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.
- 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 […]
- Embodying Love Sunday, May 9, 2021 - Through the love that we receive through Christ, we become an embodiment of God’s love in the world by living in love and sharing God’s love with all of creation. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleSixth Sunday after Easter, Year B Text: John 15:9-17 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and […]
- Pruning Time Sunday, May 2, 2021 - You were created to bear God’s love, complete God’s love, in the world, and Jesus invites you to rejoice in the pruning God needs to do to help you become your purpose and meaning. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday of Easter, year BTexts: John 15:1-8; 1 John 4:7-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Other Sheep Sunday, April 25, 2021 - You are beloved of the crucified and risen Good Shepherd, and so are all: in that love, learn to see as your Shepherd sees and love as your Shepherd loves. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday of Easter, year BTexts: John 10:11-18 (with reference to John 12); 1 John 3:16-24; Psalm 23 Beloved in Christ, […]
- Recollection Sunday, April 18, 2021 - Jesus appears to the disciples and asks them if they have anything to eat. They give him broiled fish and recall their ministry of the past and are called to be a witness to Christ’s peace. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThird Sunday after Easter, Year B Text: Luke 24:36b-48 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in […]
- Trust Love Sunday, April 11, 2021 - These things are given you so that you might see God’s Christ, and trust that God’s life is healing this world, giving you and all creation abundant life. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Easter, year BText: John 20:19-31 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Verse 9 Sunday, April 4, 2021 - Your life in Christ is lived in what Mark left open – chapter 16, verse 9, where you, like believers for centuries, let go of your fear and witness to God’s life in the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Resurrection of Our Lord, year BText: Mark 16:1-8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- For All Thursday, April 1, 2021 - Through Christ’s love and forgiveness for all, we seek to follow Christ’s commandment to love all, even when it is challenges us. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleMaundy Thursday, Year B Texts: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- This Week Sunday, March 28, 2021 - This is the week when the Triune God makes clear the plan for this world, and for you, the answers God has for your healing and the healing of all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sunday of the Passion, year BTexts: Mark 11:1-11; Philippians 2:5-11; references to parts of the Passion story Beloved in Christ, […]
- We Want to See Jesus Sunday, March 21, 2021 - We look for Jesus, the face of the Triune God, in our lives and our communities hoping to see God’s healing and forgiveness. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleFifth Sunday of Lent, Year BTexts: Jeremiah 31:31-34 John 12:20-33 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and […]
- Cosmic Healing Sunday, March 14, 2021 - God so loved the cosmos, Jesus proclaims, that God came to heal, to save all things, through you and through all by the grace of the Spirit. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday in Lent, year BTexts: Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- God’s Home Sunday, March 7, 2021 - You are God’s temple, the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, who changes your heart to be a person living in God’s way for your sake and the sake of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday in Lent, year BTexts: John 2:13-22; Exodus 20:1-17 (with ref. to 1 Corinthians 6:19) Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- Shameless Love Sunday, February 28, 2021 - God promises everlasting love and graciousness, even knowing that we will betray such trust, because such cross-shaped love God has can save you and all creation. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday in Lent, year BTexts: Mark 8:31-38; Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 (with references to other readings from the Hebrew Scriptures assigned to this year’s Lenten […]
- Remember Sunday, February 21, 2021 - God’s unconditional promise of peace and unconditional love is enacted through our baptismal identities and we, with God, remember the goodness of all of God’s creation and our calling to care for all of God’s creation. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleFirst Sunday of Lent, Year BTexts: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, Mark 1:9-15 Beloved in Christ, grace and […]
- Discipled Life Wednesday, February 17, 2021 - The disciplines of Lent are the shaping of your whole life to live in the grace and love of God for you and share it with the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenAsh WednesdayTexts: Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the […]
