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.
- 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 […]
- Water Sunday, September 27, 2020 - God provides what we need for this day to quench our thirst and sustain us on our journey. Vicar Andrea Bonneville The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 26 A Texts: Exodus 17: 1-7 Beloved in Christ, grace to you and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the […]
- Enough Sunday, September 20, 2020 - God chooses that every child of God must be blessed by the abundant resources of this earth, and invites you and me to join in that generosity and find life and joy. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 25 A Texts: Matthew 20:1-16; Exodus 16:2-15 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Way Monday, September 14, 2020 - See the cross through the teaching of Jesus and know that it is the shape of the life in Christ, the way for the healing of all. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen Holy Cross Day Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 3:13-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and […]
- Belonging Sunday, September 13, 2020 - We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to Christ. And if we belong to Christ, we belong to each other. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 24 A Texts: Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35 Beloved in Christ, […]
- Together Sunday, September 6, 2020 - Christ is always with us, even if two are gathered, and that means God is at work in all the world’s suffering and pain, not just us. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 23 A Text: Matthew 18:15-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- Instrumental Sunday, August 30, 2020 - God sees, hears, and knows the pain of this world, and calls you and me to be God’s hands, God’s voice, God’s instrument for healing and deliverance. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 22 A Texts: Exodus 3:1-15; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in […]
- Transformed Sunday, August 23, 2020 - In fear, love, and trust of God, we are transformed into Christ and sent into the face of evil to midwife God’s love into the world. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 21 A Texts: Exodus 1:8 – 2:10; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Faces Sunday, August 16, 2020 - This Canaanite woman shows us the power of persistent faith in God’s abundant mercy that is for all people. Despite Jesus’ reaction to her, she courageously trusts that he shows the face of that divine compassion. Vicar Bristol Reading The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 20 A Text: Matthew 15:21-28 Beloved friends in Christ, grace […]
- Turned Saturday, August 15, 2020 - God’s way is the right-side-up way, and Mary follows it, inviting us to join her. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The feast of St. Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Texts: Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the […]
- Here Sunday, August 9, 2020 - Do not be afraid: God is with you, so take heart. God is also in you, for the world, so the world can take heart. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 19 A Texts: Matthew 14:22-33; Romans 10:5-15 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- Meeting God in the Wilderness Sunday, August 2, 2020 - God meets us in the wilderness places, providing what we need and equipping us for the journey. Vicar Bristol Reading The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 18 A Texts: Genesis 32:22-31; Matthew 14:13-21 Grace and peace to you all, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. […]
- Hope Sunday, July 26, 2020 - These images are Good News of God’s persistent grace in bringing life and healing to all through you and through me. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 17 A Texts: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52; Romans 8:26-39; Genesis 29:15-28 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- Patience Sunday, July 19, 2020 - Patience is suffering, and while we wait for God’s healing of all things, there is suffering, but there is also hope. And in that hope we wait with patience. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 16 A Texts: Matthew 13:24-30; Romans 8:12-25; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Seeds for All! Sunday, July 12, 2020 - God’s vision for our world is like an abundant garden in which there is plenty for all. We become part of that vision by reflecting God’s generous love in our own lives. Vicar Bristol Reading The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 15, year A Texts: Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Dear friends in Christ, grace […]
- When It’s Hard to Listen to Jesus Sunday, July 5, 2020 - When you commit to the Gospel, you commit to take up the cross and follow the way of Jesus. That way can be uncomfortable and costly, and yet, it is the way of life. Vicar Bristol Reading The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 14 A Text: Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- Love in Jeopardy Sunday, June 28, 2020 - Christ calls us to build relationships of mutuality, in which we both offer and receive care. Vicar Bristol Reading The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 13 A Text: Matthew 10:40-42 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace be with you, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. […]
- Ishmael Sunday, June 21, 2020 - We are called to die in our baptism to all that keeps us from hearing Ishmael’s cries, to all that leads us to disregard others in the family, and in Christ’s resurrection we are given the life to do this. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 12 A Texts: Genesis 21:8-21; […]
