Treasuring God's Truth, Living Out His Love
Mount Olive Lutheran Church sits on Bartlett Boulevard in Mound, Minnesota, just blocks from Lake Minnetonka, and the congregation marks a notable milestone: the church is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Its mission statement, woven into the front of the church's materials, frames everything around a single word. "You are the treasure to God," it reads. "He gave a treasure, the precious blood of Jesus Christ for you. His Word and Sacraments are treasures to be received and shared. We treasure one another, and reach out to treasure others." The tagline above it sums up the life of the church: Treasuring God's Truth, Living Out His Love.
Sunday Worship at Nine
The week centers on Sunday morning. Worship is held at 9:00 AM, and the service is livestreamed on the congregation's YouTube channel so members at home can follow along. As an LCMS parish, the liturgy follows the historic Lutheran pattern of Word and Sacrament. The altar is set for Holy Communion each Sunday, and the front of the church holds baptismal font and pulpit in equal prominence, a reminder that for Mount Olive these two means of grace stand at the heart of Christian life. Bulletin sheets, including large-print editions, are made available each week.
Bible Studies and Confirmation
Mount Olive takes seriously the call to feed the soul with the Word, and the building hums with study groups through the week:
- Men's Bible Study meets Tuesday mornings from 7:00 to 8:00 AM, year-round, working through books of the Bible together.
- Women's Bible Study gathers Wednesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:15 AM. The women are currently walking through the book of Hebrews, using video teaching alongside the text.
- Friday Morning Bible Study runs from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in the Community Room at Lake Minnetonka Shores and is described as the congregation's most in-depth study.
All three studies can be attended in person, joined by Zoom, or taken in by phone, so that no one is shut out by Minnesota weather. Bibles and other materials are available through the church.
Children and teens have a place of their own. Sunday School meets Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, September through May, welcoming children ages 3 through sixth grade. Confirmation takes place in the same hour, with additional instruction on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, taught by Pastor Mike Michalk himself. Confirmands and their parents are expected to attend the 9 AM Sunday service regularly, take at least two pastoral visits with the pastor to a hospital, nursing home, or evangelism call, and complete a creative Confirmation Project of their own design.
A Pastor with Synod Roots
Mount Olive's pastor, Michael Michalk, carries a personal link to the broader history of Lutheranism in America. He is a descendant of Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken, who served as the second president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from 1850 to 1864. The church keeps this connection visible through a "Brush with Greatness" presentation that traces Wyneken's life and the Synod's 176-year story, with resources drawn from Concordia Historical Institute. The same page links to Main Street Living, the regional Lutheran television program endorsed by the LCMS, and to the Minnesota South District, the regional body of which Mount Olive is a part.
Baptism, Weddings, and Funerals
The three great life passages of the Christian year are all served here. Holy Baptism is offered with preparation materials and an information form for families, and the church teaches the classic Lutheran confession that baptism is not plain water alone but water joined to God's Word, through which the Spirit gives new life. Weddings are prepared with a detailed Wedding Handbook and checklist, with pastoral guidance on questions of marriage and sexual ethics. Funerals are supported by a Funeral Handbook and a planning form, allowing families to work through the details in advance.
A Congregation in the Middle of Its Renovations
Mount Olive is in the middle of a building project. An Education Wing Renovation presentation outlines the upgrades underway for the spaces that house Sunday school, confirmation, and weekday studies. The Fellowship Lounge and Library on the first floor of the Administration and Education Building is where most Bible study and Sunday school classes meet, putting classrooms and offices on the same level as the sanctuary.
Missions Close to Home
The mission outreach of the congregation centers on local and Synod-wide partners:
- Westonka Food Shelf, a nearby food pantry serving neighbors in the western Lake Minnetonka area.
- WeCan, a community resource network in the area.
- Lutheran Women in Mission, the LCMS women's ministry organization, channeling volunteer energy and giving through the Minnesota South District.
Each year the women of Mount Olive (known as WOMO) host an Annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale, gathering handcrafted and donated items to raise funds for missions and community organizations. The event includes a "Timeless Treasures" table for gently used goods and runs in early November, drawing members and friends together for fellowship and shopping.
Congregational Life
Mount Olive is a self-governing LCMS congregation. Board Meetings are held regularly to discuss the life of the church, and Congregational Meetings remain the central moment where the members elect the Board of Directors, set the budget, and decide matters critical to the congregation's future. The administrative work is carried out by an office team led by Lindsey Eccles, administrative secretary, who can be reached at 952-472-2756 during the week. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00 AM, Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM until noon; the office is closed on Fridays.
Visiting Mount Olive
Worship begins at 9:00 AM each Sunday at 5218 Bartlett Boulevard in Mound, with parking available on site and the building accessible from the main entrance. Children are welcomed into the service, and a nursery-aged through sixth-grade Sunday school begins at 10:00 AM after the service concludes. Worship services can be watched live or on replay through the church's YouTube channel, and the most recent bulletins - including large-print editions - are posted online for those who want to follow along before arriving. Offerings can be given online through the congregation's Venmo account, and prayer requests can be sent directly to the pastor. For pastoral needs, Bible study information, or to inquire about baptisms, weddings, or funerals, Pastor Mike Michalk can be reached at 952-388-3858.