Flowers on the altar for Sunday, September 6, are given to God’s glory by Jana Finken in honor of her 60th Birthday on September 4th.

People We Are Praying For (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services)
Gary Burmeister, Scott Trautman, Gretchen Olsen, Jeanette Koberg, Marsha Natvig, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Pastor Glenn Smith, Pastor Dan Basel, Emily Goetzke and all who are battling cancer. Be also with Daniel Neubauer, Asher Graham, Pastor Sam Johnson, Diane Gullixson’s mother Betty Falkenberg, and all our loved ones and their families facing illness and hardship. Prayers Of Thanks For: All those who have returned and are returning to school and college at this time. Bless all teachers and students, and continue to bless our Lutheran elementary school, Cornerstone Lutheran School.

Women’s Bible Study- Sept. 7
Though we are on our second week, you are more than welcome to join us at Women’s Bible Study as we take a look at the book of Isaiah.

Pro Life Guest Speaker @ Bethany- Sept. 8
This coming Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 1:30-2:30pm, the Bethany pro-life group is having Pastor John Koopman explain how pro-life sidewalk counseling can be done in a loving and respectful way at the local Planned Parenthood where chemical abortions are performed. Sidewalk counseling is just one way among many to seek to help pregnant women considering having an abortion. Honsey Hall, room 342.

Mt. Olive Church Choir- Sept. 9
Do you love to sing? Our choir is starting soon! Join us at Mt. Olive Sept. 9 at 7pm for a new choir season.

Brother’s Built On The Rock Bible Study- Sept. 12
Join us at 9am at Mt. Olive for our Bible Study on “St. Augustine: A study of his works” by guest speaker Dr. David Reagles.

Join Us Next Sunday- Sept. 13
Rally Day is next week! Please join us for the start of Sunday School, Youth Bible Study, and Sunday Adult Bible Classes at 9:40am. Sunday school kids can head to the gym. Adult Bible Study will start the season with Pastor Soule on “What is the Church?”.

Voter’s Meeting- Sept. 13
All voters, please plan on attending the meeting at 12:15pm to call a 3rd Pastor.

The Local Chapter of the Bethany Auxiliary Invites You!- Sept. 14
Theatre professor extraordinaire Peter Bloedel will be speaking at our Bethany Auxiliary meeting on September 14 at 7 pm in the choir room in the Ylvisaker building. Come and hear, "What does it mean to be a Christ centered theatre department? The theatrical heritage at Bethany Lutheran College."

Weekday Adult Bible Study- Sept. 16
Stating on Sept. 16 at 9am at Mt. Olive, is our weekday Adult Bible Study. Join Pastor Ted Gullixson on the topic “Looking at selected Psalms.”

Moms On a Mission Bible Study- Sept. 17
Fall Schedule: The Peace/Mt. Olive/Eagle Lake Moms On a Mission (M.O.M.s) bible study is getting ready to begin our Fall 2026 Session! We will be using the book, Family Vocation, by Gene Veith Jr and Mary Moerbe, during our Bible study. This book has three subsections for God’s Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood. It’s a study on how the Christian faith is lived out in our ordinary relationships. The MOMs group did this book several years ago, and liked it so well, we are doing it again! Please purchase a copy ahead of time either online or at the Bethany Book store. MOMs Bible study is for any mom, in any stage of life. Childcare is provided for little ones. Questions? Contact Jenna Londgren.
When: Thursdays, 8:30-10am (can drop children off in childcare at 8:10), Sept. 17 through Dec. 3
Where: Peace Lutheran Church, North Mankato
Study: Family Vocation: God’s Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood, by Veith and Moerbe
Contact: Jenna Londgren -507-469-9044 orJennifer.londgren@mnsu.edu

Cornerstone News

Charger Challenge- Sept. 25
Everyone is excited to kick off the upcoming school year under the new Cornerstone name and for another great year of Charger Challenge! Students, families and teachers will be walking 4 miles to raise money for our school. This year, our students have a goal to raise $55,000! Funds raised will support fun and meaningful experiences for our students - including extra funding for field trips, an all-school trip to the MN Zoo, roller skating unit, and activities that continue to bring the Hilltop and Hillside campuses together! Remember your friends and family can give online using Zeffy, or give cash/checks (checks made out to Cornerstone Lutheran School) directly to your family. Make sure to head to Facebook to watch and share our 2026 Charger Challenge video! If you have any questions, please contact co-chair Bailey Gerdes atbailey.gerdes@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed
Are you looking for ways to volunteer at Cornerstone? Some light, general cleaning, serving hot lunch (at either the Hilltop Campus or Hillside Campus), or providing general handyman fix-it projects are all appreciated. Call or email the school office to find out more (507.345.7927,office@cornerstonels.org).

