Sermons on Mary Gardiner Brainard:

The Earth Mover

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 7, 2020

John the Baptist was a spiritual "bulldozer" calling us to move the rhythms and rhymes of this world towards God's justice.

December 6, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8 The Earth Mover Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

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

The Meal Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 1, 2021

A sermon for Maundy Thursday.

April 1, 2021 – Maundy Thursday Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 14:17-31 The Meal of Forgiveness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our theme for Lent this year has been forgiveness. This evening we observe the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:17-31

Denomination: Lutheran

An Empty Tomb

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 5, 2021

The empty tomb is the first sign of Jesus' resurrection.

April 4, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 16:1-8 An Empty Tomb Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The tomb wasn’t supposed to be empty. After the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and her friends went to the tomb ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Between Faith And Uncertainty

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 12, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday of Easter, Year B

April 11, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 20:19-31 Between Faith and Uncertainty Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, we hear the story about Thomas. Poor Thomas! He’s really gotten a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Resurrection Peace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 19, 2021

A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year B

April 18, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19 Resurrection Peace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “You are witnesses of these things.” This week we return once more to the evening of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48, Acts 3:12-19

Denomination: Lutheran

One Flock, One Shepherd

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 26, 2021

A sermon for the fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B

April 25, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 10:11-18; 1 John 3:16-24 One Flock, One Shepherd Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Once every year we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. We hear a passage from John chapter 10 where Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Ever Opened And Made New

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 1, 2020

The Holy Spirit of God fills us up with the divine will and sends us into the world that we may be agents of God's life and healing love.

May 31, 2020 Pentecost Sunday Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Acts 2:1-21 Ever Opened and Made New Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray with me: Breathe on me, Breath of God! Fill me with life anew. That I may love ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

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

Like Teacher, Like Student

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 22, 2020

The full impact and wonder of God's loving grace is the most liberating force on earth. That good news is not always well received.

June 21, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matthew 10:24-39; Romans 6:1-11 Like Teacher, Like Student Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “It’s enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39, Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Oases Of Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 29, 2020

As we travel on the journey of our life's mission, Jesus promises that we will encounter people who will receive us with grace. They will be oases of grace.

June 28, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 10:40-42 Oases of Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. In the 1930’s Roy Rogers and two other singers formed a musical trio. They came to be known as The Sons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gift Of Christ's Freedom

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 6, 2020

Though we're born into this world in bondage to sin, we have freedom in Christ Jesus our Lord.

July 5, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Romans 7:15-25a; Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30 The Gift of Christ’s Freedom Last week I came upon this prayer by Henri Nouwen. I share it now: O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind, and soul. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25, Matthew 11:16-19, Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Lutheran