Sermons on Sunday:

Be Reconciled

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 13, 2023

A sermon for the 6th Sunday of Epiphany, Year A

February 12, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-37 Be Reconciled Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Both of our Bible readings today reflect on the commandments. In the reading from ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Thy Kingdom Come

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Nov 22, 2021

A sermon for Christ the King Sunday, Year B

November 21, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 18:33-37 Thy Kingdom Come Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. This Sunday begins the final week of the church year calendar. It’s also the final Sunday in the very long season of ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Lutheran

What Lasts

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Nov 29, 2021

A sermon for the first Sunday in Advent, Year C

November 28, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 21:25-36 What Lasts Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. With this Sunday we turn the page to a new year on our church year calendar. The new year commences with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Lutheran

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 6, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday in Advent, Year C

December 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 The Refiner’s Fire Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Children need to be challenged. Maturing from a child into an adult ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Blind Faith

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 20, 2023

A sermon for the 4th Sunday in Lent, Year A

March 19, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Blind Faith Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. A famous test was conducted in 1999 called The Invisible Gorilla. Perhaps you’ve seen the video. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41

Denomination: Lutheran

"while It Was Still Dark"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 3, 2023

A sermon for Easter Sunday about life in Christ.

“While it was Still Dark” John 20:1-18 Tolstoy has a story about the ever-present threat of death. A man was running from a bear, and to get away from it he jumps down a dry well, and clings to a small tree growing between the bricks on the side. But when he looks down, he sees a lion at the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Testify To The Light

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 18, 2023

A sermon for the third Sunday of Advent, Year B

December 17, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 1:6-8, 19-28 Testify to the Light Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I saw a PBS show a few weeks ago about Dark Sky Preserves. They’re part of the greater Dark Sky ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Detour Into A Lonely Place

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 21, 2024

A sermon for the first Sunday in Lent, Year B

February 18, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Mark 1:9-15 Detour into a Lonely Place Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. When I was a child, my grandparents always purchased the Reader’s Digest condensed version of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting Lost

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 26, 2024

A sermon for the second Sunday in Lent, Year B

February 25, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Mark 8:31-38 Getting Lost Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Get Lost!” That’s not a polite thing to say. It has the connotation of “Scram!” or “Beat it!” If my mother ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Zeal For God's House

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 4, 2024

A sermon for the third Sunday in Lent, Year B

March 3, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 2:13-22 Zeal for God’s House Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Jesus created a ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-22

Denomination: Lutheran

To See Jesus

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 18, 2024

A sermon for the fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B

March 17, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 12:20-33 To See Jesus Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. So there were some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. These would have been individuals who were known as ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Lutheran

An Altogether New Reality

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 2, 2024

A sermon for Easter Sunday using the John text

March 31, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 20:1-18 An Altogether New Reality Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Mary went to Jesus’ tomb very early on that Sunday morning. She even beat the sun there. But when ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Growing In Christ Beyond Church Attendance Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 26, 2025

church attendance is essential for spiritual nourishment and community, it's possible to group up in church without truly growing in Christ.

As Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the routine of attending church services, participating in fellowship events, and engaging in spiritual discussions. However, attending church and growing in Christ are two distinct concepts. While church attendance is essential for spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 12:31

Jesus Diaries - The Poor Little Rich Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 7, 2002

Laodicea has always been known as the "luke warm" church. But what caused them to be so nauseating to Jesus. Their sin was subtle but just as dangerous as any that the other churches suffered from.

OPEN: I once heard of the skipper of boat that was sinking in the ocean who frantically radioed for help. Finally, the Coast Guard answered his plea. The Coast Guard replied: "We’re on our way. What is your position? Repeat, what is your position?" The yachtsman responded: "I’m executive vice ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith's Foundation Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 4, 2007

Without Faith, it’s impossible to please God... but how did such a religious community as Nazareth misplace its faith?

OPEN: A man named Gregory P. Elder told of growing up on the Atlantic Coast. And what he loved to do as a child was to spend his time down at the beach. For hours each day, he’d sit on the sand and build castles and intricate cities. But one year his joy in these creations was threatened by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