Sermons on Elizabeth And Mary:

Holy Armor

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 27, 2015

This sermon (preached the Sunday after the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly) illustrates the Ephesians "Armor of God" imagery with the actions of the ELCA.

Several weeks ago, when I chose today’s Ephesians text to be my preaching text, I didn’t realize that the text corresponded with the weekend after our ChurchWide Assembly and how absolutely appropriate it would be today to talk about Holy Armor. Many of you have noticed that our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Impossible

Contributed by Mari Larson on Mar 27, 2016

Throughout history, many people have had doubts about many things. It is no wonder there were doubts about the resurrection.

Throughout history, some very smart people have said some not-so-smart things, and thanks to the internet, they will never be forgotten. For example, Thomas Watson, the Chairman of IBM said in 1943, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” When something new comes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Meal, The Message, And The Miracle

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 28, 2014

The Feeding of the 5,000 is a great miracle story, but it wasn't the only miracle that happened that day.

The Meal, the Message, and the Miracle Proper 13A – Matthew 14:13-21 -- August 3, 2014 Food! Be it blessed or tempting, it is filled with meaning that may not have anything to do with the food itself. Kringla, with its subtle hint of nutmeg, reminds me of grandma, who not only made these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Happily Ever After?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Oct 4, 2015

In a society where half of marriages end in divorce, what do Jesus' words mean for us? And what's heaven going to look like when most have been married multiple times?

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, "Ma'am, what are the grounds for your divorce?" She replied, "About four acres with a nice house in the middle." "No," he said, "I mean what is the foundation of this case?" "Concrete, brick and mortar," she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16, Mark 12:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

When The Way Is Long And Hard

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 10, 2020

Our lives can feel like those of the disciples in the boat, battling headwinds where we barely make any headway. But Jesus will come to us across impossible circumstances. His presence strengthens our hearts.

August 9, 2020 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 14:22-33 When the Way Is Long and Hard Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There is a lot of fatigue and exhaustion going on in today’s gospel story. To begin with, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

What Proceeds From The Heart

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 17, 2020

Cleanliness is about what comes from our heart. What emerges from our heart will either defile us or draw us closer to God.

August 16, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 15:10-28 What Proceeds from the Heart Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus’ behavior in our gospel story today is more than a little shocking. How can the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Lutheran

The Stuff You're Made Of

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 23, 2020

"Look to the rock from which you were hewn." Our faith as Christians is built on the awareness that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

August 23, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Isaiah 51:1-6; Matthew 16:13-20 The Stuff You’re Made Of Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. UW-Stout in Menomonie has plans to renovate their student center. The focal ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-6, Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Greatest Of These Is Love Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 4, 2019

In baptism we have been called as agents of God's love

February 3, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Jeremiah 1:4-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 The Greatest of These Is Love Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is Super Bowl Sunday. Two weeks ago, I was rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Royal Entry

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 15, 2019

Jesus' Palm Sunday entry is completed on Good Friday

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:1-49 The Royal Entry Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Lutheran

The Royal Entry

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 16, 2019

Jesus' Palm Sunday entry is completed on Good Friday

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:1-49 The Royal Entry Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Lutheran

As Often As You Eat This Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 19, 2019

Holy Communion is Jesus' meal of divine love

March 27, 2019 - Maundy Thursday Service Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 As Often as You Eat This Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Traditions. Traditions have a comfort all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter: The Reason For Our Hope Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 24, 2019

Easter is the reason for our hope

April 21, 2019 – Easter Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 24:1-12 Easter: The Reason for Our Hope It’s always a joy to gather on Easter. We come together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! Easter is a homecoming. Many people have come back to Eau Claire to be with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope In Despair Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 24, 2019

Even in death, we have hope in Christ

March 27, 2019 - Good Friday Service Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson John 18:1-19:42 Hope in Despair Brother Charles de Foucauld wrote what he entitled The Prayer of Abandonment. He imagined that it was Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It seems appropriate to read on Good ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Holy Disturbances And Easter Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 7, 2019

Jesus' grace transforms us

May 5, 2019 Pastor Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Acts 9:1-6; John 21:1-19 Holy Disturbances and Easter Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. If you head down Highway 93 south of Eleva, you’ll run into the town of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6, John 21:1-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Discipleship: A Servant's Heart Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 26, 2020

One of the central marks of discipleship is to serve in Christ's name.

March 25, 2020 Sermon Series 2020: Discipleship Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Acts 11:27-30; Matthew 9:35-38 Discipleship: A Servant’s Heart Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our theme during Lent this year is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:27-30, Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Lutheran