Mt. Olive Lutheran Church

05/27/2026

“It really is a book of love,” Washington Co. Historical Society President Elaine Rucker said.

05/26/2026

The joy is unmatched.

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ is for you.

And from that flows a peace the world cannot manufacture.

A peace not built on performance.
Not built on pretending.
Not built on curating sincerity, marketing pietism, or living exhausted beneath the pressure of trying to prove you belong to God.

The joy is unmatched when the Gospel is pure.

When God continually delivers peace through His Word and Sacraments.
When He speaks forgiveness outside of you.
When He serves you through tangible promises.
When He washes, absolves, feeds, and comforts sinners through means He Himself instituted.

The joy is unmatched to know that your standing before God does not rise and fall with your emotional intensity, your spiritual streak, or your moral momentum.

Before God, Christ is your righteousness.

And because of that, you are finally free.

Free to love your neighbor without fear.
Free to work hard without trying to earn heaven.
Free to enjoy art, beauty, leisure, laughter, culture, and the goodness of creation with thanksgiving.
Free to let God’s Law instruct and guide rather than terrify the conscience of the believer.

And when you stumble, you do not live terrified that your Father has turned against you.

No—again and again He speaks.

Again and again He delivers Christ to sinners.

Not merely as a past event we anxiously try to live up to…
but as a present reality continually given through the recreative Word of the Gospel.

The joy is unmatched when Christianity is rightly ordered.

Two kinds of righteousness.

Before neighbor: love, sacrifice, vocation, service, labor.
Before God: empty hands. Christ alone.

No hodgepodge spirituality.
No unionistic confusion.
No syncretistic fog.
No chasing counterfeit peace through contradictory voices.

Just Christ.

Crucified.
Risen.
Given for sinners.

And that joy is unmatched.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we would like once again to share the story of Rev. Markus Ewald Lohrmann, U.S. Army captain and Lutheran chaplain who died trying to save his fellow soldiers in the Second World War.

Rev. Lohrmann was born on 26 December 1910 in Covington, Illinois, and died on 6 March 1944 in Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea; he was 33 years old. Lohrmann served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 24th Infantry Division. The 24th arrived on Goodenough Island in early 1944, and the island served as an important medical outpost during Gen. MacArthur's "island hopping" campaign in the Pacific Theater of the war.

On March 6th, 1944, Lohrmann and the other men of the 24th Infantry Division were in a small boat off the coast of Goodenough Island when their power failed. As they began to drift closer to Japanese waters, Rev. Lohrmann and two other men volunteered to swim back to land to get help. Rev. Lohrmann did not reach land with the other two swimmers, who found the chaplain's body while swimming back to their ship. They pulled him ashore and attempted in vain to resuscitate him. They buried him on Goodenough Island, and his body was re-interred at Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham, Illinois several years later.

In 2017, Rev. Lohrmann's daughter, Marcia Luecke, travelled to Papua New Guinea to retrace her father's steps and see the site of his original grave. Marcia was only 18 months old when her father died. The story of Marcia's pilgrimage and a wonderful tribute is available at the Find a Grave memorial website for Rev. Lohrmann: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182682512/markus-e.-lohrmann

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

05/25/2026

“Peace is not sought in order to provoke war, but war is waged in order to attain peace. Be a peacemaker, then, even by fighting, so that through your victory you might bring those whom you defeat to the advantages of peace. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ says the Lord, ‘for they will be called children of God’ (St. Mt 5:9).” - St. Augustine

📸: LCMS Chaplain Chad Boggs at a graveside service.

05/24/2026

05/24/2026

+SERVICE OF THE WORD+
The Day of Pentecost
May 24, 2026

OLD TESTAMENT
Numbers 11:24–30

Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

SECOND READING
Acts 2:1–21

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and v***r of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

GOSPEL
John 7:37–39

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

05/24/2026

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
The Day of Pentecost
May 24, 2026

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all the baptized, that the baptismal water of life may bring forth its full fruit in all we say, think and do, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For faithful pastors and church workers devoted to the service of God, who delivered His Word through Moses and the prophets and fulfilled it in Christ, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all parents, that God would continue to pour out His Spirit upon them to catechize their children faithfully in His Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For a long memory to recall those who gave the full measure of devotion to our country’s peace and security and served faithfully until death in the protection of our freedom and in the defense of our land, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who face sickness, surgery and pain, that they may not be afraid, and that they might be healed according to the abundance of God’s steadfast love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who commune at the Lord’s altar this day, that they may receive our Lord Jesus’ gifts in sincere repentance, and through firm faith be raised up from death to life through His forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

In thanksgiving for the resurrection of the dead and the eternal life in Christ Jesus; and in remembrance of those who have gone before us and are at rest, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Almighty Father, with Your Son, Jesus Christ, send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts through Your Word to rule and govern us according to Your will. Comfort us in every temptation and misfortune and defend us against every error, that we may continue steadfast in the faith, increase in love and good works, and — trusting firmly in Your grace — obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

05/24/2026

HYMN OF THE DAY
The Day of Pentecost
May 24, 2026

"Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest" (LSB 498)

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
And make our hearts Your place of rest;
Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid,
And fill the hearts which You have made.

2. To You, the Counselor, we cry,
To You, the gift of God Most High;
The fount of life, the fire of love,
The soul’s anointing from above.

3. In You, with graces sevenfold,
We God’s almighty hand behold
While You with tongues of fire proclaim
To all the world His holy name.

4. Your light to ev’ry thought impart,
And shed Your love in ev’ry heart;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

5. Drive far away our wily foe,
And Your abiding peace bestow;
With You as our protecting guide,
No evil can with us abide.

6. Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And You, from both, as Three in One
That we Your name may ever bless
And in our lives the truth confess.

7. Praise we the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, with them One,
And may the Son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow!

05/17/2026

+SERVICE OF THE WORD+
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2026

FIRST READING
Acts 1:12–26

Then [the apostles] returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

EPISTLE
1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. ...

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

GOSPEL
John 17:1–11

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

05/17/2026

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2026

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For true humility after the likeness of Christ, that we would never be arrogant or prideful and thus provoke God’s wrath, but in all lowliness be made partakers of His grace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For pastors, that they may faithfully lead their flocks, proclaim the Law and Gospel for the good of God’s people, and be shielded from the assaults of the devil, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For parents, that they may bring up their children to resist temptation and endure all for the sake of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For rulers who are set against all oppression and plead the cause of the widow, the fatherless and all those outcast, that we may live together in peace and holy joy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and those in any need, that the dawning light of the new creation in Christ would sustain them in faith; and that, according to God’s will, they would be granted renewed health as a foretaste of their eternal healing in Him, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For faith to recognize the body and blood of our Lord Jesus and to receive this blessed food in the Holy Communion; and for guidance to live faithfully here on earth until we live with Him eternally, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who grieve, that Christ would comfort them with the promise that He loves them with an everlasting love and will raise His people to eternal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Lord God, heavenly Father, inasmuch as the adversary continually afflicts us and as a roaring lion walks about, seeking to devour us: We implore You for the sake of the suffering and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, to help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen our hearts by Your Word, that our enemy may not prevail over us, but that we may evermore abide in Your grace and be preserved unto everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.