From Our Transition Pastor Faith Alive No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised." Romans 4:20-22 The Strengthening of Faith In our very human way and according to our human thinking, we are always apt to think that our faith could become stronger. If only we could constantly feel happy by virtue of our circumstances, we would be able to rejoice in the Lord. If only we could experience God's peace in our minds. If only things would go well with us that we would never have reason for being anxious, we could live and die without fear. What we fail to realize, however, is that then we would not need faith. Why? Because the evidence would have taken the place of God's Word and promise. Faith is not strengthened by a variety of proofs, but by what constantly arises in opposition to faith. Faith is always faith in God according to His Word. He has certified for once and all that Jesus Christ is His Son " who was put to death for our trespasses and raised (Easter) for our justification." (1 Cor. 15) The joy that is ours only in faith despite our circumstances is joy in the Lord alone. The peace of God which is ours only in faith despite our circumstances is the peace which stands guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The certainty of God's constant blessing is that faith by which we are persuaded that nothing whatever shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:28-32). When we do battle with the Devil, or our own fears the promises of God overcome the world. Victory is ours in Jesus our Lord, and by Him "who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification." The Hope of Faith The Christian faith is not an expression of a cheery optimism, a constant looking at what is the "brighter side" of life. In fact, that would be the denial of faith. The God of faith is the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. He is the God in whom Abraham believed that God is able to do what He said He would. Without even a son, Abraham regarded himself for what God declared him to be, the father of many nations. In faith he lived in hope, the hope which rested on God's promise alone and therefore was against everything and anything reasonable. Everything about us clearly shows how utterly hopeless our human conditions is. God Himself declares us to be dead in our trespasses and sins. God Himself condemns us and our sin. To deny that or in any way to insist that we are not all that bad only involves us in ever greater guilt. Then we do not let God be just when He judges and be true even though it means that we and all men are liars. When we, however, acknowledge our life as being dead before God and our situation as utterly hopeless, then, and only then, are we stripped of all other help. It is in our emptiness that God comes with His loving power. He can create us into what He would have us to be. When we finally die to ourselves, then God can give us the only hope that will never make us ashamed. Jesus our Lord, whom He raised from the dead, has given sure promise to all who BELIEVE IN HIM. We cry "LORD STRENGTHEN MY FAITH!" That indeed is God's desire for each of us. With the joy of Easter in our hearts we trust His Word. God bless you as we bow before HIS WORD and the Holy Spirit works His will in us! In Christ's love, Ted C. Mueller, Transition Pastor News from our Church Council: The Council only met briefly after service on April 20 th where we heard the treasurer's report and announced a Special Voters' Meeting on May 18th where Pastor Beyer will discuss with the congregation options for the future of Mt. Olive. Please be sure to attend on May 18th for a luncheon and the meeting. If you are unable to attend try to sign a proxy form in your absence. LWML – LWML met on Wednesday, April 16. Following lunch, plans were made for the Easter Breakfast. We concluded our study "Sarah, Misplaced Hope". Our last meeting of this season will be May 21. I will hand out the study sheets for that meeting on the Sunday previous. Thank you to our ladies who prepared food for the Easter Breakfast and to all our Mt. Olive family who attended. (s) Elaine Meiburg LLL – met on 3/12/14; 8 men in attendance; Russ Souza and Stefan Gudjohnsen cooked lunch. Men had a brief meeting following lunch and fellowship. The Men will meet next month on May SERVICE – The prayer chain continues to work well. Please be sure to visit our church library located in Harvell Hall. In recent months we have had several additions, including a new Women's Daily devotional book. If you have any questions as to how our library works, please contact Judy Hartwig. PROPERTY – Thank you to Shelly Fischer for continued hard work. There is still a light out on the north side of the cross, but will be replaced when absolutely necessary. NURTURE – We had 2 children on Palm Sunday to help dye our Easter Eggs for Easter Sunday. We had 4 egg hunters on Easter Sunday and they each received a goodie basket in celebration of the holiday. FELLOWSHIP – Our weekly international themed Lenten potlucks were a big success and enjoyed by all. We will have a luncheon following the service on May 18th at which time our circuit counselor, Pastor Beyer, will discuss the future of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. We plan on holding a yard sale in August so start thinking of all those treasures you plan on disposing! Bring them to Harvell Hall! WITNESS – We are still in need of a witness coordinator. If you are interested or have inquiries into the position please contact Pastor Ted or one of your council-members. Please pray for: All of our shut-in members: Celia Almind, Helen Byrne, Ralph Schultz, and Anne Souza. If there are any prayer requests for future Newsletters, please place them in Julie Reifsteck's mailbox in the narthex. Mt Olive Anniversaries for May ♥ Clint & Kaycee Dannenbring celebrate 14 years on May 20 th Mt Olive Birthdays for May  Kyra Cromwell will be 16 on May 5  Hunter Dannenbring will be 13 on May 8  Connie Magnusen celebrates her birthday on May 11  Joyce Stohlmann celebrates her birthday on May 23  Kent Cromwell celebrates his birthday on May 31 th th th rd st Treasurer’s Report Bank Account Balances Less Dedicated as of the end of March, fiscal year 2014 Checking Account Total Assets in Bank Accounts: Dedicated Accounts Building Inter-Church Food Pantry LYF Memorials LLL Education Assistance Fund SCRIP Sunshine Transitory Total Dedicated Funds: Undedicated Bank Account Assets $20,428.58 $20,428.58 $0.00 $50.00 $431.67 $19,907.00 $1,713.57 $266.75 $475.92 $-54.04 $135.00 $22,925.87 -$2,497.29 C.E.F. Endowment Fund: $21,875.97 Congregational Flex Note: $4,700.66 Thrivent Limited Maturity Bond A: $40,903.98 Thrivent Flexible Payout Deposit Agreement: $19,092.65 If there are any further questions or concerns regarding our church finances, please contact our Church Treasurer, Tim Meiburg. Notices & Good News: We now have a new flower chart posted in the narthex for those who wish to provide flowers for the church altar. Those signing up would be responsible for purchasing a flower arrangement and bringing it to church before our worship service or making other arrangements with the altar guild. Please call Shelly at 823-6767 if you have any questions. If there are any news or updates you would like to include in future Newsletters, please place them in Julie Reifsteck's mailbox in the narthex. A Mother’s Beatitudes Blessed is the mother who understands her child, for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories. Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort, for she shall possess a child’s devotion. Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness, for she shall be proud of her children. Blessed is the mother who is never shocked, for she shall receive and know confidence and security. Blessed is the mother who teaches respect, for she shall be respected. Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad, for her children shall follow her example. Blessed is the mother who answers questions honestly, for she shall always be trusted. Blessed is the mother who treats her children as she would like to be treated, for her home shall always be filled with happiness. A Skilled Professional Isn’t it strange how we elevate careers and lower homemaking to the commonplace? Think how many skills a mother must posess to carry out her duties. She must know something about teaching, interior decorating, cooking, dietetics, psychology, hygiene, social relations, clothing, household equipment, and a host of other things. Still, if a woman teaches someone else’s children she is given professional status—a teacher. But if she teaches her own children, she is just a mother. If she does interior decorating she is a career woman; if she decorates her own home, she is just a homemaker. If she takes care of others, she’s a nurse; but if she nurses her own children, she’s just “mom” doing her job. Yes, motherhood demands skills of many and unfortunately receives the recognition of few. Monthly Worship Readings: May 4 Third Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 116:1-14 Epistle: 1 Peter 1:17-25 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23 Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25 Gospel: John 10:1-10 May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 6:1-9;7:2a, 51-60 Psalm 146 Epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10 Gospel: John 14:1-14 May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 17:16-31 Psalm 66:8-20 Epistle: 1 Peter 3:13-22 Gospel: John 14:15-21