October 5, 2025
THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 –
SPECIAL SERVICE - “The Divine Service: What We Do & Why?” This weekend, our services will walk us through the Divine Service, offering brief explanations to help us better understand why we worship as we do and how God serves us through His Word and Sacrament. Come and grow in appreciation for the gifts Christ shares with us in the Divine Service!
SPECIAL BIBLE STUDY - Principal Ben Springer will lead our Bible Study time looking at why we sing what we do in church. Join us in the Social Hall at 9:40am on Sunday for a look at "Hymnbook Traditions of the ELS."
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, October 5, are given to God’s glory by Will & Lisa Holt in honor of Eleonore’s 1st birthday.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Owen Saidler and his family; Patricia Elwood; Peter Bloedel; Joel Petersen; Ann Frederickson; Katie Tweit; Lorena Merseth; Jeanette Koberg; Marsha Natvig; Kelsey Espeland’s mother, Lena; Jeremy Espeland’s mother, Marjorie; Carolyn Graham’s grandson, Asher; and Paul Doring as they deal with infirmities. We also prayed for Ian & Denise Rude’s friends whose family lost a daughter after a house fire.
Owen's Homecoming Open House: Owen Saidler is expected to come home from Mayo Rochester this week! The Saidlers are having an open house to celebrate on October 8 from 4pm-8pm at their home at 40 Hanten Drive. Sloppy joes will be served, and those attending can bring a side to share if they wish. To help with planning, please RSVP at https://forms.gle/qr6fPGE8mpnazMWaA or contact Serena at 507-822-1342. Please attend only if you and your family feel healthy and well, as Owen needs to stay as healthy as possible. If you can't attend, the Saidlers would love to celebrate with you at a later date when all are feeling well! Thank you!
Thank you, Mount Olive members, for providing items for the Mission Support Sale and for generously giving gifts of money for items at the Mission Support Sale. To God Be the Glory!
Sign up to attend the 2025 Circuit 9 Mission Rally on Saturday, October 18, at Heritage Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. The sign-up sheet is on the narthex table; sign-up deadline is October 5.
New Member Reception Sunday: October 19. New members will be formally accepted and welcomed at the 8:30am service. Between services, join us for a New Member Reception event in the Social Hall.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School is excited to host an Open Forum on Wednesday, October 22, at 6pm at Mount Olive. The purpose of this event will be to offer families in Mankato and the surrounding areas the opportunity to learn more about MVL and meet people who have a close connection to MVL. A light supper will be served; child care will be provided for ages 3 through grade 3.To help us better plan for food and child care, please RSVP at bit.ly/MVLOpenForum by Wednesday, October 15. A poster with additional information is on the narthex bulletin board.
Art After Dark, a miniseries of lectures on art appreciation from a Christian perspective, will be presented by Bethany Professor Emeritus and Artist Bill Bukowski.
The presentation on October 23, Claude Monet and the Beginning of Modern Art, will look at French Impressionism from the 1870s and how it affected modern art. The focus will be the painting of Claude Monet and some of his contemporaries.
The presentation on October 30, Pablo Picasso-Artist of the 20th Century, will look at the innovation of early modernism in the work of Pablo Picasso and his impact on 20th century art.
The 57th Annual Teigen Reformation Lectures are October 30-31 at Bethany Lutheran College. Register on line at blc.edu/reformation-lectures. More information is available on the poster on the narthex bulletin board.
New School Board of Directors: Mount Olive Representatives
The Executive Council is now accepting applications from Mount Olive members interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the new school entity. This board will help guide the mission and ministry of our growing school. If you are interested in being considered, please fill out the Board of Directors Interest Form. You may also fill out a printable version of the form, here. Paper copies are available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact David Reagles at david.reagles@blc.edu or Silas Born at sborn@blc.edu.
Mount Olive members donated 15 lbs. of food to the ECHO Food Shelf in September. ECHO is need of more food donations, as the number of people needing food continues to increase.
CDS Band Assistance Fund: Mount Olive has started a Band Assistance Fund to assist families in need who would like to participate in band but have limited financial resources. If you would be interested in contributing to this fund, please contact the school office.
After School Care is looking for small plastic coffee canisters and small calendars. Please drop off your donations in the church office.
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 is looking for an individual willing to serve as part-time Study Hall Supervisor, from approximately 10:11am-12:30pm each day, beginning October 20 for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Interested individuals should contact MVL Principal Tim Plath at tplath@mvlhs.org.
Bethany Lutheran College Fine Arts Events
ART:
Exhibit at the YFAC, now through October 24:
Matt Moberg, Everywhere. Always: This Minneapolis-based artist brings his thought-provoking work that leans into the ache and awe of being alive.
MUSIC:
October 25, 5pm, Trinity Chapel.
High School Honor Choir Closing Concert.
October 26 at 3pm and October 27 at 5pm, Campus Green
The Jazz Band will perform their fall concert, weather permitting. In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the Ron Younge Gym.
October 30, 4:30pm, Trinity Chapel.
Reformation Choral Vespers. Please join us for this reverent celebration of our Reformation Heritage.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 312; 10:45am, 179; Post-Service Communion, 34; Monday: 38/29
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 17
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Joel & Carol Petersen, Don & Kristin Lehne
Mark & Vivian Smith, Emily Christensen
Offering Counters: Neil Kaus, Steve Hanson
Altar Guild: Elli Fisher, Beth Ulman
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $13,026.18
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $3,720.41
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-Oct. 2, 2025): $18,798.62
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 8/31/2025: ($49,632.27)
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement