Pastor's Penpoint - "Do Something Different This Lent" - March 2015

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it speeds to the end - it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

Well, you know what they say about the best made plans. It always amazes me how we make such careful plans and strategize - and God has other thoughts. While we moved quickly through our first two weeks of the visioning sermon series, the snow stopped us for two weeks. I hope you had the opportunity to rest, relax, and find your own way to worship.

We will finish our series (hopefully weather permitting) on March 8th, which is half way through the Lenten season. As we finish this series and look forward to Holy Week (which for us includes Maundy Thursday Service, Easter Sonrise Service, and Easter Sunday worship) lets try again to focus on what God's vision is for Mt. Olivet.

Just a reminder ... what is Lent? The word "Lent" comes from the old English word "Lengten," which simply means "spring" - when the days grow longer and new life springs forth. It is a time in which we anticipate the victory of the light and life of Christ over the darkness of sin and death. It is, to borrow a phrase from C. S. Lewis, a season of a kind of "happiness and wonder that makes you serious."

It is my prayer that as we journey through Lent to Easter, we will be reminded of the reality of our brokenness - but as days grow brighter, we will experience with great abundance the reality of God's redeeming grace. And so, just as we carefully prepare for big events in our personal lives, such as a wedding or commencement, Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus' death and resurrection - this year we will add God's vision to that list.

Please plan to join your sisters and brothers in Christ for a meal and visioning discussion following the meal on April 12th. May this be for you a season of a kind of "happiness and wonder that makes you serious."

God bless in the days and weeks to come. ~ Pastor Todd

Firewood

A special thank you goes out to the men of Mt. Olivet who have cut and delivered 27 truckloads of firewood this winter for the elderly and needy.

Pastor's Penpoint - "Fulfilling God's Vision" - February 2015

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ..." (Hebrews 12:2)

In the coming months - we will be hearing a lot about catching God's vision, both individually and for the church. We will begin with:

• The four part sermon series in February, "Be Thou My Vision;"
• that will lad to six weeks of prayer during Lent - focused on awareness of God setting forth His vision for Mt. Olivet, our programs and ministries; and
• then conclude this focus with worship and a time of fellowship discerning God's response on Sunday, April 12th.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of vision is that it changes our way of thinking, which in turn changes the way we live.

• A mother endures the painful labor of childbirth because the vision of her newborn baby sustains her.
• And a four-year-old endures the struggle to be a very, very good by for another two weeks because he is motivated by a vision of gifts under a Christmas tree.
• An Olympic swimmer endures the long hours of staring at the bottom of a pool, day after day, because he is motivated by the vision of the gold to come.

Vision is a power that motivates us to do great things, give great things, and love everyone at all times. Vision keeps us going when there doesn't appear to be any other reason to keep pushing forward toward the goal.

Evangelist Oswald Chambers says the thing that keeps us going for God, even when everything or everyone around us is tumbling and stumbling, is our vision of God, not our devotion to theology or denomination. It is the vision of God before us, where we set our "minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2).
In the coming weeks, please join me in asking God to give you a vision of Himself. Ask Him to show you how your purpose is an extension of His heart and mind. Next, ask the same for the church. Let's pray to strip away agendas, biases and disagreement. Instead let's hold our breath - and wait for God to breath.

Together, we can fulfill God's vision.   ~P.T.

Heart for Hunger Missions Dinner

Mark your calendars now and come out to Mt. Olivet on February 7 to support 2 local food pantries.

 

Pastor's Penpoint - "Peace - Run After It!" - January 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

With all the violence in the U. S. and over the entire world so prevalent these days, I have turned my thoughts more and more to our responsibility to pray for and be examples of peace. In my studies, I came across Matthew 5:9 (written above).

"Blessed are the peacemakers" ...when the term "peacemaker" is used the initial thought is of someone who keeps the peace between two opposing parties. A "peacemaker" solves dilemmas often without the force of violence, although the threat of violence is sometimes present and to be used if necessary.

When I was growing up, I watched dozens of westerns where the sheriffs - or the good guys - were armed with the Colt 45 "peacemaker." How ironic that one of the most famous guns of the 1800's was named the "peacemaker." The idea is simply you can only have peace through strength.

When Jesus, the Prince of Peace (in Hebrew the "Sar Shalom") returns again, He will usher in the Messianic age of Shalom - His strength will be on display as He rules with a "rod of iron."

Interestingly enough, as I came across as I came across a translation in the Hebrew New Testament that said the word "peacemaker" has a completely different connotation than our understanding in English. The word "peacemaker" in Hebrew is the phrase "rod-fey shalom".

Shalom has a much richer meaning than simply the word peace. It can also mean completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing and rest. The word "rod-fey" in Hebrew literally means to "run after" or "to chase!"

So, in Hebrew it says "to chase after shalom" - to run after God's shalom! And one can only find God's shalom through our "Sar Shalom" - our Prince of Peace!

This new year, let's attempt to reach a new level of intimacy with our Lord! Let's run after a deeper knowledge of our Lord and in doing so, we'll experience new levels of peace, contentment, blessing and rest! With so much work to be done, isn't it good to know this is available to us NOW through our Sar Shalom!

God's grace and peace to you this new year, Pastor Todd

What's coming up at Mt. Olivet?

Here are a few things to put on your calendar:

December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30pm at the church

January 4 - Epiphany Sunday

January 7 - Commission Meetings at 6:30 and Administrative Board Meeting at 7:00

January 11 - Communion Sunday

January 25 - Ecumenical Sunday where the pastors of the North River Ministerial Association exchange pulpits. Charlie McFarlin will be coming to Mt. Olivet to preach and Pastor Todd will be at Parnassus UMC.

The Youth Christmas Program

Yesterday, the youth of Mt. Olivet were in charge of the morning worship service. 22 of them performed the drama, "A Christmas to Believe In."

 

 

Great job, guys!