WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR for Sunday, November 15, are given to God’s glory by Mark and Sharon Madson in memory of their fathers J.B. Madson and M.W. Burk.
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, Elaine Krech, Daniel Neubauer, Asher Graham, J.J. Burgess, and Pastor Sam Johnson, grant them your healing, O Lord. We pray for the family of Mark Olson, whose funeral was this past Friday. We also pray for Janet and Greg Costello and their family as they mourn the loss of their grandson, Anastasius Costello, who was born stillborn. Be with these brothers and sisters in Christ and grant them the comfort of your Son’s resurrection who empowers us to grieve in hope, confident that by your Son’s resurrection you will raise our bodies to life and that you will grant to all believers in Christ eternal life. PRAYERS OF THANKS: that heart surgery for Eric Eisberg, son of Keith Eisberg was successful. Grant him continued recovery and healing, O Lord. Bless Peter and Taylor Schuch, who were united in holy marriage a couple weeks ago. We thank you for your gift of marriage, Father. We thank you for all those brave men and women who have faithfully served our nation in the armed forces, who have spent their time and energy and put their lives on the line to defend us. Bless the families of our servicemembers everywhere, Lord, and grant them your peace, Lord. Be with our country Lord, and save her from all evil. And bless all of the newly elected officials in our national, state and local governments. Grant them your wisdom and blessing, Lord.
BIBLE CLASS- NOV. 18
Wednesday Bible Class will study Psalm 23 and what it means that the Messiah is our shepherd. Join us this coming Wednesday at 9:00am!
SOUP FOR SOLDIERS- NOV. 18
Join the Footnotes Trauma Foundation on November 18th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Morson-Ario-Strand VFW Post 950, 1900 N Riverfront Dr, Mankato, for a fundraising event. Help us support and serve veterans and help remove financial barriers to trauma-informed mental health care. Your participation and contributions make a difference! Hope to see you there!
ART AFTER DARK- NOV. 19
Join us at 7:30pm for the last lecture in the Art After Dark series.
The Nativity in Art—One of the most familiar images at Christmas time is the birth of Jesus. This image of the Nativity has gone from small depictions on Roman sarcophagi to elaborate paintings that continue today. This lecture will look at some of the most famous and elaborate depictions of the birth of Jesus and the Adoration of the Magi
NEW MEMBER RECEPTION- NOV. 22
We will ask you, our new members, to come forward after the Sermon at the 8:15am Service to publicly express your desire to be part of our church. We also hope you will stay for a special reception between services where we can introduce you, and other members can greet you.
THE REACH THANKSGIVING DINNER- NOV. 24
Please join us in sharing Thanksgiving Dinner for The Reach (a drop in center for homeless youth). Meal items are to be delivered on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Sign up sheets are in the Narthex.
THANKSGIVING EVE PIE SOCIAL- NOV. 25
We are looking for 14 DONATED PIES! (homemade or purchased) to be shared at our Thanksgiving Eve Pie Social following our Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 25th, at 6:30pm. SIGN UP on the Narthex Table. Please deliver your donated Pie to the church kitchen on Tues. Nov. 24th or Wed. Nov. 25th. THANK YOU!
SPONSOR A WINTER OUTDOOR PLANTER- NOV. 29
We wish to once again extend our gratitude to Traverse de Sioux nursery for generously assisting with the planting of the lovely floral and green arrangements in the large outdoor entryway pots this summer. For the upcoming holiday season, the Traverse de Sioux Garden Center will again be filling our outdoor planters with a variety of outdoor greens, including spruce tips, birch, Norway pine, dogwoods, and pine cones. Individuals, families, or groups at Mt. Olive have the opportunity to “sponsor” a winter planter. Seven planters are available to sponsor at $135/each; a sign-up sheet and envelopes are available on the narthex table. Pick up an envelope as you sign up, insert a check written to Mt. Olive and place it in the church office or offering plate by November 29th. Thank you!
NEW PHOTO DIRECTORY- DEC. 15
Mount Olive is looking to make a new member photo directory! We are asking you to submit the photo. Send your current digital photo to church@mtolivelutheran.org where we will add it to your information and print it in January. Please send all photos, and any directory changes, by December 15th. If you need a photo taken, call the office to schedule a time for us to take it for you. Thank you for your help!
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!
BETHANY NEWS
MUSIC:
The box office is open for reservations for Christmas at Bethany. Reservations are required for these tickets and a free will offering is greatly appreciated to keep these concerts going year to year. You can make your reservations by visiting blc.edu/boxoffice or stop by the box office desk in the YFAC Monday-Friday between 1-4. You can also email Jenna Thompson or call 507-374-7365 for assistance. Concerts will be held December 3-6.
The Fall Honors Recital will be held Tuesday, November 24 at 7 pm in Trinity Chapel. The Honors Recitals feature students chosen by audition each semester. All are invited to attend this special event. A reception will follow in the YFAC to honor our fall graduates in the Music department.
THEATER:
A Christmas Carol opens November 13 with five additional performances through November 21. Reserve your tickets by visiting blc.edu/boxoffice or stopping by the box office desk in the YFAC Monday-Friday between 1-4 pm. You can also email Jenna Thompson or call 507-374-7365 for assistance.
ART:
The Graphic Design Capstone exhibit "Just Visiting" will be in the YFAC Gallery November 17-25. This exhibit celebrates the work of graduating seniors Hannah Meihak and Ava Gorsegner. Please visit the Gallery and plan to attend the Gallery Reception on Thursday, November 19 at 7 pm.
MVL NEWS
WREATH SALES- NOW- NOV. 15
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 are now open 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. Thank you for your support! Merry Christmas!
SYNOD NEWS
ELS GIVING COUNSELOR POSITION
The ELS Board of Trustees is seeking a new Giving Counselor. The board will either call a pastor from our fellowship or hire a layman. We are currently seeking interested laymen to make application for this position through our Executive Assistant, Elsa Ferkenstad (elsa.ferkenstad@blc.edu). Please include a cover letter and your resumé. A job description is available at www.els.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2026.
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LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCE/LORD’S SUPPER
Sunday: 8:15am, 247; 10:45am, 176; Post-Service Communion, 25
Monday: 26/23
Live Online Viewing: Sunday, 22
WE THANK THOSE SERVING OUR LORD THIS WEEK
Greeters: Terri Westphal, Ron & Mary Young
Terri Westphal, Ron & Mary Young
Offering Counters: Ron Bequette, Joe Meyer
Altar Guild: Sherri Bukowski, Carol Petersen
WEEKLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:
Given Last Week (excluding Year of Jubilee): $23,265.67
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Given Last Week: $1,368.04
Year of Jubilee Debt Reduction Total (7/1/2025 to 11/01/2026): $155,889.94
Fiscal YTD Actual Expenses vs. Budget Surplus (Deficit) as of 10/31/2026: $45,081.38
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
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.