Sermons on Mary And Gabriel:

I In Them And You In Me

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 3, 2019

The unity of spirit between Jesus and God the Father knits the church into one

June 2, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 17:20-26 I in Them and You in Me Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The Lakota Sioux have a simple prayer: Mitakuye Oyasin. It means “all my relatives.” The prayer conveys ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Radical Hospitality

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

Launching from Jesus' call to love our enemies and be perfect, this sermon speaks of love and welcoming.

In 1979, Tim Hansel published a book entitled "When I Relax I feel Guilty". Included in the book is this raw and provocative tidbit. "I would like to buy three dollars’ worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Lutheran

More Than A Slogan

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

We all know Micah 6:8, but there's a lot more to the message than just a T-shirt slogan.

In the marathon subculture, T-shirts are everything. As a runner, you become a billboard for 26 miles, or 13, or 6, or in my case 3 miles. When I participated in my first 5K, I had to wear the shirt provided by my gym (since they paid the registration fee), but most of the time, each runner ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Good Things Happen On The Sabbath

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 3, 2018

While we can agree with Jesus that "the sabbath is made for humankind and not humankind for the sabbath," we are wrong to disregard it.

In 1986, the good people of Bismarck, North Dakota, thought it was time to overturn or at least soften the blue laws which closed businesses on Sundays. Amid great controversy, Dayton’s Department Store, Target, and many stores and restaurants were to open at noon. Dayton’s and Target were both ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Little Faith And A Breath

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 3, 2018

With A Little Faith and A Breath, God Reaches Everyone (This was preached the weekend after the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas -- that is mentioned near the end of the sermon)

Dear friends in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and from the Unpredictable and Unquenchable Holy Spirit whose presence we celebrate this day. Amen Imagine yourself in the time of Ezekiel. It is about 600 BC. Nebuchadnezzar was about to destroy what ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21

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

Hope In Uncertainty Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 28, 2019

God's promises give us hope for the future

March 27, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Lenten Service Psalm 42; Philippians 1:12-26 Hope in Uncertainty Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. A great temptation when reading a novel is to peek ahead to the end. Some books are more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Measure Of A Father's Love

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 1, 2019

The parable of the prodigal son demonstrates the nature of grace

March 31, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church - Pastor Mary Erickson 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 The Measure of a Father’s Love Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There a lot of people who have taken advantage of DNA ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope In The Face Of Injustice Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 4, 2019

Despite injustice, we have hope that God's intentions for justice will be fulfilled

April 3, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Lenten Service Psalm 10; Romans 12:9-21 Hope in the Face of Injustice Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. God has blessed us with the commandments. They teach us right pathways. God’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope Through Doubt Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 11, 2019

There is hope, even when we suffer from doubt

April 10, 2019 - Lenten Service Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Psalm 14; Mark 9:17-29 Hope through Doubt Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Mother Teresa was a giant in the faith. She dedicated her life to her mission in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Divine Wellspring Of Unity

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 8, 2020

The nature of the divine Trinity reveals fundamental truths about the image and likeness that's been bestowed on humanity and the divine intent for our human community.

June 7, 2020 Holy Trinity Sunday Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Matthew 28:16-20 Divine Wellspring of Unity Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is Holy Trinity Sunday. Every year we dedicate this ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

God Loves Justice

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Jun 8, 2020

God's word compels Christians to work for justice in society, especially for those who are most vulnerable.

God Loves Justice I would like to talk to you a bit about the Bible. Not about a specific passage right this minute, but about the Bible in general. The Bible is broken into several sections or categories. Probably most of you know the biggest of the divisions, the OT and the NT. The OT concerns ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

From Suffering To Hope

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 15, 2020

God calls us as disciples and uses us just as we are to bring God's kingdom to a world in need.

June 14, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 9:35-10:8; Romans 5:1-8; Exodus 19:2-8a From Suffering to Hope Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. While they still weak, at the right time, Christ sent his apostles ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8, Exodus 19:2-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness: From A Dead End To A Forever Future

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 14, 2020

In forgiving others, we reflect the divine grace we have received.

September 13, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness: From a Dead End to a Forever Future Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. A father is helping his young daughter with her homework. He picks up the paper she’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Lutheran