November 23, 2025
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.
Note: Starting July 1, the official calling body for the school will be the Board of Directors with the support of the Executive Council. This was approved in the bylaws for the new school entity by the supporting congregations (Mount Olive and Peace). It will be a very similar model to how Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School extends calls.
Care Share is a ministry of our new Lutheran School that ensures no child is denied a Christ-centered education because of financial hardship. After families complete the confidential FACTS process, Care Share may step in to provide additional support for those facing medical challenges, job loss, or other significant burdens, and in some cases may also assist unchurched families with documented need. All gifts are carefully stewarded with full confidentiality by our Pastors and tuition assistance coordinator, and donations are fully tax-deductible. If you or someone you know is struggling even after receiving FACTS assistance, please reach out. Care Share exists so every family feels supported, and every child is welcomed in Christian love.
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, November 23, are given to God’s glory by Rev. Ted and Dianne Gullixson in thankfulness for all of God’s blessings.
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, Ruth Faye, and Michelle Springer’s father Casimer Nowak as they deal with infirmities.
Baptized on Sunday, November 23:
(8:30am Service): Gilbert David Wood, infant son of Matthew & Marissa Wood. Sponsors are Reece & Maren Boucher and Isaiah & Laura Koepsell.
(10:45am Service): Hudson Keith Blaschko, infant son of Brandon & Carrie Blaschko. Sponsor is Nicole Blaschko.
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 23, at 9:40am in the Social Hall. Learn more about God’s good design for men and women in the home and church. Key questions about biblical headship, the pastoral office, and partnership in congregational life will also be discussed.
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 thank 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 may “sponsor” a winter planter. Three planters are still 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.
Altar Guild Christmas Decorating: Altar Guild members will be decorating the sanctuary and narthex for Christmas on Saturday, November 29, at 9am. If you are interested in serving on the Altar Guild, it is a commitment of one month a year. It involves setting up communion prior to service and putting items away after service, changing banners and paraments according to the church year, filling candles with oil, setting up baptismal font when needed, and cleaning the altar. At least two members serve together each month. Altar Guild also decorates the narthex and sanctuary for the Christmas season. If you are interested in serving, please talk with Lisa Holt.
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.
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!
Attention brass players: if you are interested in playing in our church's brass choir, please contact Hannah Zibrowski, our brass choir director, at (507)-720-2095.
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.
Thrivent Members: Are you willing to share your Thrivent Action Team dollars with the church to help fund future projects? If so, please let the office know.
Advent Family Devotional Booklet:- Pick up a copy of the new Advent devotional booklet, “The Other Nativity Pieces,” from the narthex table. It features daily devotional thoughts as we read through the Gospel of Luke (December 1–24) and coloring pages to keep children engaged.
Our first Midweek Advent Service is Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30pm. The Bethany Women’s Auxiliary is hosting a chili/soup supper beginning at 5pm.
The ELS Ottesen Museum’s Annual Open House is Tuesday, December 9, from 2:30-5:30pm, at 4 Browns Court in Mankato. See the poster on the narthex bulletin board for more information.
The Mount Olive Lutheran School Children’s Christmas Service is Sunday, December 14, at 3pm.
Artemis Participants: plan to meet as scheduled on Sunday, December 14, at 6pm at Mount Olive. Then, attend a caroling/Christmas party event on Saturday, December 20. More information will be available in the December Olive Press.
Volunteer at Kiwanis Holiday Lights on December 15! Two shifts are available (4:25-7pm and 6:50-9pm). A sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Contact Matt Holt at mholt@blc.edu if you have questions.
Plan to attend our Jesus Cares Ministry Christmas Service on Tuesday, December 16, at 7pm in the Mount Olive Social Hall.
Christmas Poinsettias: If you would like to contribute towards Christmas poinsettias to help beautify our sanctuary this Christmas, a sign-up sheet and envelopes are available on the table in the narthex. Please indicate if your donation is in honor or in memory of someone. Suggested donation is $15; however, any amount is acceptable. Make your check payable to Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Insert your check or cash in the provided envelope and place it in the Flower Box in the church office. The last day to order is Wednesday, December 17.
Bethany Lutheran College Updates
ART:
Exhibit at the YFAC, now through December 7
“Campus Art Show.” A gallery reception will be held in the YFAC on Thursday, December 4, following the Christmas at Bethany concert. Come and explore the art created by campus makers from December 1-7.
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. If you are unable to make a reservation due to a concert being sold out, please add your name to the waitlist as cancellations will free up space. 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.
Also, take note of the video release date of December 14 to enjoy the professionally recorded concert on YouTube.
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.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 295/224; 10:45am, 177/99; Monday: 24/19
Live Online Viewing, Sunday: 24
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): $33,340.80
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $4,890.54
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-Nov. 20, 2025): $34,022.41
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