October 4, 2026
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPECIAL SERVICE - “THE DIVINE SERVICE: WHAT WE DO & WHY?”
This weekend, our services will walk us through the Divine Service, offering brief explanations to help us better understand why we worship as we do and how God serves us through His Word and Sacrament. Come and grow in appreciation for the gifts Christ shares with us in the Divine Service!
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR for Sunday, October 4, are given to God’s glory by the Lee family in loving memory of their father, Sigurd Lee, born 100 years ago on October 4, 1926.
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR for Sunday, October 4, are also given to God’s glory in honor of Pastor’s Appreciation Day.
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
On Sunday, October 4, at 2nd service was the Affirmation of Baptism for Vivienne Rose Wehrwein, infant daughter of Derek and Megan Wehrwein. Vivienne was baptized on September 15, 2026, by Pastor Soule. Her sponsors are Kurt and Rose Shrader. May she ever be blessed by this Sacrament.
PEOPLE WE ARE PRAYING FOR: (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services) Gary Burmeister, Scott Trautman, Gretchen Olsen, Marsha Natvig, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Emily Goetzke, Pastor Michael Enderle, Pastor Glenn Smith, Daniel Neubauer, Asher Graham, and Pastor Sam Johnson, and all others who have been receiving treatment for illnesses and poor health. Be with Mike Litynski and his family as they mourn the death of Mike’s mom, Wilma Jean. Give the family comfort–let them know and feel your love in this time of grief. We ask you to also be with Kristen Lehne and her family, with Jeanette Koberg’s family, and with the Fosburgh family as they laid loved ones to rest in funerals this past week. Be with the Geistfeld Family as they mourn the death of Ione–who had been a past, long-time member at Mt. Olive. Please be with Pr. Daniel Ruiz and his wife, Katie, and their children as he deliberates the call that we have given to him to come and serve at Mt. Olive. PRAYERS OF THANKS FOR: All of God’s blessings over the past 100 years at Bethany Lutheran College, thank you for blessing last weekend’s Fall Festival at Bethany. Continue to bless and keep our college in the years ahead. Thank you for the rich blessings that you have bestowed upon our Cornerstone Lutheran School, especially the great success of the Charger Challenge that took place this past Friday and the $69,000 that was raised in support of our school. Help us to see and appreciate all the wonderful blessings that you have given to us, O Lord!
A MONTH OF STEWARSHIP AT MOUNT OLIVE
The Board of Stewardship will be running a campaign throughout the month of October. Their goal is to get 100 family units to support the church for the first time or to increase the amount they are currently giving. Throughout October, there will be updates and short messages given after the services to encourage engagement. They hope you will prayerfully consider participating in this campaign!
WHEN DOES THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SING IN CHURCH?
Confirmed dates when Sunday school is singing for Church. All of these dates are First Service ONLY.
October 11th (Jesus Loves Me verses 1 and 2)
November 1st (All Saints Day)
December 13th
TEEN RETREAT- OCT. 17-18
Teens (grades 7-12) are invited to attend the ELS Fall Teen Retreat located at Living Waters Bible Camp in Westby, WI. Join us Oct. 17-18 for the opportunity to be uplifted in your faith and connect with other teens in a chance to get away for a bit in God’s beautiful creation. Enjoy 70ft Tree Climb, Giant Swing, Canoeing the Kickapoo River, Smores, Bonfires and more! Information and registration forms are located on the bulletin board. Last day to register is Oct. 4!
YOUTH HAYRIDE- OCT. 18
All High School students are invited to a Youth Hayride on the Olsen Farm! Join local area ELS Youth on October 18th from 3:30-6:30pm Dinner is provided. Please RSVP at church@mtolivelutheran.org by October 14th and check out the poster on the bulletin board for the address. See you there!
ELS MISSON RALLY- OCT. 24
The Circuit 8 Mission Rally at Faith Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN is coming up on Oct. 24! Register here at Mt. Olive as soon as possible on the sign up on the back table. Coffee and Treats start at 8:30am with the Programming between 9:00am-3:00pm.
FOOD SHELF DONATIONS
Mt. Olive donated 58 pounds of food to ECHO food shelf during the month of September. Thank you to all who donated! If you feel so moved, please place food shelf donations into the basket by the kitchen doors.
BETHANY NEWS
2ND ANNUAL BLC INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL- OCT. 10
Grade school students (K-8) and their families are invited to the 2nd Annual BLC International Festival on Saturday, October 10th, from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The event will be in the Sports and Fitness Center and on the Campus Green (weather permitting). This is a FREE event where students and their families can learn about the cultures of different countries around the world in a fun environment. Students receive a passport that they can get stamped at every country they visit. Students who get all of the country stamps receive a prize. For more information, see the poster in the Bethany Bulletin Board outside the fellowship hall.
