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.
- Part of All Monday, August 15, 2022 - God comes to turn the world upside down – Mary knew she was a part of it and we are too. Vicar Mollie HamreSt. Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Texts: Isaiah 61:7-11, Psalm 34:1-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 1:46-55 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Be Kindled Already Sunday, August 14, 2022 - Be kindled with the fire of the Spirit again, and God will help you be a part of the healing of all things. Even if you can’t often see it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 20 CTexts: Luke 12:49-56; Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Called and Ready Sunday, August 7, 2022 - God’s compassionate call pushes us to have readiness for the reign of God. We are to trust God’s calling and trust that God is a part of that calling. Vicar Mollie HamreThe Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, year C Texts: Genesis 15:1-6, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the […]
- Who You Treasure Sunday, July 31, 2022 - Abundant life is about who you treasure, not what. Because God treasures you, and all God’s children, and will help you do the same. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 18 CText: Luke 12:13-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + […]
- A Welcome Guest Sunday, July 17, 2022 - God is here – in your life, in this world – and will help you let go of your anxiety and distractions so you can see God’s grace and find the blessing God brings. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 16 CTexts: Luke 10:38-42; Genesis 18:1-10a Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Verb, Not Noun Sunday, July 10, 2022 - Life in God, abundant life as Christ offers, is a lived reality, not a thing to have or hold; living in love of God and neighbor is living in God’s new life. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 15 CText: Luke 10:25-37 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Free, Clean, Clothed Sunday, June 19, 2022 - God is reaching out to free all God’s children, declare them clean, and clothe them in mercy and love. When you see this, experience this – tell someone! Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 12 CTexts: Luke 8:26-39; Galatians 3:23-29 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Still Many Things Sunday, June 12, 2022 - The Triune God, who lives in a relationship of love within God’s life, invites you and the whole creation into that relationship, promising to keep teaching and guiding and opening up new paths for a life of love and healing of all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Holy Trinity, year CText: John 16:12-15 Beloved in […]
- Unknown But Known Sunday, June 5, 2022 - None of us know what is happening next in our discipleship, what callings and challenges are ahead, but we are known by the Triune God whose Spirit fills and empowers us all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Day of Pentecost, year CTexts: Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17, 25-27 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
- United through Love Sunday, May 29, 2022 - Jesus prays for us to be united through God’s unconditional love. What does that mean for us now? Vicar Andrea BonnevilleSeventh Sunday of Easter, year C Texts: Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-16 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- Road Now Trod Thursday, May 26, 2022 - The Triune God now knows what it is to live as a human, and we know what it is to be God’s love in the world, for the life and wholeness of all. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Ascension of Our LordTexts: Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53, also adding Hebrews 4:14-15, Hebrews 9:24 Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- What’s the Question? Sunday, May 22, 2022 - Do you want God to bring wholeness and health to you and the world? That’s all God in Christ is asking. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday of Easter, year CText: John 5:1-9 (including v. 4, omitted in NRSV) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- 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 […]