Lutherans believe that God’s Word is alive and active in the world, and that one way it comes to us is through the preaching of sermons.
A sermon is more than a “message,” more than advice. In preaching, God speaks to us. The sermon is an integral part of the liturgy, and, within that context, conveys God’s grace. Included here are print, audio and video files of recent and past sermons preached at Mount Olive.
- Accompanied Sunday, March 1, 2026 - You are called as Christ to go out your door and serve as Christ, and you will be changed, but you also go out with the grace and strength of Christ. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday in Lent, year ATexts: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; John 3:1-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Midweek Lent, 2026 + Come to Life In Jesus Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Saint Elisabeth Fedde Week 1: Sharing our Suffering, Easing Anxiety Vicar Erik C. NelsonTexts: Hebrews 5:5-10; Matthew 6:25-27 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today our church commemorates Sister Elisabeth Fedde, a Norwegian immigrant known for […]
- Wet Truth Sunday, February 22, 2026 - Whatever lies the Great Slanderer whispers in your ear and plants in your heart, hear this truth: you are God’s child, you are beloved, and you are well-pleasing to God. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday in Lent, year ATexts: Matthew 4:1-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- Remember, and Live Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - When you remember that you are mortal, that you will die one day, it frees you up to live as Christ in every moment, every day that you are given. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenAsh WednesdayTexts: 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Listen to Him! Sunday, February 15, 2026 - The wonder and glory of the Transfiguration wasn’t meant to just stay on the mountain. Our own mountaintop encounters with God restore our spirits and carry us through the valleys. Vicar Erik C. NelsonFebruary 15, 2026Texts: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- You Are This, Too Sunday, February 8, 2026 - You are salt; you are light; you are God’s heart. Don’t be afraid, and be who you are, for the sake of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 5 ATexts: Matthew 5:13-20; Isaiah 58:1-12 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- You Are Sunday, February 1, 2026 - Where you are right now in this world and all the turmoil: blessed are you, because that’s where God is, too. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 4 ATexts: Matthew 5:1-12; Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- It’s a Calling Sunday, January 25, 2026 - You and I are called – the whole point of faith is that you and I go out as God’s love in the world, for the healing of all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 3 ATexts: Matthew 4:12-23; Isaiah 9:1-4 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Come Down and Stay Sunday, January 18, 2026 - The Holy Spirit descends and remains upon Christ at his baptism. In our sacramental lives and the life of our city, this pattern continues to this day. God is continually coming down to stay. Vicar Erik C. NelsonJanuary 18, 2026Texts: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- For the Living of These Days Sunday, January 11, 2026 - You are called in baptism to be Christ’s light in the world, and you will be enough, with the help and grace of God. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Baptism of Our Lord, Lect. 1 ATexts: Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- In the Time of King Herod Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - God’s people have often lived in deep darkness, in the time of Herod, so our hope is their promise: God’s light still shines, and now in and through us. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Epiphany of Our LordTexts: Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- To Become Sunday, January 4, 2026 - Christ has made God’s heart known to us, so now you know, you see, and you can act as God’s beloved child in this world, for the healing of all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Christmas, year ABCTexts: John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Hush, and Listen Sunday, December 28, 2025 - God’s way of making the world safe for children is to risk becoming a child and leading us into the way of peace. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Christmas, year ATexts: Matthew 2:13-23 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and […]
- No Disguises Thursday, December 25, 2025 - If you want to see what the Triune God is really like, look at Jesus. If you want to know what you could really look like, start there, too. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas DayTexts: Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-14 (adding v. 18) (also referring to Luke 2:1-20 and other Scriptures) Beloved […]
- Always Bethlehem Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - We’ve known for two millennia the kind of rule God intends to establish on this earth: a rule won heart by heart, in the most powerless places, until life is full and abundant for all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas EveTexts: Luke 2:1-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Don’t Be Afraid Sunday, December 21, 2025 - God needs you to incarnate God’s presence in your life, your love, no matter how small or unimportant you might feel you are. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday of Advent, year ATexts: Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 7:10-16 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + […]
- No Offense Thursday, December 18, 2025 - God comes to heal, not to destroy, and following the path of Christ is seeing and hearing that mercy and love, and then living it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday of Advent, year ATexts: Matthew 11:2-11; Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- No More Of This! Sunday, December 7, 2025 - “No more of this!” Jesus’ way is love for enemies, healing of relationships, ending of violence and hatred. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Advent, year ATexts: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of […]
- Awake Sunday, November 30, 2025 - Wake up and be the Christ you are made to be, for the healing of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Advent, year ATexts: Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44; Isaiah 2:1-5 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the […]
- A Savior, A Ruler, A Friend Sunday, November 23, 2025 - On Reign of Christ Sunday, the church considers what it means to follow a crucified king. Jesus rules from the cross, extending his mercy and compassion to all. As followers of Christ, we reject all forms of violence and instead go out to serve. Vicar Erik NelsonThe Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 23 CTexts: Jeremiah […]