Bethany News

Music
The Music Department will host a Faculty Studio Recital on Tuesday, September 8 in Trinity Chapel. The recital will feature the talents of faculty and private instructors. Come hear incredible music from Evan Beier, Tom Beier, Benjamin Faugstad, Matthew Sulzle, Mark Wamma, Andrew Westberg, and Natalie Wishcop. All are invited to attend.
The B-Town Drumline and Concert Band will perform during Fall Festival Weekend with alumni and friends. The Drumline will perform on the campus green at 11am and the Concert Band, with guest director Natalie Wishcop ('19), in Trinity Chapel at 3:30pm. Come to campus and enjoy the music!
An Alumni Recital will be held in Trinity Chapel during Fall Festival Weekend. This recital will feature performances by vocalist Jenny Haugen-Hesse (’05), harpist Cynthia (Krause) Nash (’19), and organist Kaleb Schmidt (’23). The recital begins at 12:30 pm and all are invited.

Theater
The box office is open for the fall one-act play Carpe Dentum, written and directed by senior Natalie Hennig. This farcical, one-act murder mystery, set in 1927, will be performed under the tent on the campus green throughout Fall Festival Weekend. Shows are $5 for general admission seating and will be held September 25 at 7 and 9 pm, September 26 at 5:30 and 7:30 pm, and September 27 at 2 pm. Reserve tickets by visitingblc.edu/box-office or by calling (507-344-7374) or visiting the box office desk in the YFAC Monday-Friday from 1-4 pm.

Children’s auditions for Bethany Lutheran College’s fall play, "A Christmas Carol"
This fall, the Bethany Theatre Department will be producing A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The planned performance dates for this play are: November 13, 14, 20, 21 at 7:30pm; November 15, 21 at 2pm; and a student matinee on November 12 at 10:30am. Children are needed for this play, and auditions for children’s roles will be held in the Sigurd Lee Theater at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 15, on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College. The age range for children being considered is approximately 7-13 years old. Both boys and girls are encouraged to try out. Practices will start the final week of September. Kids will not need to rehearse every day, but will be called for specific practice times that will be announced after the show is entirely cast. Rehearsals will generally be held at 7pm Sundays - Thursdays, with possible rehearsals on Fridays if needed. These will be “walk-on” auditions. Kids just need to arrive at 6:00pm and then will be put into an audition order that evening. Please notify Peter Bloedel atheypete@blc.eduif you have any questions.

Art
The Gallery Reception for the Centennial Art Show, celebrating a century of the visual arts at Bethany, will be held during Fall Festival Weekend at 4:30pm in the Sig Lee Theater and the YFAC Gallery. Featuring Prof. Andy Overn and a panel of special guests from the Bethany family, the Gallery talk and reception to follow will include time to explore the Gallery and visit with any artists who are on site that weekend. Come celebrate a hundred years of creativity! The Centennial Art Show exhibit runs September 1-28.

Fall Festival Vendors
Bethany Lutheran College's annual Fall Festival weekend is September 25-27, 2026. We are currently looking for vendors interested in having a booth at the Book and Craft Fair in the Younge Gym on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:30am-3:00pm. More information, as well as vendor registration, can be found at:https://blc.edu/event/bethany-book-fest-and-craft-fair/. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Stahl (Event Coordinator) atamanda.stahl@blc.eduor 507-344-7346.

Bethany Lutheran College
BLC is taking applications for the following positions, please see our website for additional information.
Head Coach - Tennis (Men & Women
Head Coach - Esports
Custodian - Academic Building

New 2 You News

New 2 You Family Thrift in North Mankato is hiring a part-time employee.
If you are a stay-at-home mom or newly retired person looking to supplement your income, this job is perfect for you! You will be working in a great Christian environment while assisting donors, volunteers and customers. We have flexible hours.
Job Requirements:
Work 10-15 hours a week
Work 1-2 Saturdays a month
Eye for detail and organized
Summary of Position: Manage donated items by sorting, pricing and displaying items on the sales floor. Must be able to lift 20 – 25 pounds to move heavy boxes or furniture. Must be able to operate an electric cash register and accurately make monetary transactions. Light cleaning around the store. If you are interested in this position, pick up an application in person at New 2 You Family Thrift. If you have questions, please call New 2 You at 507-385-1455 to speak with Amanda or Melissa.

________________________________________________________

LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 219; 10:45am, 238; Post-Service Communion, 18
Monday: 29/26

WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Keith Anderson, Steve Lussky
Offering Counters: Mark Graham, Mark Olson
Altar Guild: Lynette Merseth, Krista Petzel
‍ ‍‍ ‍

WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $25,461.27
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $409.04
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 8/30/2026): $146,388.26
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 7/31/2026: ($9,664.18)
Care Share Tuition Assistance Account (balance as of 9/1/2026): $61,787.04

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.”

Mount Olive Lutheran Church Mission Statement

The mission of Mount Olive Lutheran Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ through God’s Word, so that souls are called into and kept in the Christian faith unto eternal life.

September 6, 2026

August 30, 2026