Sermons on Mary Magadelene:

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 On-Going Construction Of God's House

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 11, 2020

The church of Christ is built of living stones, the communion of saints. That includes you and I.

May 10, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson 1 Peter 2:2-21 The On-going Construction of God’s House Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house.” As this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-21

Denomination: Lutheran

With Us Through All Things

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 20, 2020

Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them orphaned. God is with us through all things.

May 17, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 14:15-21 With Us through All Things Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. One of my favorite Netflix series has been “Anne with an E.” The series follows the popular Anne of ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Lutheran

The Prayer Of The Divine

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 26, 2020

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus prays that his church may be one, with the same unity that Jesus shares with his heavenly Father

May 24, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 17:1-11 The Prayer of the Divine Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Last Thursday was Ascension Day. 40 days after Easter, the risen Jesus meets with his disciples on a ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-11

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

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

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

For The Things We Cannot Bear

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 17, 2019

The Holy Spirit edifies us to grow in faith and strength.

June 16, 2019 - Holy Trinity Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 For the Things We Cannot Bear Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. For a long time, I’ve entertained a whimsical image of what ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Beyond Us And Them

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 24, 2019

We are united in Christ.

June 23, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Galatians 3:23-29 Beyond Us and Them Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The poet Allan Ahlberg wrote a poem called “Picking Teams.” Here it is: When we pick teams in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran