Lent & Easter

Wednesday, February 18, 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. Livestream here

This Lent we are focusing on several encounters Jesus has with different characters in the Gospel of John. In the Sundays leading up to Lent, we’ve heard several of these encounters already: with Nicodemus (ch 3) and with a Samaritan woman (ch 4). Across the Sundays of Lent, we’ll hear several more, as Jesus encounters a man blind from birth (ch 9), Jesus’ close friend Lazarus (ch. 11), and the crowds who greet Jesus when we enters Jerusalem (ch 12). In each of these encounters, John does two things: he reveals something about Jesus, and he offers us different possible responses to Jesus, in this way offering us both more insight into Jesus and different options about how to respond. We look forward to exploring all of this together during Sunday worship!

February 22: “True Disciples”
Mpls: Pastor Olson Popp
West: Pastor Hammersten

March 1: “Healing a Man Born Blind”
Mpls: Pastor Freeman
West: Pastor Lose

March 8: “The Good Shepherd”
Mpls: Pastor Cieslik
West: Pastor Dixon

March 15: “The Raising of Lazarus”
Mpls: Pastor Grangaard
West: Pastor Olson Popp

March 22: “Jesus Annointed for his Death”
Mpls: Pastor Dixon
West: Pastor Kalland

Bread of Life
Wednesdays, 12noon at the Mpls Campus and livestreamed here

Wednesdays this Lent, we want you to be fed by the Word and at the Lord’s Table as we hear Jesus’ promise: “I am the bread of life.” In a time marked by hunger—hunger for meaning, hope, justice, and rest—we come to the Jesus who offers himself to us. Through scripture, song, prayer, and Holy Communion, we gather to place our trust in a God who feeds us not with easy answers, but with abiding grace. Come weary. Come curious. Come hungry. Christ will meet you there, and he will not let you leave empty.

Schedule:
February 25: Pastor Dixon
March 4: Pastor Grangaard
March 11: Pastor Olson Popp
March 18: Pastor Hammersten
March 25: Pastor Freeman

During this Lenten season we are inviting everyone to participate in Easter for All! This event is a service opportunity where small gift items are collected, assembled into baskets, and distributed to families and individuals in need. Our community partners: CES, VEAP, Love INC, and Pastor Scott’s Ministry identify families who will benefit from donations. Each family also receives an Easter basket and groceries to make a healthy family meal for Easter.

How Can You Help?
Donate
Monetary Donations: Help Mount Olivet offset the cost of groceries for the families receiving Easter baskets. By donating $100 you can cover the grocery costs for one family of four. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to church labeled “Easter for All” or online here.
Basket Items: All items need to be small enough to fit into a standard Easter basket.

Volunteer
Friday, March 27, 3-6pm, Mpls Campus
Friday, March 27, 5-6:30pm, West Campus
Help is needed organizing and shelving food and item donations by category for the Saturday event.
Saturday, March 28 , 10am-12noon, West Campus
Saturday, March 28, 1-3:30pm, Mpls Campus
Volunteers will assemble baskets or select food to deliver to families designated by one of our community partners: Love INC, VEAP, CES, or Pastor Scott’s Ministry. 

Sign-up to Volunteer

THANK YOU!
Thank you in advance for your time and generosity in making Easter for All a success! Without your donations and time we would not be able to make such an impact in our communities. 

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

Sunday, March 29, Palm Sunday: Why Lutheran? Because God will pay any cost to save us.
Mpls Campus: Pastor Olson Popp
West Campus: Pastor Freeman
Service Times are at 9, 10, & 11am at both campuses
The excitement that filled Jerusalem when Jesus entered the city long ago will be felt at Mount Olivet on Palm Sunday! Throughout the morning, choirs of all ages will join together, accompanied by the triumphant sounds of brass and the voices of the congregation. Come, lift your voice, wave palm branches, and sing with joy, “Hosanna to the King!” Livestream here.

Wednesday, April 1, The Seven Last Words of Christ Concert
Service at 7pm at the Mpls Campus
This Holy Week musical event is a beloved tradition for many during the Lenten season. The Seven Last Words of Christ by Théodore Dubois is a sacred cantata, based on the final words spoken by Jesus on the cross. Each musical movement is enhanced with a short meditation by a pastor. This deeply expressive and dramatic work features Cathedral Choir and alumni, soloists, and an orchestral and organ accompaniment. All Cathedral Choir alumni are invited to join in the chorus of singers. The adult presence in this concert is important musically and serves as a powerful witness to our high school choir. Alumni, if you plan to sing, please meet in the Rehearsal Hall at 6pm and wear dark clothing. Watch the service here.

Thursday, April 2, The Living Lord’s Supper
Service at 7pm at the Mpls and West Campuses
Livestream here
Step into a powerful experience of Holy Communion, commemorating the night Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. Witness a live portrayal of this sacred moment, then come forward to receive the bread and cup, renewing your commitment to walk in the way of Christ. This service is significant for young people and children, offering a vivid visual experience that brings the story to life.

Friday, April 3, Good Friday
Mpls Campus: 8am, 12noon, 5pm and 7pm (Tenebrae service)
West Campus: 5pm and 7pm (Tenebrae service)
The 12noon and 7pm service will be livestream here
These deeply meaningful communion services provide a sacred time to remember and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, given for us through His crucifixion. The 7pm Tenebrae service, also known as the Service of Shadows, offers a profoundly moving experience as we listen once more to the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross. This solemn service invites reflection and reverence—please note that at 7pm communion will not be served. 

Sunday, April 5, Easter Sunday Worship
Mpls Campus: 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11am.
West Campus: 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11am.
Nursery offered at 9, 10, & 11am at both campuses.

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.

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, April 5.

At the end of the form you will be redirected to a link to purchase your plant(s). Each plant is $30.

Easter plants can be picked up at both campuses on Sunday, April 5 after the 11am service until 12:30pm or on Tuesday, April 7 from 10am-12noon.

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

Each day during Lent, your pastors will reflect more deeply on themes of the previous Sunday by offering devotions on other biblical passages that also have something to say about the affirmation about God we heard on Sunday. Hard copies are 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.

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.