Upcoming Events & Notices

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Virtual Fellowship Meeting, Jun 7

Grab a cup of coffee, and join us for a virtual meeting using your computer or mobile phone at 10:20 AM on Sunday morning. We will share prayer requests, jokes, sing happy birthday and have a devotional message. Just click the link below a few minutes before the meeting. Here's your invitation:

Mikale Townsend is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Morning Fellowship
Time: June 7, 2020 10:20 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3912069426
Meeting ID: 391 206 9426
 
 
Posted on May 29, 2020 8:50 PM by Max Williams

Holy Communion Practices This Summer

Note some changes: Communion will be offered weekly following each service and from 11:00 AM - Noon on Sundays and after the Wednesday service (which begins at 6:00 PM) until 7:30 PM. The elements will be laid out by Pastor and/or a Lay Minister before the worship service. All communicants will remain at their seats, or standing while Pastor leads a brief communion liturgy including the words of institution. Small paper plates will be placed on the communion rail in preparation for each table. When the table is prepared and it is time to receive communion, people will be invited to come forward one person/family group (up to 6) at a time on each side of the table. Wine & bread will be placed on the individual small paper plates before communicants step up. When communing, Pastor will ask each person to pick up the cup first with one hand and the bread with the other to help minimize the risk of spilling. After each table has communed, each table will receive the words of dismissal from the Pastor. Each communicant will place the empty plastic cup and plate in a prepared container. 

Posted on May 29, 2020 8:34 PM by Max Williams

Interim Task Force Town Hall, June 7

Mount Olive's Interim Task Force has completed its work. They have reviewed the feedback from last fall's "Gathered Round His Feet" meetings and engaged in research, conversation, and prayer about the state of our church and where God is calling us in ministry. They will present the findings in a Congregational Town Hall 10:30 a.m. on June 7 in Luther Hall. This presentation will be shared on Zoom so that members can participate without having to attend in person. A written report will accompany the presentation. The presentation slides, report, and working documents will all be available on request. Contact Josh Callahan or Pastor Meyer with questions about the Interim Task Force.

 

Posted on May 29, 2020 8:06 PM by Max Williams

To Mask or Not to Mask? That's the Question!

At a time when self-idolatry is being exposed in ugly ways in our nation, the church has an opportunity to model love that places the interests of others above the self.

I Don’t Want to Wear a Mask
Some of us may find it personally difficult—even maddening—to have to wear a mask during church and stay six feet away from everyone at all times. You might think these precautions are a needless overreaction. But here’s the thing: even if it turns out you’re right, can you not sacrifice your ideal for a season, out of love for others who believe the precautions are necessary? Even if you personally think it is silly, or even cowardly, for someone to stay home even after the church is open again on Sundays, can you not heed Paul’s wisdom in Romans 14: “Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother”? Or 1 Corinthians 8:9: “Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 
I Want Everyone to Wear a Mask
Likewise, those who think the lockdowns should continue should not pass judgment on those who question the wisdom of the government’s ongoing restrictions. Surely, there are valid arguments that favor relaxing restrictions.
Our Response
Churches should strive to honor people on both sides of the spectrum. And the fact is, if we are honest, none of us really knows what we should be doing during this time of stress. We each have our own opinions, but our opinions most often fall way short of God’s wisdom. 
Yes, it is extra work for churches to keep offering online services for those who don’t feel comfortable attending physical gatherings. Yes, it will be a sacrifice for church members who are sick of masks, social distancing, and Zoom to continue to use these for the sake of others. But little is more Christian than a posture of sacrifice. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom. 12:1). Let’s respect each other’s view with gladness.
The above comments were adapted from an article published by The Gospel Coalition.
Posted on May 22, 2020 6:17 AM by Max Williams

Milestones Toward Calling a New Pastor

Getting from Here to There

Pastor Meyer shares a letter describing what has been accomplished and future steps which are required to call our next pastor:

  1. “Round His Feet” Group Meetings (Completed)
  2. Interim Task Force’s Report on Group Meeting Conclusions (in final stages)
  3. Call (Nominating) Committee
  4. Town Hall Meeting and Interim Task Force Presentation – Target Date: May 31, 2020
  5. District Self-Study Surveys (finished 10-14 days after Town Hall meeting)
  6. Pre-Call Meeting with President Reverend Snow (date to be determined)
  7. Call Candidates Obtained from Congregation (if any) and President Snow
  8. Call Committee Vets Candidates
  9. Voters Call Meeting
  10. Issuance of Call & Candidate’s Response

Please read Pastor Meyer's letter which explains each of the above steps in more detail.

Posted on May 08, 2020 7:00 PM by Max Williams

Message from Our Executive Director, Apr 17

Please view this letter from Mount Olive's Executive Director, Victor Padron. It contains important information for all our members during this time of COVID-19 concerns.

 

 

Posted on April 17, 2020 3:50 AM by Max Williams

Coping with Depression

Amie Rikke, our Parish Nurse has provided a new article and video about depression. She covers the following topics:

  • What is depression?
  • Diagnosis
  • Myths about depression
  • Treatments and Coping with Depression

Here are some links and phone numbers to learn more about depression and how to obtain help during these times of social isolation:

Lutheran Hour Ministries has some great pamphlets you may download and share with others: Dealing with Depression, Depression Understanding the Pieces of the Puzzle, and There's More to Anger than Getting Mad. (Yes, anger toward self or others can be an expression of depression. In fact, some authorities describe depression as "anger turned inward."

If you are having suicidal thoughts, immediately contact 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Posted on April 03, 2020 9:07 PM by Max Williams

Reliable Websites for COVID-19 Info

There is a lot inaccurate information out there about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Click the following link to national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 web page for reliable information. For local information, go to the Douglas County Health Department website.
PC Magazine reports that scammers hare already started taking advantage of this situation. For example, a number of phone apps, purporting to help people track incidences of the COVID-19 virus, are actually installing malware on phones. Please keep yourself and your devices safe.
Posted on March 18, 2020 8:04 PM by Max Williams

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