A Message From our Pastor

            As I write this final monthly newsletter, I have to say, I have not done one of these for many years. The last time I wrote a final newsletter was back in 1990. So, I would say, I may sound a little rusty. My first thoughts are the words we heard from Jesus just a few weeks ago.  “Peace be with you.” It is a shalom peace that extends thoughts and feelings of harmony, wholeness, completeness and welfare. I believe this is Jesus’ greatest gift to us, to bring us grace, peace, and the presence of the kingdom of God. Jesus in his farewell discourse with his disciple said many things.  Perhaps one of the most memorable is his words from John 13:34-35, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is a reminder to us all, what our calling as followers of Jesus is truly about. I have witnessed this love in your lives and it has been one of Mount Olive’s best testaments, as I have heard numerous people say, “we feel at home here, we feel so welcome.”

I also hear the words of Jesus from John 10: 3b-4, “He calls his own sheep out by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”  As I shared with the men’s fellowship group this past week, I will always remember the phrase that Pastor Al spoke and affirmed with us multiple times, “Jesus is always out in front of us.” Let those words ruminate in your mind for a few moments. As you move into this time of transition and discernment, always bear in mind and trust that the Holy Spirit is present, guiding and inspiring and that Jesus is always out in front of you. 

The collective we, I, as your pastor and you, the body of Christ, the people of God, here at Mount Olive Lutheran have faithfully been on this faith journey with Jesus for the past 10 plus years. Thank you!!  As I write this letter, I see flashes and imagines of you. I see your smiles, I sense your kindness, generosity and hospitality. Multiple memories are coming to mind, which are too numerous to recount. You, as a congregation have left an indelible imprint upon my life. What has made this faith journey special and meaningful are the relationships we have established and shared over all these years.

It has been a blessed and steady path. We have also shared together some struggles. Although, I would say the struggles we have faced are not necessarily of our own making. Perhaps the biggest struggle we faced and endured together was Covid. I sometimes wondered what life and ministry would have looked like, had we not experienced and lived through Covid. In many respects, I believe it affected our lives and the ministry not only here at Mount Olive, but in the work of the gospel all over the world. 

When I first accepted this call to be the pastor here at Mount Olive, never did I ever imagine Jesus would be calling and leading Kim and I to Arizona. The Holy Spirit truly works in mysterious ways.

It is with a spirit of gratitude and thanks, that I move with you into this last month of shared ministry. I am also very grateful for the faithful staff who have served alongside of me throughout these years of ministry. When you consider the fact that the core staff of Jenifer, Jesse, Kevin, Bryant, Janice and Jeff, (volunteer sound booth) have faithfully served together for all these years, that speaks volumes. It has been a blessed and fruitful journey!!

In a spirit of gratitude for all that we have been through together in our work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I share these words from the apostle Paul, from the book of Phillipians. 
“I thank my God every time I remember you…..because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.  I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

         Pastor Craig Corbin

This Month in Mount Olive’s History                                      May Edition

Did you know...?

May has been a month of firsts and faithful beginnings at Mount Olive.

On May 15, 1966, the very first baptism took place of Lonny Matzdorff in what was lovingly called “Dad’s office,” during the earliest days when the congregation was still meeting in small, humble spaces.

That same spring, a handful of Lutheran families began gathering regularly in Lake Havasu City, laying the spiritual foundation that would soon become Mount Olive Lutheran Church. What started as a few families meeting together quickly grew into something much bigger, God was already at work building His church.

In later years, May continued to be a time of transition and growth. In May 2005, new staff stepped into roles that supported expanding ministries, and in May 2013, the Olive Branch newsletter transitioned to an online format extending communication and connection beyond the printed page.

From that very first baptism to growing ministries and modern connections, May reminds us that God often begins His greatest work in small, faithful steps.

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