Sermons on Mary Ann Bird:

Not What They Had Planned

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 2, 2022

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C

May 1, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Acts 9:1-6; John 21:1-19 Not What They Had Planned Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Saints Peter and Paul. Both men are full of zeal. They will both be instrumental in the ...read more

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

Denomination: Lutheran

So Important We Have To Say It Again

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 16, 2022

A sermon for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C

May 15, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Acts 11:1-18; John 13:31-35 So Important We Have to Say It Again Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I was a psychology major in college. In one of my classes, we did exercises ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18, John 13:31-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Empowered By The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 23, 2022

A sermon for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year C

May 22, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Acts 16:9-15; John 14:23-29 Empowered by the Holy Spirit Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15, John 14:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran

A Prayer For Unity

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 30, 2022

A sermon for the 7th Sunday of Easter, Year C

May 29, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 17:20-26 A Prayer for Unity Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.” Every year on this seventh Sunday of ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Spirit's Breath Among Us

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 6, 2022

A sermon for Pentecost Sunday, Year C

June 5, 2022 - Pentecost Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 The Spirit’s Breath among Us Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The Holy Spirit has long been associated with wind and breath. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17

Denomination: Lutheran

To See Beneath The Exterior Shell

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 20, 2022

A Sermon for the Sundays after Pentecost, Year C, Lectionary 12

June 19, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 8:26-39; Galatians 3:23-29 To See Beneath the Exterior Shell Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Ubuntu” is a Zulu word with deep meaning in southern Africa. It’s one of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Not Part Of Jesus' Agenda

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 27, 2022

A sermon for the Sundays after Pentecost, Year C, Lectionary 13

June 26, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Luke 9:51-62 Not Part of Jesus’ Agenda Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. In 1845 Sir John Franklin set off with two ships from England. They were in search of the Northwest Passage across the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

Led To The Lord

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 18, 2021

"One lighted torch leads to another." From the beginning of Jesus' ministry to the present times, the gospel of Jesus Christ has been passed down from person to person through a simple invitation, "come and see."

January 17, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 1:43-51 Led to the Lord Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “One lighted torch serves to light another.” Swiss Theologian Frederick Godet used this image to describe ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

Fishing Expeditions

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 27, 2021

We hear two fishing stories. They're not so much about the men who caught fish as they are about fishing expeditions that caught men.

January 24, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20 Fishing Expeditions Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we hear two fish stories. They’re not so much about the men who caught fish as ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Not Your Typical Sabbath Worship

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 1, 2021

Jesus launched his ministry at the synagogue in Capernaum. The people present were amazed and astounded by the encounter. Are you amazed and astounded when you encounter Jesus?

January 31, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:21-28 Not Your Typical Sabbath Worship Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. What do you expect when you attend a worship service? We have certain expectations of what ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

From The Street Where You Live To The Faraway Towns

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 8, 2021

Jesus' ministry pulls him in two directions: very close to the person in need and outwards to encounter all people. Our first instinct is to keep Jesus solely for ourselves. But as his divine grace lifts us up, he calls us outward into our lives of purpose

February 7, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:29-39 From the Street Where You Live to the Faraway Towns Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. When I go for a walk along a neighborhood street, I like to look at the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Divine Coordinates

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 15, 2021

In order to fully understand Jesus' identity, we need to witness more than just his divinity; we need to encounter Jesus our savior, who died on the cross and rose from the dead.

February 14, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 9:2-9 Divine Coordinates Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Outdoor activities have grown in popularity with the onslaught of COVID-19. One of those nature ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Confession: The First Step Towards Wholeness Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 18, 2021

Ash Wednesday's confession of sin is our first step towards wholeness

February 17, 2021 Ash Wednesday Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Psalm 51:1-17; Confession: The First Step towards Wholeness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we turn the corner and a new season stands before us, ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Strength Tested

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 22, 2021

First Sunday in Lent, Series B

February 21, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:9-15 Strength Tested Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The gospel of Mark is the shortest of all four gospels. Mark writes his stories very tersely. Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgive As God Forgives Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 25, 2021

God desires that our hearts become a soft soil where the seed of forgiveness might germinate and take root.

February 24, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matt. 6:7-15; Matt. 18:23-35 Forgive as God Forgives Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. We all need role models. Our first role models are our parents. Children are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-15, Matthew 18:23-35

Denomination: Lutheran