February 2015 - Mount Olive Lutheran Church

February 2015
Volume 46.02
Sunday Worship
8:00am
Traditional Service
Communion on 1st, 3rd
& 5th Sundays
10:30am
Contemporary Service
music by Olive Branch
Communion on 2nd, 4th
& 5th Sundays
Sunday Fellowship
9:00am Coffee Hour
Sunday Education
9:30am Adult Bible Study
9:30am Sunday School
during the school year
Church Staff
Jason Zobel
Pastor
[email protected]
Linda Krueger
Music Director
[email protected]
Laurel Zobel
Preschool Director
[email protected]
Derek Handley
Office Manager
[email protected]
Dan Anderson
Vicar
Calvary Lutheran Chapel
[email protected]
255-7214
Prayer Requests
Barb Koehler
[email protected]
Laurel Zobel
[email protected]
the view from the mount
LENT 2015
I know February is normally
reserved for thoughts like
Valentine’s Day and love. Even
though I still hope you consider the
importance of both of these themes
this month, I would like to turn our
attention in this month’s Pastor’s
Pen to our Lenten Journey which
begins with our Ash Wednesday
service on February 18th and
continues on Wednesdays until
Holy Week and Easter Sunday on
April 5th.
Our Lenten theme this year is titled
“CrossWords” and is devoted to
reflecting upon the seven words
which Jesus uttered on the cross.
Everything which Jesus spoke was
beneficial to the world because, as
Jesus Himself said, “The words that
I have spoken to you are spirit and
life” (John 6:63). It is appropriate
during this season, therefore, to
give attention to the words of life
that Jesus spoke while in the very
midst of death. These words from
the cross are his “crosswords.”
March 18: “I Thirst”
March 25: “It is Finished!”
Good Friday:
“Father, Into Your Hands I
Commend My Spirit”
I pray that in these upcoming
weeks we will be drawn closer to
Jesus and His enduring love, even
in the midst of great pain and
anguish in going to the cross on our
behalf. I also pray that we will be
renewed in the grace given to us by
faith in the only One who has given
us eternal life. May we come on
bended knee in repentance and
stand in awe of our Savior and
King!
In His love and service,
Pastor Jason
Weekly themes for this year
Ash Wednesday:
“Father, Forgive Them”
February 25:
“You will be with Me in Paradise”
March 4:
“Behold Your Son; Behold Your
Mother”
March 11: My God, Why Have You
Forsaken Me?”
February 2015
1
Office
Hours
9:00am to 3:00pm Mon-Fri
Contact Us
P: 238-5656
E: [email protected].
For emergencies during non-office
hours, Pastor Jason Zobel's cell
phone is 228-4134.
February View Deadline:
Sunday Bulletin Deadline:
Monday, February 23rd
The Sunday Bulletin deadline is
always Wednesday at NOON for
the following Sunday.
E-mail articles to Derek at
[email protected].
Assembly:
Wednesday, February 25th
11:30am
Open Gym
Small Group Bible Studies
Mount Olive Small Groups meet all around the
Madison area! If you would like to be placed in a
group, please call the office or contact Jess
Rosenwinkel at [email protected].
Card Shop News
The New Year has rung in the renewal of Sunday
afternoon open gym at Mount Olive. The gym will be
open from 3:00-5:00pm each Sunday afternoon.
Anyone interested in playing a few games of pick-up
basketball are encouraged and welcome to attend.
Please contact Greg Rademacher (279-1870 or
[email protected]) with any questions.
Correction from last month - ALL our profits are given to LWML for the mission work of Lutheran Women's Missionary League.
The card shop is located next to the nursery room
and shares the room with the library. We are open
between the early and late service and all our cards
have a Bible verse and cost 75 cents!
We have the following categories: Sympathy, Get
Well, Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Baby Congratulations, Baptism, Thank You, Thinking of You,
Encouragement, and Pastor Appreciation. And Seasonal cards include: Valentine, Easter, Confirmation,
Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Thanksgiving, and boxed Christmas cards.
Thanks for supporting this ministry. Since we
moved to Whitney Way in September of 2009, we
have given $2,238.77 to LWML.
Come see us!
Email announcements to Derek at
[email protected].
Scrip Order Dates
Mark your calendars!
February 8, March 8,
April 12, May 3, June 7
L.O.S.T, But Now I’m Found
Logos Musical
Take a voyage with the Captain and
his first mate, along with the crew of
the S.S. Hope on a day cruise that
gets caught up in a storm and becomes stranded on an island. Come
see how the storms of life confront
us to evaluate if our faith is built on
the shifting sand, temporary things
of life, or the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ.
