
Advent & Christmas at Mount Olivet
What Child is This?

Sunday Worship
Worship with us at 9, 10, & 11am or Click here to livestream the Sunday Service
Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday of Advent
Good News for Ordinary People – Luke 1:1-4
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Grangaard
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Lose
Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist – Luke 1:5-20, 57-64
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Cieslik
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Dixon
Sunday, December 15 – Third Sunday of Advent
Gabriel Visits Mary – Luke 1:26-38
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Grangaard
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Freeman
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Communion
Mary’s Song – Luke 1:39-56
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Hammersten
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Kalland
Worship Opportunities
Service of Remembrance
Tuesday, December 3, 6:30pm, Mpls Campus
Tuesday, December 10, 6:30pm, West Campus
This service features a time of healing and reflection with peaceful harp music, a vocal soloist, and a time to light a candle in memory of your loved one. If you would like the first and last name of your loved one read during the service, please register here or contact Julie Goodman at 612.767.2208 or julieg@mtolivet.org. The service on Tuesday, 12/3 at 6:30pm will be livestreamed here.
Christmas Concert – Sunday, December 15, 3 & 5pm, Mpls Campus
Join us for a spectacular celebration of the Christmas season featuring over 500 singers and instrumentalists! This beloved annual concert is a must-see, filled with the beauty and joy of the holidays. Alongside the choir’s beautiful voices, you’ll experience the joyful sound of the handbells, the elegance of a string quartet, the excitement of four-hand piano accompaniments, a thrilling organ solo, and the lively rhythms of a talented group of percussionists. The congregation is warmly invited to sing the traditional Christmas hymns, culminating in the beloved closing anthem, Peace, Peace, sung together by the entire church in the glow of candlelight. These free concerts are our heartfelt gift to anyone seeking an uplifting and inspirational Christmas experience. Lift up your voice, shout the good news: Behold, your Lord comes to you! Watch online here.
Christmas Day Worship – Wednesday, December 25, 10am livestream here
Pastor Kalland preaching at the Mpls Campus. Nursery will not be offered at this service.
New Year’s Eve Service – Wednesday, December 31, 7pm Worship
Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Morning 10am ONLY
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Olson Popp
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Freeman
Christmas Eve Service – Tuesday, December 24
Hourly 2-9pm & 10pm candlelight service, Mpls Campus
Preacher: Pastor Lose
1:40pm: Instrumental Prelude
2pm: Cherub and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
3pm: Alleluia and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
4pm: Hosanna and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
5pm: Chapel Choir and Piano Solo with Orchestra
6pm: Chancel Choir and Piano Solo with Orchestra
7, 8, & 9pm: Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra
10pm: Candlelight service with Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra
Hourly 2-5pm & 6pm candlelight service, West Campus
Preacher: Pastor Dixon
2pm: Cherub, Alleluia, and Cathedral Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
3pm: Hosanna, Chapel, and Cathedral Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
4pm: Chancel and Sanctuary Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
5pm: Sanctuary Choir, String Quartet, and Harp
6pm: Candlelight service with Sanctuary Choir, String Quartet, and Harp
Worship in-person at either campus or livestream on the hour from 2-10pm here. Livestream will only be from the Mpls Campus. Dial-in option will be available during the 2pm service at the Mpls Campus. To dial-in, call 1.833.775.1238.
Nursery will be offered at 2, 3, & 4pm at both campuses.
Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus by worshiping in person at either campus or online. These joyous services will feature an inspiring sermon and the cherished reading of the Christmas story, interwoven with beloved congregational carols. Choirs of all ages, along with special instrumental music, will fill the evening with beauty and meaning. The final candlelight service concludes with the singing of Silent Night, as the congregation lights individual candles and shares the light of Christ with one another. This will be a truly special and meaningful evening of worship.
Service Opportunities and Events
Christmas for All – Donations Collected Wednesday, November 13 through December 4, Mpls & West Campuses
Donate a new unwrapped gift in the $5-$40 range for our Christmas for All Store that serves Love INC families. A list of suggested gifts can be found at mtolivet.org. Volunteer opportunities are available on Saturday, 12/7 at the West Campus please sign-up to volunteer here. A list of suggested gifts can be found here. Please contact Laurie Hancer at lhancer@mtolivet.org if you have questions.
