October 25, 2026
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR for Sunday, October 25, are given to God’s glory in memory of loved ones.
PEOPLE WE ARE PRAYING FOR: (We included prayers for these individuals in our recent church services) Elaine Krech, Eric Eisberg, Gary Burmeister, Scott Trautman, Gretchen Olsen, Marsha Natvig, Katie Tweit, Lorena Merseth, Emily Goetzke, Oliver Schuch, Pastor Glenn Smith, Daniel Neubauer, Asher Graham, and Pastor Sam Johnson. We pray for all others who have been receiving treatment for illnesses and poor health. Be with Pastor Matthew Brooks and his family as they mourn the death of Matt’s father. Give them your comfort in this time of grief and point them to the promise of eternal life. PRAYERS OF THANKS FOR: Silvia Mae Halvorson who was baptized on September 13th–and whose Baptism was affirmed last Sunday. We thank and praise you for making her Your own child in Holy Baptism. Continue to be with her and grant her Physical and Spiritual strength and growth.
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!
VOLUNTEER COUNTERS NEEDED!
Mt Olive has 24 faithful volunteers that count our weekly offering each week. They work in two person teams so each are responsible for one month during the year. Because some of those volunteers have moved or have life changes, additional volunteers are now needed. Can you help your church with this important task? Please contact Bruce Gratz or Neil Kaus, Co-Chairs of the Budget and Finance Board for more information. Bruce.gratz@blc.edu or neilkaus33@charter.net.
100TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNING- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Save the date: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church turns 100 on Sunday, June 27, 2027! A milestone this big requires many hands, and we need your help to make it happen. We are forming a committee to plan the event, and an initial organizing meeting is being scheduled soon. If you can lead a team or help behind the scenes, we need YOU. Please contact the church office today to let them know you are willing to be involved!
CARD SALE FUNDRAISER- OCT 25
This Sunday between services, the VBS coordinators are having a fundraiser to help buy art supplies for next summer's Art Camp VBS. Buy a package of three cards from either design - Christmas or Sympathy/Encouragement with hymn verses printed inside.
REFORMATION FESTIVAL- OCT. 25
Join us here at Church on Oct. 25 starting at 4:30pm for the second annual Reformation Festival! We will have games that are Reformation themed and way more fun than that sounded. Come knock over the heretics of the Reformation or whack the papal bull pinata plus many more. Stay also for our Rootbiergarten with homemade pretzels, cookies and brats. So come check out the party and stay for the fun!
MOM’S BIBLE STUDY LOCATION CHANGE- OCT. 29
MOMs Bible Study will meet at Cornerstone's Hillside campus next Thursday, October 29. Children may be checked into childcare at 8:10am, study will be from 8:30-10am as usual. The address for Hillside's campus is 110 N 6th Street. Attendees may park in the back of the building and enter through Door 2
REFORMATION HYMN SING- OCT. 31
Peace Lutheran Church is planning on a hymn sing on Reformation Day (Saturday, October 31st) at 3pm to gather and praise the Lord! Join us for an afternoon of singing your favorite Reformation hymns along with solo and ensemble performances. If congregation members would be interested in playing for the hymns, we will have both a string and brass ensemble. Please email Joe Roemhildt at jroemhildt@blc.edu if you have any questions.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS- NOV. 1
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, October 31. Enjoy an extra hour of sleep as we return to Standard Time on Sunday, November 1!
JOIN THE ALTAR GUILD- NOV. 5
Learn more about the Altar Guild and what they do to serve our church at an Information Meeting in the Social Hall on Thursday, Nov. 5th at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome!
BETHANY NEWS
IN DEPTH: EDVARD MUNCH - DID BAD THEOLOGY PRODUCE GOOD ART?- OCT. 26
Prof. Jason Jaspersen and Chaplain Don Moldstad will team up to present the life and work of Norwegian Expressionist Edvard Munch, famous for "The Scream." His challenging childhood impacted the history of art. The talk will be held in Silber Hall of Bethany's Fine Arts Center (YFAC) on Monday, Oct. 26th at 7PM. All are welcome. (Part of the In Depth series).
