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.
- Signs of Love Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - We look to the cross and our neighbors as signs of God’s love and healing in the world. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Feast of Holy Cross Texts: Numbers 21: 4b-9, John 3:13-17 They needed a sign. Journeying through the wilderness away from everything they knew, experiencing pain and exhaustion and grief and loss, trying to figure out […]
- Sustaining Yoke Sunday, September 12, 2021 - God in Christ enters the world’s weariness and pain, and yours, and helps carry them, while inviting you and me to do the same. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 24 BTexts: Mark 8:27-38; Isaiah 50:4-9a (also using Matthew 11:28-30, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Be Opened Sunday, September 5, 2021 - Living in a world that is in deep need of God’s healing, we continue to discern how we can be opened to be a healing presence to all of creation through who we are and what we do. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary 23 BTexts: James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37 Beloved in Christ, […]
- Inside Out Sunday, August 29, 2021 - The Triune God is a God who transforms, gives you and me a new birth as God’s gift and blessing for the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 22 BTexts: Mark 7:1-23; James 1:17-27; Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- Discerning Servants Sunday, August 22, 2021 - How do we know? How do we trust? How do we discern? These are the questions we ask as we look outward into our communities and inward into ourselves to witness to the Word of God active in our lives. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary 21BTexts: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, Ephesians 6: 10-20, […]
- Seeing Joy Sunday, August 15, 2021 - Mary sees it; Isaiah sees it; Jesus sees it. God wants to overturn the world and bring about a new creation. This causes Mary to rejoice. What will it do to you? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of St. Mary, Mother of Our LordTexts: Isaiah 61:7-11; Luke 1:46-55 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and […]
- For the Journey Sunday, August 8, 2021 - We are nourished through Christ to be nourishment for others as we journey together. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 19 BText: 1 Kings 19:4-8 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Don’t grieve over […]
- Eternal Bread Sunday, August 1, 2021 - God-with-us offers eternal life – a meeting and filling of all human needs in this world, an abundant life for you and for all God’s children. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 18 BText: John 6:(15-23) 22-35 (36-40) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- Servant Life Sunday, July 25, 2021 - The path of Christ is a path of self-giving, vulnerable love, and you are called to that path, not with promises of safety but with confidence that the great Self-Giver is on the path with you in all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of St. James, ApostleTexts: Mark 10:35-45; Acts 11:27 – 12:3a; 1 […]
- Reconciling Compassion Sunday, July 18, 2021 - Christ has already reconciled all things into God’s life and love, breaking down all walls; now it’s up to the Spirit to help us live into the one humanity that God sees, in truth for all to see. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 16 BTexts: Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; […]
- Look and Listen Sunday, July 11, 2021 - Through the love and grace of Christ, we are sent out into the world to look toward and listen to cries for justice and peace and proclaim the Triune God’s love and healing. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 15 BText: Amos 7:7-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace […]
- Holy Failure Sunday, July 4, 2021 - God’s failure is our model for our own ministry: in our wounded, vulnerable love God will bring healing to the world. Just not necessarily in ways the world will praise as a success. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 14 BTexts: Mark 6:1-13; Ezekiel 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- Before Dawn Sunday, June 27, 2021 - God’s steadfast love and mercy never end, no matter the circumstances: wait for that, and find hope for you and the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 13 BTexts: Lamentations 3:21-33; Psalm 30; Mark 5:21-43 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Present Peace Sunday, June 20, 2021 - God is with you in your storms, with the world in all our storms, and will bring you peace. Not answers. But real peace. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 12 BTexts: Job 38:1-11; Mark 4:35-41 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Living Shade Sunday, June 13, 2021 - Created in God’s image, we grow to be people who produce shade for all of God’s creation. A place where all can rest and experience the sheltering and protecting love of the Triune God. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 11 BText: Mark 4:26-34 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in […]
- Clothing Love Sunday, June 6, 2021 - Do not lose heart: you are embraced in God’s clothing of love which removes all shame, and you are God’s beloved, no matter what. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 10 BTexts: Genesis 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1 “Who told you that you were naked?” It’s a ridiculous question. As Sunday […]
- Only Love Sunday, May 30, 2021 - God’s true essence is vulnerable love, that binds the Trinity together and opens to invite the whole creation into that love. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of the Holy Trinity, year BTexts: John 3:1-17; Romans 8:12-17 Ruth revealed God’s true nature to me this past week. On Tuesday, when the governor called for a state-wide […]
- Called Alongside Sunday, May 23, 2021 - Pentecost is the next and final piece of God’s plan in Christ: called alongside you and me, our community, and the whole creation to bring life and hope and healing. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Day of Pentecost, year BTexts: John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15; Romans 8:22-27; Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Sheltering Love Sunday, May 16, 2021 - Here is your great blessing and joy: God knows the struggles you have to follow Christ in a threatening world, and shelters you in love, giving you grace and strength to follow. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Seventh Sunday of Easter, year BText: John 17:6-19 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Look Around Thursday, May 13, 2021 - Christ Jesus goes away on this day so that we can be filled with the Spirit and continue the ministry of self-giving, wounded love that is the only way the world will be healed. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Ascension of Our LordTexts: Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
