Sermons on Mary Gardiner Brainard:

Forgiveness And Restoration Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 11, 2021

Conflict creates impasses and dead ends in our relationships. Forgiveness opens a new way forward.

March 10, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 15:11-32 Forgiveness and Restoration Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “You can’t get there from here.” It always sounds a little crazy when you hear someone say that. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Trusting In The Greatest Love

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 15, 2021

Sermon for the 4th Sunday in Lent, Year B

March 14, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 3:14-21; Numbers 21:4-9 Trusting in the Greatest Love Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we hear one of the most cherished Bible verses of all time, John 3:16. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness And A Renewed Spirit Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 18, 2021

Forgiveness releases us from the burden of guilt and regret we carry. When we're freed from it, our spirit is renewed.

March 17, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 7:36-50 Forgiveness and a Renewed Spirit Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The movie “The Mission” came out in 1986. Church Times has named it as the #1 movie on their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Lutheran

When It's Planting Time

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 22, 2021

A sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent Year B

March 21, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 12:20-33; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 When It’s Planting Time Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Yesterday was the first day of spring. Today our daylight will be just ever so much longer than the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Lutheran

From Cheers To Jeers

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 29, 2021

A sermon for Palm Sunday, Year B

March 28, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 11:1-11; Mark 15:1-47; Philippians 2:5-11 From Cheers to Jeers Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Fads come and go. They’re here today and gone tomorrow. Their memory ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Mark 15:1-47, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness And A Fresh Start Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 29, 2021

Forgiveness allows us to leave the suffering and guilt of past offences and step into the bright hope of tomorrow.

March 24, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 8:1-11 Forgiveness and a Fresh Start Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Offenses chain us to the past. This is true for both the victim and the wrongdoer. The victim is ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

New Beginnings

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 11, 2021

Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of his ministry. Our baptism also lays the foundation for our lives of faith.

January 10, 2021 Baptism of Our Lord Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:4-11 New Beginnings Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus’ baptism. We mark this event every year on the first Sunday of Epiphany. Epiphany ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

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