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 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.
THEATER
The box office has opened for the upcoming fall play, A Christmas Carol. 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.
MVL NEWS
WREATH SALES- OCT. 25
Tis the season!... MVL will once again be selling wreaths, swags, crosses, and live garland to help bring the sights and scents of Christmas to your home or business! Wreath orders begin Sunday, October 25th and all orders must be placed by Sunday, November 15th. This year all ordering will be done online. Simply go to the MVL website, click on wreaths, and place your order! We hope to deliver most products to your church by Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s proceeds are designated to help outfit a workshop space for our fine arts backstage area. Thank you for your support! Merry Christmas!
MVL DRAMA PRESENTS- OCT. 30 – NOV. 1
WARNING! WARNING! THE SUN IS OUT... AND IT’S LOOKING FOR TROUBLE!
Prepare for an out-of-this-world night of sci-fi thrills, cosmic chills, alien antics, and laughs that are truly astronomical! When a mysterious menace from the sun comes crashing to Earth, it’s up to a brave band of heroes to save the day! Will Earth survive? Will science save us? Will anyone remember to duck?! There’s only one way to find out... COME SEE IT LIVE ON STAGE! Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Drama presents ATTACK! OF THE KILLER MAN FROM THE SUN!, a sci fi B movie comedy made for the stage! Performances are held at MVL Fine Arts Center on October 30-31 at 7pm, and November 1 at 2pm. Tickets at the door. Bring your friends and family, and prepare to have a solar-powered good time! Space suits optional.
VETERANS HONORED- NOV. 4
The public is invited to our annual Veterans' Day Recognition Program on Wednesday, November 4th at 10:00a.m. in the fieldhouse. A complete breakfast specifically for veterans and their personal guests will begin at 8:30a.m. in the Fine Arts Center. If you or a veteran you know would like to come, please RSVP at mvl.org, hgiefer@mvlhs.org, or 507-354-6851.
OPEN HOUSE- NOV. 11
New and Prospective Students are invited to the MVL Open House starting at 6:30pm with a tour. There will be an Open Forum with MVL Students and a Parent Presentation at 7:00pm. Come and get your MVL questions answered and enjoy some amazing fellowship!
SPIRIT OF MVL- NOV. 21
You are invited to join MVL in a night of fellowship supporting Christian education as we recognize and celebrate our Spirit of MVL award winners: Alan (posthumously) & Loretta Johnson, Pastor Richard & Marley Kuckhahn, and Craig Morgan.
The gala will be held on November 21st, at 5 p.m. at The Venue in Mankato. The night includes a social hour, dinner, an award program, a live auction, and the Afterglow. Tickets are for sale on the MVL website, mvl.org. You can also contact Sarah Allee with any questions at sallee@mvlhs.org. RSVPs are due by November 6th.
NEW 2 YOU NEWS
NEW 2 YOU VOLUNTEERS NEEDED NOVEMBER 7
Volunteers from Mt. Olive needed on Saturday, November 7. If you can help, a sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex, or you can call New 2 You at 507-385-1455. There are morning and afternoon shifts available, which run from 9:45am – 12:30pm and 12:30pm – 3:00pm. Main duties include ringing up sales on the cash register and bagging customer purchases. New 2 You Family Thrift Store provides 75% of its quarterly profits to MVL to help fund student busing. Your willingness to help is greatly appreciated!
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 259/195; 10:45am, 191/135
Monday: 33/24
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Don and Kristin Lehne, Mark and Vivian Smith
Offering Counters: Neil Kaus, Bruce Gratz
Altar Guild: Lisa Holt, Angela Holt
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $14,560.06
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,264.97
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 10/18/2026): $152,763.77
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 9/30/2026: $12,379.71
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.