REFORMATION LECTURES- OCT 29 – 30
Bethany Lutheran College and Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary present: The Bjarne Wollan Teigen Reformation Lectures: Did Luther have an Agenda? Luther’s Liturgical Writings. Join us in the Ronald J. Younge Gymnasium at Bethany Lutheran College. Register online: blc.edu/reformation-lectures. For more information, contact Elsa Ferkenstad at 507-344-7354 or elsa.ferkenstad@blc.edu.
October 29th | 10:30am Luther’s Divine Services, by Dr. Joseph Herl (Concordia University Nebraska) October 29th | 2:00pm Luther’s Hymns, by Professor Dennis Marzolf (Bethany Lutheran College)
October 30th | 10:30am Luther’s Reforms and a Lutheran Theology of Worship, by Dr. Jon Vieker (Concordia Seminary)
October 30th | 2:00pm Discussion
MUSIC
The Chamber Orchestra at Bethany will be presenting a special presentation of "The Little Tree" on Sunday, October 4th at 3 pm. "The Little Tree" is an original composition by Benjamin Faugstad for strings, flute, clarinet, piano, and percussion. It is based on the recently first published book (with the same title) by Emily Christensen, illustrated by her grandson, Philip Smith. The debut performance will feature a narrator with the orchestra, as well as a panel discussion about the creative and collaborative process of this multi-generational and multimedia work. Please join us for this free event in Trinity Chapel!
The Chamber Orchestra will participate in Chapel at 10 am on Friday, October 9 and perform their fall concert at 7 pm that evening in Trinity Chapel. The concert will feature an encore performance of “The Little Tree,” along with the debut of a new orchestral work, “Pacem." The evening will conclude with Richard Addinsell’s “Warsaw Concerto,” featuring Jack DePrey, a Bethany music major in his final semester of study. All are invited to attend!
The Honor Choir concert will be held in Trinity Chapel at 5 pm on Saturday, October 24. Prof. David Paulson will welcome a select group of 9-12 grade students to work with his Concert Choir for the day and this concert at the end of the day will be a celebration of their hard work. Please plan to attend.
The Jazz Band will perform two concerts on Sunday, October 25 at 3 pm and Monday, October 26 at 5 pm. Weather permitting, these concerts will be held outside on the campus green. Come enjoy some beautiful fall weather and some great jazz tunes from talented vocalists and musicians!
The Reformation Choral Vespers service will be held in Trinity Chapel following this year's Reformation Lectures on Thursday, October 29 at 4:30 pm. The Concert Choir will participate in this service. All are invited to attend.
ART
Wisconsin artist Jeff Zimpel will have his exhibit "Like Merging Rivers: A Living Studio Story" in the YFAC Gallery now through October 20. Come through the YFAC Gallery to explore this engaging and nature-inspired story told through a variety of mediums.
THEATER
The box office will open for the upcoming fall play, A Christmas Carol, on Monday, October 19. If you would like to reserve tickets for this show, which runs November 13-15 and 20-21, plan to visit blc.edu/boxoffice or stop by the YFAC box office desk 1-4 pm, Monday-Friday beginning October 19.
SYNOD AND COMMUNITY NEWS
NEW 2 YOU UPDATE
It’s that time of year when the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are starting to change. Do you love fall as much as I do? Fall brings out all the cozy feelings and the need for sweaters and hoodies. We have a variety of blankets, clothes, and home décor to match the weather. The colors in the store are starting to change from fall to winter with lots of Christmas items. Come check out the store on October 20 for everything Christmas.
I am excited to announce that I hired Sue Benson. She has experience working in retail and thrift stores in Arkansas. This is what Sue shared about herself, “I was born and raised in Minnesota. Grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota, graduated from High School in Winona, Minnesota. Spent many years in Kansas and Arkansas. My husband and I moved back to Minnesota in October 2025. (not for the winters) I am married, have two grown children and 4 grandchildren. Our son and his wife live in Rogers, Arkansas. Their two children attend college in Arkansas and Kansas. Our daughter is a teacher in Mankato, she has two daughters, 16 and 14. I am happy to have found New 2 You and look forward to meeting all of you!”
Items needed: Bottled water, plastic or paper shopping bags to use for customers, newspapers, or storage bags.
We are so very blessed at New 2 You Family Thrift for our donors, volunteers, and staff. God has given us blessings of Christian Education that allows our children or grandchildren to hear God’s word every day at school and home. New 2 You is blessed by the kindness and generosity of our donors and our volunteer’s time. We are always looking for volunteers. If you have some free time, please reach out to Amanda or Melissa at 507-385-1455 or by email at New2youfamilythrift@gmail.com.
Amanda Prigge, Store Manager and Melissa Weinarcht, Assistant Manager
________________________________________________________
LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 238; 10:45am, 178; Post-Service Communion, 32
Monday: 36/24
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Don and Kristin Lehne, Mark and Vivian Smith
Offering Counters: Neil Kaus, Steve Hanson
Altar Guild: Lisa Holt, Angela Holt
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $11,058.25
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $609.04
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 9/27/2026): $150.084.43
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 8/31/2026: $5,566.05
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.”
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.