The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

August 26, 2007 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. We're glad you're here! Please sign the Friendship Register. Do come again! If you do not have a local church home, we invite you to make your home with us. Here you will find Christian love, opportunities for spiritual growth, warm friendships, and a feeling of being part of the family of God.

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

John & Rita Kruschwitz, greeters

Kevin Marschel, head usher

Bob Averbeck, organist

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: Service of the Word, page 38 in the front of the hymnal

Hymns: 247 553 551 251

Message: Hebrews 12:1-2

“Surrounded By Heroes”

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 23:23-29

"Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

"I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in My name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the Lord.

"Is not My word like fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

EPISTLE LESSON Hebrews 12:1-13

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

GOSPEL LESSON Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 8:45am Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

9:00am Family Worship

10:00am Social Time

3:00pm SCLHS Opening Service/50^th Anniversary

Monday: 11:00am Pastor at Lutheran Home Board Meeting/Belle Plaine

Tuesday: 7:00pm “More Than Rubies” Bible Study

Next Sunday: 6:30am “Time of Grace” on KMSP, Channel 9

9:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Communion

Door Offerings for the renovation of the main lodge at Camp Croix will be taken each Sunday until Mt. Olive’s Camp Croix weekend, September 7-9, 2007. Offerings will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans South Ramsey Chapter. Please make any checks out to Mt. Olive with memo of Camp Croix. Thanks for giving so that the remodeling can begin!

Be Sure To Pick Up copies of “Linkage” and “Meditations” from the back of church this morning. Many other publications are also available on the table in the narthex.

We Invite You to attend the opening service at St. Croix Lutheran High School this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the St. Croix Chapel. This year, because of St. Croix's 50th Anniversary, we are holding this service on Sunday afternoon. Dr. Gene Pfeifer, St. Croix's new president, as well as all our new called workers will be installed during the service, and a time for fellowship and refreshments will follow.

The State Fair Is Here! Volunteers are needed to park cars in our parking lot. There is a sign-up sheet on the narthex bulletin board. Please sign up today! There are three shifts per day, beginning at 8:00am and ending at 8:00pm. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Care in Congregation will match up to $1,300. Thank you for your help!

Camp Croix Weekend: It's time for some R&R lakeside in the Wisconsin woods. Camp Croix is again beckoning. Sept. 7-9 is the weekend reserved for our congregation. Come for canoeing, fishing, games, jigsaw puzzles, swimming, volleyball, bonfires, chapel, and lots of laughs and fellowship. There are bedrooms upstairs in the lodge or bunks available in the small cabins. You do have to provide your own bedding. We all take turns with KP duty - the food is provided for all meals Saturday and brunch Sunday. However, snacks and desserts are always appreciated! Please sign up on the sheet in the church narthex. If you have any questions, contact Marcia Schuyler at 651.748.0654.

The Cantabilé Singers are looking for a few good men! Auditions are currently being scheduled for tenors and basses. If you are interested in joining our group, please contact Becca Henry at 651.343.8314, or email Jason Snodie at jsnodie@comcast.net to set up an audition.

AA Meetings (The Firing Line) will be held on Sunday evenings here at Mt. Olive from 5:00 to 6:15pm. Contact Dustin B. at 612.483.3198.

Mission Boxes for the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society that you have been filling with change can be turned in to Mae Schmidt, our LWMS Reporter, before the end of September to ensure being counted before the Fall Rally. New boxes are available in the back of church. Thank you!