Sermons on Mary Interceding:

The Sower's Hope

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 13, 2020

Here's the question we must answer: are we called to sow the Kingdom Seeds in despair? Or do we sow them in hope?

July 12, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Isaiah 55:10-13 The Sower’s Hope Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Huge crowds came to see Jesus. People from all over came to see the famous rabbi ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Hold Up On That Roundup!

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 20, 2020

Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds to reveal characteristics of the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom isn't obsessed with judgment and eradicating evil, and neither should we.

July 19, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Hold Up on that Roundup! Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. My father loved tending a garden and he passed that love along to me. When I was about 7 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Lutheran

The Eyes Of Faith

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 3, 2020

When we see with the inner eye of faith, we trust that the Lord will provide through all things.

August 2, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 14:13-21; Psalm 145:8-21 The Eyes of Faith Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. A verse from the appointed Psalm for today, Psalm 145: The eyes of all wait upon ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:8-21, Matthew 14:13-21

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

Christmas: The Big Picture

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 4, 2021

John's Gospel places Jesus' birth within a cosmic framework of significance and purpose.

January 3, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 1:1-18 Christmas: The Big Picture Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Well, Christmas is nearly over. Decorations have been packed away until next December. The holiday baking is nearly ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

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

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