The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

July 1, 2007 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. We're glad you're here! 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 an appreciation of being part of God’s family.

Please Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service! Stay for coffee and refreshments, and spend a few minutes visiting with those you know or would like to get to know. We hope you are able to stay!

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

Tim, Alex, and Ted Wiedmann, greeters

Greg Schuyler, head usher

Angela Young, organ and Clavinova

Pastor E. O. Schulz, guest officiant

John Kruschwitz, communion assistant

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: The Common Service, page 15 in front of the hymnal

Hymns: 585 405 309 323

Message: Luke 9:23-26

“The Big Little Word - IF”

THE FIRST LESSON: Zechariah 13:7-9

"Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, against the man who is close to Me!" declares the Lord Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. In the whole land," declares the Lord, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'"

THE SECOND LESSON: Galatians 3:23-29

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

THE GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 9:18-26

Once when Jesus was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

Then He said to them all: "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 9:00am Family Worship Service

10:00am Fellowship Time

Monday: 11:30am Mt. Olive Worship Service on Cable Channel 14

6:30pm Mt. Olive Worship Service on Cable Channel 14

Wednesday: Have a Safe and Happy 4^th of July!

Next Sunday: 9:00am “Time of Grace” on WUCW, Channel 23

9:00am Family Worship Service

10:00am Fellowship Hour

7:00pm Coordinating Council Meets

Next Monday: 7:00pm “Time of Grace” Bible Study

Sincere Thanks to Pastor Ed Schulz of Apple Valley, MN for leading us in worship today. May the Lord bless his message!

A New One-Hour Monday Evening Bible Study Begins Next Week. Called “Time of Grace,” it will begin with a viewing of the weekly “Time of Grace” church service with Pastor Mark Jeske, and continue with a discussion of that week’s text and topic. We’ll meet in the Fellowship Hall so we can view Pastor Jeske’s message on the large screen. We hope you can join us! It starts on Monday, July 9^th, at 7:00pm. Plan to attend!

Our July “Fix It Morning” is set for Saturday, July 21^st, beginning at 8:30am. Your help would be greatly appreciated! A list of projects may be found in the current “Olive Branch.” Contact Joel Meier for more information. Come for a couple hours and tackle a cleaning or fix-up project or two. Thanks!

Walk With The Animals: It is coming soon! Our one day V.B.S. event "Walk with the Animals" is scheduled for Saturday, July 28th. This is an outdoor event under a tent on our parking lot. There will be food, skits, puppet shows, face painting, music, crafts, a fish pond and fun for all. We need everyone who is able to help with this special day. We need the following committees with a chairperson so that this outreach will succeed. We need

a Publicity Committee
a Layout/Construction Committee
a Technical Committee
an Entertainment Committee
a Food Committee and
a Craft committee

There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex where you can read job descriptions and then sign up for the committee of your choice. Please plan to be in town and help us make this day a success. Start praying for the Lord's blessings on this event right now. With His blessing it will be a day of learning and fun for all.

The Como Park Living at Home/Block Nurse Program (LAH/BNP) provides seniors in the Como Park/Falcon Heights areas with needed support and resources which aid them in living as long as possible in their own homes. Our organization is seeking volunteers to transport clients using their own vehicles to medical appointments or other locations as needed. All volunteer support is greatly appreciated and highly valued. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Como Park LAH/BNP at (651) 642-1127. Thank you very much.

It’s Not Too Early to think about items for the SCLHS AUCTION 2008. New sale items, furniture, unique collectibles, and theme items may be donated and stored at St. Croix Lutheran High School when it is convenient for you. “Back to the Future” is the theme coinciding with the 50^th Anniversary year celebrations. Thank you! Call: 651-455-1521 x106.