1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
JANUARY 2015
715 2ND ST. NE
www.mtolivewatertownsd.org
WATERTOWN, SD
VOLUME XXVIII NUMBER 1
BRINGING CHRIST TO PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
This month, let me share some
thoughts on World Mission from
Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver III, at the
Synod's Office of International Mission:
“In the 121 years since the Missouri Synod sent its first missionaries to India, our church has
been involved in international
mission. Not only has much
changed since then, the 21st century has brought new opportunities and challenges.
The mission field, as described by
Hermann Sasse, is “where the
church and that which is not
church meet.” This always has
been the case in the mission field,
as the place where the Gospel of
Jesus Christ meets sinners who
are in need of forgiveness and
life. The primary goal of LCMS
international mission work is to
proclaim the Gospel to a lost and
fallen world. This is done both
directly by our missionaries, and
it is done by helping to support
our partners and the local church
to proclaim the Gospel where they
are located.
Long gone are the days of the lone
missionary with a machete in a
distant jungle. Rather, missionary
service now involves a community
with partners — some longstanding, some new and others
emerging, in an increasingly urban
environment. Our missionaries, of
course, share the Gospel where
they are sent, but increasingly they
are asked to train and equip future
pastors, evangelists and lay people
to share their faith. Our missionaries also provide human care, feed
the hungry, help the sick and the
hurting, and visit those in prison.
Missionaries connect the world to
the church.
Particularly over the past few decades, missionary service also has
included partnering and connecting the sending church and its districts, congregations, Recognized
Service Organizations and other
groups to the mission field. This
January, please pray for your missionaries who serve overseas, pray
that the Lord of the harvest sends
laborers around the world to proclaim His saving Gospel and pray
that the church continues to support that mission.”
Mt. Olive does much fine work by
providing funds for mission support
through the SD
District, and by
direct gifts to
Synod's World
Missions. I would
like to challenge
the congregation
to go beyond the financial gifts to
consider hands on mission work. The
are many ways to provide direct mission support. These might include
mission projects accomplished here at
home and sent off to the field. Or they
might include a short or even a long
term mission trip. There are many
needs and we have many kinds of
gifts. May God open our eyes to discover the needs, and how he can use
us to bring Christ to all the world!
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Worship 9:00 AM
Fellowship 10:00 AM
Sunday School 10:15 AM
Adult Bible Study 10:15 AM
NEW MEMBERS
Jonathan & Maria Lau
(605) 956-0827
Harper
512 E Main St
Castlewood, SD 57223
Debra Blumeyer-Reu & Doug Pahl
(605) 351-7010
Zachary, Natali
1308 35th St SW
Watertown, SD 57201
Josh & Bobbi Steidl
Hayden
45581 175th St
Watertown, SD 57201
TAKE DOWN CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS
Yes, we do need to take them
down. Please plan to come to help
with this task on Tuesday, January
13, at 9:30 AM. Many hands make
light work. We would appreciate
many of you to come help with this
project.
LWML NEWS
By Sue Magedanz, Chairman
The joint LWML Christmas party
was held December 11 with pot
luck lunch followed by a special
program on the Candy Cane. All
brought tasty treats for the tasting
tea that followed. Several people
went caroling to shut-ins later that
afternoon. We finished caroling by
traveling to Bryant and Estelline
and back on Saturday.
January Board meeting will be
held on the 6th at 11 AM.
Esther Circle will meet on January 14 with Lorraine Rittmann as
OFFICIAL ACTS
DECEMBER 2014
None
hostess and Dorothy Bassingthwaite
as leader. Ruth Circle meets on January 8 with Carolyn DesLauriers as
hostess and Eileen Kraemer as leader. Roll Call is to bring quarters for
Orphan Grain Train.
January 6
Special Council Budget Meeting
RESOLVE TO LISTEN
January 18
Teens For Christ Mtg.
Christian philosopher Paul Tillich
said, “The first responsibility of love
is to listen.” Yet in our fast-paced
culture, truly listening to someone
has become a lost art.
The intricate Chinese written character for the verb to
listen offers wise insight about how to
listen to people so
they feel heard. The
symbol is actually a combination of
characters for ears, eyes and an
open heart. Basically it reads, “I give
you my ears, my eyes and my undivided attention.” What a great image
of being fully engaged during the
act of communication!
James 1:19 offers two wise resolutions for the year ahead: Be “quick to
listen” and “slow to speak” (NRSV).
