September 13, 2026
Weekly Announcements
Flowers on the altar for Sunday, September 13, are given to God’s glory by Mike and Kristin Litynski in memory of Mark Matzke.
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, and all battling cancer. Grant strength and health to Daniel Neubauer, Asher Graham, Pastor Sam Johnson, and all facing illness and infirmity. Grant swift healing to Cindy Barlow and Emily Goetzke following their surgeries and hospitalizations. In Your mercy, look upon the Fosburgh family as they mourn the death of Bob’s mother, Marcia. Prayers Of Thanks For: The birth of Sylvia Halvorson, God bless her and her parents, Liz and Daniel.
Thank You From Pastor Petersen
Joyce and I want to thank everyone for the wonderful reception, best wishes and generous gifts given to us for my retirement on August 16th. I count it as a true blessing to have served in the ministry for 41 years, and in particular, these past 21 years with you here at Mount Olive.
May the Lord continue to bless and keep our beloved congregation with His gracious Word of pardon and peace through Jesus Christ our Savior, now and always!
Your friends in Him,
John and Joyce
Sunday School and Bible Studies Begin- Sept. 13
Rally Day is today! 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 7pm 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
Starting 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
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. Please purchase a copy ahead of time either online or at the Bethany Bookstore. 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 or Jennifer.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 at bailey.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).
Cornerstone Lutheran School Yearbook Volunteers Needed
Cornerstone Lutheran School is looking for volunteers to help with the 2026–2027 Yearbook. We are seeking a Co-Editor and several photographers to help capture the many activities and special moments throughout the school year. If you enjoy photography, organizing, or helping preserve memories for our students and families, we'd love to have you join the team! For more information or to volunteer, please contact: Lance Johnson 507-720-2130 lgustavj77@gmail.com.
Bethany News
Sigma Tau Delta Event- Sept. 18
The Honors English Society will be hosting a special event on Friday, September 18 at 6pm in Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center room 101. Seminarian Matthew Schleusener will give a presentation on "An Experiment in Criticism" by C.S.Lewis followed by a time for discussion. All are invited to attend.
Bethany Auxillary- Sept. 28
As we begin our 99th school year at Bethany Lutheran College, the ELS Synod looks forward to hosting the National Auxiliary Day on Monday, September 28, 2026. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Bethany faculty and students about the exciting things happening in their programs. The group will also take part in the annual business meeting where auxiliary members vote on projects to support. Lunch will include updates from new ELS Synod President Michael Smith and Seminary President Timothy Hartwig. Looking forward to having our auxiliary members at Bethany.
Music
Each year, the Music Department hosts three Honors events for students in grades 9-12 to join us on campus for a one day music intensive and concert. The nomination window for two of these events happening this fall are approaching. If you know of students at this grade level who would like to participate in one of these events, direct them to blc.edu/honors to find all the needed information and nomination materials. Honor Choir nominations begin September 22 and Honor Band nominations begin September 29. Contact jenna.thompson@blc.edu with any questions.
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 visiting blc.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 6pm and then will be put into an audition order that evening. Please notify Peter Bloedel at heypete@blc.edu if 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- Sept. 26
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) at amanda.stahl@blc.edu or 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
Synod and Community News
Lutheran Military Service Conference- Oct. 8-11
Armor of God: Truth & Righteousness,” held October 8–11, 2026, at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Rochester, Minnesota. This Christ-centered retreat is designed for Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses, providing a unique opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and be renewed through God’s Word, worship, Christian fellowship, and meaningful conversations with others who understand the military journey. Travel assistance is available for those who need it. Learn more at https://lutheranmilitary.org/what-we-do/spiritual-retreats?blm_aid=9525682
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 252/186; 10:45am, 140/101
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): $26,943.44
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $2683.59
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 8/30/2026): $149,071.85
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 7/31/2026: ($9,664.18)
Care Share Tuition Assistance Account (balance as of 9/9/2026): $20,268.82
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.