This dramatic musical is full of fun
and adventure through songs, drama
and most importantly–the Word of God which is the road
map to salvation no matter what storms pass your way.
Sunday, February 22nd
8:00 and 10:30am services
February 2015
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A View from Mount Olive Christian Preschool
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to
do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to
do.” -Ephesians 2:10
Have you ever received a “hand-crafted, unique, madejust-for-you” item from someone whom you love and
care about? Things that are made by hand are often
treasured because of the time and thought that goes
into designing that particular piece of art or
handiwork. In my living room, I have a wooden , handcarved cross from a member in our former church; a
quilt rack made for my birthday one year by my
Grandpa Harold; and a wooden sleigh that is a part of
my Christmas decorations, made by my Grandpa Carl.
Though these items may not be worth much in
monetary terms, they are priceless to me because I
appreciate the love behind the craftsmanship. They
are also very sentimental to me because these people
are no longer here with me. Each time I look at these
items, I am reminded of their lives and the joy they
brought to mine.
The reading from Ephesians reminds us that we are
“God’s handiwork” (workmanship in other versions).
That means that we were designed and made by God
for a special purpose. The items I hold near and dear
to my heart, were made with love and made especially
for me. How much more God loves and designs us for
His purpose. Just like my quilt rack, cross and wooden
sleigh bring me joy, it is an even greater purpose for us
to share the love and joy of Jesus with others. God tells
us to be “His workmanship” so that we can be a living
witness for Him.
God’s love is unique and “made-just-for-us.” What a
blessing to be able to share in that love not only during
Valentine’s and our upcoming Lenten season, but each
day, knowing that He has designed and hand-crafted us
for His purpose.
 Registration for Fall is now underway! If you would
like information about our preschool, please see
Laurel or call her at the office (238-5656). We are
accepting registrations for children who will be 3
years old by September 1st and are toilet-trained. We
also have openings for 4 and 5-year-olds in
September as well. Please take a preschool brochure
to a family who is considering our program. These
brochures are available at the Visitor Information
Center in the Narthex or in the preschool hallway.
 Thanks to all of you who supported our Butter Braid
Fundraiser this past fall. We were blessed to be able
to purchase a new kitchen set for our dramatic play
area as well as some stepping/balancing stones for
gym time. Your support for the preschool is very
much appreciated! During this next month, we will
be able to start using these new items in the gym and
classroom.
 As you think about Spring Cleaning (it will be here
soon), please keep the preschool in mind. We are
always in need of buttons, dress-up clothes,
magazines for projects, etc. If you have an item that
you think we could use, please let me know. We are
so blessed to be able to use your “treasures”
especially for projects and art activities.
 Be sure to keep saving your Campbell’s Labels for
Education. We ARE NOT able to use the Box Tops for
Education. That is reserved for schools serving
Kindergarten-8th grade. If you do turn in Box Tops, I
will save them for the school at the Children’s
Hospital. Also, we are still collecting tabs from soda
cans for the Ronald McDonald House. There are
collection bins/boxes on the table in the preschool
hallway for these items. Thanks!
God’s peace as you ponder the depth of His love… you
were designed and created for His purpose!
In His love and service,
Laurel
February 2015
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A View from Calvary Lutheran Chapel
Calvary Mission Trip to New Orleans
Over Winter Break, a team of 15 people from Calvary traveled to New Orleans to share God’s love
through service. We stayed at Camp Restore during our time in Louisiana. Camp Restore hosts
students and adults on mission trips and assigns them to projects with the most need. Our first
glimpse of immense faith was through the employees there that had endured Katrina and still felt
called to stay in New Orleans to serve God.
Camp Restore set us up with many experiences
during the week to serve. A group of us were
blessed to work at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center on
Monday. The nature center is working to restore its property
to the enormous educational center it once was. Katrina had
destroyed almost all of their structures, and blocked most
paths in 2005, and they are still working slowly to bring back
native plant species. Tuesday brought us to a different
opportunity at the Lower 9th Ward Senior Center. The seniors
there were very inspiring and full of life. We enjoyed playing
games, singing songs, and a short Bible study with them. On
Wednesday some of us volunteered at St. Paul’s Lutheran
School. We had many jobs, including working with the
students, supporting teachers, beautifying the school bulletin
boards, and the daunting task of organizing their library. It was a lot of fun to see the kids full of energy, and the
persistence and faith of the over-worked teachers. We were all together at the Arc Community Urban Garden on
Thursday. The garden employs adults with Down’s syndrome, to support them both mentally and financially. It
was a great day working with the employees and helping spruce up the property for future events and expand
the workable land. On our last day, some of us volunteered at the Rescue
Ranch, where the owner rehabilitates neglected horses. We supported her
by taking care of duties around the ranch.
By far, one of the most faithful people we met in New Orleans was Betty.
A small group of about five people went to Betty’s house every day. After
Katrina, Betty’s contractor ran off with her money in exchange for a gutted
home. Our group spent the week dry-walling the house. On one of our last
days, Betty told us that she had prayed to God to send her angels to help
finish her house. She explained that we were her angels and she could never
thank us enough for our work.
Everyone on the trip would agree that our experiences in New Orleans have
helped shape our faith. Personally, I felt myself grow closer to God through
witnessing the faith of others. I hope everyone at both Calvary and Mount
Olive has the opportunity to grow in faith and serve God, as we did this
January.
Caitlin Scherbert
Calvary student and Junior at UW-Madison
February 2015
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A View from the Executive Director
South Wisconsin District’s 2015 Convention
December 2014 Voters Meeting Report
Planning is well underway for the South Wisconsin District’s 2015 Convention to be held June 7th through 9th.
The Convention has the theme “Walk humbly with our
God” and will be located at Concordia University Wisconsin campus in Mequon. Each church is asked to send
a Pastor and lay representative to this convention to
hear committee reports, vote to fill district offices and
Concordia Board of Regents, review and vote on resolutions, and grow as Christians through devotions and
worship together! Our representatives will be Pastor
Jason Zobel and Geoffrey Feil (see accompanying bio).
Pastor Jason and Geoffrey will be getting more information soon on specific agenda items and resolutions,
so feel free to check in with them if you are wondering
what topics will be covered. After they attend this convention, they will both also be representing Mount Olive
for 2016 Synodical Elections.
The ultimate power and decision-making ability of
Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church is held by the
Voters of Mount Olive. An opportunity to share the
good work of our church and approve motions occurred
on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 12:30 to 2:30pm.
The actual draft minutes from this meeting will be posted soon, but here is a highlight version of that meeting!
 Pastor Jason shared his joy in serving Mount Olive and
his sense we are ready for branching out, starting
with a congregational retreat. Current growth areas
include bible studies, adding a traditional Vicar to our
staff in 2015, and improving sanctuary equipment.
 Kathy Luecke, Congregational Treasurer, shared an
unprecedented report of strong giving and reduced
spending that was heading for a $74,000 surplus by
the end of 2014!
 The Mount Olive Foundation reviewed their charter
as an independent corporation that works to build
capital, so interest income can be used to support
Mount Olive Ministries. Three directors were voted in
to serve two- or one-year teams.
 The Finance Committee reported on the refinancing of
Mount Olive’s mortgage debt with a 5-year lock of
3.5% on an adjustable mortgage. The current plan is
to pay the mortgage debt down significantly quicker
than the 22-year remaining amortization.
 A report on the Mount Olive/Calvary Joint Board reviewed successes and plans for coordinated mission
activities for our two congregations.
 The Property Sale Committee update included approved voter’s action to sell the house at 4016 Mineral Point Road for $173,000. As a side note, this was
completed on Thursday, January 15th with net proceeds of about $167,000 paying down about 13% of
our remaining mortgage debt!
 Board Reports included updates on recent activities
and plans for our eight operational boards: Christian
Education, Christian Health and Wellness, Christian
Outreach, Church Properties, Elders, Parish Fellowship, Stewardship, and Youth Ministry.
 Laurel Zobel, Preschool Director, gave an update on
that important ministry of our congregation.
 Linda Krueger, Music Ministry Director, gave an update on all the music groups of the church, thanked
the congregation for all its support including new
Choir Robes and Stoles in August, and shared the frustration of ongoing technical problems in our electronic organ, which will be removed from the sanctuary in
January for more diagnosis work.
More Property for Mount Olive?
A property is for sale located adjacent to Mt. Olive at
102 N. Whitney Way, south of the building. This is a
wooded lot 72 feet wide by 196 feet deep (0.33 acres)
adjacent to our education wing. There is currently an
18-foot wide Preschool playground fenced area adjacent to the property. The property was originally for
sale by owner, but recently was listed with Stark Company Realtors under the listing “14 & 102 N Whitney
Way, Madison”. They are asking $355,000 for both
properties, with the hope that the lot, if sold separately,
would sell for $100,000.
I am gathering input from congregation members to see
if this property has strategic, missional, or other value
that would make it worth raising money and/or adding
to our mortgage to purchase the lot. We are not considering the vacant house, only the lot next to our property.
I received some good feedback from a listening session
held 11:45am January 25th in the Fireplace room. About
16 people attended that meeting, and thoughts about
uses (clear the land, added visibility to our church
building, playground area) and value (probably less
than $100k) were discussed. Please email me at
[email protected] with any ideas or thoughts you have.
The Parish Planning Council will consider all feedback
and decide if this is something worth scheduling a
Voters Meeting to make an offer to purchase this land.
(Continued on next page)
February 2015
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(Cont. from P.5)
 Nominations were approved to have Pastor Jason Zobel and Geoffrey Feil represent Mount Olive at the South
Wisconsin District Convention held June 2015. Voters also approved a motion to nominate Pastor Jason as Vice
-President for the West Region of the LCMS South Wisconsin District.
 Vicar Dan Anderson gave an update and the great activity and building community of believers at Calvary Lutheran Chapel, including an upcoming January mission trip to New Orleans and weekend winter retreat at
LuWiSoMo.
The Executive Director of MOLC is Steve Luecke.
Hi. I’m Geoffrey Feil and I’m honored that the congregation has asked me to join Pastor
Zobel and represent Mount Olive at the South Wisconsin District Convention on June 7-9th.
My wife, Megan, and I live in Waunakee and the Lord has blessed us with two precious
daughters, Samantha (9) and Emma (5). We moved to Wisconsin eleven years ago for me to
take a job at Oscar Mayer and I am currently the Director of Marketing for Lunchables.
Megan is a Physician Assistant in UW’s Neurology department. Prior to moving to Wisconsin,
we lived in Chicago, Ann Arbor and New York City. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s of
Business Administration from the University of Michigan. I am originally from Ann Arbor,
Michigan where I was baptized and attended St. Paul Lutheran Church and School (LCMS).
A View from the Outreach Board
Calvary Lunch
Once a month, Mt. Olive provides a meal for the students who worship at Calvary Lutheran Chapel on the
University of Wisconsin Campus. There are 4 dates
available this spring where we have this opportunity.
February 1 - Filled
March 1 - Lead - Jeremy Bluhm - support people
welcome
April 12 - Lead - Jordan Sands - support people
welcome
May 3 - Open - Need lead and support people
This is an opportunity to serve elderly or disabled people who are easily forgotten or unseen. If you have an
interest in becoming one of these volunteers contact
Beth Bray or any member of the Outreach Board who
can pass your information along to Diane Stumpf.
Family/Adult Mission Trips
The Outreach Board is presenting opportunities for
families (from preschoolers to grandparents) and
adults to put their faith into action. Through YOUTHWORKS, you may sign up for a four-day family trip
(think about making it part of your vacation time or
meeting up with far flung family members for a faithThe meal begins at 1:00pm following the 12:00
filled get-together) or as adult members for a 5-day
service. Consider this a service opportunity for your
bible study, board, friends, or family. Sign-up sheets are mission trip. There are many opportunities available to
"GO" as we are commanded in the Great Commission.
available at the information center.
Take a look at the Outreach Board brochure or talk with
Connie LaRowe for more information. Coming in March
Meals On Wheels
- gift cards will once again be for sale at America's Best
Did you know our congregation delivers Meals on
Flowers. Thanks for your support last year and for
Wheels to members of the Madison community every
making these mission trips possible.
Sunday in January and July? Diane Stumpf is the current organizer of this event. We cover two routes one For more info on YOUTH-WORKS, visit their website:
that delivers meals to the near west side of Madison and www.youthworks.org.
the other to downtown Madison. Thanks to Diane for
The director of the Outreach Board is Beth Bray.
faithfully organizing this.
February 2015
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A View from the Health & Wellness Board
You are a new creation in Christ. All of you – mind,
body and spirit. But until you go to heaven to be with
your Creator, you’re still a work-in-progress. Martin
Luther said, “This life, therefore, is not godliness, but
the process of becoming godly, not health, but getting
well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We
are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way.”
those fall under a few portions of this wheel – social,
emotional and intellectual as well as, of course, spiritual
well-being. The fellowship board through the coffee
hours on Sundays as well as the various activities
throughout the year help to fulfill social and emotional
well-being. Currently our congregation is taking on a
healthier eating challenge. That, along with open gym
basketball falls under the physical well-being portion.
We’ve been blessed to have bible studies on financial
stewardship helping people to get on the path of financial well-being. So many of you offer your time and talents gained through your jobs to help this congregation,
thus supporting the vocational well-being. Finally, our
focus on excellence in worship helps to support the
spiritual well-being of all who enter. As the wheel
above shows, spiritual well-being encompasses all. If
we are not spiritually well, the rest of the wheel does
not come together.
