Believe, Teach, Confess
As Lutheran Christians at Mount Olive we believe what the Holy Scriptures teach. We believe and teach that the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testament (in all its words) is the inspired Word of God and therefore true and trustworthy, even the difficult and challenging parts; that it is the only source for the proclamation of the Gospel through which the Holy Spirit creates our faith in Jesus Christ; and that it is so clear in its denunciation of sin and in its offer of salvation that any believer in Christ may read it and understand it. We desire to conform our lives to the Word of God as found in the Bible and its teachings; we work to avoid falling into the temptation to conform the words of the Bible to fit the current popular trends of daily life in this fallen World. We are part of Lutheran Church-Canada.
As Lutherans trusting solidly in the Word of God and the confession of our church...
English Standard Version (ESV) - Bible translation used in the Services at Mount Olive.
The Book of Concord – a summary of the beliefs of Lutheran Christianity.
Luther’s Small Catechism – Martin Luther’s teaching guide for the Christian faith.
* We believe that God loves humanity and wants us to enjoy an abundant, fulfilling life. (John 10:10)
* We believe that a wall of separation has grown between us and God. This wall is called sin. Sin denies us the kind of life God wants for us. (Isaiah 59:2, Ephesians 2:12 and 4:18)
* We believe that this wall has been torn down by the sacrificial death on the cross of God's son, Jesus the Messiah. (Ephesians 2:13-14)
* We believe that Jesus' resurrection from the dead is God's seal of approval on His Son's work. (I Corinthians 15)
* We believe that the benefits of Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead are available to all who will simply trust and obey him - by faith. ( Ephesians 2:8-9)
* We believe that Christ will someday return to this earth to begin a new age. (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15:22-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, and Revelation 22:12-13)
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
As part of Lutheran Church-Canada we confess the Apostles', Nicene & Athanasian Creed.
Basic Christianity Class
Mount Olive Lutheran Church offers a class in Basic Christianity. This Pastor's Class, covers the basics of the Christian faith. Through lessons, PowerPoint presentations, discussions participants receive a comprehensive summary of the distinctives of Christianity. In addition to those who are new to the faith, some individuals take this class as a review. Similar material is presented to our young people and their parents in our "Family Confirmation Year 1 and Year 2 Classes." If you are interested in these classes or have questions, please contact Pastor Giese or Pastor Albrecht at 543-9744.
Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper is celebrated in our congregation every Sunday every Service in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord Jesus Christ gives into our mouths not only bread and wine, but also His body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another.
Our Lord invites to His table those who trust in His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may proclaim the Lord's death until His Second Coming.
The Bible teaches that those who unworthily (that is, in a manner other than explained above) eat and drink our Lord's body and blood in the bread and wine do so to their great harm. Also, because we care deeply about all people and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar and preached from our pulpit, our congregation has the responsibility to ensure that all who commune together understand what God's Word teaches about the Lord's Supper.
Holy Communion is for those who are Baptized and Confirmed in the Faith and who are members of this, or a sister, Lutheran Church-Canada Congregation or a Synod that we are in fellowship with. Any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold to a confession and teaching other than that of this congregation and Lutheran Church-Canada, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked first to speak with one of our pastors for guidance and pastoral care.
For further study, please see Matthew 5:23-24 ff.; 10:32 ff.; 18:15-35; 26:26-29; and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
You are welcome to join us for worship in one of our two weekly Sunday Services at 9am and 11am. If you have questions contact the church, one of the pastors would love to speak with you.