Practicing the skill of active listening
is a much-needed way to minister to
other people, serving as Jesus’
“ears” in
a hurting
world.
SPECIAL
CALENDAR NOTES
January 25
Voter’s Budget Mtg.
GIVE YOUR ALL
There are plenty to follow
our Lord halfway, but not
the other half. They will give
up possessions, friends and
honors, but it touches them
too closely to disown themselves. … Commit your
lives in unreserved obedience to [God]. ~ Meister
Eckhart
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
Pastor Bible led the Bible
Study at the CRU (Campus
Crusade) meeting at LATI
Dec. 2. New member welcome has been postponed
twice but will be
scheduled soon so we
can meet all of the new
members who have
joined our family.
NEW FAITH & CARE GROUPS
You will note a change to the Faith and
Care Groups starting in January. The
number of groups has been reduced to
five, and we believe there is a better balance of active members. We hope these
changes will make all the groups more
viable and effective. There are a few individuals who were up for December and
are up again in January. This is just the
way the new groupings came together and
will work itself out as we move through
the rotation.
Please review the new Faith & Care
listings on bulletin board. If you notice
any corrections or updates, please
write a note for Carol.
2
ADDRESS VERIFICATIONS
Trent & Brittany Luoma
T (605) 520-5493 B 5206637
1019 2nd Ave SE
Watertown, SD 57201
Karlie & (Gerald) Maag
(605) 878-1054
Bethanie, Regan
1004 23rd St NE
Watertown, SD 57201
Steve & Sue Magedanz
H (605) 87-0182
Cell 350-5958
1159 Sunset St NW
Watertown, SD 57201
Andrew McBride
(605) 881-2477
325 E Kemp Ave #207
Watertown, SD 57201
Lavern McDaniel
(605) 886-9395
605 1st St NW
Watertown, SD 57201
Ashley McElhany
(605) 520-0981
1100 14th St
Watertown, SD 57201
Daniel McElhany
(605) 520-3858
421 5th St SE
Watertown, SD 57201
Local Lutheran Hour Broadcast
A WELL-BALANCED
CHURCH
The owner of a new puppy got a
good laugh when the little dog, out for
a walk, had an itch. The trouble
was that the itchy spot was
accessible only to a hind
leg. So, while still walking, the pup tried to
scratch and tumbled over, rolling a
couple of times
before coming to rest.
In several places throughout Scripture, the apostle Paul writes about the
church as the body of Christ, and of the
importance of each member. Just as the
dog needed each leg to stay balanced
while walking, so the church needs all
the different God-given gifts of its
members: preachers and teachers,
friendly visitors, generous givers, musicians and singers, wise parents and imaginative children, people to produce
and distribute meals, newsletters, lesson
materials, and on and on.
When we start thinking that some
part of Christ’s body isn’t necessary,
we risk taking quite a tumble!
LWML National Convention
The National LWML Convention will
be June 25-28, 2015. It is necessary to
reserve your seat on the bus with a $50
deposit by Jan. 10. The bus registration
form is on the LWML bulletin board.
Please make a copy if you are taking the
last one. The bus will make a stop for a
tour and lunch at Mission Central.
Station
KMSD
City
Milbank
Freq
1510
Band
AM
Day
Sun
Time
7:00 AM
January 4 "Gospel Power for Personal Patience" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev.
Gregory Seltz Jesus teaches us to be patient and wait with hope in God's promises. (Luke 2:40-52)
January 11 "Are You Qualified?" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz God
qualifies us for eternal life through our baptism into Christ's death and resurrection.
(Romans 6:1-11)
January 18 "The Antidote" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz Jesus is
the antidote for our cynicism and doubt. (John 1:43-51)
January 25 "Just the Facts" Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Ken
Klaus God's truth, as revealed in the Bible, remains true regardless of whether anyone believes it or not. (Isaiah 5:20-21)
(complete stories on the bulletin board)
LIBERIAN PASTOR SPEARHEADS
PROJECT TO AID EBOLA VICTIMS
The plan to provide $100,000 in aid for
those who are struggling against Ebola in
Liberia, West Africa, began simply
enough: It was the idea of one man, a Liberian living in the United States, to help
his fellow Liberians in Africa.
STUDENTS PREVAIL IN SNOWPLOW-PAINTING DISPUTE Two
awards announced Dec. 17 by the “Becket
Fund for
Religious
Liberty”
have put two
LCMS
schools back
in the spotlight for an
incident that
took place in October and continues to
gain media attention.
