December 14, 2025
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, December 14, are given to God’s glory by Art & Terri Westphal in memory of our sisters and brother.
People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services): Christina Harmon, Owen Saidler, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Jeanette Koberg, Matt Lukasek, Donna Lee, Annette Feistner, and Jenny Krosch as they face challenges with their health.
The Mount Olive Lutheran School Children’s Christmas Service is Sunday, December 14, at 3pm. Doors open for seating at 2pm; no congregation seats will be saved prior to 2pm. All congregation seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Before 2:45pm, children should be with their families; at 2:45pm, children are expected in their classrooms.
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.
You are invited to attend our Jesus Cares Ministry Christmas Service on Tuesday, December 16, at 7pm in the Mount Olive Social Hall.
Our next Midweek Advent Service is Wednesday, December 17. Chili will be served by the Board of Parish Education & Youth beginning at 5pm, followed by the worship service of lessons and carols at 6:30pm.
Christmas Poinsettia Baskets: If you would like to contribute towards Christmas poinsettia basket arrangements 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.
December Cocoa & Coffee Drive, December 1-18: Support the Mankato Area Connections Shelter with your donations of cocoa, tea, and coffee (no K-cups, please). A donation box is available in the old narthex hallway.
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School’s Christmas Concert: Friday, December 19, at 7pm in the MVL Fine Arts Center. This year's program, “All Is Well,” celebrates the Advent and Christmas seasons with performances by the A Cappella Choir, Freshmen Choir, MVL Chargaliers, and the Symphonic Band. A free-will offering will be collected.
Artemis & Senior Youth (7th-12th Gr.) Caroling: Join us on Saturday, December 20, for an evening of caroling and holiday fun! Meet in the Mount Olive narthex by 3:20pm. Our caroling stops are Mankato Lodge, Pathstone, Old Main, Autumn Grace, and Laurel’s Edge/Peak. Following caroling, we will gather at David & Leah Roemhildt’s house (221 Mayan Way, Mankato) for chili, pizza, and a Christmas party from 6:30-7:30pm. Please bring a water bottle and wrapped hat to exchange (funny or cool—a hat of any style). Parents available and willing to drive are welcome to carol and join us at the Christmas party—please text Leah at 507-382-5660 if you can help.
Christmas Cheer in the Narthex – A Gathering for Our Retired Folks and Friends: Join us on Monday, December 22, at 3:30pm for a special Advent and Christmas celebration in the church narthex! Enjoy festive décor, light refreshments, seasonal music, and other entertainment as we share in the joy of the season. Space is limited to 50 guests, so please sign up on the sheet on the Narthex table or call the church office to reserve your spot. If you would like to help, contact Pastor Ulrich at 507-345-4966 or by email at lukeulrich@gmail.com.
Mr. Shu-Ting Lai has been called to serve as the first principal of NewCo Lutheran School. Mr. Lai currently serves as principal at Bethany Lutheran School in Port Orchard, Washington. Please keep Mr. Lai and his family in your prayers as he prayerfully deliberates where the Lord is leading him to serve. Mr. Lai can be contacted by phone at 360-876-1300 or by email at principal@bethanyles.com. A copy of Mr. Lai’s letter acknowledging receipt of the call is on the narthex bulletin board.
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.
Could you help support the publication of more Peace Devotion Books? These books, published by our Synod's Board for Home Outreach, are a great resource in helping to share the Gospel with our friends and neighbors. However, our Board for Home Outreach's budget is currently unable to accommodate an additional printing. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Pr. Soule or Jon Basel.
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.
A site supervisor is needed for Mount Olive gym rentals--must be 18 years of age or older and know how to set up a volleyball net. This is a paid position. Shifts are weekday evenings. If interested, please reach out to the athletic director, Jackie Libby, at ad@mtolivelutheran.org.
Basketball refs needed! These are paid positions. If interested, please reach out to the athletic director, Jackie Libby, at ad@mtolivelutheran.org.
Mankato seniors (55+): Bethany Lutheran College is offering a limited number of walking memberships on its 200-meter, cushioned indoor track in the Bethany Activity Center located on the corner of Marsh and Division Streets. Memberships are available from December 1 to April 30. Walking hours are 9am to 2pm. Cost is $50 per person (parking is included). To reserve a pass, please email Nick.Neubauer@blc.edu. This is limited to the first 100 who reserve a spot.
Several MVL Christmas wreaths remain in the north (Marsh Street) entrance. If you ordered a wreath, please pick it up.
Thank you, Mount Olive members, for your generous donation toward the Ammo Can Campaign, sponsored by the Lutheran Military Support Group. Your support helps fund workshops for veterans and First Responders; scholarships for veterans studying to become WELS/ELS pastors, teachers, staff ministers or civilian chaplains; and mental health support for veterans through Christian counseling centers. A thank-you note from the LMSG is on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
The Year of Jubilee “Match Challenge” is back! An anonymous member has pledged up to $25,000 for the Year of Jubilee debt reduction drive. All donations received between December 14, 2025 and January 12, 2026 for the YOJ campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25k! Donations can be made through the offering plate or online at mtolivelutheran.org. This is a fantastic opportunity to reduce our debt by $50,000 or more and put us closer to reaching our goal of $250k for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Please be sure to earmark your funds for the “Year of Jubilee” so that they can be counted for the match!
Care Share helps students whose families face financial or medical hardship, keeping Christian education accessible to all. Starting January 1, 2026, our current Tuition Assistance fund will be rolled into Care Share, the official tuition support program of Newco, funded by all three congregations and outside donors.
To give, mark “Care Share” on cash or check donations, or use the Tuition Assistance button on Mount Olive’s Online Giving platform, Vanco. In January, this will be transitioned to Care Share. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Tenold (school@mtolivelutheran.org) or 507-345-7927.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:30am, 315/214; 10:45am, 142/114; Monday: 21/17
Wednesday: 210
Live Online Viewing: Sunday: 26; Wednesday: 9
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Mark Klammer, Barents Family
Joyce Petersen, Emily Christensen
Offering Counters: John Baumann, Jana Finken
Altar Guild: Sharon Madson, Heidi Graham
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $12,131.53
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,319.91
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (July 1, 2025-Dec. 11, 2025): $44,911.64
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 11/30/2025: ($36,058.25)
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
To give your offering online, go to mtolivelutheran.org and click on the “Online Giving” tab.
Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement