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.
- One Sunday, May 24, 2020 - Jesus prays within the life of God that we all be one – even our own community here at Mount Olive – and in that prayer we find hope in this time apart. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Seventh Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- The Light Has Changed Thursday, May 21, 2020 - The disciples’ joy at Jesus’ ascension comes from a foundation of trust in who Christ is and who they are in Christ. The light of Christ is not extinguished; it’s changed. Now, the disciples are tasked with carrying it out into the world. Vicar Bristol Reading The Ascension of Our Lord Texts: Acts 1:1-11; Luke […]
- Pandemic Sunday, May 17, 2020 - All people: God is the God of all, and has made all creatures to search for God. As we know God in Christ, we, with “gentleness and reverence,” invite people to know the God who made and loves them. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Sixth Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter […]
- Live Sunday, May 10, 2020 - Way, truth, life: these are not abstract concepts but the embodied Christ in your lives, and also how the Triune God lives embodied in you. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Fifth Sunday of Easter, year A Text: John 14:1-14 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Listen Sunday, May 3, 2020 - As we learn to be community in new ways during physical distancing, we can look to the example of the early church who cultivated community amidst the uncertainty following Jesus’ death by trusting God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit. Vicar Bristol Reading The Fourth Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; John […]
- Road Sunday, April 26, 2020 - We are still on the road to Emmaus, seeking open eyes and open Scriptures, walking with Christ who opens both for us and accompanies us with life and hope. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Third Sunday of Easter, year A Text: Luke 24:13-35 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Easter Sunday, April 19, 2020 - Whenever you miss Easter, for whatever reason, Jesus always comes to where you are, calls you to life, and sends you out. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday of Easter, year A Text: John 20:19-31 (with references to 1-18 and chapter 21) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Move Sunday, April 12, 2020 - You’re afraid, we all are, but the women at the tomb show us we can still look up, hear the good news, and bravely share our lives – still afraid, but filled with joy in God’s life in us. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day, year A Text: Matthew 28:1-10 […]
- Awake Thursday, April 9, 2020 - Stay awake with Jesus tonight, and learn to follow his path not only through trial and sacrifice, but to the life God brings through this path to you and to the world. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen Maundy Thursday John 13:1-17, 31b-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; all seen through the lens of Matthew 28:36-45, Jesus in Gethsemane. […]
- Mundane and Mysterious Sunday, April 5, 2020 - We hear the Passion story anew amidst these unprecedented circumstances that have us celebrating Holy Week in our homes. The death we face – in this story and in our world – is real, but the God who loves us accompanies us into the suffering. Vicar Bristol Reading The Sunday of the Passion, year A […]
- Midweek Lent, 2020 + Meeting Jesus Wednesday, April 1, 2020 - Week 5: Mary Magdalene finds home in Jesus “Home” Pastor Joseph G. Crippen Texts: John 20:1, 1-18; Romans 8:31-39 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Mary Magdalene shows you where your home is. St. Augustine prayed, […]
- Watch Sunday, March 29, 2020 - With Ezekiel, Paul’s Romans, and Mary and Martha, the disciples, and the crowd, we wait for God’s promised life to come, and see God’s face saying, “Do you trust me to watch for this and give you life?” Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Fifth Sunday in Lent, year A – recorded for preaching online during […]
- Midweek Lent 2020 + Meeting Jesus Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - Week 4: Thomas learns to follow Jesus “Faithfulness” Vicar Bristol Reading Texts: Romans 8:18-28; John 11:7-16, 14:1-6, 20:26-29 Today, we encounter Jesus through the experience of Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples. We hear three different conversations from three chapters in John. It’s truly a gift to read these separate passages together because it gives a fuller sense of who […]
- Seen and Sent Sunday, March 22, 2020 - When the man born blind receives sight from Jesus, his world is irreversibly changed, but not his isolation from his community. Jesus Christ draws close to him (even when no one else does), transforms him for new life, and sends him into the world to bear light. Vicar Bristol Reading The fourth Sunday in Lent, […]
- Midweek Lent 2020 + Meeting Jesus Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - Week 3: Mary of Bethany pours out her love for Jesus “Heart” Pr. Joseph G. Crippen Texts: Romans 12:1-2, 9-13; John 12:1-8 It was easy to criticize Mary. She took an astonishingly expensive thing and poured it out. If the value really was 300 denarii, that’s worth nearly a year’s wages for a common worker. […]
- Reflection on 3 Lent A (as we miss gathering) Sunday, March 15, 2020 - It’s Sunday morning. Why am I not with the church? Beloved in Christ, This just feels wrong. Sunday morning and I’m drinking tea, and I am not with the body of Christ that surrounds and fills me and gives me life. I’m not at church at 6:00 a.m., greeting James, getting ready to greet you […]
- Midweek Lent 2020 + Meeting Jesus Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - Week 2: An unnamed woman is known, seen by Jesus “Life From Death” Vicar Bristol Reading Texts: John 8:2-11; Romans 8:1, 11-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen The stakes here are life and death. This […]
- Birth Sunday, March 8, 2020 - You can only know what God is doing in Christ when God gives you new birth to see, hear, breathe, and walk in God’s love. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday in Lent, year A Texts: John 3:1-17; Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-4a Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Midweek Lent 2020 + Meeting Jesus Wednesday, March 4, 2020 - Week 1: Andrew meets Jesus, brings others “Come” Pr. Joseph G. Crippen Texts: John 1:35-42, 6:5-9, 12:20-22; Romans 10:13-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen John’s hopes for his Gospel are simple: he wants you to […]
- Truth Sunday, March 1, 2020 - Whatever lies the Great Liar 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. (With thanks for the insight of Christopher L. Heuertz who made the connection between Nouwen’s famous “three lies” and the temptation of Jesus. The Sacred […]
