Greetings Beloved Olivet Family
What a delight to be able to serve as your new part-time settled pastor! Let me first say that it has been a grace filled first few weeks and it’s my hope that we will all allow ourselves and each other plenty of grace as the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months, and the months turn into…. There is so much in transition in our personal lives, in the life of this church, in the life of this community, this country and our world. In the jargon of childbirth transitions, although difficult it is to be celebrated because the birth of new life is always about to happen. That too is who we are as followers of Jesus…people of birth and new life. Jesus’s mission was always about life, even amid pain and sorrow and death. So, although, we have seen so much change…especially in the church, there is always hope. Our good news is that our faith is a faith of transformation, we are to be changed as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory.” We are being transformed, and transformation doesn’t really happen unless we act or allow someone to act upon us and that someone is the Loving Christ. All he wants for us is to live, to have life and have it abundantly… “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) So in this time of transformation and transition there is abundant opportunity for creativity, curiosity, wonder, and newness of life - because what have we got to lose? Letting go is at the basis of our faith – really, letting go or dying to the old so the new can bloom, blossom, grow. But it’s not a throwing away, it’s a strengthening of the roots of our faith so that the new flowers that bloom are stronger and more abundant. One of the new(er) experiences of this community of faith is the calling of a part-time settled pastor. This change will come with both blessings and challenges, but if we always remember to love one another as Jesus says in John 13:34 ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”, we can strengthen what God has begun in us, in you, in me, and in this community of faith. So, as we continue this journey set before us - let us allow softness and tenderness to enter our hearts, so that love can grow, from “one degree of glory to the next degree of glory.” Thanks be to the One who offers us abundant life.
Love to all,
Pastor Laura
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Olivet is always looking for more ideas for fundraisers. If you have anything to suggest, we are always open to new ideas. You can email us at olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com or give the church office a call at 920-623-5140.
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Ushering and Fellowship sign-up
Thanks to Mina Kenevan our ushering schedule is now out for the upcoming 2026 church year. Each member that signed up to help usher will have 2 or 3 Sundays throughout 2026 to usher. If you do not receive a schedule, there are extra copies on the table in the Narthex. If you would like one mailed to you, please call the church office at 920-623-5140 and we will send one to you.
Thank you to all who volunteered.
Worship and Music Committee
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Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!
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REMINDER!
Set your clocks ahead on Sunday, March 8th at 2 AM!
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JOIN US FOR OUR ECUMENICAL LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE AT OLIVET ON MARCH 4th, 2026!
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"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around"- Leo Buscaglia -
Adult Bible Study
You are invited to join us on March 1, at 10 am for our next Adult Bible Study. We will be discussing John 3: 1-21. All are welcome.
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Columbus Fall River Food Pantry
We rely on donations during this season of giving to help carry us through the upcoming year. We are currently serving over two hundred families in Columbus and Fall River. Demand is high, so the need is great. Our expenses are surpassing our donations, and our reserves have dipped to a critical level. Your ongoing support and generosity will allow us to continue serving. We are a volunteer organization and 100% of your donations go towards feeding people in our local communities. Please remember us during the holiday season.
If you would like to donate non-perishable, non-expired food donations may be dropped in the bin at Columbus Pick n Save - when available, and monetary donations may be deposited into our savings account at Farmers and Merchants Union Bank.
If you have questions, are planning a food drive, or have a large amount of food to donate, please contact Colleen @ 920-210-6266. More information about the Food Pantry is available by going to www.cityofcolumbuswi.com and clicking on: Government/Departments/Community Center/Food Pantry. Thank you for your continued support!
Thank you. Colleen Waterworth
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Lenten Schedule 2026
Below is the schedule for our Lenten services. Fellowship before the service this year is up to each individual church. Fellowship and Food is served from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, with the worship service beginning at 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, March 4
Wednesday, March 11
Wednesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 25
April 2nd– Maundy Thursday
April 3rd– Good Friday
April 5th– Easter Sunday
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Christian Condolences
Christian Condolences to the Family of Mary Jane Peck, who passed away on February 22nd at Home Again Assisted Living. Mary was a long-time member of Olivet church. A graveside service will be held on March 14th at 11:00 am at the Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in Keyser. Please keep Mary Jane’s family in your prayers during this difficult time.
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For those who might be interested in visiting our members who cannot make it to church, please call the church office at 920-623-5140 or contact any Council member. You may also email the church office at olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com.
God Bless,
Darlene Crombie, Moderator
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Community Meal
Our next Community Meal will be held at Olivet on Thursday, March 12th, beginning at 5 pm until 6:30 pm. Olivet will be serving spaghetti with meat sauce, green salad, rolls and dessert.
Methodist Church will host their community meal on Thursday, March 26th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.
The community meals are for everyone in the community that would like to join us for some fellowship and a great meal together. All are welcome.
We are always looking for extra hands to help with the meals as well. Hope to see you there!
Church Council Ongoing Activities
Endowment Committee Update
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Olivet. If you have any questions or concerns during this transitional time, please don’t hesitate to contact the church office or any council member.
God Bless,
Olivet Church Council
Our finance department now has a new email: finance@olivetucc.gmail.com. Please feel free to email us for finance inquiries.
Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry - New Scheduling Information
Effective since January 1, 2025, the Columbus Fall River Food Pantry will have a new phone number for scheduling an appointment. The new number is 608-893-3079. Please leave a message if there is no answer. The messages will be checked daily by the church that is hosting for that month. The food pantry is open on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm. It is in the back of the Columbus Community Center, 125 N. Dickason Blvd., Columbus.
Thank you to the following churches for serving: Connection Church-Pastor Jamie Turner, St. Jerom Jim Leeser, Faith Lutheran Church-Pastor Andrew Perger, Olivet Congregational UCC-Pastor Sandy Schieble (Interim Pastor), Zion Lutheran Church-Pastor Tim Schwartz, First Presbyterian Church, Columbus United Methodist Church-Rev. Sang Wook Park, Columbus Community Church of the Nazarene-Pastor Chris Baker, and Wisconsin Academy-Pastor Jonathon Fetrick.
News from Our Quilters
Like clockwork each second & fourth Wednesday mornings our ladies can be found laying out color schemes for quilts, tying them, sorting fabric and cutting squares (the sewing takes place in their homes). It is a beehive of activity in the fellowship hall. We would love to have you come - No experience necessary!
We are also in need of blankets and batting for the inside of our quilts and flat sheets for the back.
Receiving the Newsletter – Get It Your Way
The majority of newsletters, however, will be sent electronically to members and friends for whom we have correct email addresses. And the third means of distribution is to pick up a copy from the info table in the narthex.
Please contact the church office should you wish to change the manner in which you receive this valuable monthly document, or to update any of your contact information. If you have not received the newsletter at all, let the office know that too. We want you to be informed so you can participate in the goings-on at Olivet.
New Email Address for Olivet
Please note that Olivet has a new email address: olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com
Our email account was hacked, and the only option was to open a new account for us. Please update your contact information for Olivet UCC.
As a reminder
We had some trouble with our church being unlocked with the lights on after worship. It is mostly a case of our not knowing if someone else is in the building and not wanting to disrupt them. With a multi-story building that can easily happen. However, we all need to be vigilant about locking up. Lights left burning cost us $$.
We are always striving to keep our records current at Olivet. If you have a new address, phone number or email please let us know by giving us a call at 920-623-5140 or email us at:
olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com. Thank you for your help with this!
Messages on the Outdoor Sign
Are you watching the messages on the outdoor sign? They change about weekly. If you walk near the sign, you will see a number of “ministry rocks.” They are for the taking, if you wish. You might have fun placing them around town to be found by others as sort of a fun surprise.
Olivet now features E-Giving; an online service to allow you to make your donations in a secure way that also helps you track your donations over the year. Please see our E-Giving page on this website.
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