My dear Olivetians,
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. - John 20
I’ve been thinking about physical scars this week and how we have a tendency to want to hide them. We may use make-up concealer on our face or wear long sleeves or high collars to hide the scars of surgeries or accidents. (We know there are emotional scars, as well, but far less visible.)
I thought of this when reading this story about Jesus appearing to his disciples. Because what I realized is I find it comforting that that his resurrection did not erase the marks of having lived his life or even having endured his death.
I find it comforting that when Jesus rose from the dead, he was recognizable by his scars.
Jesus came and stood among his disciples, and he didn’t try to hide the mark from the spear on his side. He didn’t wear gloves to conceal his nail-hole scars. Jesus came and stood among his disciples and showed them his hands and his side. He knew that he would be recognized by his wounds.
And isn’t that true for us as well? We can only really know and be known when we show our scars. I never really feel a connection to someone until they have shared with me the lumpy, broken, petty, parts of themselves. I may be inspired by the virtue and accomplishments of others, but I only feel less alone when someone shares their failures with me, the parts of themselves that have been hurt.
Being an Easter people — a people of resurrection — is not to be cleansed from all harm, and it is not to have all the bad things that we have done or that have happened to us erased.
Our scars and our sorrow will always be part of our story, but they will never be the conclusion of our story. Which means that even when you feel trapped in your pain, in your past, in your own story like it is itself a tomb, know this — that there is no stone that God cannot roll away.
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
From one Easter person to another,
Pastor Sandy - Interim
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Just as Advent is a preparation time for Christmas, Lent is likewise for Easter. It allows time for our hearts and minds to be ready for the joyous acclimation: “Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed.”
The rest of the Lenten mid-week services are scheduled as follows:
This year’s theme is “Finding Jesus.” Each of the ecumenical participating pastors will preach on a story in one of the Gospels about someone not only seeking and finding Jesus but receiving an immeasurable gift from Him.
Different this year from all the previous ones, is that there will be a children’s time. Pastor Teresa Baker from the Columbus Church of the Nazarene will be sharing her expertise with the youngsters.
Soup suppers will be available Wednesdays March 5 through April 9.
As a reminder, all ecumenical services begin at 6:30 p.m.
Please take seriously this important work of the church.
Last, but not least, is our on-going service to the city of Columbus and surrounding area—the Community Meal held at 5 p.m. each second Thursday of the month. The women of Olivet out-do themselves each and every time. If you have never participated, you are missing out on a great meal and fun interactions with others from the community. Please join us!
Great to be Back
It was a grand time away, but wonderful to be back with you.
I don’t know if you realize how blessed this congregation is to have so many people able and willing to step in and lead worship… it is quite amazing, actually. Public speaking is a great fear of many!
My thanks and appreciation go to those individuals who went beyond the line of duty to be of assistance to me and to all of you.
Tim & Jerzy Vant Hoff
Mina Kenevan
Bruce Kraus
Beth Hellpap
Traveling life’s path together,
Pastor Sandy - Interim
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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 -
175TH Annual Meeting
May 18, 2025 – 10:00 am at Olivet Congregational UCC
Join us on Sunday, May 18th for our morning worship that begins at 9 am and then join us downstairs for our 175th Annual Meeting. Refreshments will be served. The annual meeting report will be coming out by May 4th for you to review before the actual meeting. We hope to see you there!
175thCommittee Update:
We’ve also had a very successful food drive for the Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry. Final numbers will be in soon!
We are currently selling 175th anniversary T-shirts. There is an order form at the bottom of this newsletter and a sample T-shirt in the narthex.
Some other things we are working on include new chairs for the fellowship area, Christmas ornaments, a pie social and note cards showing some of Olivet’s history and charm! Watch for more activities and updates.
175th Anniversary Committee Members
Nancy Liverseed, Mina Kenevan, Darlene Crombie
June Waterworth, Brian Cutsforth, Barb Heiman
Columbus Fall River Food Pantry New Scheduling Information
Effective 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.
Nominating Committee Update:
Vice Moderator 2025-2026: Dave Henning has volunteered to become our next Vice Moderator. Thank you, Dave!
We are looking for new members to join our Church Life & Mission committee and the Buildings and Grounds committee. If you would be interested or would like more information, please contact Olivet at 623-5140 or Carol Black.
Joint Community Meal
If you have yet to join in on wonderful food and fellowship on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Olivet, please do. A cross section of our community takes advantage of it, but there is always room for more. Come! Take your place at the table. Bring your friends and neighbors.
BE THE CHANGE, DONATE NOW
Aubrey Nerswick is participating in a fundraiser, and she is wondering if we can help. WHAT: We are looking for new or gently used luggage. That means suitcases, backpacks, or duffle bags. Or, new or gently used mittens or gloves, new underwear, socks, coats, shoes, and bedding. If you feel you cannot donate but would like to help, you can reach out with a monetary donation as well. All donations go to the nonprofit “Touched by Foster Care Service” to be used by children in foster care. The church will have a donation spot for these items. Please reach out to Aubrey Nerswick, Sadie Nerswick or Nancy Liverseed with any questions. We thank you for your support in this very important project for Aubrey.
Bible Study at Olivet . . .
Join us after worship on the first Sunday of each month for adult Bible study. It begins at 10:15am. All are welcome!
Our Lenten, Holy Week and Easter Schedule:
April 2, 2025
April 9, 2025
April 13 – Palm Sunday Service-9 am Olivet
April 17 – Ecumenical Maundy Thursday at Olivet UCC @ 6:30 pm
Good Friday, April 18, 2025
Final Confirmation Date
The next and last Confirmation class will be April 27th.
An Easter Poem . . .on New Life
The chill of winter starts to fade,
As Easter’s warmth is now displayed.
The world renews, a vibrant sight,
With colors shining, pure and bright.
The birds sing sweetly in the trees,
A gentle breeze begins to tease.
The flowers bloom, a sweet display,
And chase the shadows far away.
So let us greet Easter day,
With open hearts, come what may.
For in this time of rebirth and grace,
We find a smile on every face.
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!
Church Council Ongoing Activities
The council is in the process of going through the Building & Grounds checklist of improvements and updates that our church building is in need of. Our flat roof that is leaking needs to be resealed/re-caulked at a cost of $600, and will be completed this summer, as well. Our church sanctuary and narthex walls are becoming black from years of burning candles, which will need to be professionally cleaned. We do not have any quotes yet for this but stay tuned! We are putting together a capital campaign so if you can give any amount towards these improvements, we would greatly appreciate it!
Our finance department now has a new email: finance@olivetucc.gmail.com. Please feel free to email us for finance inquiries.
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.
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.
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.
OLIVET WILL BE ORDERING T-SHIRTS AS PART OF OUR 175TH CELEBRATION! PLEASE USE THIS ORDER FORM BELOW TO ORDER YOUR SHIRTS. A CHECK MUST ACCOMPANY THE ORDER FORM.
NAME: _________________________________
# OF SHIRTS _______________
YOUTH SIZES _____ S __________M
_____L __________XL
ADULT SIZES ____S ______M _____L ____XL
____ 1XL ___2XL ____3XL ____ 4XL
YOUTH SIZES are $15 ADULT SIZES are $20
Please make checks payable to Olivet Church with the word T-Shirt on the memo line.
(Checks must accompany this order form)
Please return the order forms to church by April 27th! There is a sample of the T-shirt in the narthex or contact the church office. They are heathered blue with our 175th logo on left chest.
Our goal is to have the T-shirts ready to wear by our Annual Meeting!
Council and Search Committee Update for April 2025
GREAT NEWS! We have officially called our new part-time Pastor. Her name is Pastor Rachel Olson. She will be beginning her time with us on July 1st. 2025. She currently is finishing out a contract at a church in Richland Center.
We had a great turn out on March 16th to hear Pastor Rachel lead our morning worship service. We had 52 members in attendance for voting after her worship service. The final vote was 48 yes votes and only 4 no votes. We also had plenty of friends and visitors in attendance as well. Thank you to all who attended.
Darlene Crombie, Vice Moderator
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!
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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