Mt. Olive Ev. Lutheran Church
www.mtolive-wels.net
1460
Almond Avenue
St. Paul,
Minnesota 55108
651.645.2575
A Praying Church
Carl R. Henkel, pastor
651.631.8625
carl.henkel@juno.com
April 13, 2008 9:00am
Please
Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service! Stick around for
some refreshments and a little conversation.
We hope you are able to stay!
The Education Hour begins at 10:30am.
Bob & Berdella Cooper, greeters
Linda Henkel, organist
Jennifer Arps & Liberty Belter, flutes ~ Marcia
Schuyler, clarinet
Order of
Service: The
Service of the Word, page 38 in the front of the hymnal
Hymns: 166 374 355 436
Psalm: Psalm
23, page 72 in the front of the hymnal
Message: John 10:1-10
“The
Gate To Real Life”
FIRST LESSON Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian
Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were
being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all
the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect
the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose
seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We
will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to
prayer and the ministry of the word."
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the
apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased
rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and
miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of
the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)-- Jews of Cyrene and
Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to
argue with Stephen...
To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me... "You
stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your
fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your
fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of
the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--you who have
received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed
it."
When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at
him. But Stephen, full of the Holy
Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the
right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the
Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices,
they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.
Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named
Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold
this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
EPISTLE I Peter 2:19-25
For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust
suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you
receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing
good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were
called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
should follow in His steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in His mouth." When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not
retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself
to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so
that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have
been healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the
Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
HOLY GOSPEL John 10:1-10
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the
sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a
robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The
watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls
his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own,
he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him
because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was
telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the
gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but
the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will
be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to
steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full.”
This Week At Mt. Olive
Today: 8:45am Prayer
Time in the Fireside Room
9:00am Family Worship Service
10:00am Refreshments and
Social Time
10:30am Sunday School and
Adult Education Hour
2:00pm Mt. Olive Chinese Church Worship Service
3:00pm 50th
Anniversary Service/SCLHS
7:00pm Coordinating
Council
Monday: 7:00pm “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study
Wednesday: 5:30pm Confirmation Class
Thursday: 10:00am “Explorers of the Word” Bible Study
Friday-Saturday: Women’s Enrichment Weekend/Salem, Stillwater
Saturday: 2:00pm Mt. Olive’s 8th Annual English Tea
Next Sunday: 9:00am Family
Worship Service with Holy Communion
Saturday (4/26): 8:30am Spring
Church Cleaning
You Are
Invited to St. Croix’s 50th Anniversary Service this
afternoon, April 13th at 3:00pm in the St. Croix Chapel. Guest preacher is Pastor Mark Zarling,
President of Martin Luther College.
Following the service, refreshments will be served in the commons. All welcome!
Our Annual
English Tea is scheduled for this Saturday, April 19th,
beginning at 2:00pm. An enjoyable
afternoon is planned. This year’s theme
is The Pot and the Potter.
Please don’t forget to sign up today if you plan to attend, or if you
are willing to help. Thanks!
Seminary
Student On Price is Right: Set your VCR
on April 21 to record the game show "The Price is Right." While on
tour in California last month, the choir from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary,
Mequon, WI was in the audience for a taping. Because of a confidentiality
agreement, we can only report that choir member Dustin Blumer from Orlando, FL
was chosen to "come on down." You'll have to tune in to see the
outcome. We're told the choir itself may make an appearance.
The SCLHS
Drama Department presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical Oklahoma!
Friday, April 25 – 7pm; Saturday, April 26 – 7pm; Sunday, April 27 –
2pm. Reserved seating only. Tickets: $8
– adults; $6 – students/seniors. Order
tickets by calling 651-455-1521, x392, or stop in the school office. This will be your last chance to see Senior
Sarah Schuyler in a SCLHS production!