The Becket Fund gave its 2014
“Ebenezer [as in Scrooge] Award” (“its
lowest honor”) to the city of Sioux Falls,
S.D., for asking the two schools - Sioux
Falls Lutheran School (pre-K through
Grade 8) and Lutheran High School of
Sioux Falls - to repaint their entries in the
city’s annual “Paint the Plows” contest
because of their religious themes.
Twenty-seven of the city’s snowplow
blades were painted this fall by students
3
from area
schools, and
the blades
were then
displayed in
a mall parking lot so that residents could
vote for their favorites.
CPS DUBBED ‘HEALTHIEST EMPLOYER’ FOR THIRD YEAR Concordia Plan Services (CPS) has been chosen
by Healthiest Employers LLC as a “St.
Louis Healthiest Employer” for 2014.
The St. Louis Business Journal, which
sponsors the Healthiest Employers program, announced the awards in its Oct. 31
edition.
CAMPUS MINISTRY REACHES
OUT AFTER FLORIDA STATE
SHOOTING Maintaining a Christian
presence on college campuses is important, says the Rev. Jay Winters, but
perhaps never more so than in the face of
a tragedy like the shooting that injured
three people in the early-morning hours of
Nov. 20 at Florida State University (FSU)
in Tallahassee.
TO FORGIVE IS TO LOVE
We must develop
and maintain the
capacity to forgive.
He who is devoid of
the power to forgive
is devoid of the
power to love. There
is some good in the worst of us and some
evil in the best of us. When we discover
this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Stewardship doesn’t have to be difficult. We often make it more difficult than it need be. The fundamentals of stewardship come from answering these basic questions: Who are you? To whom do I give? And how much? It’s that simple.
So who are you? Look at the Table of Duties in the Small Catechism. Are you a hearer of God’s
Word? Are you a citizen of society? Are you a member of a family? Stewardship covers these three
estates: church, society, family. We don’t particularly struggle to give to society or family. Our
struggles, our difficulties and questions, arise in giving to the church.
So what are our stewardship duties as members of the church? The Table of Duties gives us a guide.
If you are a hearer, a member of the church who receives instruction, St. Paul taught: “Anyone who
receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor” (Gal 6:6). This means
that the local congregation is primary.
The primary recipient of stewardship resides here.. Your pastor is the one called to preach the Gospel to you and administer the Lord’s blessed sacraments to you. Your congregation is the place
where those things are given out. Therefore, we give to the local congregation to ensure that this
continues. We don’t vote with our giving. We don’t let the pastor or the congregation know we are
unhappy by how we give: because we are supposed to see our giving as giving to our Lord!
Thus, when God calls us to give to the church, He has His work in mind – especially right where we
live. For “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Cor
9:14). “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7).
How much do we give to the local congregation? Our only instructions are these: to give regularly (1 Cor 6:1–2), proportionally (1 Cor 16:1–2; 2 Cor 8:12), and generously (2 Cor 8:20) of our first fruits (Gen 4:4; Prov 3:9; Lev 27:30) with a
spirit of eagerness (2 Cor 9:2), earnestness (2 Cor 8:7), cheerfulness (2 Cor 9:7), and love (2 Cor 8:23).
In other words, giving to the church is not to be an afterthought, given after everything else is spent. In this way, it is deliberate. We set it aside beforehand, before anything else is spent. From those first fruits, we set aside a proportionate and
generous amount. Ten percent was the standard for the Israelites. This was a command for them. We’re not bound to that
command in the same way as they were. Just like we are not bound to all the regulations of the Sabbath day (no physical
labor, no hot meals, etc.). But the pattern remains: Christians still gather for worship once a week, for how could we do
less than the Israelites did? Likewise, does it seem right that we would support the New Testament ministry at a rate less
than the Israelites supported the Old Testament ministry?
And how are we to give it? We give it with eagerness and earnestness. We give it cheerfully and with
love, not out of compulsion. For through the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the
Sacraments, God has made us His children, forgiven us all our sins, given us grace upon grace,
promised us life everlasting with Him in His kingdom, and filled us with His own Spirit, the Holy
Spirit. This makes giving a joy. For it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
It’s that easy. And it is joyful. For in stewardship, our gracious and giving Lord invites us to
take part in the work that He accomplishes here on earth, providing for the ongoing preaching of the Gospel as well as those who are in need. Taking part in that, makes all our work
holy work, work that is done in service to the Lord as priestly members of His kingdom.
