November 9, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, November 9, are given to God’s glory by an anonymous donor in honor of our veterans.
On this Veterans’ Day weekend, we recognize and honor those who served in the United States military branches. The Lutheran Military Support Group supports WELS and ELS members of the military during active duty and after discharge; free-will donations to this group can be placed in the ammunition box on a stand in the narthex near the usher tables. Thank you!
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Patricia Elwood, Ann Frederickson, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Jeanette Koberg, Norm Emerson, Ruth Faye, and Carolyn Graham’s grandson Asher as they deal with infirmities. We also prayed for our school teacher Kristen Lukasek and her husband Matt as he recovers from surgery and for Rebecca Strom and her family as her brother passed away suddenly.
Sunday Bible Study – “You Believe That?! Why? – God’s Roles for Men and Women.” Join us for a Bible study led by Pastor Ulrich on Sunday, November 9, at 9:40am in the Social Hall. We will explore God’s good design for men and women in the home and church, focusing on key questions about biblical headship, the pastoral office, and partnership in congregational life.
MOMs Bible Study Fundraiser: Starting Sunday, November 9, you can support childcare for our Thursday morning MOMs Bible Study at Peace Lutheran! Donations help cover childcare costs of $125 per session for an average of 25 moms and 20 children, allowing this important ministry—focused this semester on mental and emotional health—to continue. Look for a display in the narthex with photos, donation envelopes, and a QR code for electronic giving.
Bethany Auxiliary Meeting, Monday November 10, at 7pm in Meyer Hall, Room 130. Dr. Karina Clennon will be speaking. All are welcome to attend. A short business meeting will follow.
Wednesday Evening Dinners – Some individuals in our community could use extra assistance at this time with food and meals. Therefore, Mount Olive is hosting free dinners for our neighbors and community members in need on Wednesdays, November 12 and 19. We are looking for assistance with greeting, food preparation, serving, and clean up on these dates. Sign-up sheets are available in the narthex. If you have any questions please contact Becky Bequette (becbeq@gmail.com).
Fall Parish Seminar: Saturday, November 15, 4-7:30pm, at Norseland Lutheran Church. David Thompson will be speaking on the topic See To It That No One Takes You Captive: Helping Members, Our Children and Others to “Live Not By Lies.” A benefit meal begins at 5:30pm; free-will donations will support the Audie Olson family (13-year-old parish member fighting cancer) and the Center for Apologetics and Worldview (https://apologeticscenter.org). To help with planning, contact the church (Norselandlutheranparish@gmail.com) by Wednesday, November 12.
Town Hall Meetings have been scheduled to review next year's proposed budget and tuition model for NewCo Lutheran School (a temporary name until a new one is selected). Information will be shared by members of NewCo's Executive Council and Board of Directors. Congregation members are invited to attend the date/time that works best for them. These Town Halls are scheduled for Sunday, November 16, at 12:15pm at Mount Olive and Tuesday, November 18, at 6:30pm at Peace Lutheran.
Special Voter’s Meeting - School Call Meeting, Sunday, November 23 at 12:15pm. The purpose of this meeting is to extend a call for a new Principal/Head of School. NewCo Lutheran School is set to begin operations on July 1, 2026. Until that date, Mount Olive Lutheran Church remains the owner of the school; therefore, all school-related calls must still be approved by the congregation’s voting members. During this interim phase, the Newco Board of Directors, with the support of the Executive Council, will identify the candidate they wish to call. At this and any subsequent call meetings for the school prior to July 1, 2026, the Board will present their recommended candidate to the congregation for approval. Any questions or concerns may be directed to the Board of Education Chairman, Jake Krier, at jkrier@blc.edu.
Mount Olive’s ECHO Food Shelf Drive continues through Sunday, November 23. Check the poster and display in the narthex for a list of suggested donations. Boxes are available in the narthex for your donations. Be sure to check the expiration dates on your donated items, as ECHO cannot use food that has expired or will expire soon.
Sponsor a Winter Outdoor Planter!
We wish to extend our gratitude to Mount Olive member and Traverse de Sioux nurseryman, Karl Struck, for generously assisting with the planting of the lovely floral and green arrangements in the large outdoor entryway pots this summer. For the upcoming holiday season, the Traverse de Sioux Garden Center will again be filling our outdoor planters with a variety of outdoor greens, including spruce tips, birch, Norway pine, dogwoods, and pine cones. Individuals, families, or groups at Mount Olive have the opportunity to “sponsor” a winter planter. Seven planters are available to sponsor at $125/each; a sign-up sheet and envelopes are available on the narthex table. Pick up an envelope as you sign up, insert a check written to Mount Olive for $125, and place it in the church office Flower Box by November 23. Thank you!
Help provide Thanksgiving Dinner at The REACH, a drop-in center for homeless youth. Check the display in the narthex for more information and sign-up sheets. Food must be delivered to the church kitchen by Tuesday, November 25, and placed on the counter or in the stainless steel refrigerator, clearly marked “For The REACH.” Please use disposable containers. Thank you!
Can You Share a Pie? We are looking for 14 donated pies (homemade or purchased) to be shared after our Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 26, at 6:30pm. A sign-up sheet is available on the narthex table. Please deliver your pie to the church kitchen on either Tuesday, November 25, or Wednesday, November 26.
