November 16, 2025
Baptized on Saturday, November 15: George Jacob Mueller, infant son of Jacob and Tatyana Mueller. Sponsors are Emily Knepprath and Aleksei Soloviyov. May he ever be blessed by this Sacrament.
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, November 16, are given to God’s glory by Mark & Sharon Madson in memory of their fathers.
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, Matt Lukasek, and Ruth Faye as they deal with infirmities.
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.
Town Hall Meetings: Sunday, November 16, at 12:15pm at Mount Olive and Tuesday, November 18, at 6:30pm at Peace Lutheran. Members of the Executive Council and Board of Directors will review next year's proposed budget and tuition model for our School. Congregation members are invited to attend the date/time that works best for them.
Attention all brass players: if you are interested in playing in our church's brass choir, we would love to have you join us! An informational meeting will be held on Monday, November 17, at 6pm in the social hall. If you're interested in joining and can't make it to the meeting, please let Hannah Zibrowski, our brass choir director, know (507)-720-2095.
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!
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.
Help Support Our Servicemen & Servicewomen! 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!
MOMs Bible Study Fundraiser: You can support childcare for the 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.
Time and Talents Survey: If you haven’t yet completed this 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.
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!
Mount Olive Strings: Any violin, viola, cello, or double bass instrumentalists that would like to play for the Christmas Eve Service--please email Madeline Gutzke at magutzke@blc.edu.
Do you have an announcement you would like included in the December Olive Press? If so, please send it to the church office by Friday, November 21, at noon. Thank 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. Order deadline is Sunday, November 16; most products will be delivered to Mount Olive by Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s proceeds are designated to help outfit a workshop space for the fine arts backstage area. Thank you for your support!
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 Updates
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:
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.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
BLC is taking applications for the following positions: Maintenance/HVAC Technician, Assistant/Associate Professor – Engineering Sciences, Assistant/Associate Professor – Biology, Head Coach – Women’s Soccer, and Adjunct Faculty -Nursing. Go to blc.edu for more information.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 302; 10:45am, 160; Post-Service Communion: 25; Monday: 39/25
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 29
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): $17,235.29
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $2,844.91
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-Nov. 13, 2025): $29,141.87
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