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.
- 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; […]
- Surely Sunday, June 14, 2020 - God’s promised justice, mercy, and peace will surely come to pass, and today it is you and I who are sent to be a part of it. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 11 A Texts: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7; Matthew 9:35 – 10:8 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Always Sunday, June 7, 2020 - Trinity reveals to us the God who is relationship. We are created in the image of relationship, baptized in the name of relationship, and sent out to invite others into relationship. Vicar Bristol Reading The Holy Trinity, year A Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name […]
- Spirit Sunday, May 31, 2020 - God’s Spirit is poured out on all flesh, all people. That is our challenge to embrace and to end where this truth is denied. It is also the only hope for our world. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Day of Pentecost, year A Texts: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b Beloved in Christ, […]
- One Sunday, May 24, 2020 - Jesus prays within the life of God that we all be one – even our own community here at Mount Olive – and in that prayer we find hope in this time apart. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Seventh Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- The Light Has Changed Thursday, May 21, 2020 - The disciples’ joy at Jesus’ ascension comes from a foundation of trust in who Christ is and who they are in Christ. The light of Christ is not extinguished; it’s changed. Now, the disciples are tasked with carrying it out into the world. Vicar Bristol Reading The Ascension of Our Lord Texts: Acts 1:1-11; Luke […]
- Pandemic Sunday, May 17, 2020 - All people: God is the God of all, and has made all creatures to search for God. As we know God in Christ, we, with “gentleness and reverence,” invite people to know the God who made and loves them. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Sixth Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter […]
- Live Sunday, May 10, 2020 - Way, truth, life: these are not abstract concepts but the embodied Christ in your lives, and also how the Triune God lives embodied in you. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Fifth Sunday of Easter, year A Text: John 14:1-14 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Listen Sunday, May 3, 2020 - As we learn to be community in new ways during physical distancing, we can look to the example of the early church who cultivated community amidst the uncertainty following Jesus’ death by trusting God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit. Vicar Bristol Reading The Fourth Sunday of Easter, year A Texts: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; John […]
- Road Sunday, April 26, 2020 - We are still on the road to Emmaus, seeking open eyes and open Scriptures, walking with Christ who opens both for us and accompanies us with life and hope. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Third Sunday of Easter, year A Text: Luke 24:13-35 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Easter Sunday, April 19, 2020 - Whenever you miss Easter, for whatever reason, Jesus always comes to where you are, calls you to life, and sends you out. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday of Easter, year A Text: John 20:19-31 (with references to 1-18 and chapter 21) Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of […]
- Move Sunday, April 12, 2020 - You’re afraid, we all are, but the women at the tomb show us we can still look up, hear the good news, and bravely share our lives – still afraid, but filled with joy in God’s life in us. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day, year A Text: Matthew 28:1-10 […]
- Awake Thursday, April 9, 2020 - Stay awake with Jesus tonight, and learn to follow his path not only through trial and sacrifice, but to the life God brings through this path to you and to the world. Pr. Joseph G. Crippen Maundy Thursday John 13:1-17, 31b-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; all seen through the lens of Matthew 28:36-45, Jesus in Gethsemane. […]
- Mundane and Mysterious Sunday, April 5, 2020 - We hear the Passion story anew amidst these unprecedented circumstances that have us celebrating Holy Week in our homes. The death we face – in this story and in our world – is real, but the God who loves us accompanies us into the suffering. Vicar Bristol Reading The Sunday of the Passion, year A […]
