A Message From our Pastor

            As the old idiom goes, “The cat is out of the bag”.  On Sunday, March 15th, I made the announcement of my official retirement date, effective June 1, 2026.  My wife Kim started her official retirement on March 14th.  This was kind of an unexpected turn for us.  At her place of employment, there was agency restructuring and a reduction in staffing.   Kim felt it best to move into retirement a bit earlier than expected, so as to make it possible for someone else to keep their job.

            Also, we are looking forward to being new grandparents, with our first grandchild’s anticipated birth to be somewhere at the end of April.  Our daughter Ellie and husband Nate live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  This will be a new chapter in life for them and for us.  There is perhaps a strong possibility we could be spending large chunks of time in the U.P. of Michigan in the coming months.  This remains to be determined.

            As we move into these final two months of ministry together, I feel that Mount Olive Lutheran is in a healthy place.  What makes Mount Olive church, is you, the people of God.  One of the things I have heard repeatedly over the years is the comment, “the people of Mount Olive are so friendly and welcoming.”  Another phrase I have heard repeatedly is, “it feels like home.” Hospitality and making people feel at home has served Mount Olive well over the years.  I sensed that hospitality from the very first time I came during the interview process. 

            The congregation over the past ten years has made tremendous strides, with $1.1 million dollar debt retirement, parking lot resurfacing, and a continuing commitment to serving the greater Lake Havasu community and beyond.  Mission support for the Grand Canyon Synod and churchwide ELCA has always been a top priority along with local benevolence for the food bank.  First fruits giving is foundational to Mount Olive.

            The gospel ministry of sharing the love and grace of Christ our Lord abounds here at Mount Olive.  Your outreach and welcoming to the winter visitor community shines each year.  The many and varied ministries, from prayer shawl to choral groups, quilters to woodworkers.  Praise band to women of winter, the mission endowment work to outreach.  Men’s fellowship to family fellowship.  Via de Cristo retreats and small groups to summer VBS and Campformation.  These ministry groups along with the faithful, quiet ministry that happens with daily check ins, wellness visits, personal phone calls and cards of encouragement.  This is church, this is church together that touches lives in a personal and meaningful way. It has been a privilege to work and walk alongside of you all over these past ten plus years.

            Thank you for your generosity, your support and your friendship as brothers and sisters in Christ.  It has been ten plus fruitful years, where countless lives have been touched with the grace and love of Christ through our work together.              

Pastor Craig Corbin

This Month in Mount Olive’s History                                      April Edition

Did you know...?

April has been a month of dedication, celebration, and visible growth at Mount Olive.

In April 1976, Mount Olive’s multipurpose building was officially dedicated, marking an important step as the church moved off mission status and into a new season of stability and expansion.

Years later, in April 2013, a major worship center expansion was dedicated, including new spaces like the narthex, choir room, sacristy, and coffee café, enhancing worship

and community life in meaningful ways.

April has also been a time of renewal behind the scenes. In April 2021, Mount Olive continued reopening ministries following the pandemic, moving into a new phase of gathering, reconnecting, and rebuilding community life together.

From new buildings to renewed fellowship, April reminds us that God is always at work growing His church, strengthening His people, and creating space for ministry to flourish.

Important Dates for 2026

·         Memorial Day - May 25th

·         Independence Day – (recognized on Friday) July 4th

·         Labor Day – September 7th

·         Veteran’s Day – November 11th

·         Thanksgiving & Friday after – November 26th & 27th

·         Christmas Day - December 25th