4
February Faith & Care Families
“Family of Benjamin
Don & Elva Bjerke
Vickie Bjerke
Francis Boogaard
Erik Brandenburger
Jon & Tracy Brandenburger
Tyler Brandenburger
Craig & Jenny Crismon
Lu Ehlers
Robert Ehlers
Renae Ennis
Sarah Ennis
James Erickson
Christine Feller
Laura Feller
Mary Feller
Clara Gartzke
Kim Gilbertson
Sarah Goche
BJ Gunther
Betty Hart
Al & Mindy Haselhorst
Brad & Cindy Herding
Shaina Herding
Derald & Barb Hughes
Chad & Taylor Johnson
Alex Kannas
Allen Kannas
Gloria & Larry Kannas
Sydney Kannas
Ray Kerstetter and Marjorie Tesch
Arvid & Eileen Kraemer
Clyde Kraemer
Kyle Kraemer
Olive Krause
Brittany Merriam
Roger Merriam
James Meyer
Kevin & Glenda Meyer
Lynn & Linda Moyer
Brent O’Bryan
Angela Paulson
Jean & Glen Ragels
Tylor Ragels
Jerry & Karen Riedel
Rich & Melissa Schmeling
Daryl & DaLynn Schoenefeld
Delaney Schoenefeld
Donovan Schoenefeld
Joe Sears
Steven & Melissa Sears
Bill & Myrna Snow
Danielle Stearns
Sierra Tvinnereim
Candace Verdino
LCMS MONTHLY THEME
FOR JANUARY
World Missions
Each family unit at Mt. Olive is assigned to a “Faith and Care” family.
These groups give our members the opportunity to put their faith into
action, and to care for one another. Family assignments and sign up
sheets are posted on the bulletin board.
SUNDAY SERVICES: Everyone is encouraged to help with the regular tasks of the church on Sunday. These tasks include ushers, acolytes,
readers, greeters, and also servers during fellowship time.
FELLOWSHIP: People have the opportunity to get to know each
other better by working together, and planning together. Each Faith
and Care family should gather early in the month before their turn is
up, to organize and schedule.
This gathering could be
a pot-luck
just for that
group, or
some other
*Supervising Elder event that
gives every-
one a chance for worthwhile fellowship.
CARE: There is a wide variety of people in each group. There are some who
will not be able to be directly involved in group activities, because of health
reasons. Or perhaps they have responsibilities at home or work and are not
able to get away. We hope the Faith and Care group will be in touch with
everyone in the group at least once during the month they serve. If there is a
special need that exists, perhaps someone in the group can help.
MORE: The groups may meet more often, for fellowship, for service outside
the congregation, or for study and Christian growth. What a wonderful way
for our people to draw together, grow in faith, and in loving care for one another.
ELDER OF THE
MONTH
Steve Magedanz
January Faith & Care Families
“Family of Abraham
Tammy Arbach
Carolyn DesLauriers
Melissa DesLauriers
Kaitlyn Fuerstenau
Megan Fuerstenau
Sarah Fuerstenau
Todd & Connie Fuerstenau
Troy & Audrey Fuerstenau
Val Fuerstenau
Orville & Lois Grund
Willis Hamman
Chris Helle
Pat & Pam Helle
Dereck Jerke
Doug & Theresa Jerke
Kyle Jerke
Tyler Jerke
Everett & Jackie Johnson
Harry & Florence Johnson
Kristen Johnson
Megan Johnson
*Josh & Kim Konrad
Loren * Marilyn Kriese
*Steve & Sue Magedanz
Dee Noess
Don & Mary Pasch
Ken & Jean Passow
Carl Paulson
John Paulson
Trudy Paulson
Iver & Kristin Possehl
John & Lorraine Rittmann
Irma Roberts
Jackie Rusch
Jake Schmitz
Joyce Schoenbeck
Aaron Schoenefeld
Ashley Schoenefeld
Brooks Schoenefeld
Evan & Jill Schoenefeld
Rich & Lavonne Schoenefeld
Blake Swenson
Hope Swenson
Karna Swenson
Brian & Malissa VanVleet
Hannah VanVleet
Kasey VanLiere
Ramona Voegele
Evan Waba
Lindee Waba
Samantha Wold
*Supervising Elder
January Anniversaries
1/22/88
1/26/02
Rick & Wendy Schulz
James & Jennifer Meyer
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
1/1
INFORMATION
REQUEST
If you notice any incomplete
or incorrect information in
the birthday and/or anniversary lists, please contact the
office or leave a note on the
secretary’s desk so correct
information can be entered.
