“Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly….” – Colossians 3:16
Bible Studies & Missional Communities
Sunday Classes
Connections – 9:30 am @ Church in the Great Room – Leaders: Multiple Members of our congregation
Connections is Christian Education for the whole congregation! Any and all households are welcome to join this "faith family" as we study familiar accounts from scripture, applying God's truth to our lives. We begin and end our time each week with brief intergenerational components. Unpacking and discussing the lesson happens in appropriate age groups for students and adults. Let's take time to CONNECT - with one another and with the Word!
The Book of Revelation – 9:30 am @ Church in the downstairs classroom- Led by Pastor David Yarrington.
Of all the Books of the Bible perhaps none speaks more to our time in history than St. John's Revelation. For example: Revelation speaks of the tension between living as a disciple of Christ in a secular and godless society and government. SOUND FAMILIAR? In the pages of Revelation, God speaks his judgment on humanity, His promise of what is to come and we hear God’s warning to prepare for the end of time. Above all, Revelation reminds us of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Click here for the bible study.
Monday Classes
“Following Jesus Through the Gospels” – 10:00 am @ Church in the Great Room – Leader: Bill Cullen
This study approaches the four Gospels as Jesus’ discipling course for his follower (both 2000 years ago and today). In the study participants will read, reflect on, and discuss both the teachings of Jesus through both Jesus’ words and through His deeds. Participants will also observe and discuss how the different people Jesus encountered responded to both His person and to His message. The course is meant to enable participants to be discipled by \Jesus today.
Tuesday Classes
Ladies Bible Study – “Experiencing Contagious Joy” 2nd & 4th Tuesdays – 10:00 am in variety of members home (contact Sue Kolb for details – 815-708-1802
St Paul encourages us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Join us as we discover how.
Wednesday Classes
"Life of the Beloved - Spiritual Living in a Secular World." – 10:00 am @ Church, Downstairs, Rm #2 in the Education Wing – Leader: Jeannie Newton –
This study group will read Henri Nouwen's book, "Life of the Beloved - Spiritual Living in a Secular World." In this work, Nouwen gets to the heart of our life as a Christian as he explores the implications of the truth that each of us is a redeemed and beloved child of God. Cost of the book is $13.00. Order on your own, or contact Jeannie Newton for the group order by 9/17
Thursday Classes
As I Have Loved You – John 13:35 - God's Caring/Our Caring- 9:30 am via ZOOM - Leader: Bill Cullen
Bill Cullen will be starting a new zoom Bible study "As I Have Loved You – John 13:35 God's Caring/Our Caring" on Thursday morning at 9:30am. People from Mt. Olive and Concordia are welcome and encouraged to join us. The link to join the Zoom study is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85032245031?pwd=aUERA3Rr3yFdlCmptWZOiswT89oAbS.1
Basic Luther – 6:30 pm via ZOOM – Leader: Bill Cullen
"Most Lutherans other than having read and studied Luther's Small Catechism have read very little, if anything, written by Martin Luther himself. In this study participants will read and study Luther's Treatise on Christian Liberty," Luther's "Open Letter to Christian Nobility, Luther's Smalcald Articles, and Luther's "95 Thesis." We will also look at C.F.W. Walther's "25 Thesis on Law and Gospel" and Bill Cullen's articles: "Disciple, Discipling, Discipleship," "God's Goal," "The Jesus Way," and "A Biblically Formed Faith & Life." The link to join the Zoom study is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87170983075?pwd=9b4Q6NgMhogJCvWFF5obuD5eLW3YJK.1
Saturday Class
Basic Luther-9:00 am (1st 3rd & 5th Saturday) @ Mt Olive in the Great Room, led by Bill Cullen (Breakfast included)
Vocation: The Priesthood of All Believers & The Pastoral Epistles – 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 9:00 @ Church, Downstairs, Rm #2 in the Education Wing – Leader: Bill Cullen
The "priesthood of all believers" was one of the major tenets of the Reformation. with both Martin Luther and John Calvin serving as its major champions. Biblically, the concept of the "priesthood of all believers" is found throughout Scripture (see Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9).
In this study we will explore what Scripture means and what the reformers meant when they talk of a "kingdom of priests" and a "royal priesthood" of which all Christians are a part, and how the ministry of "pastor/shepherd" is a subset of this priesthood. We will also look at 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (known as "the Pastoral Epistles") and what they have to say to pastors and to those of us in the more encompassing priesthood of all believers. This is a valuable study at any time, but perhaps particularly valuable now during our pastoral vacancy.
Missional Communities
Monday
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (2nd Monday only) – Missional Community @ Bill Cullen’s home (includes dinner), led by Bill Cullen. Anyone and everyone is invited on any and all 1st Mondays, however, if you think you will be joining the group please let Bill know at least 12 hours in advance so that he has enough food on hand.
Cell: 815-713-7072 – email: bcullen@mtolivelutheran.com
Monday
6:30 pm – 8:00 (3rd Monday only) – ZOOM Missional Community led by Bill Cullen. Anyone and everyone is invited on any and all 3rd Mondays. There is no spoken or unspoken “expected” attendance policy. Check us out! Come as often as you are interested and able. The link to join the Zoom Missional Community is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84001898173?pwd=8le29GRPzYSajjOOvb5k8L7z7npuLa.1
Tuesday
6:30 pm – 8:00 (1st Tuesday only) – ZOOM Missional Community led by Bill Cullen. Anyone and everyone is invited on any and all 2nd Tuesdays. There is no spoken or unspoken “expected” attendance policy. Check us out! Come as often as you are interested and able. The link to join the Zoom Missional Community is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89365834994?pwd=PhZycnj1mlR38y13agx5W2wNeUPqdh.1
Thursday
6:00 pm (2nd & 4th Thursdays) – Missional Community led by Karen Freudenberg