In an effort to communicate to the congregation, we have implemented a new section to the website called “Good Question.” A staff person will answer a question that has either been emailed or personally asked. After all, if one person has a question, maybe others have the same question.
If you have a Good Question, please email it to mtolive@mtolive-anoka.org.
So what were the ‘Town Hall’ meetings about at the end of April and what’s next?
Do I need my envelope box if I use Simply Giving for my offering?
How did we purchase a new sound board for our sanctuary?
What is the use of the medical red cross and white parament?
What is an Ablaze! Covenant Congregation?
How do I get someone from the church to visit me in the hospital?
Why does VBS only go up to 4th Grade?
If I am already a Missouri Synod Lutheran, why do I have to go through Life 101 to become a member?
What is happening with Phase 2 of ‘Building a Bridge’ and refurbishing the old sanctuary?
What is the role of a Christian Citizen in the United States?
Why doesn’t the Lutheran Church talk about being a ‘born-again Christian’?
What does “Miscellaneous” mean in the bulletin’s Financial Report?
What is God's role in competition, both athletically and in business?
How are we paying our current mortgage payment?
What has been going on with the Networking Group?
What is the Human Needs Ministry doing?
Question: So what were the ‘Town Hall’ meetings about at the end of April and what’s next?
The Town Hall Meetings on April 19/25 were a presentation of six major goals based on Mount Olive’s Vision. The goals were presented and then there were ‘table talks’ at separate tables about each of the goals. Approximately 110 people attended the meetings. 140+ ideas were shared about how to accomplish the goals. 39 people signed up to jump in and help us accomplished the goals. Since the Town Hall Meetings the goals have been revisited based on input and evaluation. Because of the size of the goals two were selected to be the major focus for the next two years. The other four were revised and/or downsized. All six will be re-presented at the Vision Assembly on June 2, 7:00PM. The two goals that will be the major focus are: ‘Read through the Bible in Two Years’ and ‘Elementary Youth for Kindergarten through Fourth Grade’.
Question: Do I need my envelope box if I use Simply Giving for my offering?
Yes; you are assigned a contribution number which is associated with a particular box of envelopes. Therefore, your box of envelopes can not be used or assigned to anyone else. Because we order envelope boxes in sequential order, we must still order your box. We do not experience a cost savings regarding your envelope box. Also, there are many special giving opportunity envelopes in your box that you may want to use throughout the year. Please keep your box even if you use Simply Giving for the majority of your contributions.
Due to a change in the Thrivent sponsored Simply Giving program we are now paying the bank to administer each transaction for Simply Giving. While we still believe it is beneficial to use the Simply Giving program, we would suggest that, if possible, you would structure your contributions so that they happen once per month rather than every week. This will keep our costs to a very manageable level.
Good Question! Lent is a period of forty days of preparation leading up to Easter (celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead). The word “Lent” is actually the old Anglo-Saxon word for “Spring.” The forty days of preparation came from the forty days of fasting by which Jesus prepared Himself for His ministry – see Matthew 4:1-11. During this season of Lent we gather for worship on Wednesdays (at 11:00AM and 7:00PM) to journey to the cross where Jesus died for our sins and then to the empty grave where Jesus literally revealed Himself to be the Resurrection and the Life.
Question: How did we purchase a new sound board for our sanctuary?
As part of the audio/visual equipment for Phase II, our Family Center, we needed a sound board. Therefore, we moved the current sound board in the sanctuary that was quickly getting too small and out-of-date to the Family Center where it would adequately suit our needs and purchased a new digital sound board for our sanctuary. Therefore, Phase II, Building-A-Bridge monies paid for this sound board.
Question: What is Stewardship?
While a definition certainly cannot explain all there is to stewardship, it can provide direction for work in this important area of the church and our own lives. Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Where Biblical stewardship has been implemented both givers’ and receivers’ lives have been changed. Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all the blessings we have received by returning a portion of the time, talents, and treasure allotted to us. Stewardship engenders a spirituality that deepens our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship is participating in His mission. Stewardship involves intentional, planned, and proportionate giving of our time, talent, and treasure. AND….. Biblical Stewardship IS FUN!! “… put your hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Question: What is the use of the medical red cross and white parament?