1/2
1/3
1/4
1/5
1/6
1/7
1/8
1/9
1/10
Marion Johnson
Kristin Linke
Lucille Ehlers
Ryan Killion
Sarah Fuerstenau
Taisha Johnson
Melissa Schmeling
Danika Schoenefeld
Mark Ramsey
Steve Geerdes
Curt Kunkel
Derrick Jerke
Brenda Glover
1/11
1/13
1/14
1/15
1/16
1/17
1/18
1/19
5
Francis Boogaard
Brad Herding
Nathan Waxdahl
Harry Johnson
Steven Sears
Thomas Schulz
Eric Grund
Sarah Possehl
Pam Helle
Sue Magedanz
Logan Scott
Malcolm VanVleet
Mark Koepke
1/20
1/21
1/22
1/24
1/25
1/28
1/29
1/30
Zaiden Sauer
Myra Waxdahl
Tracy Brandenburger
Amanda Woodland
Sierra Oleson
Don Bjerke
Daryl Schoenefeld
Alexa Woodland
Jeremy Brey
LaVonne Schoenefeld
Sharon Falk
Ally Helle
Hannah VanVleet
18
February Faith &
Care Family: Benjamin
Potluck 11:30 AM
Voters Mtg. 12:15 PM
Communion 9:00 AM
25
TFC Meeting 10:00 AM
Worship 9:00 AM
Communion 9:00 AM
4
11
January Faith &
Care Family: Abraham
Worship 9:00 AM
9:00 AM Worship
10:00 AM Fellowship
10:15 AM Sunday School
& Adult Bible Class
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY
JANUARY 2015
6
TUESDAY
26
Newsletter
Deadline NOON
19
12
5
20
Bible Study 1:30 PM
Workday 9:30 AM
Council Mtg 7:00 PM
Trustee Mtg 6:30 PM
27
Brd of Ed. Mtg 5:15 PM
Bible Study 1:30 PM
Workday 9:30 AM
Elders Mtg 7:00 PM
Bible Study 1:30 PM
6
13
Evangelism 12:45 PM
Removal of the
Decorations 9:30 AM
Council Budget Mtg
7:00 PM
Bible Study 1:30 PM
Workday 9:30 AM
BOARD OF ELDERS: Todd Spies, Kevin Meyer,
Dean Clark, Josh Konrad, Steve Magedanz,
Jim Bassingthwaite
Church Office: 886-5671
Pastor: Rev. Iver Possehl
(H): (605) 692-2646
(C): 520-3174
MONDAY
Marion Johnson
Lucille Ehlers
Brenda Glover
Francis Boogaard
Harry Johnson
Don Bjerke
Sharon Falk
7
Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Choir 6:00 PM
4th Midweek 6:00 PM
5th & 6th Midweek 6:00 PM
8th Confirmation 6:00 PM
7th Confirmation 7:00 PM
28
Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Choir 6:00 PM
4th Midweek 6:00 PM
5th & 6th Midweek 6:00 PM
8th Confirmation 6:00 PM
7th Confirmation 7:00 PM
21
Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Esther Circle 1:30 PM
Choir 6:00 PM
4th Midweek 6:00 PM
5th & 6th Midweek 6:00 PM
8th Confirmation 6:00 PM
7th Confirmation 7:00 PM
14
Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Choir 6:00 PM
4th Midweek 6:00 PM
5th & 6th Midweek 6:00 PM
8th Confirmation 6:00 PM
7th Confirmation 7:00 PM
1/01
1/02
1/10
1/11
1/13
1/24
1/29
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
WEDNESDAY
8
1
Bible Study 5:00 PM
29
Bible Study 5:00 PM
22
Bible Study 5:00 PM
15
Bible Study 5:00 PM
Ruth Circle 7:00 PM
New Year’s Day
THURSDAY
9
2
30
23
16
FRIDAY
LWML 9 @ 9:00
or anytime
LWML 9 @ 9:00
or anytime
LWML 9 @ 9:00
or anytime
3
10
31
24
17
Circuit Pastors @
Watertown 10:00 AM
LWML 9 @ 9:00
or anytime
LWML 9 @ 9:00
or anytime
Men’s Club 9:00 AM
SATURDAY
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Watertown, SD