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.
- Known By Name Sunday, January 9, 2022 - You are God’s beloved child, and God knows you by name, and is with you in all things, good and bad. Now God sends you to share that good news with all God’s children. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Baptism of Our Lord, Lect. 1 CTexts: Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Beloved in Christ, grace to […]
- Go and See Thursday, January 6, 2022 - God calls us to get up and go from our comfortable places, to be stretched in our ways of thinking and being, and we will see God’s light dawning in the world’s night, bringing life and hope. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Epiphany of Our LordTexts: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Sermon for the funeral of Susan Palo Cherwien Friday, December 31, 2021 - All are rooted in God’s love in Christ, flowing love up into the creation, through all seasons and into the life to come. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenTexts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24; Romans 8:35-39; John 15:1-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, […]
- My Father’s Business Sunday, December 26, 2021 - You are God’s holy, precious child, and are called by your sibling, Christ Jesus, to be about your Heavenly Parent’s business. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Christmas, year CText: Luke 2:41-52 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the […]
- Grace is here and now Saturday, December 25, 2021 - The Triune God is here bringing grace and love and hope into our lives and into our world. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleNativity of Our LordTexts: Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-14 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- An Unsafe God Friday, December 24, 2021 - The world is unsafe for all the creation, so God enters it, risks all that is unsafe, to bring healing through the creation, as we learn to risk, to be unsafe, for the sake of all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eve of the Nativity of Our LordText: Luke 2:1-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Songs of … Sunday, December 19, 2021 - We join with Mary in singing her song and proclaiming with generations before us and future generations that Christ will be born in our world to bring justice, peace, and mercy. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleFourth Sunday of Advent, year CTexts: Luke 1:39-45 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, […]
- Be the Gospel Sunday, December 12, 2021 - Joy is found both in receiving God’s promised restoration and healing and in being a part of that healing by repenting as John calls. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday of Advent, year CTexts: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- In God’s Hands Sunday, December 5, 2021 - The One who began a good work in you will complete it in time, for your sake, and the sake of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Advent, year CTexts: Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Life Alert Sunday, November 28, 2021 - Even as the world is shaking, we stay alert and pray. Turning our head and hearts to the Triune God, who is bringing healing and transformation to our lives, communities, and world. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleFirst Sunday of Advent, year CTexts: Luke 21:25-36 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the […]
- Consider . . . Maggie Thursday, November 25, 2021 - Trust in God’s love for you and the creation; all the rest will come from that. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Day of Thanksgiving, year BText: Matthew 6:25-33 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Maybe Jesus didn’t […]
- Truth Is Sunday, November 21, 2021 - Christ Jesus is God’s Truth, and when you abide in him, continue in his Word, listen to his voice, God’s Truth will be known in your lives, for the freeing of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Reign of Christ, Last Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 34 BTexts: John 8:33-37 (adding 38a) Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- Let us . . . Sunday, November 14, 2021 - Four things give us hope in a world of fear: Christ opens our access to God; we can hold tightly to the abiding love God has for us; we can provoke each other to good; and our community, together, is where God does all this. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 33 […]
- Jesus Wept Sunday, November 7, 2021 - God shares our suffering, brings life in the midst of death, even if we think we’re abandoned by God: is that enough for you? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenAll Saints Sunday, year BTexts: John 11:32-44 (adding vv. 17, 20-31 as well); Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 21:1-6 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Listen to your heart Sunday, October 31, 2021 - Created to be together, we join in the collective work of God’s healing and love. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleReformation Sunday Texts: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen I recently ate an artichoke, pulling petal by […]
- Trust Mercy Sunday, October 24, 2021 - Trust God-with-us to give you and the world mercy and healing. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 30 BTexts: Mark 10:46-52; Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Trust doesn’t […]
- Your Servant Sunday, October 17, 2021 - Christ our Servant shapes us in our lives as servants, helping us every step of the path of Christ, for the sake of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 29 BText: Mark 10:(32-34) 35-45 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Holy Possible Sunday, October 10, 2021 - With God all things are possible: even the changing of your heart to let go of all things and follow Christ in love for God and neighbor. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 28 BText: Mark 10:17-31 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Together Sunday, October 3, 2021 - Created to be together, we join in the collective work of God’s healing and love. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 27 BTexts: Genesis 2:18-24; Mark 10:2-16 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen What […]
- Holy Unauthorized Sunday, September 26, 2021 - Because of Christ, we don’t claim to have it all together – we trust God has it all together and we are simply living in God’s love for all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 26 BText: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Mark 9:38-50 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
