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.
- When it’s all too much Sunday, March 16, 2025 - Jesus mourns over the corruption and power-grabbing in Jerusalem. We join him in the same kind of mourning over our country, but we don’t have language or resources to move forward with this kind of grief. Jesus’ actions during Holy Week and Paul’s reminder that we are citizens in heaven help us navigate a way […]
- Test Preparation Sunday, March 9, 2025 - Christ’s tests face us every day, and with the Spirit’s help, we will pass through and bring life and hope to this world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Luke 13:31-35 (adding Isaiah 58:1-12 from Ash Wednesday’s lectionary) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- Today is the Day Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - “Today is the day” is a reminder that we have no day to love and serve God and our neighbors but today, no matter what other people might think of us. And for moments we let people’s words get to us, we can turn to God today and pray that we be molded by God […]
- . . . but it is the road. Sunday, March 2, 2025 - You are being transfigured into Christ for the world, even if now you feel a failure or even feel resistance to God’s call. And all will be healed because of it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Transfiguration of Our Lord, year C Text: Luke 9:28-43a Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Foundation Sunday, February 23, 2025 - The foundation of a life that can not only endure wickedness but transform it is a life built on the love Christ calls of you, the same love that already holds you forever. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 7 CTexts: Luke 6:27-38 (adding 39-49 from Lect. 8 C); Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 […]
- Shared Sight Sunday, February 16, 2025 - We share God’s vision of our neighbors and our world in this community and are strengthened for our work as Christ by each other. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 6 CTexts: Luke 6:17-26 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + […]
- The Next Right Thing Sunday, February 9, 2025 - God calls us to be healing for this world. But often, we count ourselves out because we don’t believe we have what it takes. But if we trust God and do the next right thing, God transforms our hearts to prepare us for each moment that we’re in. Vicar Natalie WusslerThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, […]
- Even the Sparrows Sunday, February 2, 2025 - God’s freedom and redemption are meant for all people, and we’re called to be a part of it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Presentation of Our LordTexts: Psalm 84; Luke 2:22-40 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- Ligaments Sunday, January 26, 2025 - Christ’s love ligaments us together as one Body, inseparable by us or anyone else, with diverse gifts and realities sent by the Spirit in mission to the world to bring healing and life. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 3 CTexts: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (adding 13:1-13); Luke 4:14-21 Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- The Best Stuff Sunday, January 19, 2025 - We are the water turned into wine; the abundance of God poured out for the world. God transforms our hearts and minds and equips us with gifts to be essential pieces of the healing of the world. Vicar Natalie WusslerThe Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 2 CTexts: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John […]
- But With the Holy Spirit Sunday, January 12, 2025 - The Spirit of the Triune God is in you and giving you the gifts to be and do your mission as God’s Christ in your world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Baptism of Our Lord, First Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 1 CTexts: Luke 3:15-22; Acts 8:14-17; Isaiah 43:1-7 (and referencing Isaiah 11 as well) Beloved in […]
- Wisdom finds her home Sunday, January 5, 2025 - Often we might feel hopeless when we look at the state of the world; but throughout time Wisdom has searched for her home and found it amidst similarly hopeful and bleak times. Wisdom has made her home in us and transforms our hearts and minds to see hope where it appears there is none. Vicar […]
- God-Made-Human Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Jesus took on what it means to be human and all the beauty and pain associated with that. Jesus knows our pain and gives us permission to not hide from our humanity. Vicar Natalie WusslerChristmas DayTexts: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1:1-14 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Love Is Risk Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - God risks everything – being wounded, even killed – to be able to bring healing and life to you and the whole creation. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eve of the Nativity of Our LordText: Luke 2:1-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, […]
- Blessed Ordinary Sunday, December 22, 2024 - Incarnation is God in you and me, everyday human people whose only call is to be everyday human people who love and care for the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday of Advent, year CText: Luke 1:39-45 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the […]
- The Weary World Rejoices Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Joy overflows from God’s own heart, through us, and to the whole world. It’s always accessible to us. Joy is a way we can resist the powers of evil and darkness. Vicar Natalie WusslerThird Sunday Of Advent, year CTexts: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 Beloved in Christ, grace to you and peace […]
- So that . . . Sunday, December 8, 2024 - All these calls to purification and repentance are invitations to let God transform you and me and the whole community into a life of shalom for us and for all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Advent, year CTexts: Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- This Generation Sunday, December 1, 2024 - Our incentive to be faithful followers isn’t our anxiety or fear, it’s the hope of being anointed as Christ to love and bring in the reign of God for all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Advent, year CText: Luke 21:25-36 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- And All These Things Thursday, November 28, 2024 - Jesus knows the ways we worry, but asks us to believe that our lives are more than the things we worry about. When we trust in God, rather than worrying about the things of this world, God reminds us of who we are, assures us of God’s faithfulness, and increases our capacity to love our […]
- Follow the Truth Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Christ Jesus doesn’t want to be a king; Christ wants us to be Christ, following him as the Truth of God in this world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Reign of Christ, Last Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 34 BText: John 18:33-37 (plus 38a) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
