“What are you saying?”

by Pastor Jon Haakana

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…”
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 2:4, 21

A month from now and 50 days after Easter (June 5), we will celebrate Pentecost. In the New Testament, on the festival of Pentecost in Jerusalem, the apostles were filled with the Spirit of God and given the ability to speak in different languages for the purpose of giving all the people the same message - Jesus Christ is Lord!

So, what are we saying with our words and actions? Are we lifting up our own name, tooting our own horn, and looking out for #1? Or are we lifting up the name of Jesus, knowing that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved?” The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a gift to be used with power and purpose by the church. Not by our power and for our own purposes, but by the power only our Lord can give, and for His purposes alone. I want to share with you the conclusion of a Pentecost sermon I preached in recent years - it went by the same title as this article:

When God sends forth His Spirit amazing things happen:

Barriers are broken - communities are formed - opposites are reconciled - unity is established - disease is cured - addiction is broken - cities are renewed - races are reconciled - hope is established - people are blessed - and church happens! Today the Spirit of God is present and we’re gonna have church! So be ready...get ready...God is up to something…So, discouraged folks, cheer up - dishonest folks, ‘fess up - sour folks, sweeten up - closed folk, open up - gossipers, shut up - conflicted folks, make up - sleeping folks, wake up - lukewarm folks, fire up - dry bones, shake up - and pew potatoes, stand up! But, most of all LIFT UP Jesus as Savior, everywhere and to everyone!

What are you saying? Do the words that you use and the things that you do say, “It’s all about me,” or “IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM?” May we always lift up the name of Jesus!

BUT, I also need to say something else this month: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Carol Kietzman for her 20+ years of service to the Mount Olive church family as a member of our staff both for our church and our pre-school. She has held many positions and left a positive impact upon many of all ages! Her last day and event here will be the Youth & Family Picnic held on May 25. Please check in this newsletter for more information on that event.

As a congregation and staff, we have several ways we want to say THANK YOU to Carol for her faithful service to our Lord and our church. One way we want to do that, is by inviting you to bring a card and/or gift to thank Carol for the impact she has had in your family and our church. A basket will be located on the Welcome Desk to receive your cards, for four weeks in May (May 1, 8, 15 & 22). We will also include Carol in our congregation prayers in services on May 21/22.

Thanks Carol!! We pray for God’s rich blessing in your future endeavors.

Closure of westbound Hwy 10 ramp to Hwy 47/Ferry Street begins May 24

Starting next Tue, May 24, the ramp from westbound Hwy 10 to Hwy 47/Ferry St. will close through fall 2022. During the closure, drivers will be detoured to use one of the following routes:

7th Ave. exit ramp to northbound 7th Ave. to westbound Bunker Lake Blvd. to Hwy 47/St. Francis Blvd.

7th Ave. exit ramp to southbound 7th Ave. to westbound Main St. to Ferry St./Hwy 169

Navigating the temporary intersection changes at Fairoak Avenue and Hwy 10

If you’ve driven through the intersection of Fairoak Ave. and Hwy 10 this past week, you’ve probably noticed some significant changes to and from Hwy 10 to Fairoak Ave. A temporary loop was installed to keep traffic that is turning to and from Hwy 10 in a tight space by routing traffic away from the main lanes onto a temporary loop road. See this video or the map below.

Here's what to expect:

If you’re turning from eastbound Hwy 10 onto southbound Fairoak Ave: you’ll continue east past the old intersection and turn right onto the temporary loop. See the purple line on the map.
If you’re turning from westbound Hwy 10 to southbound Fairoak Ave: you’ll turn left onto the temporary loop before you reach the old intersection. See the turquoise line on the map.
If you’re turning from southbound Fairoak Ave. to eastbound Hwy 10: you’ll continue south on Fairoak Ave. past the old intersection and turn left onto the temporary loop. See the green line on the map.
If you’re turning from the Hwy 10 Service Rd. to eastbound Hwy 10: you’ll turn south (right) onto Fairoak Ave. and then turn left onto the temporary loop. See the brown line on the map.

There are no turns from the Hwy 10 service road onto westbound Hwy 10 at Fairoak Ave. To safely make that turn, please travel west on the service road to Thurston Ave.

The temporary loop and access changes to the Fairoak Ave. intersection are expected to remain in place through spring 2023.

Planning a summer road trip: lane closures remain in place on Hwy 10

The warmer weather means Hwy 10 construction is now in full swing, and the lane closures mean traffic delays. Drivers who use Hwy 10 in Anoka will encounter only one travel lane in each direction between Thurston Ave. and 7th Ave., so please consider different routes and plan for delays on Hwy 10.

Plan your trip before you leave and give yourself plenty of extra time. Try and travel outside of rush hour times.
Explore a route that isn’t affected by the road work. Look for a different highway route that doesn’t go through Anoka. Even a longer route may take less time when you consider construction impacts.
Cabin and vacation travelers who normally take Hwy 10 should consider using another route. Major work on I-94 is mostly complete between Maple Grove and Clearwater providing two of four lanes in each direction.
For the safety of Anoka residents, follow the posted detours and avoid cutting through local neighborhoods.
Your regular summer route may be affected. Check the project webpage frequently for updated ramp and road closures, and for the recommended detours.
Visit 511mn.org or download the Minnesota 511 app on your Apple or Android device for real time traffic information

More about this project

MnDOT and the City of Anoka are working together to reconstruct and improve roads and bridges on Hwy 10 between Thurston Ave. and 7th Ave. through Anoka. When complete, the two-year Hwy 10 Anoka project will improve traffic flow, decrease traffic delays and increase safety. Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2024.

Drivers should plan for delays when travelling on Hwy 10.

Allow for plenty of extra time
Travel outside of rush hour times
Follow posted detour routes and avoid cutting through neighborhoods
Consider Metro Transit buses, Northstar commuter rail, carpooling, Park & Ride lots, or telecommuting

See the link for more info.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy10-anoka/

Right Now Media

10,000+ Bible Study Videos

Instantly stream biblical teaching to your Sunday school, home groups, men's groups, women’s groups or youth groups. Resources from over 150 leading Christian publishers and ministries.

RightNow Media is like “Netflix for the church” because we have a huge library with thousands of video sessions that people can access anytime, anywhere. Our creative team films and produces RightNow Media Originals featuring teaching from respected teachers and pastors. We also distribute video resources produced by over 100 other major Christian publishers and ministries.

How to be connected with Rightnow MEDIA?

1. Contact Brenda Schwarz at brenda@mtolive-anoka.org or 952.600.1274 x103.

2. You will receive an invitation email.

3. Follow the directions on the email and you are all set to enjoy all the biblical teachings available to you.

Adult Bible Study - Cana Hall

Sundays @ 9:15 AM

‘“Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the LORD, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the LORD Almighty… “And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.”’ (Haggai 2:4-5, NIV) This was God’s promise to His people as they set out to rebuild the temple. It’s still His promise to us, as we build His church all over the earth.

In this four-part series, leader and communicator Dave Cornes challenges our priorities and spiritual apathy, reminding us that God has given us a purpose: to be part of the most magnificent building project imaginable, the church. Consider this a wakeup call. Allow the Holy Spirit to stir up your devotion to God’s work again. It’s not going to be easy, but He has given us everything we need, and we have nothing to fear. He is powerful. He is present. And He will build and bless His church.

Mount Olive's Daily Schedule

Loading...