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.
- As I Love Sunday, May 15, 2022 - God’s love in Christ is for all God’s children, no exceptions: will we remain witnesses of that love in our actions and life together? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday of Easter, year CTexts: Acts 11:1-18; John 13:31-35 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the […]
- Discerning Ears Sunday, May 8, 2022 - If someone asked you to speak plainly about who Jesus is, what would you say? What would you tell them you hear when you hear the Good Shepherd’s voice? Vicar Andrea BonnevilleFourth Sunday of Easter, year C Texts: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, John 10:22-30 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of […]
- In the Way Sunday, May 1, 2022 - Christ gets in your way and invites you, calls you, transforms you, to walk in the Way and join God’s children in healing the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday of Easter, year CTexts: Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; John 21:1-19 (plus 20-22) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- What’s At Stake? Sunday, April 24, 2022 - If you, like Thomas and the others, can find trust that Christ is risen, it will truly change your life and the life of the world you are in. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Easter, year CTexts: John 20:19-31; Acts 5:27-32 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- A Perplexing Newness Sunday, April 17, 2022 - God’s new thing in Christ’s resurrection is very hard to comprehend, because everything is changed – but take heart. Others have gone before and show you the way. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Resurrection of Our Lord, year CTexts: Luke 24:1-12; Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 For the second time in three weeks, Isaiah proclaims to […]
- Do You Know? Thursday, April 14, 2022 - Do you know what I have done to you? Jesus asks. May Christ open our eyes and hearts and transform us both to know and to do as Christ does. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenMaundy ThursdayText: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 “Do you know what I have done to you?” Jesus asked the disciples Thursday night. What Jesus […]
- Of the Same Mind Sunday, April 10, 2022 - Jesus Christ comes to us as the one who serves and leads us into lives of service and love. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleSunday of the Passion, year C Texts: Philippians 2: 5-11; Luke 22:12–23:56 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy […]
- Do You Perceive? Sunday, April 3, 2022 - God is doing a new thing in Christ, an extravagantly loving drawing of the whole creation into God’s life and love: do you perceive it? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Isaiah 43:16-21; John 12:1-8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Unconditional Embrace Sunday, March 27, 2022 - God’s unconditional love and embrace leads us to a ministry of reconciliation with our siblings in Christ. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Fourth Sunday in Lent, year C Texts: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy […]
- A Patient Urgency Sunday, March 20, 2022 - God desires that you know and have abundant life, and urgently begs you to turn toward that life, while patiently giving you all you need to thrive in it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Isaiah 55:1-9 (adding 10-11); Luke 13:1-9 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Gathered in Love Sunday, March 13, 2022 - God’s loving wings are wide open to embrace you, and there is no reason not to go in and find warmth and healing and life. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday in Lent, year CText: Luke 13:31-35 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + […]
- What You Want Sunday, March 6, 2022 - The Spirit asks you, “What kind of a person do you want to be?” and fills you and gives you power to be Christ, if that’s what you want, for the blessing of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday in Lent, year CText: Luke 4:1-13 (plus v. 14) Beloved in Christ, grace to […]
- “…You Shall Return” Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - It’s the Triune God who is the breath and heartbeat that gives life to our dusty bodies so that we may live, until we return. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleAsh Wednesday, year C Texts: Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Cloudiness Sunday, February 27, 2022 - God’s presence and love is among us, it’s transforming us, it’s leading us, even as we continue to learn and listen to what this means here and now for the sake of all that God has created. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleTransfiguration of Our Lord, year C Texts: Luke 9:28-36 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you […]
- A Good Tree Sunday, February 20, 2022 - The fruit of the life in Christ is produced by you when God makes you a good tree, a life that naturally bears God’s fruit of love for the healing of the creation. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 7 CText: Luke 6:27-38 (plus 39-49 from Lect. 8 C, hardly ever used) […]
- Need to Touch Sunday, February 13, 2022 - All are broken, including you, and all need to be healed: when you see this is true about yourself you will be opened to be healing to others. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 6 CText: Luke 6:17-26 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- Not In Vain Sunday, February 6, 2022 - The Triune God has called you, and given you what you need to be faithful; trust that, and don’t worry so much that you don’t have what Isaiah, Peter, and Paul seem to have. You’ll do just fine, God says. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 5 CTexts: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians […]
- In the Middle Wednesday, February 2, 2022 - We’re halfway through winter, literally and figuratively, and there’s light to be shined, work to be done, with the grace and help of the One we follow, tested as we are so he can help us in our testing. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Presentation of Our LordText: Luke 2:22-40 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- All Fully Known Sunday, January 30, 2022 - You are fully known and fully loved by God, and that love – as Paul so beautifully describes it – will open you to see it shared with and blessing everyone and everything. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 4 CTexts: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- With the Spirit Sunday, January 23, 2022 - The Holy Spirit is active bringing transformation in our lives, our community, and in the world. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThird Sunday after Epiphany, year C Texts: Luke 4:14-21 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen The Holy Spirit is […]
