Click here for a calendar updated monthly of Olivet regular programs and special events.
Sunday Worship
The congregation gathers every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for worship. The service includes prayer, reflection, readings from the Old and New Testaments, a children's story, sermon, and music from congregation and choir. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month. From time to time, new members are received in a special ceremony, and children are baptized when their parents wish. Lectionary Bible Study at 8:30 a.m. is an option for those seeking a deeper understanding and opportunity to discuss the Scripture texts for that week's service. There is a sociable coffee hour in the fellowship hall adjoining the sanctuary following the service. (Baby Henry at his baptism with interim pastor Anne.)
Christian Education
The Olivet Christian Education program offers faith formation for all ages. Options include Sunday School and the "Wednesday Nights at Olivet" program for children, youth and adults. Click here for program details.
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Loving attention to the needs of members is a hallmark of the Olivet community. Twelve trained lay deacons assist the minister in praying for and actively meeting the spiritual needs of the congregation. A weekly prayer list is published with the Order of Worship for those wishing the community's prayers. The minister, assisted by the deacons, regularly visits home-bound or hospitalized members, and is available at the church on a scheduled or emergency basis for pastoral counseling. Please call the church at (651) 646-1478 to schedule an appointment.
Music at Olivet
Olivet's music program enjoys the hearty support of the entire congregation. It consists of an adult choir, a bell choir, and many talented instrumentalists from within the congregation. It is the quality of musical expression that sets this congregation apart. This can be seen in the beautiful tracker-action organ gracing the chancel, the anthems sung by the choir, the variety of instruments played, and the broad collection of hymns sung by the congregation. Styles of music used for worship range from Renaissance polyphony to Baroque and Romantic anthems to gospel and new works commissioned by the congregation. But the main criteria for music selection is this: Is the piece well-crafted, do we perform it well, and does it empower us to serve God? All the musical groups are led by professionals, and are made up of talented and enthusiastic non-professionals. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from September through May. All are welcome to be a part of the musical life at Olivet. The organist/choir director is Paul Boehnke (who is also Artistic Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota), and the bell choir is led by Elizabeth (Buffy) Larson.
Community Works
Olivet's Community Works committee cooordinates opportunities for the congregation to participate in an extensive array of community outreach activities including volunteering, in-kind donations, and monetary gifts. A partial list of Olivet's programs and organizations supported by Olivet includes:
The congregation gathers every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for worship. The service includes prayer, reflection, readings from the Old and New Testaments, a children's story, sermon, and music from congregation and choir. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month. From time to time, new members are received in a special ceremony, and children are baptized when their parents wish. Lectionary Bible Study at 8:30 a.m. is an option for those seeking a deeper understanding and opportunity to discuss the Scripture texts for that week's service. There is a sociable coffee hour in the fellowship hall adjoining the sanctuary following the service. (Baby Henry at his baptism with interim pastor Anne.)
Olivet's music program enjoys the hearty support of the entire congregation. It consists of an adult choir, a bell choir, and many talented instrumentalists from within the congregation. It is the quality of musical expression that sets this congregation apart. This can be seen in the beautiful tracker-action organ gracing the chancel, the anthems sung by the choir, the variety of instruments played, and the broad collection of hymns sung by the congregation. Styles of music used for worship range from Renaissance polyphony to Baroque and Romantic anthems to gospel and new works commissioned by the congregation. But the main criteria for music selection is this: Is the piece well-crafted, do we perform it well, and does it empower us to serve God? All the musical groups are led by professionals, and are made up of talented and enthusiastic non-professionals. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from September through May. All are welcome to be a part of the musical life at Olivet. The organist/choir director is Paul Boehnke (who is also Artistic Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota), and the bell choir is led by Elizabeth (Buffy) Larson.