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OLIVE BRANCH
MOUNT OLIVET LUTHERAN CHURCH
34 Prospect Street. Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2339
Who Are “We” Going to Be?
As Mount Olivet moves through this year of discernment, the question of “who are we going to be?” continues to come to the fore of our discussions among our leadership teams and with the whole congregation. It is a question I have been thinking about an awful lot. It is also a question that can be approached in at least two ways. As a pastor and theologian, a primary concern for me is who are we going to be. That is to ask, “What are each of us becoming in this community?” To this question, it is my role as a pastor to proclaim the Word of God that promises that each of us have been claimed and adopted by God into the holy family, as evidenced in baptism, and that we are to grow continually in faith. Each of us will fulFill purposes that God has for each, and all of us, ultimately, will be fully reconciled with God and with one another to have a place in the eternal celebration around God’s heavenly banquet table. That is what God promises will become of us. This is very important, too, for it is by faith in this promise that orders our priorities and activities in the day-­‐to-­‐day life of the present. As we work to Find our way toward that future, however, there is another side of the question that is critical to our health as a congregation. Who are we going to be? Which people will be included in the “us” of our congregation? In all our work with the Forward Leadership teams and the church council, as we work to discern God’s ever-­‐evolving call for our congregation, we keep Finding there are many possible options of what programs we should pursue. To choose wisely, we need to First ask why we would do them. In other words, what are the goals and purposes that our church is meant to achieve. If we know this, we can do what we must, accordingly. But there is a deeper question yet beyond why, and that is who. Who, speciFically, is our ministry for? For whom will it be in a future where our congregation is thriving? Right now we have a partial answer to the question of who. It’s us. We who are already being gathered to Mount Olivet for Sunday mornings and other events. And we are far from insigniFicant. However, our town is continuing to grow around us both in population and in diversity. While we continue as a close-­‐knit and mutually supportive congregation, we Find ourselves surrounded by new and different neighbors with whom we are called to share God’s love. For us to thrive and grow, we must ask, “Who else is also going to be part of the us?” To ask this question is to look around at our community and Find those who are different than ourselves and to imagine how we might be drawn together for God’s purpose, not merely for the preservation of our own ways. It involves a conscious decision to seek community with neighbors in new activities, not always on our own terms. It is to envision and pursue relationships with neighbors of all walks of life, many of whom we do not know – yet. The joyous life to which God is calling us is one of constantly growing in faith in part by expanding the horizons of our own communities of care. Reaching out to build relationships with new and different people will require a lot of effort and will change us both as a congregation and as individuals. I strongly believe that this is exactly what the God who nurtures and teaches us intends. In peace,
Pastor Heisen
www. mtolivetlutheran.org
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Prayer List
Synod Assembly
We of Mount Olivet hold in prayer Elaine Englund, Kirsten
Bergman, Shirley Liljegren (relative of Joyce Danielson), Bill
Romey (friend of Andy Turpin), Meta Mueller, Cathy
Sheehan, Frankie Morelli, Rose (friend of Norell Arpin), Dave
Gruben, Alyssa Bianchi (friends of Cathy Sheehan), Fr. Dennis
Gallagher (friend of Michael), Gail St. Pierre (friend of Joyce),
Rev. Nancy Beckwith, Lyle Van Hove (Nina’s brother), Jennifer
Bergstrom (niece of George), Helge and Helen Nordstrom,
Abbey Roxo (friend of Rae Koenig), Eva Strachan, Jim and
Ann (relatives of Stephanie Ruggiere), Becky Boutwell, Sarah
and Jacob (Nina and Doug), Samantha Smith (friend of
Frankie’s), Walter Johnson, Christine Webb, Lee Webb
(relatives of Cathy Sheehan), Michael Argento (Nadine’s son),
Liza Aston (friend of Eileen), Clarice Pavlak, Jim Vogt (Meta’s
husband), Roz (friend of Kris Sheehan), Julie Dawes, Valerie
Duggan (friend of Dave Cote), Brian Pihl (relative of Joyce),
Diane Cyr (friend of Cathy Sheehan), Alan Johnson, Fran
Johansen, Patti S. (friend of Joyce), Janine Gill, Joyce Straub,
Deb Brousseau, and Michael & Eileen LeBlanc.
....…….….…………………….………….…..……….….…….…….……………...
June 9th -10th, 2017
MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
Attic Treasures and Bake Sale
Summer Worship Assistants
Saturday, June 3rd, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
The worship committee has decided to try something a little
bit different this summer. It has become increasingly
difficult to schedule worship assistants (including lectors,
ushers, presenters, snack hosts, and cantors) due to the
complexity of people's availability and the dwindling
number of volunteers on the list. However, when we gather
for worship, there are always plenty of able-bodied folks
who can participate in these ways. Mount Olivet will be holding its annual yard/bake sale on
June 3rd, from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
Please bring your attic treasures, next-to-new, white
elephants, or whatever to Fellowship Hall beginning on
Wednesday, May 31st AFTER 12:00 NOON. Please do
not bring clothing. We will also be needing help with set
up on Thursday and Friday, June 1st and 2nd beginning at
10:00 AM, working in some capacity on the day of the sale,
and cleaning up the hall afterwards. If anyone wants to
make posters for advertising, that would also be helpful.
Please speak to Carolyn Skoglund (508-755-3373) or
Kathleen Keohane (508-757-1993) if you have any
questions.
We will also be holding a bake sale that day. Members are
asked to bake cakes, pies, and breads.
The 2017 New England Synod Assembly will be held at the
Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA on Friday, June 9th
and Saturday, June 10th. Mount Olivet is still seeking one
person to be a voting representative alongside Pastor Heisen.
There are also opportunities for additional volunteers for
various jobs and for non-voting visitors. If you are
interested, please speak with Pastor Heisen.
....…….….…………………….………….…..……….….…….…….……………...
Bible Sharing
Thursdays, 7:12 PM
Come, share an active faith with others as we consider
God's Word together.
…..….……….….….……..….…...………...….…………….
So, starting on June 11th, we will only have cantors and
snack hosts assigned in advance. Volunteers for the other
roles will be recruited at the beginning of worship on each
Sunday morning. Hopefully, this will make the process
smoother and also give some other folks a chance to try out
some of these jobs without having to commit to anything
more than once. Depending on how this goes, we will
reevaluate our approach for the fall. …….….….….…….….………….…………...….….….….…….……….….….……
Thanks, as always, for your help.
Strawberry Picking at Tougas
- Carolyn Skoglund and Kathleen Keohane.
....…….….…………………….………….…..……….….…….…….………………
Saturday, June 17th 10:00 AM
Drop-In Play Group
Last Play Group on Friday, June 9th, 2017
9:30 - 11:30 AM
Playgroup is open to all children, infants through kindergarten.
For more info, please contact Karilyn Heisen at (857) 615-7626
or Peg Harbert at (508) 887-2282.
Come and pick your own strawberries at Tougas Farm, 234
Ball Street, Boylston. Enjoy real strawberry slushies at the
kitchen, along with strawberry shortcake and strawberry
crisp. Directions: Exit 24 off Rt. 290, turn towards
Boylston and follow signs up the hill. Meet at the tables
near the store and petting area. Check for updates on
picking conditions on Facebook at https://
www.facebook.com/tougasfarm/. Sign up on the bulletin
board.
www. mtolivetlutheran.org
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Bravehearts Baseball
Thursday, June 15th at 7:00 PM (Spag’s Day)
Fireworks Friday, July 28th, 7:00 PM
Tickets are $8.00 for box seats. If we get 20 people, you get a
free Bravehearts hat. Sign up on the bulletin board at least two
Sundays before the games or contact [email protected].
…….….….….…….….………….…………...….….….….…….……….….….……
1 & 2 Timothy Bible Study
Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 PM,
beginning June 5th through July 24th, 2017
This study is open to any adult in the community (we’ll even
take young adults and teens) and explores the message of
Paul’s two letters to the young preacher, Timothy. We will
look at the history and context of the letters as well as
engaging in discussion on how these letters relate to us in
2017. Bible teacher is Rev. Nancy Allen. We will meet in
the Common Room of Trinity Episcopal Church (entry is
through the office door). If you need transportation, please
call the Wellspring church office, leave a message, and we
will make sure you can get to and from Bible study.
…….….……….….….…………….….………………………...…….…...………….
Don’t Forget!
Fathers’ Day
is
Sunday, June 18th
…….….……….….….…………….….………………………...…….…...………….
Mount Olivet on SPAC
Mount Olivet’s worship services are broadcast on
Shrewsbury Public Access Channel (SPAC), channel 28
during the following time slots:
Wednesdays - 8:00 PM
Thursdays - 1:00 AM Thursdays - 10:00 AM
.….……….…………….………….…….……………….………….………………..
Notes from the Financial Secretary
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Importance of Keeping Your Pledge Up-to-date
If traveling or your calendar keeps you away from Sunday
services this summer, please remember that you can always
mail your contributions to Mount Olivet. If you do on-line
banking, you can arrange to have your bank send a check on
your behalf (the same process you would use to pay a bill).
Given that we are anticipating a significant deficit this year,
your diligence in keeping your pledge up-to-date is
important.
First Contribution Statements for 2017
I had planned to mail contribution statements for January
through April by mid-May. Unfortunately, I’m behind
schedule and will not have the statements ready to mail until
mid-June. I apologize for the delay. The statement you
receive in June will reflect contributions through May.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like a verbal
update regarding the status of your pledge or if you have a
question regarding the status of your flower offering or your
pledge to Concordia. As always, I am happy to answer any
questions that you may have.
ELCA and LWR Mission Programs
With regard to ELCA and LWR programs for disaster relief,
hunger, and malaria, folks interested in supporting these
programs are encouraged to write a check to Mount Olivet
along with a note indicating the intent of the contribution.
There are disaster and hunger envelopes in the pews that can
be used for this purpose and the envelopes can be placed in
the offering plate or your contribution can be mailed to the
church. If you choose to contribute to these important
programs through Mount Olivet, your contribution will be
reflected on your statement. Another option is to mail your
contribution directly to the ELCA or LWR; note, if you
choose this option your contribution will not appear on your
Mount Olivet statement.
- Holly Pavlak, Financial Secretary
………………….…….……………….…………….…………….……………..
Online Calendar
Did you know that the church calendar is on our website
with all the most up-to-date changes? Rather than rely on
the enclosed snapshot, check http://
www.mtolivetlutheran.org for the latest version!
…….….……….….….…………….….………………………...…….…...………….
Remember the Number 20!!!
The deadline for all submissions to The Olive Branch is the
20th of each month. Submissions for the August edition are
due in the office by Thursday, July 20th. Thank you!
www. mtolivetlutheran.org
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You are invited to the
Fellowship Table
Outdoor Worship Service & Community Meal
hosted by Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Shrewsbury, MA
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Community Meal at 10:45 a.m.
Come for either or both!
July 16 – August 20 – September 24
at the Dean Park North Pavilion
Meal will be pot-luck style with all food provided by members of the church.
Come for the meal, to meet new neighbors, or for spiritual nourishment!
Transportation may be available if requested in advance.
While the event includes Christian worship, we welcome people of all faiths
to join us in neighborly sharing and conversation around the table.
All are welcome.
No RSVP required. For more information or to request transportation,
call 508-842-2731, e-mail [email protected],
Or find our page on Facebook: Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
www. mtolivetlutheran.org
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www. mtolivetlutheran.org
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1 0 a m - Morning Worship @
Mt Olivet Lutheran
7 p m - AA Meeting
Susan DeHoff
1 0 a m - Morning Worship @
Mt Olivet Lutheran
7 p m - AA Meeting
Father's Day
7 p m - AA Meeting
1 0 a m - Morning Worship @
Mt Olivet Lutheran
1 2 p m - Private Event
7 p m - AA Meeting
7 p m - Wellspring Bible
Study @ Wellspring
7 p m - Wellspring Bible
Study @ Wellspring
7 p m - Wellspring Bible
Study @ Wellspring
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19
12
5
4
6 p m - Girl Scout Troop
#11087
7 p m - Wellspring Bible
Study @ Wellspring
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Mon
28
1 0 a m - Morning Worship @
Mt Olivet Lutheran
1 p m - Schoolhouse Quilters
Pentecost
Sun
13
6
30
6 p m - Weight Center
Support Group
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20
7 p m - Congregation Council
6 p m - Weight Center
Support Group
Tue
Wed
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Russian Play
Group
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Russian Play
Group
7 p m - Prayer Shawl
Ministry
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Russian Play
Group
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Russian Play
Group
4 p m - Girl Scout Troop
#33032
7 p m - Prayer Shawl
Ministry
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Outside Groups, Holidays in United States
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14
7
31
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1
2
7 : 1 2 p m - Bible Sharing @
Mount Olivet
29
7 : 1 2 p m - Bible Sharing @
Mount Olivet
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30
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7 p m - Al-Anon meeting
7 p m - Al-Anon meeting
7 : 1 2 p m - Bible Sharing @
Mount Olivet
7 p m - Al-Anon meeting
7 p m - Al-Anon meeting
Yard Sale
Sat
1
24
17
10
3
Jun 2017 (Eastern Time)
Strawberry Picking Trip
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9 : 3 0 a m - Drop-in Playgroup
Synod Assembly
9
9 : 3 0 a m - Drop-in Playgroup
Fri
7 p m - Bravehearts Baseball
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7 : 1 2 p m - Bible Sharing @
Mount Olivet
6 p m - Celestial Stitchers
3 p m - Confirmation Class
6 p m - Girl Scout Troop
#30093
7 : 1 2 p m - Bible Sharing @
Mount Olivet
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Worship Assistant Schedules for June/July 2017
If you are unavailable on your assigned dates, please find a substitute.
Thank you for your continued service.
June
4th
11th
18th
25th
Cantor
Frankie Morelli
Karilyn Heisen
George Bergstrom
Kris Sheehan
Snack Hostess
Nancy Robbins
Eileen LeBlanc
Holly Pavlak
Ginny Aikens
Altar Guild
Nina Behm
Counters
July
Gary Anderson & Carolyn Skoglund
2nd
9th
16th
23rd
30th
Cantor
Frankie Morelli
Karilyn Heisen
George Bergstrom
Kris Sheehan
Frankie Morelli
Coffee/Snack
Joyce Danielson
Stephanie Ruggiere
*****
Karen McKenzie
Peg Harbert
Altar Guild
Holly and Clarice Pavlak
Counters
Joyce Danielson & Marlene Ekstrand
the OLIVE BRANCH
As recipients of God’s gracious love shown through the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are called in faith to:
• receive God’s love in Word and Sacrament
• celebrate God’s love in Christian community; and
• share God’s love in inviting, caring and service toward one
another and the world
PASTOR
Rev. Andrew Heisen
Cell: (617) 999-9796
Email: [email protected]
OFFICE SECRETARY/ORGANIST
Eileen Straub LeBlanc
E-mail: [email protected]
OFFICERS
Don Harbert…………...President
Don Sheehan……….….Vice-President
Kathleen Keohane..……Secretary
Cathy Sheehan………...Treasurer
Holly Pavlak……………Financial Secretary
CONGREGATION COUNCIL
George Bergstrom
Kathleen Keohane
Don Harbert
Holly Pavlak
Nadine Argento
Carolyn Skoglund
Lina Dickey
Rebecca HansonRob Erickson
Richardson
Don Sheehan
Church telephone: 508-842-2731
Website: www.mtolivetlutheran.org
Find us on Facebook!