Lent & Easter

Written by our Mount Olivet pastors and available in both print and online. Each week they will dive deeper into the questions that we explored on Sunday morning, looking at how those questions are both asked and answered across Scripture, and more. Copies available at church or using the link below. You may also sign-up to received a daily email with the devotion sent right to your inbox.

Download the PDF version

Sign up to receive a daily email that includes the daily devotion.

Wednesday, February 14, Ash Wednesday

Mpls Campus: 8am, 12noon, 5pm, & *7pm
West Campus: 5pm & *7pm

*The 7pm service at both campuses will be youth-led
Mpls Campus services will be livestreamed at 12noon & 7pm

Watch here

This Lent we’re offering a Sunday preaching series called “Got Questions?”. On each of the six Sundays of Lent, (beginning February 18), we’ll address one of the questions we have heard folks ask – both in our congregation and in our communities – ask about our faith.

February 18: “Why do we baptize babies?”
Mpls: Pastor Hammersten
West: Pastore Ruud

February 25: “Do we have to believe everything in the Bible?”
Mpls: Lose
West: Cieslik

March 3: “Does everything happen for a reason?”
Mpls: Dixon
West: Freeman

March 10: “What comes next?”
Mpls: Ruud
West: Kalland

March 17: “What is so amazing about grace?”
Mpls: Lose
West: Dixon

March 24: “Why did Jesus die?”
Mpls: Cieslik
West: Ruud

A Window into Our Faith
Wednesdays, 12noon at the Mpls Campus and livestreamed here

During our Wednesday Worship, our pastors will explore some of their favorite images from the stained glass window above the altar at the Mpls Campus. This work of art is full of rich symbolism and shares a compelling story each and every time there is worship in the Sanctuary. Join us!

Midweek schedule: (Archived services are linked below)
February 21 with Pastor Cieslik
February 28 with Pastor Ruud
March 6 with Pastor Freeman (Communion Service)
March 13 with Pastor Hammersten
March 20 with Pastor Dixon

Donations Accepted February 14 through March 17.

During this Lenten season we are inviting everyone to participate in Angel Gifts! Angel Gifts is a volunteer opportunity where small gift items are collected, assembled into baskets, and distributed to families and individuals in need. Our community partners at each campus work to identify families who will benefit from donations. Each family receives a basket, as well as groceries to make a healthy family meal for Easter. We contract with local stores for these groceries, but encourage gift donations of items listed below.As a reminder all items that are donated will need to fit inside a standard easter basket. Items are collected at both campuses in the marked bins by the main offices.

If you’d like to volunteer your time instead, please click on the button below.

Sign-up to Volunteer

Accessories/Novelty Items
Blue light blocking glasses (for screens)
Coffee Gift Cards/Target Gift cards
Ear buds
Fun keychains
Fun/Colorful Socks
Glow Sticks
Jewelry
Luggage tags
Fun/Colorful Socks
Sunglasses
Teethers
Water bottles

Activities & Playtime Items
Board Books
Brain Teaser games
Card games
Fidget Spinners
Handheld Games
Lego kits
Pop-its
Stress balls
Stuffed Animals

Arts & Crafts
Activity books
Colored Crayons, paints, pencils, markers, pens
Coloring Books
Craft kits
Journals
Play-doh
Stickers

Cosmetic Items
Baby lotions/shampoo/soap/wipes
Body scrubs, Bath salts/Bath bombs
Body sprays
Face masks
Hair accessories: brushes, scrunchies, clips, headbands
Hair products
Lip gloss/Chapsticks
Make-up bags, Make-up Accessories, Make-up wipes
Nail Polish/Nail Accessories

Food Items
Baby food pouches/puffs/cereal
Candy Filled Easter Eggs
Candy! Candy! Candy!
Fruit Snacks
Protein Bars
Snack foods

THANK YOU!

We thank you in advance for your time and generosity in making this event happen. Without your donations and time we would not be able to make such an impact in the community.

Questions? Contact Laurie Hancer lhancer@mtolivet.org or 612.767.2267.

Easter Chancel Garden Ordering

Thank you for purchasing a plant for our Easter Chancel Garden. Your purchase helps beautify the sanctuaries on Easter Sunday, as well as honor or memorialize your loved ones. Personal dedications for these gifts will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin on Sunday, March 31.

At the end of the form you will be redirected to a link to purchase your plant(s). Each plant is $25.

Easter plants can be picked up at both campuses on Sunday, March 31 after the 11am service until 12:30pm or on Tuesday, April 2 from 10am-12noon.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Jody Barbee at 952.767.1501 or at jbarbee@mtolivet.org.

Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday: Why did Jesus die? – Luke 19:29-40, Sermon by Pastor Cieslik at the Mpls Campus & by Pastor Freeman at the West Campus
Service Times are at 9, 10 & 11am at both campuses
This morning’s worship will be a festive service with brass quartet, timpani, and choirs all celebrating Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. Come to lift your voice and wave palm branches with Senior, Cathedral, Hosanna, and Chapel Choirs for the Palm Sunday processionals. Join with the whole congregation in singing, “Hosanna to the King!” Communion services to remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf in the crucifixion of our Lord. Livestream here.

Wednesday, March 27, The Seven Last Words of Christ Concert
Service at 7pm at the Mpls Campus
This beloved Holy Week musical event is a special tradition for many during the Lenten season. All Cathedral Choir alums are invited to support this important tradition by joining in vocally. The adult presence in this concert serves as a powerful witness to our high school singers and demonstrates the importance of faith practices. Rehearsal will be held at 6pm in the Rehearsal Hall, all are welcome. Choir singers, please wear dark clothing.
Watch the archived service here.

Thursday, March 28, The Living Lord’s Supper
Service at 7pm at the Mpls and West Campuses
Watch the archived service here
Join in this unique service of Holy Communion that represents the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. We will observe a live portrayal of this important event, and come to receive the gifts and commit ourselves once again to the way of Christ.

Friday, March 29, Good Friday
Mpls Campus: 8am, 12noon, 5pm and 7pm (Tenebrae service)
West Campus: 5pm and 7pm (Tenebrae service)
The 12noon at the Mpls Campus is archived here.
These meaningful communion services are offered as a way to remember and reflect on the sacrifice that was made on our behalf in the crucifixion of our Lord. The Tenebrae service, sometimes referred to as the service of shadows, is a moving experience in hearing once again the story of Jesus’ painful journey to the cross. 

Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday Worship
Mpls Campus: 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11am.
West Campus: 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11am.

Join us for a joyful worship service celebrating the risen Christ! We hear God’s word and join in song with the choirs and brass in proclaiming that “Christ has risen indeed!”

Livestream the services here.

If you wish to help with Easter Gifts this year, here are ways you can give!

Via Envelope: send back the remittance envelope that was mailed to you in your Easter mailing.

Via Realm: Give here

If you have any questions, contact us! We are here to help. Contact Tricia Lerohl-Morgan in our finance office at 612.767.2255 or by email at tricial@mtolivet.org.