The Monthly Newsletter of Olivet Lutheran Church Sylvania, OH from Pastor Melissa…. December 2018-January 2019

Dear People of Olivet: Pr. Melissa As we prepare for , we are also planning for Page 1–2 2019. One gift of our current synodical bishop, Daniel Beaudoin, is his ability to set vision and plan for our future /Christmas Worship- together as the Lutheran Church in Northwestern Ohio. Page 3, 5, 8

Part of the plan is to equip saints – that’s you – for every- Holiday & Musical Events day life as a person of faith in our oft chaotic world. Alt- Page 3, 4, 5, 7 hough our salvation is not dependent on spiritual practices, there is a sense in which our capacity for healing and Congregational Ministries wholeness expands as we tend to the disciplines of wor- Page 3 - 9 ship, giving, prayer, and Scripture reading. Community Ministries In 2018, Bishop Daniel invited us into a year of prayer. Page 10—12 Resources included a recent retreat for everyday Christians and rostered leaders (pastors and deacons). In 2019, Bish- Global Ministries Page 13 op Daniel invites us into a “Year of Scripture.” He launched this initiative at Fall Gatherings hosted through- Memorials out Northwestern Ohio in October. His challenge – and it Page 6 is that – is for our congregations to read the entire Bible in 2019! I must say, when he introduced the idea, I found it We Remember in Prayer Page 14 daunting!! I’m one of those methodical readers who stud- ies as she goes… Financial Recap In college it took me three years – not the planned five – to read through the Bible. I mentioned this to our bishop. His response: don’t do it alone!! Our Vision Isn’t it interesting that our Spiritual Practices require Celebrating the power of the community? Think about it: how many of us are more Holy Spirit by inviting all people to faithful to our commitment to exercise when a friend ex- become fully devoted followers of pects us to join them? How many of us eat healthier when our family decides to do so? How many of us show up to Our Three-Fold Mission worship or volunteer when a trusted companion will be • Create a safer place for growing, there? learning, listening and loving Our spiritual practices – like other healthy routines – • Address social issues by focused engagement in community benefit from the accountability we find in partners on our partnerships journey. • Make direct connections for (Continued on page 2) learning, mutual support and re- lief with people around the world (Continued from page 1)

So, I asked Marvin, “What would you think about read- 2018 Congregational Council ing through the Bible in a year? Would you be willing to President Bob Mens try it?” My gratitude that he said “yes” is deep. I will ben- Vice President Penny Moran efit from his ability to read something without pulling it Secretary Betsy Roberts apart. He will benefit from my persistence (stubbornness). Treasurer Barry Shaner Financial Secretary Mike Vince I hope we both benefit from this dedicated time together. The truth is, if it were only Marvin and me, we could Members not do it. I would come up with excuses. The occasional Mike Cook Chad Ehrhardt Cynthia Fett Justin Hammerling day when I get home after he’s in bed would snowball into Kelly Kish Michelle Lane a closed Bible for days, weeks, or more… We need you, Kyle Munroe John Mangas our spiritual community, to hold us. We need a place Deb Shock where we connect and are supported in our commitments. Youth Members We need to know we are not the only ones who struggle in Bryce Erskine Catherine Schultz our disciplines. We need you!! Pastors And Christ gives us to one another in this beautiful Nathan J. Tuff, Lead Pastor blessing we call “Church.” Thanks be to God! Why not Melissa Micham, Associate Pastor take time this Advent season in your household to consider Director of Faith Formation a commitment