Advent & Christmas at Mount Olivet

Coming Home for Christmas

Advent Calendar

Christmas Day Holy Communion Service

Monday, December 25, 10am

Watch the Mpls Worship Service

Christmas Eve Archive Services

2023 Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 10

Watch Here

2023 Service of Remembrance

Tuesday, December 12

Watch Now

Sunday Worship

Worship with us at 9, 10, & 11am or Click here to livestream the Sunday Service

Sunday, 11/26 – First Sunday of Advent
What Are We Waiting For? – Luke 1:5-17
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Freeman
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Cieslik

Sunday, 12/3 – Second Sunday of Advent
Are We There Yet? – Luke 1:18-25
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Lose
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Dixon

Sunday, 12/10 – Third Sunday of Advent
An Unexpected Turn –  Luke 1:26-38
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Ruud
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Lose

Sunday, 12/17 – Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Communion
Surrounded by Your People – Luke 1:39-45
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Cieslik
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Ruud

Sunday, 12/24 – Christmas Eve Morning 10am ONLY
The Gift is Given – Luke 2:1-20
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Hammersten
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Freeman

Worship Opportunities

In-Person Service of Remembrance – Tuesday, 12/12, 6:30pm at Mpls.
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, 12/12 at 6:30pm will be livestreamed here.

Christmas Concert – Sunday, 12/10, 3 & 5pm, Mpls Campus Watch the Archived service here
Featuring over 350 singers and instrumentalists, this annual concert is the perfect place to pause and take in the beauty of the sights and sounds of the Christmas Season. This year, the concert will include combined choirs singing O Holy Night with baritone soloist, Justin Staebell, and will conclude with the traditional singing of the anthem, Peace, Peace by candlelight. Offered at two different times on Sunday in order to allow more people to attend, the free concert is presented as a gift for the congregation and community by the Mount Olivet Music Department. Admission is free. Watch online here.

Christmas Day Worship – Monday, 12/25, 10am livestream here
Pastor Kalland preaching at the Mpls Campus. Nursery will not be offered at this service.

New Year’s Eve Morning Worship – Sunday, 12/31/23, 9, 10, & 11am (livestream here)
Pastor Ruud preaching at the Mpls Campus and Pastor Cieslik preaching at the West Campus.
Nursery will be available during all worship services.

New Year’s Eve Service – Sunday, 12/31, 7pm Worship, 7:45pm Potluck (in-person and livestream)
Come and participate in a long standing and meaningful worship service of Holy Communion. Be strengthened by the words of encouragement and hope, as well as the musical offerings. Join in the singing of familiar and comforting hymns with the entire community. A special invitation to those working programs of recovery. After the service, come to the Fellowship Hall for coffee, cookies, and friendship.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Morning 10am ONLY Sunday 12/24
The Gift is Given – Luke 2:1-20
Mpls Campus Preacher: Pastor Hammersten
West Campus Preacher: Pastor Freeman

Christmas Eve Service – Sunday 12/24
2-9pm & 10pm candlelight service, Mpls Campus
1:30pm: Instrumental Prelude
2pm: Cherub and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
3pm: Alleluia and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
4pm: Hosanna, Chapel, and Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra
5 & 6pm: Piano Solo and Vocal Duet with Orchestra
7, 8, & 9pm: Senior Choir and Orchestra
10pm: Candlelight service with Senior Choir and Orchestra

2-5pm & 6pm candlelight service, West Campus
2pm: Cherub and Cathedral Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
3pm: Alleluia and Cathedral Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
4pm: Hosanna, Chapel, and Senior Choirs, String Quartet, and Harp
5pm: Senior Choir, String Quartet, and Harp
6pm: Candlelight service with Senior 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 in the celebration of the birth of Jesus by worshiping in-person at either campus or online. These joyous services will include an inspirational sermon and the reading of the beloved Christmas scripture interspersed with numerous congregational Christmas carols. Choirs of all ages, special duets, and solos, all accompanied by orchestra, will provide beautiful music to enhance the importance of this meaningful evening. The final candlelight service of the evening ends with the singing of Silent Night as the congregation lights individual candles and shares the light of Christ with each other.

Service Opportunities and Events

Christmas for All Drop-Off – Sunday 11/26, 8:30-11am & Wednesday 11/29, 5-7pm
Donate an unwrapped gift for Love, INC., Redeemer Lutheran Church & Southside Family Nurturing Center. A list of suggested gifts can be found here.

Day Advent Journey – Tuesday, 12/5, 9:30am-3pm, Conference & Retreat Center
The Carols of Advent
Prepare for this Advent season with joyful singing and inspired learning! Old Testament Professor Rolf Jacobson (Luther Seminary), Pastor David Lose, and Retreat Center staff will explore the history and meaning of some of their favorite Advent and Christmas songs. Allow this season’s music to support and guide you as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
Day Advent Journey is one of our annual day-time retreats. It 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.
Cost is $20 for lunch and program. 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 (West Campus, 7500 York, or Mpls Campus) in the “Additional Items” section of the registration.

MOCW Lutefisk Dinner – Friday, 12/1, 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, 12/2, 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-A-Long – Sunday, 12/3, 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, 12/3, 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, and even Santa and reindeer will be available for pictures! 

MOCW Coat & Mitten Mitten Drive – through Monday, 12/18
Donate new non-handmade mittens, hats, scarves, warm boots, and coats of all sizes for those who are experiencing homelessness. Donations can be dropped off at either campus. Warm your heart and someone’s hands by donating  items for those less fortunate.

Advent Devotional

This year’s Advent Devotional is written by Pastor Lose, Pastor Ruud, the Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini, and Pastor Cieslik which is available for pick up at the Mpls and West Campuses beginning Sunday, November 19. Sign-up to receive the devotions here, or download the Advent Devotional Booklet 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.

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