Announcements
Worship
Lenten Offerings 2026
Our Lenten Offerings this year will benefit two organizations, Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) and United Methodist Church Apportionments.
OAR is a community-based nonprofit organization that envisions a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil and human rights. Through our Upstream work, we are confronting and dismantling individual racism and racism in the legal system and across all systems. Our Downstream work allows us to be on the journey with individuals returning from incarceration and their families. We also offer alternative sentencing options (including community service) and diversion programs so people can avoid the trauma of incarceration and instead help the community thrive.
UMC Apportionment Ministries support Christian missions worldwide, education of ministry students, Historic Black Colleges, Africa University, interdenominational cooperation, and more.
Thank you for considering a donation to one of these organizations!
Serve Communion on Easter
As Easter Sunday approaches, we would like to request your assistance in serving communion during our Easter services. We will provide training and guidance to ensure that all servers feel confident and prepared. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve the church community and participate in the Easter celebration. We hope that you will consider joining us in this important ministry. If interested, please email Pastor Sara.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday
March 29
Regular services at 9:15 AM (Traditional) and 11:15 AM (the Way)
Maundy Thursday, Communion and Tenebrae Service
Thursday, April 2, 7:00 PM
Traditional Communion and Tenebrae service. Tenebrae (the Latin word for darkness) is a service held during the three days preceding Easter Day, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a loud noise taking place in total darkness near the end of the service.
Good Friday Taizé Service at Walker Chapel
Friday, April 3 at 12 PM
Join our friends at Walker Chapel (4102 N. Glebe Road) for Good Friday worship on April 3 at 12 PM. Through scripture, prayer, and meditative music, we will reflect on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope we hold in his resurrection.
Easter Morning
Traditional Worship at 9:15 AM, Sanctuary
A festive service with choir and brass. This service will be live-streamed.
Children will be invited to Children’s church after the children’s message to hear the Easter story and make a craft.
Easter Breakfast, 10 AM – 11:15 AM
Join us for Easter breakfast! Please register so that we will have enough food to serve and if you would like to make a breakfast casserole (baked and ready to serve) or help prep or serve breakfast. Sign Up Now
Family Worship at 11 AM, Sanctuary
Child-friendly Easter worship experience.
The Way (Modern worship) at 11:15 AM in the Fellowship Hall
Children will be invited to Children’s church after the children’s message to hear the Easter story and make a craft.
Children’s Activities from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Join us for fun activities on the playground including, glitter tattoos, crafts and a petting zoo.
Nursery for kids 3 and under available from 9 AM until 12:30 PM.
Community
Easter Egg Hunt
It’s time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We’re gathering at beautiful Woodlawn Park (1325 N. Buchanan Street) to hunt for all the best goodies! Children will be divided by age – but don’t be late because we have some expert egg hunters and it goes by fast. Bring a basket and invite your friends. (We may even have a special guest stop by!) Parking is available in the church lot and it’s a short walk down the block to Woodlawn Park. Please check your child’s eggs for allergens.
Volunteer with Community Assistance
It’s time to volunteer for Community Assistance! Please volunteer to help our neighbors in need receive some much-needed help with food and gift cards. Slots to volunteer are available from 8 AM through 12:45 PM. Sign up on the SignupGenius.
You can make a financial contribution to Community Assistance, at mountolivetumc.com/giving and indicate Community Assistance. Thanks for your continued support of our Community Assistance Ministry.
With the help of our fantastic volunteers and generous financial donors we were able to help:
- 451 guests
- 1,537 total number of individuals in households
- 460 children in households
- 386 age 60+ in households
Access Small Group
Sarah Whiddon, along with members of the Outreach committee, are starting a new small group concentrating on access for people with disabilities. The first meeting will be on April 19, 12:30 in the Youth Area to talk about goals for the group. Some suggestions include arts and crafts, games, music, and field trips on Metro. Lunch provided. The group will meet on a quarterly basis. Questions? Contact Sarah Whiddon.
Caretakers of God's Creation
According to Earth 911 more than 5,000 fires are estimated to occur at recycling facilities each year, many of which are caused by improperly disposed batteries. So where can you properly dispose of batteries? In Arlington, alkaline batteries can go in the trash but rechargeable, lithium, mercury and silver oxide should be taken to a participating fire station or the household hazardous waste site.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Recycling-and-Trash/Household-Hazardous-Materials-HHM/Battery-Disposal Fairfax County has more limited options https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/batteries Some stores that sell electronic items, such as Best Buy or Micro Center, accept batteries for disposal.
Racial Equity Resources
What if all of the theological thinking to which you were exposed was the product of a relatively narrow lens? (Thinking of the ubiquitous White Jesus portrait here) Black liberation theology and feminist theology challenged the traditional way of teaching and preaching but still omitted a significant group: Black women. For this last week of Women's History Month learn about Womanist Theology and some of its notable scholars.
Discover Mount Olivet Classes
Would you like to learn about the history of Mount Olivet and Methodism? Would you like to explore the many ways of being involved in the life of this church? Are you interested in becoming a new member? Then “Discover Mount Olivet” is for you.
Two Zoom classes will be offered in the month of April on days and times of your convenience. You will be contacted by a member of the Witness and Welcome team to determine your April availability.
Are You Handy?
The church is in need of some volunteer assistance from a handyman/handywoman. Some tasks include changing light bulbs, assembling furniture, opening Columbarium niches, small painting jobs and minor repairs. If interested or questions, contact Tina Marcus.
Clothes Drive for Clothesline
Clothesline is an organization that takes donations of “cool” school-ready clothes for kids and teenagers whose families are struggling. This is a great opportunity to donate like-new clothes your kids have grown out of, and they especially need coats, pants, shoes, and pajamas. Adult sized clothes are also welcome. Twice a year Clothesline has a free store where kids can shop in a retail environment. You can drop off your donations on Sundays, from March 1-31, in the Youth Area.
Food Drive
During these difficult times, we are helping the families at Glebe Elementary School put food on their tables by donating canned goods. Place your items in the basket in the Preschool Lobby on Sunday or leave in the bin on the 16th Street porch (entrance door #1). The following low sugar and low sodium items are needed:
- Canned fruits
- Canned tuna
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Canned tomatoes
- Peanut butter (in plastic jars)
- Cereal
Contact Linnea Carlson with any questions.
Adults
Children & Families
Easter Egg Hunt
It’s time for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We’re gathering at beautiful Woodlawn Park (1325 N. Buchanan Street) to hunt for all the best goodies! Children will be divided by age – but don’t be late because we have some expert egg hunters and it goes by fast. Bring a basket and invite your friends. (We may even have a special guest stop by!) Parking is available in the church lot and it’s a short walk down the block to Woodlawn Park. Please check your child’s eggs for allergens.
Youth
Fire
Fire Update
Progress continues toward finalizing our fire side restoration. We are in the final stretch and waiting on county inspections. Installation of all furniture is complete.
As a reminder, until the restoration project is finished, we continue to be limited to the sanctuary, preschool, youth area, fellowship hall and L-8 and L-9.
Staff continue to work at home. We thank you for your patience as we move through the restoration and remain grateful for your continued support and prayers. We look forward to opening the doors to our new space soon!