Answer: This parament indicates CPR and AED trained. There are volunteers, who are trained, who will take the parament when they enter church and place it on the back of pew where they are seated. We then know that if a medical emergency arises, we can look for the location of the parament to find a person who is trained to help. Volunteers are not specifically scheduled for a service or weekend, but rather are instructed to take it with them to their seat if it is still available when they arrive. If you are CPR/AED trained and would like to volunteer during services you might attend, please call Kim Deterding at 763-421-7156 x 115.
Good question! Ablaze! is a worldwide movement among LCMS and more than 30 partner Lutheran organizations to reach 100 million unreached and/or uncommitted people with the Gospel by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Question: What is an Ablaze! Covenant Congregation?
Good question! Simply put, a Covenant Congregation is a congregation that will covenant with its respective district and also LCMS World Missions to plant up to four congregations by the year 2017. Watch the newsletter and bulletins for upcoming presentations on the Ablaze! Covenant Congregation and what it means to Mount Olive.
Question: How do I get someone from the church to visit me in the hospital?
Good Question! When you are admitted to the hospital and you are asked, “Do you have a religious affiliation?“ answer, “Mount Olive Lutheran Church”. Another good idea is to call the church ahead of time if you know you are going into the hospital so we can begin praying for you, or you can call the church from your hospital room.
Question: What is the purpose of VBS?
Good Question! The purpose of VBS is to follow our mission statement of living to love people to Christ. It is a very important outreach to children and their families. Most of the children attending are NOT from our congregation. Most of them are returning each year just for VBS. We have had many parents say how much the kids love coming each year.
Question: Why does VBS only go up to 4th Grade?
Good Question! We have watched VBS numbers for the last several years and the older the kids get, the busier they are. The older ones don't want to come but want to help instead - they think they are too old to go!! We changed the age limitation to match the CREED programs so that they may also earn service hours for helping with VBS.
Question: If I am already a Missouri Synod Lutheran, why do I have to go through Life 101 to become a member?
Good question! We ask every one interested in membership at Mount Olive to attend our Life 101 class for four reasons. First and more importantly, it is a great time to review and renew our faith. Life 101 takes participants through the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ and what it means to walk with Him. Second, it is an opportunity for participants to get acquainted with Mount Olive. While every LCMS congregation shares a common confession of faith, each congregation has its own personality, history and vision. Life 101 is our chance to share that with new members. Third, new members meet one another. Relationships are the glue of the church. The ten weeks of Life 101 is an intentional season to connect people with people. And fourth, Life 101 is where new members meet the staff. While Pastor Heiden teaches most of the sessions, other staff members cover at least one session. In a sentence, Life 101 is a great opportunity to connect new members with their Lord, one another and our staff.
Question: What is happening with Phase 2 of ‘Building a Bridge’ and refurbishing the old sanctuary?
Good Question! Our Phase 2 design involved refurbishing the old sanctuary into a chapel using the original altar and building staff offices. A wall would be built to separate the two areas. The cost of this refurbishment is estimated to be about $330K.
The 3-year Building a Bridge Capital Fund pledge is $1,352,552. This money is to be used to first pay down the Phase 1 mortgage at $24,000/month and second fund the refurbishment. We have been holding off on starting the refurbishment until we have the $330K available from the capital fund.
During the time it has taken to accumulate the $330K, we have been rethinking the use of the old sanctuary and determined that Mount Olive's most critical space need is for a flexible room about the size of the old sanctuary for Sunday School openings and youth gatherings. Our decision for Phase 2 at this point is to turn the old sanctuary into a large flexible room preserving the original altar and utilizing flexible seating to meet this new need. The next step is to explain this new concept to the City of Anoka to determine what we need to do to meet building and accessibility codes and then to design the new concept. This change should reduce the cost of the refurbishment significantly and allow us to move forward and have the room ready this fall.
Good Question! H.O.M.E. is an acronym for Homes or Hearts Open for Ministry and Encouragement. We feel that the best place that has a warm safe environment and comfortable atmosphere is the home. That is why we encourage our small groups to meet in their homes. More importantly, is the Heart open to the Word. It grows the faith that fosters Christian community and fellowship, caring, loving attitude, prayer life and service/witness mind-set. So are you H.O.M.E. connected? If not or if you have questions, please contact Vicar Randy Stroming at 763.421.7156 x 102.
