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.
- New Math Sunday, September 24, 2023 - God’s grace and love are yours, and are for all: when they shape you and form your life, you will rejoice that no one is excluded. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 25 ATexts: Philippians 1:21-30; Jonah 3:10 – 4:11; Matthew 20:1-16 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the […]
- Not To Ourselves Sunday, September 17, 2023 - We do not belong to ourselves, individually: we are one together in Christ for our good and for the good of the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 24 ATexts: Romans 14:1-12 (13); Matthew 18:21-35 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of […]
- Foolish Trust, Foolish Way Thursday, September 14, 2023 - The path of Christ is foolishness, a stumbling block, nonsense, and we know that from the beginning. It is also the only way to life for us and the creation? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of the Holy CrossTexts: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 3:13-17 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name […]
- A Tale of Two Churches Sunday, September 10, 2023 - The church that Jesus describes in the gospels is beautiful and messy. Life and love in Jesus sometimes means leaning into the messiness of being church, because we are bound to each other. Vicar Lauren MildahlThe Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 23 ATexts: Ezekiel 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:(+10-14) 15-20 Beloved church, grace […]
- As We Journey Sunday, September 3, 2023 - Following Jesus is about more than being generous and cooperative people. Through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, God reconciles all creation to Godself. The Rev. Beth Ann GaedeThe Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 22 ATexts: Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- Offensive Love Sunday, August 27, 2023 - You and I are called-out and sent as God’s anointed in the world, anchored on the moving foundation of God’s love in Christ; and even death can’t stop such a church. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 21 ATexts: Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and […]
- “Two roads diverged . . .” Sunday, August 20, 2023 - You have a voice, God hears you and will answer; but everyone else has a voice, too, all are welcome, so you’ll want to get on that path. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 20 AText: Matthew 15:(10-20)21-28 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, […]
- No Losers Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - What if we sang the Magnificat in a way that we didn’t have winners and losers, but all at the same level of God’s grace and love, all fed, all sheltered, all whole? Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe feast of St. Mary, Mother of Our LordTexts: Luke 1:46-55, Isaiah 61:7-11 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
- Treasure, Unburied Sunday, July 30, 2023 - God’s reign is a treasure for you and the creation: all belong, all will grow into their fullness as God’s children, all will make an impact for God’s grace in the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 17 ATexts: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52; Romans 8:26-39 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and […]
- Trust the Plan Sunday, July 23, 2023 - The Great Farmer’s plan for the harvest of good in the creation is that in the end, all will be transformed into life-giving plants, healed and whole and good. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 16 ATexts: Matthew 13:24-30 (also Matthew 5:44); Romans 8:12-25 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace […]
- Brave Seeds to Sow Sunday, July 16, 2023 - God does not determine worth by the amount of seeds we sow successfully–God already holds us knowing we have unimaginable worth and hopes that we will be brave to sow seeds to bring God’s reign. Vicar Mollie HamreSeventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year ATexts: Isaiah 55:10-13, Psalm 65:1,8-13, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Beloved in Christ, […]
- Eased Work Sunday, July 9, 2023 - All we’ve heard this past month from Jesus through Matthew comes to fruition today in Jesus’ promise to give you all the strength and guidance you need to be faithful. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 14 ATexts: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30; Romans 7:15-25a; Zechariah 9:9-12 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and […]
- A Cup of Cold Water Sunday, July 2, 2023 - Following Christ, bearing Christ’s heart, is very simple: share Christ’s empathy and kindness in all things. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 13 AText: Matthew 10:40-42 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen A […]
- What is Calling Us Back? Sunday, June 25, 2023 - Vicar Mollie Hamre The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 12 ATexts: Jeremiah 20:7-13, Matthew 10:24-39 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our scriptures today are not saying what you might think. Jesus tells us that he […]
- Shared Hearts and Guts Sunday, June 18, 2023 - You are called and anointed to share God’s heart and guts – the deep compassion and love of God – for all God’s children, and to be Christ in your world, for those children. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Third Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 11 ATexts: Matthew 9:35 – 10:23; Romans 5:1-8 Beloved in Christ, grace […]
- Do Your Homework Sunday, June 11, 2023 - Go and learn your need for God’s steadfast love and mercy, and you will find it. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lect. 10 ATexts: Matthew 9:9-26 (incl. vv. 14-17 not appointed for today); Hosea 5:15 – 6:6; Psalm 50:7-15 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the […]
- In Our Image Sunday, June 4, 2023 - The nature of the mystery of the Trinity is not ours to grasp; living into the image of God we were created to be is what will heal us and the world. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Holy Trinity, year ATexts: Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20; plus John 13-15, 21 Beloved in Christ, grace to […]
- Out of Control Sunday, May 28, 2023 - The Spirit of God can’t be controlled, and that’s a huge gift and blessing. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Day of Pentecost, year ATexts: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen It was supposed […]
- Anticipating God’s Presence Sunday, May 21, 2023 - Vicar Mollie Hamre The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year ATexts: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 Beloved in Christ, grace and peace to you in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dropping my husband off at the airport is always […]
- Looking In a Different Direction Thursday, May 18, 2023 - We don’t look up to the skies for God to save all things; we look around at each other, filled with God’s Spirit, and see God bringing healing and hope to all through us. Pr. Joseph G. CrippenThe Ascension of Our LordTexts: Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53, plus John 16:7 Beloved in Christ, grace to you, […]
