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.
- In Our Image Sunday, June 15, 2025 - God has created us in the divine image, and that’s the truth about God we really want to focus on and know and live on this feast of the Holy Trinity. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Holy Trinity, year CTexts: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
- Out of Control Sunday, June 8, 2025 - The Holy Spirit is out of our control, and that’s the best news ever, because that means God’s love could actually bring about healing and hope for 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 the name of the […]
- Can I Have That, Too? Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Our oneness with the Triune God is known and seen in the love of the Triune God that we bear in the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Seventh Sunday of Easter, year CTexts: Acts 16:16-34 (also including Acts 16:11-15 from last week); John 17:20-26 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- Don’t Look Up Thursday, May 29, 2025 - Don’t look up hoping you’ll find Jesus in the last place you saw him. Look around, out, and in to the Holy Spirit sending you out to be Jesus in the world Vicar Natalie WusslerDay of AscensionText: Act 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Called Alongside Sunday, May 25, 2025 - The Holy Spirit has a vocation to walk alongside you to help and assist you. And to do the same for the whole creation and all people. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday of Easter, year CTexts: John 14:23-29, with references to Lamentations 3 and Romans 8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Paying Attention Sunday, May 18, 2025 - God’s love is so expansive it crosses borders we consider uncrossable, and that brings us and the world healing and life. 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 + Son, and […]
- Follow and Rejoice Sunday, May 11, 2025 - Listen to the Shepherd’s voice and follow to life and joy. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday of Easter, year CText: John 10:22-30; Acts 9:36-43 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Why did the Christians at […]
- God’s Not Done Sunday, May 4, 2025 - No matter what you think may disqualifies you from the risen life of Christ, God’s not done with you. Vicar Natalie WusslerThe Third Sunday of Easter, year CText: Act 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, […]
- Looking for Scars Sunday, April 27, 2025 - It is in scars that we know God’s love and are God’s love. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday of Easter, year CText: John 20:19-31 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Thomas understood all along. And […]
- For This Life Sunday, April 20, 2025 - Our hope in Christ’s resurrection is for this life, too – and brings healing and hope and life to our existence here. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Resurrection of Our Lord, year CTexts: Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Known Saturday, April 19, 2025 - You are known and given life in this resurrection, life for this world, life in the next. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Great Vigil of EasterText: John 20:1-18 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 voice said […]
- No More of This! Friday, April 18, 2025 - Jesus’ death declares an end to violence, hatred, and power as the way to live in the world, bringing in a new age of God’s healing love. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenGood FridayTexts: Luke 22:51 (from Sunday’s Passion); Hebrews 10:16-25 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Stay Awake Thursday, April 17, 2025 - Stay awake with Jesus in these Three Days, and learn to follow to the life God brings to you and to the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenMaundy ThursdayTexts: John 13:1-17, 31b-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; all seen through the lens of Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus in Gethsemane. Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- When the Hour Comes… Sunday, April 13, 2025 - Even on the way to the cross, Jesus remains a vessel for God’s love and healing. Paul speaks of the mind of Christ–the ability to continue in humble service, even in the hardest moments, and says we can have this same mind. No matter how we suffer in this life, God can still work through […]
- No Wrong Wednesday, April 9, 2025 - Midweek Lent, 2025 + Love Does No Wrong to a Neighbor + Week 5: Love does no wrong to a neighbor Pr. Joseph G. CrippenTexts: Romans 12:1-3, 13:8-10; John 8:2-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- Do You Perceive It? Sunday, April 6, 2025 - God’s new way is one that will ultimately change you from within, into a new person. But you start with your perception of it, and take that first step. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- A Crowded Table Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Midweek Lent, 2025 + Love Does No Wrong to a Neighbor + Week 4: Faith without loving action is dead Vicar Natalie WusslerTexts: James 2:1-17; Psalm 113:2-8; Luke 16:19-31 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Nothing […]
- On Behalf Of Sunday, March 30, 2025 - God’s dream is to reconcile all people, all things, into God’s life and toward each other in love: you are now an ambassador of that dream. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fourth Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (ref. to 4-11 as well); 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Not To Ourselves Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - Midweek Lent, 2025 + Love Does No Wrong to a Neighbor + Week 3: Your neighbor is more important than your convictions Pr. Joseph G. CrippenTexts: Romans 14:7-19; Luke 10:25-37 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen […]
- Hold On Sunday, March 23, 2025 - We are called together as a congregation, a community that eventually we see is global in scope, to help each other walk God’s path of love and so bring life to the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday in Lent, year CTexts: Luke 13:1-9; Isaiah 55:1-9 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