Question: Where does the money
go from each of these envelopes?
the pink one marked CURRENT EXPENSES, MISSIONS, BUILDING FUND
the white one marked BUILDING FUND
the yellow one marked CAPITAL FUND
Good Question!
• CURRENT EXPENSES, MISSIONS, BUILDING FUND envelope supports operating
expenses.
• The white “Building Fund” envelope supports building
maintenance.
• Capital Funds are monies raised through Capital Fund Campaigns to
support special needs such as building renovation, new construction, debt
reduction or retirement, new mission start, relocation, etc. At the present
time we have a “Building a Bridge” Capital Campaign to support
our Phase 2 renovation of the original sanctuary and to reduce the Phase
1 building debt. The yellow Capital Fund envelope is used to support this
capital campaign.
Question: What is a Vision Assembly?
Good Question! The Vision Assembly (VA) consists of all Mount
Olive voting members present at a regular or special meeting of the congregation.
The congregation, through the VA, shall have final authority in managing
Mount Olive’s internal and external affairs. Voting membership shall
be confirmed members in accordance with our Constitution who have attained
the age of 17 years. The VA shall meet at least twice a year. The spring
meeting’s major task is to hear and approve the next year’s
fiscal work program. The fall meeting’s major task is the election
of officers and Mission and Ministry Council (MMC) members. The day and
hour and agenda of the meetings shall be set by the MMC and publicized at
least one month in advance. Special meetings may be called by the President,
MMC or the Senior Pastor with no less than two weeks notice. The quorum
is 30 voting members present. Roberts’ Rule of Order is applied with
Christian courtesy and charity to govern all meetings.
Question: What is the role of a Christian Citizen in the United States?
Good Question! This is an especially good question on the heels of the elections on November 4th. There are two, of many passages, that help a Christian understand his/her role as a Christian citizen of the USA. The first is Matthew 5:13-16. The verse reads in part: "You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world ... let your light shine." Jesus calls us to live lives that do not blend in with the rest of the world but lives that shine His values, lives that season our culture with His truth. His values are summed up in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and summarized by Jesus Himself in two commands: "Love the Lord your God ... and Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-40) One role we have as Christian Citizen in the USA is to live and to vote our values.
A second role can be located in 1 Timothy 2:1-5. It reads in part: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority." Another role we tend to neglect or downplay is the role of prayer. Never under estimate the difference your prayers make for everyone from the President of United States to your mayor to your next door neighbor.
Question: Why doesn’t the Lutheran Church talk about being a ‘born-again Christian’?
Good Question! The phrase “born again Christian” is generally used by those who say, in order to be a Christian you must have a conversion experience as an adult. Typically, you are told, ‘You must make a decision for Christ.’ In the Lutheran Church we believe your conversion experience happens at the waters of your baptism. The words “born again” that Jesus used in His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-15) are two words that literally mean “born from above.” Whether we are brought to faith in Christ as an infant or as an adult – our conversion is from above. When God applies the water and His Word He comes from above and births spiritual and eternal life in us. Our physical birth was not our decision and our spiritual birth is not our decision. Now that He has given us spiritual and eternal life – Christ reigns in our hearts and in response to Him we decide to follow Him. In the Lutheran Church we believe people should be “born again/born from above” every day as they start their day at the empty cross – and there die to sin and be raised from above to live for Christ.
Question: What does “Miscellaneous” mean in the bulletin’s Financial Report?
Good Question! Items in the miscellaneous section of the Financial Report are basically reimbursed funds that are run through the tellers and reduce line items in the general budget. They would not be classified as budgeted offerings, but do have a positive impact on the budget so therefore are listed. It’s money that was deposited that we can use to pay other bills. For example, the Caribou coffee money, or the parish fellowship money, or money to offset youth resources or activities that was collected, or money collected for Crown Ministry books, etc.
Question: What is God's role in competition, both athletically and in business?
Good Question! It is exciting to see athletes, as well as business people, giving public witness to their faith in Jesus Christ. You are right, you will not find Biblical references to God’s support of one side or another in athletic contests, except, of course for the possible exception of Notre Dame (NOT!)