Red Cross Blood Drive in the Mount Olive Gym: Friday, November 28, 10am-3pm. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter MTOLIVEKATO. Check the poster on the church narthex bulletin board for more information.
Time and Talents Survey – Thank You! Thank you to the 52 members who filled out the Time and Talents Survey last week. The Board of Stewardship's goal is to receive at least 100 responses so that we can better connect the gifts and abilities of our members with opportunities for service and the various needs in our congregation. If you haven’t yet completed a form, please take a moment to do so—hard copies are still available on the narthex table, or you can fill it out online at this link. Thank you for sharing your time and talents in service to our Lord and His people! If you have any questions, please contact Matt Wood (mwood@blc.edu) or Pastor Ulrich (lukeulrich@gmail.com).
Could you provide a ride? A church member who lives close to Mount Olive needs a ride to the early service on Sunday mornings. Please contact the office for more information.
Donations Needed: We are looking for individually wrapped, non-perishable snack items to be donated for people in need because of a lack of SNAP benefits. Snack items may be brought to the office. Any questions should be directed to Becky Bequette – (507)420-6332.
The Church Directory has recently been updated to include contact information for individuals that joined Mount Olive within the last six months. Copies are available on the narthex table.
Fleece Donations Needed: The After School Care children will be making fleece tie blankets for those in need. Please bring your donations to 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.
Attention Mount Olive Crafters: The Andreas Cancer Center at Mayo Health Systems-Mankato is looking for more chemo hats. Please bring your creations to the church office. Thanks to all who have donated so far!
Missing a coat or a hat, or some reading glasses? Please check the Lost and Found tables near Door 4. All unclaimed items will be donated on November 14 to New 2 You.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Announcements
Wreath Sales: Tis the season!…MVL is again selling wreaths, swags, crosses, and live garland to help bring the sights and scents of Christmas to your home or business. Between services on November 9 and 16, look for friendly MVL students in the narthex to help you place your order. Or if you prefer, go to the MVL website and place your order online. Order deadline is Sunday, November 16; we hope to deliver most products to Mount Olive by Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s proceeds are designated to help outfit a workshop space for our fine arts backstage area. Thank you for your support!
MVL Open House: Wednesday, November 12, at 6:30pm. Tours for new and prospective students begin at 6:30pm, with a presentation at 7pm.
Spirit of MVL Gala: Saturday, November 22, at 5pm at the Venue in Mankato. The night includes a social hour, dinner, an awards program, live auction, and the Afterglow. Tickets are for sale on the MVL website, mvl.org. Contact Sarah Allee with any questions at sallee@mvlhs.org.
Bethany Lutheran College Events
ART:
Exhibit at the YFAC, now through November 21
"Sit With the Story: A Quilting Exhibition" highlights local quilters with an eye to tradition and innovation.
MUSIC:
November 18, 7pm, Trinity Chapel
Fall Honors Recital. A reception will follow in the YFAC.
December 4-7, Trinity Chapel.
Christmas at Bethany concerts. Registration is required for these concerts! Please visit blc.edu/boxoffice, or stop by or call the box office in the YFAC between 1-4pm, Monday-Friday to reserve your general admission tickets for one of the four concerts. The concerts remain free, but a free-will donation is greatly appreciated (suggested donation: $20). If you have any questions, please reach out to jenna.thompson@blc.edu.
THEATRE:
November 9, 2pm; November 14, 7:30pm, November 15, 2pm & 7:30pm, YFAC.
BLC Theatre presents its fall play, "Little Women", a new adaptation of a beloved classic for the Bethany stage by Prof. Emily Kimball. Tickets may be purchased at blc.edu/boxoffice or by visiting the YFAC desk Monday- Friday from 1-4 pm. Please reach out to jenna.thompson@blc.edu or at 507-344-7365 with questions.
Child actors are needed for BLC’s upcoming production of “Mary Poppins” this winter. Four area Lutheran grade school students (2 boys, 2 girls; ages 9-12) will be selected to play Jane and Michael Banks. Auditions are Wednesday, November 12, at 7pm in the Sigurd Lee Theatre in the YFAC. Those auditioning will be asked to read some dialogue and sing a song. These materials will be provided and taught to students during the audition.
Give to Bethany Day: Make plans to participate in the 2025 “Give to Bethany Day” on Thursday, November 13. Your gift will benefit The Bethany Fund and provide students with the best Christ-centered college education possible. This year's goal is $150,000, and with additional Challenge Grant funding of $70,000, we are praying God will bless our efforts to raise $220,000 for our Bethany Fund! Visit blc.edu/GTBD to donate.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 338/268; 10:45am, 152/121; Monday: 29/26
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 17
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Art & Terri Westphal, Ron & Mary Younge
Jean Jurgenson, Rachel Ulrich
Offering Counters: Joe Meyer, Seth Ferkenstad
Altar Guild: Sherri Bukowski, Carol Petersen
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $34,665.56
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $3,171.66
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-Nov. 6, 2025): $26,266.97
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 10/31/2025: ($72,463.02)
Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement