OUR STORY
In 1963, Mount Olive was planted in the community of Folsom with the hope of being a light to the community where God's peace can be found. Today, the DNA of that vision continues to persist. It is our prayer that God makes use of us for the sake of His Kingdom that our family, friends, and neighbors might know the peace of God found in Christ Jesus. 

We are a congregation of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS https://www.lcms.org/) under the California-Nevada-Hawaii District (CNH-LCMS https://www.cnh-lcms.org/).

WHO WE ARE

We are Historically Rooted
We are a creedal church confessing the Apostles', Nicenean, and Athanasian Creeds. We affirm the first seven ecumenical councils of the Christian Church.

Our confession was birthed out of the Reformation in an effort to reform the Church's sight back to Christ Jesus and him crucified "for you." These 16th century reformers were called "Lutherans." Lutherans have a deep appreciation for the Gospel and its freeing power that enables Christians to love and serve boldly which can be summarized in these words from Martin Luther, "God doesn't need your good works, but your neighbor does." https://bookofconcord.org/

We walk with other churches in a synod called the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod which was formed in 1848. A group of German Lutherans had resettled to the States landing in Missouri with the hopes to practice the faith as they had believed and confessed. And throughout that time, they have since grown reaching a multitude of people and forming partnerships with other global Lutherans.

We are Liturgical and Hospitable. 
How we worship says a lot about what we believe. So we choose to worship like those who have gathered for thousands of years within church history, following a traditional format of liturgy that invites participants into God's divine service where He speaks to us His Word and we speak it back to Him. From beginning to end, the liturgy is filled with Scripture and it rolls from our lips throughout the service. Most importantly, in the liturgy, God gives us His gifts of Word and Sacrament--grace upon grace for you!

The historic liturgy is different and can seem very formal, but the beauty behind it is that as you participate in it, it can shape the imagination of what it looks like to be a Christian in the world. The liturgy shapes us to be Christians by teaching us how to share peace, how to pray, and how to love sacrificially. If you're joining us for the first time, feel free to connect with an elder, he'll be able to walk you through the service. 
 
We are Sacramental.
There are gifts that God wants to give you--tangible gifts that are connected to His promises that grant you assurance of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and His peace. These gifts we call the Sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion). These are very distinct gifts commanded by Jesus, having attached promises to them, and which ultimately confer grace for you. The Lord's Supper is the peak of our liturgical service. If you'd like to learn more about the Means of Grace, please reach out to Pastor Dan.  
 
We are centered in Jesus
We desire to know nothing other than Christ crucified for us. We see Christ in every page of the Scriptures. Christ makes us his own through the waters of Baptism. Christ feeds us his body and blood in bread and wine to strengthen and assure us that our sins are forgiven. Christ takes our prayers and makes them his own. He blesses us and sends us out with his Holy Spirit and with his peace into the world. Christ is for you.

WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe God to be Triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

We believe sin has ruined our relationship with God, it has ruined all of God's Creation, and has brought death to all in this world. We carry original sin in us as passed down yo us by our first parents Adam and Eve.

We believe that by grace God the Father sent His Son, the Word made flesh, for our sake. Jesus was born to take on our sin. He lived the perfect life, suffered, and died. He took the world's sin, your sin, to the grave. He did this to reconcile us to God the Father. He was raised from the dead and now lives and reigns with God the Father. Together with the Father, they sent the Spirit to reign and rule over our hearts.

We believe that there is nothing we do can make ourselves right with God--not by strength, virtue, or merit. But through faith in Jesus Christ and what he has accomplished, we are freely justified for he has made us right with God. We're created to be in a trusting relationship with God who promises to provide everything for us--from salvation to food and rest.

We believe God has gifted us with the Church so that the Gospel might be preached and the Sacraments may be given. Through these things, the Holy Spirit is given.  

Because we have been made right with God through faith and trust, this produces in us gratitude and a new found love for the neighbor. There is nothing we can give to God that He doesn't already have, but He redirects our gifts and talents towards those in our midst. We're created to be in service towards others.

We believe Christ Jesus will return to judge both the living and the dead. And he will usher with him the fullness of his kingdom--the new heaven and new earth. Death will be put to death. Sin will be rid of forever. And Satan thrown into hell with his demons and all those who have rejected Christ. But the Church shall forever live with her Savior knowing peace for all of eternity.