This will be tough for Nebraska Cornhusker fans, or fans of any other team, to stomach, but God doesn’t really care if Nebraska wins football games, or basketball games, or track competitions. He is however directly concerned about the development of His people to their full potential and with the virtues and principles to which they hold. The enjoyment of athletic contests, and cheering on one side or another needs to be kept in the proper perspective.
In regards to business similar principles though a slightly different dynamic may apply. God is indeed concerned about the welfare of His people and promises to watch over them (Psalm 121:3). Sometimes this may lead to business success and prosperity, at other times, due to competition, changing world markets, and business decisions, it may not lead to what our world may term “success”. Our God is more than just an eternal ATM. What we can be certain of is that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that “all things work together for good for them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”
Whatever the business climate, Christians are called to walk with integrity, and it is always safe to pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth (in my business) as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread...”
Question: How are we paying our current mortgage payment?
Good Question! In January 2005, the Congregation approved financing our Phase 1 addition with a mortgage loan from Lutheran Church Extension Fund. The Principal amount of our mortgage was $3,970,734 to be paid over 20 years. Our principal and interest (PI) payment during the first 5 years is amortized over 30 years and is $21,927/month.The Building the Bridge Capital Campaign funds were established to pay the mortgage and pay for Phase 2 renovation. We have paid $24,000/month applying an additional $2073/month toward reducing the principal. On 2/18/2010 our mortgage requires refinancing at the available rate amortized over the remaining 15 years. At this time our balance will be about $3,600,700. Our estimated PI payments over the last 15 years using a 5.75% rate would be $30,000/month. Money saved during the Phase 2 renovation will be applied to reduce the principal of our mortgage.
When MOLC refinances we will request LCEF or another bank to provide a 30 year contract. With a 30 year loan at 5.75% the PI monthly payment will be $19,170/month. If we continue to pay $24,000/month we will own the building in 18 years and 7 months or on September 18, 2028.
Mortgage payments of $24,000/month cost $312,000/year over and above our annual budget requiring additional funding support from the Building the Bridge Capital Campaign. Our goal is to add the mortgage payment into the operational budget and eliminate the need for capital fund drives. Adding the mortgage payments to the annual budget in one year would increase our annual budget to $1,259,200 (a 33% increase). That is too large an impact in one year and would have to be implemented over several years. For example if we increase the operational budget 6%/year to support the mortgage payment then it would take 6 years to fully incorporate the mortgage payment into the operational budget. With this plan we need at least two more 3-year capital fund campaigns to support the mortgage until the General Fund contributions have grown to cover the mortgage payments.
Question: Why do we have a foodshelf?
Good Question! After all, there is that other big one in town. (ACBC) We strive to be different. Our goal is to feed our neighbors with both physical and spiritual food. Consenting Clients (around 95% of them) are prayed with and given Bibles. All are invited to church. Some respond to our invitations to avail themselves of other support groups or services here at Mount Olive. The more often they are here feeling the love and care of Jesus, the more likely they will want to pursue a relationship with Him. That’s why we have a Foodshelf.
Question: What has been going on with the Networking Group?
Good Question! The Mount Olive Networking group has been meeting for 6 months with a total of 33 attendees averaging 12 people per week. We have had 8 people find employment to date. The toughest group to find employment are for people who have been in the manufacturing segment, with companies like McLean, Hoffman Engineering and other facilities laying off. The group has also been great for our local outreach efforts. Of the 33 people, 14 are members of Mount Olive, 15 are not members and 4 are interested in becoming members. Prior to our meeting, experts stated 80% of new jobs come from networking. The experts these days state it is now closer to 85-92%, so any job opportunities you are aware of are greatly appreciated! Note: The Networking group meets at Mount Olive on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM. Contact Scott Schwarz at 763.898.6985 for more information.
Question: What is the Human Needs Ministry doing?
Good Question! The Human Needs ministry is doing great! Our funds are a little down due to the amount of families we have helped. With utilities, house payments, gas and stocking the Foodshelf, we have dispersed over $25,700 out of our account from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. We are so grateful for your contributions and for valuing this outreach into our community. The ministry (which includes the Foodshelf and Hands for Christ ministries) is funded solely from contributions and not from our general budget. The majority of assistance is in our community serving over 450 families and over 125 families in our own congregation. If you find a little extra cash in your pocket, donate to the Human Needs ministry. A little bit goes a long way in helping those in need. Thank you for your support!
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