Day Advent Journey – Tuesday, 12/5, 9:30am-3pm, Conference & Retreat Center
A Light in the Darkness
Led by Pastor Dixon, Pastor Grangaard, Megan van Deusen (Nature Educator), and Dr. Theresa Latini, Executive Director of the Conference & Retreat Center. This year’s theme, “A Light in the Darkness,” invites us to wait for Jesus to shine brightly in all areas of our lives. Though the days get shorter and our griefs surface in this season, darkness is not grim because God is our Light. In our sessions together, we’ll explore Lutheran perspectives on Jesus as our Light; we will sing and interpret hymns of light; and we will meditate on art and even create some of our own. Register now to begin your Advent journey with us. The annual Day Advent Journey provides space to gather with familiar and new friends and enter the season of Advent together through worship, learning, and conversation in a place of inspiring beauty. Begin the day with fresh pastries, enjoy a delicious lunch provided by our professional chefs, and end with communal worship. Register at least 24 hours in advance here.
Bus transportation is available for $10 from 7500 York (8:30am) and the Mpls Campus (9am). To register for the bus, choose your bus stop location (7500 York or Mpls Campus) in the “Additional Items” section of the registration.
MOCW Lutefisk Dinner – Friday, December 6, 3-7pm, Mpls Campus
Join us for the 93rd Lutefisk Dinner. Meals will include lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, rutabagas, boiled potatoes, pickled beets, lefse, and yes of course butter or white sauce!
Advanced online ticket sales are requested and are available at here. $25 adults, $5 kids 12 and under. Questions? Contact the church office at 612.926.7651.
Winter Communion Service & Luncheon – Saturday, December 7, 11am-1pm, Mpls Campus
A worship service with Christmas readings, carols, and Holy Communion, followed by a festive lunch in Fellowship Hall, designed for members who are often unable to come to church. Please join us for this special worship service, food, and fellowship. We encourage family to attend with their loved ones; however, transportation can be arranged. To register for this event contact Nancy Nelson at 612.767.2288 or nnelson@mtolivet.org. If transportation is needed or if you are able to provide a ride to one of our homebound members, please contact Nancy Nelson.
Messiah Sing-Along – Sunday, December 8, 3:15pm Rehearsal, 4pm Performance, Mpls Campus Sanctuary
This fun and participatory event has become a special December tradition for all who love to sing the wonderful choruses from Handel’s Messiah with friends, old and new. This year the Mount Olivet Senior Choirs will join in the fun as well as new soloists and instrumentalists. What a wonderful way to start the Christmas season!
Christmas Tree Lighting – Sunday, December 8, 3-5pm Gathering, 5pm Tree Lighting, Mpls Campus on James Ave
Join us as we light the Mount Olivet Christmas Tree on 50th and James Ave in Mpls! We will gather around our tree, share a song, and light up our small corner of south Minneapolis with grateful anticipation of the Savior and light of the world. There will be music, treats, crafts, and even Santa and reindeer will be available for pictures!
Advent Devotional
This year’s Advent Devotional is written by your Mount Olivet Pastors, which is available for pick up at the Mpls and West Campuses beginning Sunday, November 24. Sign-up to receive the devotions via email here.
Online Christmas Gifts
A gift that goes beyond our usual offering – thank you for fulfilling your pledge and capital campaign commitment! – your Christmas offering allows us to finish the year on strong financial footing for all our ministries and reach out in love and mercy to those in our community who are most vulnerable.
Poinsettias
Orders will be taken November 1 through December 8.
During this special time of year, please consider honoring or remembering a loved one by purchasing a poinsettia to beautify our sanctuaries during the holiday season. The Poinsettia Chancel Garden is displayed from December 22 through Christmas Day. A list of the donors and those remembered or honored will be included in the bulletin on Sunday, December 22. The minimum donation is $35 per poinsettia. To place your order, click here or contact Jody Barbee at 952.767.1501 or jbarbee@mtolivet.org.
Join Us!
Would you like to know more about Mount Olivet? Learn about our services, are volunteerism, our ministries and more! We would love to hear from you.
Connect @ Mount Olivet