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, Loved Sunday, January 17, 2021 - You are fully known by God, and fully loved by God. That is enough. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 2 BTexts: Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18; John 1:43-51; 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of […]
- God’s Breath Sunday, January 10, 2021 - God’s Spirit still breathes into the chaos and darkness of this world and brings life and hope and creation – in you, and in the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday after Epiphany, Lect. 1 B)Texts: Genesis 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to […]
- Starry Night Wednesday, January 6, 2021 - God’s light has come into the world, is in you and me, and together we can see it, know it, follow it, and with all God’s children, find God’s healing and hope. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of the Epiphany of Our LordTexts: Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- A Prologue Sunday, January 3, 2021 - God dwells in the world! We carry this Christmas proclamation with us each day in work, life, struggle, and joy. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Second Sunday of Christmas, Year B Text: John 1:(1-9), 10-18 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy […]
- Good News, Great Joy Friday, January 1, 2021 - God heals you, saves you. God is with you. That’s all you need to know. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of the Name of JesusTexts: Luke 2:15-21, plus references to Matthew 1 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy […]
- Time Sunday, December 27, 2020 - The fullness of time is right now, and God is here, with you – follow Simeon and Anna and see! Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Christmas, year BTexts: Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:21-40 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of […]
- Imprint Thursday, December 24, 2020 - If you want to see what the Triune God is really like, look at Jesus. If you want to know what you could really look like, start there, too. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Nativity of Our LordTexts: Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1:1-14; Luke 2:1-20 (also references other Scriptures) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- With You Sunday, December 20, 2020 - “The Lord is with you”: words that will change your life, and change the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday of Advent, year BTexts: Luke 1:26-38, 46b-55 (the latter verses, the Magnificat, are appointed as today’s psalm) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the […]
- God’s Garden Sunday, December 13, 2020 - Rejoice! for God is working in the dirt and our seeds are beginning to spout. Vicar Andrea BonnevilleThe Third Sunday of Advent, year BTexts: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thess 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and […]
- Cry Out! Sunday, December 6, 2020 - Be comforted, the exile is ending. Know that God’s Word holds your fragility together. And know this, most of all: God is with you, with this world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Advent, year BTexts: Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Sweet Coming Sunday, November 29, 2020 - It is the coming of God in Christ, this second coming into your hearts and lives, that helps you stay awake and even rest as you seek to be faithful in God’s work and world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe First Sunday of Advent, year BTexts: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 […]
- Thankful Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - In the midst of plague and a broken society and world, we join with others of the same situation and give thanks to God on this day. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Day of Thanksgiving, year ATexts: Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Luke 17:11-19 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Together Sunday, November 22, 2020 - When we focus our hearts on Christ, we serve each other daily and bring forth the reign of Christ—and we do it together. Vicar Andrea Bonneville Reign of Christ, Lectionary 34 A Texts: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 1:15-23 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Fearless Sunday, November 15, 2020 - You are given God’s abundant gifts, according to your ability, and invited to use them free of fear, because the Son of God has taken all punishment into the life of the Trinity and changed it to blessing and life. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 33 ATexts: Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Thessalonians […]
- Encouragement Sunday, November 8, 2020 - You are beloved and trusted to be able to serve God’s healing of this world, and encouraged that, despite the time it will take, that healing will come. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 32 A Texts: Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
- Blessed Sunday, November 1, 2020 - God’s vision for the world, God’s values, are radically different from much of the world, but in them you find you are blessed and you are a blessing to others. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen All Saints Day Texts: Matthew 5:1-12; 1 John 3:1-3 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Be Still and Know Sunday, October 25, 2020 - Remaining rooted in the steadfast Word of God, we can be still and know that God is here. Vicar Andrea Bonneville Reformation SundayTexts: Psalm 46, Jeremiah 36:31-34, John 8: 31-36 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- God’s Sunday, October 18, 2020 - We belong to God; our government and society belong to us. Now that the order is clear, so is our task. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 29 A Texts: Matthew 22:15-22 (with reference to vv. 34-40, appointed for next week, if Reformation Sunday texts were not used) Beloved in Christ, […]
- Changed Sunday, October 11, 2020 - The Triune God reverses from wrath and enters into the darkness and evil of this world to bear the weight for us, to offer us peace and joy in the love of God that embraces us and the creation. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 28 A Texts: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm […]
- Stumbling Sunday, October 4, 2020 - The way of Christ – a way of life and love and peace – stumbles us out of our way of death, breaks open our hearts to be like God’s, and heals all things. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 27 A Texts: Matthew 21:33-46; Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Philippians 3:4b-14 […]