I know I could go on mentioning all the wonderful
things happening in this congregation that help support
the well-being of all; these are just a few examples. It’s
important for all of us to think about these different aspects of wellness and to make sure we give time to each
of them. Blessings to you in 2015 as you pursue wholeness in your life.
The above wholeness wheel and passage is taken from
the Wheatridge Ministries website. I encourage all of
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the
you to take a look at it further at www.wheatridge.org. old has gone, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17
When I looked at this wheel, it was interesting to think
about what we do as a congregation to support this idea
The director of the Health & Wellness Board is
of wholeness. Take for example our multiple bible studJenelle Rademacher
ies on Sunday mornings. I think it can be agreed that
February 2015
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Book Club News
The Book Club always meets on the 2nd Monday in the
Fireplace Room at Mount Olive.
This month - February 9th, the Book
Club will be discussing Nothing to Envy
by Barbara Demick. Why not join us? In
March, we will be discussing A Tale for
the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.
We welcome new members as well as
anyone who just wants to drop in. If you
have any questions, please call Diane
Stumpf at 833-0625.
Coffee Hour Hosts
February 1: Mt Olive Karen’s
February 8: Care Team
February 15: Wettsteins
February 22: (OPEN)
Sign up at the Coffee Hour table!
Altar Flower Sponsors
February 1: Koehlers
February 8: (OPEN)
February 15: (OPEN)
February 22: Amanda & Josh Duley
Sign up in the office!
Today’s Light Bible Study
Treasure God’s Word in your heart as
a guide for life, that you might not sin
against the Lord.
February
1 Jer. 1
2 2-3
3 4-6
4 7-8
5 9-10
6 11-13
7 14-15
9 16-17
10 18-20
11 21-22
12 23-24
13 25-26
14 27-28
16 29-30
17 31-33
18 34-35
19 36-38
20 39
21 40-42
23 43-44
24 45-46
25 47-48
26 49-50
27,28 51-52
Psalm
Prov.
119:129-136 6:16-19
95
6:20-26
61
6:27-35
59
7:1-5
115
7:6-23
56
7:24-27
44
8:1-11
102
8:12-13
96
8:14-26
98
8:27-32
81
8:33-36
145
9:1-6
125
9:7-10
54
9:11-12
101
9:13-18
82
10:1-2
119:137-152 10:3-4
79
10:5
119:153-168 10:6-7
138
10:8-10
104
10:11-12
70
10:15-17
60
10:18
129
10:19
Today’s Light Bible Class meets on
Wednesdays at 10:30am in the Fireplace
Room. Come and join our conversation!
Denny’s Meet-Up
Who? Mount Olive members and friends
What? Late lunch or coffee break
When? 1st Wednesday of month (Feb. 4) at 1pm
Where? Denny’s at 433 S. Gammon Road
Why? To have a good time with friends!
Hope to see you there!
February 2015
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Fruit & Veggie Challenge
Thank you to those of you who have decided to take on the
fruit and vegetable challenge! If you haven't started, don't
worry, it's not too late! Stop by the table to pick up your
tracker as well as to get tips for building a healthier diet. Information can also be found on the church's website.
Questions? Contact Jenelle Rademacher at 203-8482 or
[email protected].
Emergency Preparedness
The Board of Health and Wellness is looking to update some emergency preparedness information. If you are a health professional and would be willing to be
known as someone to help out in a medical or other emergency, please contact
Jenelle Rademacher at 203-8482 or [email protected]. We would also like to
compile a list of those members who are CPR certified. If you are CPR trained and
are willing, please let us know. Thank you.
Home Chore Volunteer - Senior Center
Do you want to make a difference in an older adult’s life? Become a
home chore volunteer with the West Madison Senior Center! As a
volunteer, you can help seniors age 60 and over, to remain independent
in their homes by assisting with home tasks. We have many volunteer
opportunities that range from one-time projects, seasonal help or weekly
visits to help with household chores, and simply visiting and chitchatting. To learn more about this awesome opportunity, please contact
Tiffany Schafer at 238-7368 x18 or [email protected].
... to all the Mount Olive families that were so kind to send
Christmas and New Year’s Greetings to me.
I’m sending everyone at Mount Olive a Blessed New Year’s
Greeting.
In Appreciation,
Marguerite Bulgrin
February 2015
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Designed by Jess Rosenwinkel
February 2015
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the view from the mount
Newsletter of:
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, LCMS
110 Whitney Way
Madison, WI 53705
January 2015
Address Service Requested
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
At Mount Olive, we come to know Jesus Christ in God’s Word and Sacraments; praising God, strengthening
our individual lives, supporting fellow Christians, and sharing God’s love wherever we go.
February 2015
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