Check out this ‘fly-by’ video of Olivet’s new narthex. Click here.

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YWCA TOWEL MINISTRY

The YWCA Cass-Clay provides shelter for women/children victims of abuse in their homes. Each week towel sets (bath, hand towel, washcloth) from Olivet are delivered to the Shelter. If you can help, please bring your new towel sets to the church office, so that we can continue to provide this very basic need. Currently our supply is very low so your donation would be appreciated! Your donation is tax-deductable.

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LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
One Foundation: Faith Built On…
Weekly themes:
Week One Faith Built On Endurance
Week Two Faith Built On Character
Week Three Faith Built On Hope
Week Four Faith Built On Promise
Week Five Faith Built On Sacrifice
Week Six Faith Built On Love
Week Seven Faith Built On Resurrection
(Holy Week)

Our Theme:  One Foundation:  Faith Built on…
This Lenten season, we will explore our One Foundation of Jesus Christ and how God builds faith on endurance, character, hope, promise, sacrifice, love, and resurrection. 

Our Bible Study: Wednesday nights are 6:00pm in the Lounge (supper served in the Lounge for the study)
Each Wednesday, the pastor who is preaching will also offer a bible study 6:00pm on the Lenten Wednesdays. 

Our Lenten Devotional: New Format!  Electronic available
We are offering the Lenten devotions in a trifold piece each Wednesday evening rather than the booklet this year. Congregational members will write the daily devotions, similar to other years and we will explore faith.  If you are interested in writing one, please sign up in the church office.  Also, if you would like to receive the Lenten devotions electronically, please call or email the church office.  It can be a great way to share with friends and family.

Our Outreach:  Raising Support for Central African Republic with M&Ms…YUM!
Remember putting dimes in a Lenten folder for missions? Well—get ready!  We are going to be giving out mini M&M tubes during Lent to raise money for our companion church in Central African Republic.

Eat the candy and then fill the tube with quarters throughout Lent.  If everyone participates, we could raise as much as $20,000 during Lent or more!  Pastor Tiffany and her husband Bruce, Nola Storm and Dr. Richard Herring have also travelled to Central Africa and will be sharing how this money will make an incredible impact on the lives of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

Blessings as we give thanks to God on whom our One Foundation is built!

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In December, the Church Council, Building Committee, One Foundation Team and staff met to review progress to date in the One Foundation capital appeal.  The indications for moving forward are quite positive.  Here are three reasons for optimism:
First, the early numbers are encouraging.
Capital cash on hand as of 12/05/2011  $ 453,301
Minus amount owed to LSS - $ 378,000  
Balance available for project  $ 75,301
Remaining pledges expected
from previous appeal + $ 800,000
Total projected cash available
 from previous appeal  $ 875,301
Pledges to One Foundation appeal
 as of 12/05/2011 + $ 1,354,000
Total projected cash and pledges for project
 as of 12/05/2011  $ 2,229,301
Total projected cash and pledges needed
 by end of construction of new facility  $ 4,000,000 
Total pledges for One Foundation  230 (35%)
Estimated active pledge units   650
Potential One Foundation pledges  420 (65%)
Second, the untapped financial potential is real.
• We have yet to hear from 420 potential donors, some of whom have already indicated they will make pledges or outright gifts.
• We have received helpful feedback from others about ways to clarify details of the project to assist them in their decisions.
• We have designed specific strategies to reach the goal of full participation in the appeal from all Olivet members, whether or not they pledge.
Third, the enthusiasm for moving forward is legitimate.
• The Building Committee is planning several activities to make the project more imaginable, such as computer-generated visuals, and to detail the next steps in the process leading to groundbreaking.
• The Council and Staff are working on a congregational process to devise and implement a three-year ministry plan to complement the new facilities.
• The One Foundation Team will continue to visit with donors to reach the financial goals.  The sooner the goal is reached, the better.

What to expect from One Foundation
Beginning in January 2012, these three groups will provide coordinated leadership for the three components of One Foundation with these kinds of plans and activities:
From the Building Committee
• Develop video resources to help us imagine the new spaces.
• Develop models to show possible uses of new spaces.
• Make more detailed drawings.
• Show the new configuration of the Kitchen and Fellowship Hall
• Clarify the timeline and process for getting to groundbreaking.
From the Council and Staff
• Lead the process to develop a new vision for ministry incorporating improved facilities, reaching new people, creating healing ministries and direct services to people on the margins.
• Develop new approaches to welcoming new members and integrating them into the Olivet family.
• Sharing information about the stresses on current facilities and the opportunities for ministry when new ones are done.
• Focusing on the three components of One Foundation at every council meeting: Building Facilities, Building Giving, Building Community.
From the One Foundation Team
• Formulating a plan to receive donations of property to Olivet with tax advantages to donors.
• Educating donors about the value of placing Olivet in wills and trusts.
• Making personal contacts and writing letters to Olivet donors who have not yet responded to One Foundation.
• Developing a “Frequently Asked Questions” insert for the church bulletin about the creative ways to give to Olivet.

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Become a fan of Olivet on Facebook and stay informed about the mission and ministry of our congregation. Check the page out at http://www.facebook.com/olivetlutheran

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