June 8, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, June 8, are given to God’s glory by Tom & Joni Bode in honor of loved ones.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Bob Stelter, Owen Saidler, Lois Otto, Jeanette Koberg, Pastor Mike Barlow, Katie Tweit, Roger Holtz, and Janet Wassman. Please keep these brothers and sisters in your prayers.
Help pay down Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School’s “Building on the Rock” (BOTR) mortgage! Any new gifts received by June 10 will be applied as a special payment to the BOTR loan. Contribute by going to MVL’s website at mvl.org, or by mailing a check to 45638 – 561st Ave., New Ulm, MN 56073. A letter with more information is posted on the narthex bulletin board.
The 2025 ELS Convention is June 15-19 at Bethany Lutheran College. The agenda for the conference is posted on the BLC bulletin board in the narthex.
Lutheran Honor Choir Concerts: All are cordially invited to hear the closing concert of the Lutheran Youth Honor Choir on Wednesday, June 18, at 5:15pm in Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College. The concert will feature the choir, conducted by Professor Emeritus Dennis Marzolf and accompanied by Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux, and the handbell choir conducted by Prof. David Paulson. The Honor Choir will also sing at the Synod Sunday service on June 15 and the communion service on June 17, as well as for the convention delegates following the lunch break on June 18.
The 7th Annual Apologetics and Worldview Conference is June 18-19 at Bethany Lutheran College. This year’s theme is “Unsurpassed Christian Apologists.” Check the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more information. The conference is free, but please register at apologeticscenter.org/.
“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: Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Cost: Free - Requests for food donations and other help will be publicized closer to the conference date.
RSVP at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNGd8JpsRTZuJcVud8kZ_NOhQzuOYp1wGg6jFuIOihCvzSJQ/viewform. If you have any questions, please contact the event organizer, Jake Beilke, at jbeilke@mtolivelutheran.org or 507-420-7804.
Several events are occurring on June 22 and 29. Find additional information in the paragraphs below.
1. Sunday, June 22:
8:30 & 10am, Divine Worship11:10am, Spoken Communion Service
11:30am, Vision 2030 Informational Meeting
~12pm, Potluck with Kenya Mission Presentation
2. Sunday, June 29:8:30 & 10am, Divine Worship
11am, Ice Cream Social
11:15am, Annual Voters’ Meeting
Spoken Communion Service (following the voters’ meeting)
Vision 2030 Informational Meeting: Sunday, June 22, at 11:30am in the sanctuary. This session will present the two proposed governance models for Mount Olive Lutheran School [a Joint Operating Agreement or the formation of a new 501(c)(3) entity] and explain the responsibilities of the proposed Governance Implementation Committee.
Hosts for Two Kenyan Pastors: Two special guests from our sister church in Kenya will be attending the Synod Convention here in Mankato. We need someone to host one or both individuals on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. They will need lodging, breakfast, and a ride to church on Sunday morning. If you are able and willing to do this, please let Pr. Soule know (763)482-1488. Thanks!
Church potluck with Kenya Mission Presentation: Sunday, June 22, following the Vision 2030 presentation. Rev. David Ombogo and Rev. Gwachi Evans, two pastors from our sister church in Kenya [the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese Kenya (ELDK)], will be presenting information about their church body. NOTE: sign-up sheets for the potluck are on a table near the usher’s stand in the narthex.
Annual Voters’ Meeting: Sunday, June 29, at 11:30am in the sanctuary. Members will vote on: 1) Selection of a governance model for the school to pursue in partnership with Peace Lutheran Church; 2) Authorization of a Governance Implementation Committee to begin research and draft a final recommendation regarding the school to our congregation; 3) Approval of the 2025-2026 Mount Olive budget; and 4) Approval of the 2025-26 Mount Olive strategic plan. Please plan to attend and stay informed as we prayerfully consider the future of our school ministry. Printed materials regarding the school will be made available in advance and will also be emailed to the congregational members soon!
Year of Jubilee: Final Push! We give thanks to God that our $250,000 goal for 2023–2024 was met! Now, as we near June 30, we face a final challenge: we’re $92,000 short of our 2024–2025 goal. Please prayerfully consider a one-time gift to help us close the gap. Your support is especially critical as we contemplate future changes in our school’s governance and mission. Let’s finish strong—together, for the future of our kids, grandkids, and God’s Kingdom!
--Board of Budget and Finance and Board of Stewardship
Mount Olive’s Vacation Bible School is June 30-July 2, from 8am-12pm, for children ages PreK through 4th grade. The theme is “Rejoicing in God – The Master Artist.” To register, go to https://form.jotform.com/251186478975070. Adult volunteers are needed; please contact Pastor Soule if you can help.
Camp Indianhead Bus for LIC: Pre-registration for the bus to Camp Indianhead Lutheran Island Camp (LIC) is available at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4AADA722A1FB6-camp. 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. Please note that this bus is for the Lutheran Island Camp only; currently, there is no bus for Camp Omega.
"Midsummer With Matthew" Reading Plan: Several ELS Pastors (including Pr. Ulrich) are collaborating to produce a simple, summer devotional series that invites you to read the book of Matthew. Each day, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you are invited to watch the introductory devotional video that will be shared on our church Facebook page, or you can pick up a "Midsummer With Matthew" weekly devotional booklet from the Narthex table to read before opening your own Bibles to read the selection of verses from Matthew. Over the course of 100 days (between Memorial Day and Labor Day), we will take an in-depth look at this Gospel and of the life and work of our Savior, Jesus. Devotional booklets for the weeks of June 1-7 and June 8-14 are now on the narthex table.
Mount Olive Board of Education – June 2025 Notes: 1) The hot lunch program will be reduced in the 2025-2026 school year to Wednesdays. Individuals interested in exploring alternatives should contact the hot lunch committee; please call or email the school office if you are interested. 2) We will be piloting an art program in the upper grades this coming school year; the teacher will remain in the classroom and assist while a dedicated art instructor delivers the lesson. 3) Professor Faugstad is working with Hannah Caauwe to start an elective grade school choir; more details will be coming soon. 4) Daryan Rosenthal is the new band director for the 2025-2026 school year. 5) Please look for updates from Vision 2030 regarding informational meetings and town halls during June and July.
Mt. Olive members donated 28.5 pounds of food to the ECHO Food Shelf during the month of May.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School is taking applications for an experienced varsity head girls’ basketball coach for the 2025-26 season. Contact Craig Morgan at cmorgan@mvlhs.org if you are interested.
Bethany Lutheran College Fund Shortfall: The Bethany Fund is currently well below its annual goal. If you are able, please consider giving a gift to the Bethany Fund before the end of the fiscal year (June 30). Bethany could use our help and prayers as it seeks to maintain a balanced budget while continuing to provide an excellent, Christ-centered liberal arts education. To give a gift, go to: https://give.blc.edu/campaign/bethany-fund-2024-25/c594679
BLC is taking applications for the following positions: Coordinator of Sports Information; Adjunct Faculty – Nursing; and Assistant/Associate Professor – Nursing. 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, 221/167; 10am, 183/128; Monday: 31/26
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 21
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Keith Anderson, Bill & Suzanne Bohning
Offering Counters: John Schauer, Jim Gullixson
Altar Guild: Peggy Harstad, Emily Christensen
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $32,343.31
Year of Jubilee Given Last Week: $6,744.41
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2024 to June 5, 2025): $158,606.83
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 5/31/2025: $2,583.25
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.
Mt Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement