Olive CDS 8th Grade graduation is Wednesday, May 21, at 6:30pm.
Plan to attend Mt. Olive CDS’s annual spring play, Peter Pan, Jr. Performances are Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, at 6:30pm each evening at the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center at BLC.
Sponsor a Summer Outdoor Planter: Traverse Des Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter has very kindly offered to arrange for the planting of our six large outdoor planters by the Marsh and McConnell St. entrances. Sharon Madson will take care of these planters throughout the summer season. Mt. Olive is offering individuals, families, or groups the opportunity to “sponsor” a summer planter. These six planters are available to sponsor at $125 each. A sign-up sheet and “Sponsor a Planter” envelopes are available on the narthex table. Pick up an envelope as you sign up, insert a check (written to Mt. Olive) for $125 in the envelope, and place it in the church office Flower Box by Sunday, May 25. Thank you!
Come and celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord on Thursday, May 29. A barbeque featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, carrots, chips, and lemonade will be served from 5-6:15pm; please bring a side dish to share. The worship service with Holy Communion begins at 6:30pm. Free will donations to benefit the Connections Shelter in Mankato.
Red Cross Blood Drive: Friday, May 30, from 12pm-5pm in the Mt. Olive gym. Please call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter MTOLIVEKATO to schedule an appointment. QR codes for appointment scheduling are available on the poster in the narthex.
Personal Care Items Needed: After School Care is collecting personal care items for homeless individuals in the Mankato area. Please bring donations of trial size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, hand sanitizer, socks, lotion, tooth brushes, and toothpaste to the office by May 14th.
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. Go to https://forms.gle/CiXNFQyViMmSHTcLA to learn more or to register.
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.
“From Generation to Generation” Parenting and Teacher’s Conference:
What: A one-day conference to teach Confessional Lutheran Theology to Lutheran elementary, high school and home school teachers and parents.
Purpose: To provide ongoing Confessional Lutheran theology training for teachers and parents so that they can pass on the truth of God’s Word to their children and students.
When: Friday, June 20, from 8:40am-3:10pm
Where: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
Cost: Free - Requests for food donations and other help will be publicized closer to the conference date.
RSVP at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNGd8JpsRTZuJcVud8kZ_NOhQzuOYp1wGg6jFuIOihCvzSJQ/viewform
If you have questions or comments, please contact the event organizer, Jake Beilke, at jbeilke@mtolivelutheran.org or 507-420-7804.
Save the Date: Vacation Bible School at Mt. Olive will be held on June 30-July 2.
Camp Indianhead Bus for LIC: Pre-registration for the bus to Camp Indianhead LIC is now open. Please fill in camper information for each camper in your family by July 1. The cost per camper is $60 ($70 per camper after June 21). Payment will be collected on July 6 prior to departing for camp. Here is the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4AADA722A1FB6-camp
New Position: St. Mark’s Lutheran in Mankato is hiring a manager of ministry to help support and advance their continued growth A job description is posted on the community bulletin board in the Social Hall. For more information, go to this link or contact Zachary Scharlemann at 507-276-1742.
Happening at Bethany Lutheran College
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/.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 243; 10:45am, 337; Monday: 9/7; Tuesday: 12/11
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 27
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: 1st Service — Ryan & Sheila Ruschmeyer, Paul & Mary Jane Tweit 2nd Service —Steve & Sue Beilke, Mark & Sharon Madson Offering Counters: Bruce Gratz, Craig Christiansen Altar Guild: Jane Zibrowski, Brenda Garbers
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $13,156.53
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $3,671.41
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