Sermons on The Virgin Mary:

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

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

The Lost And Found

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 1, 2021

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year B

February 28, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 8:31-38 The Lost and Found Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Most public places have a lost and found. Schools, churches, grocery stores, bus stations. Somewhere ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness And Wholeness Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 4, 2021

Carrying the weight of guilt affects us, body, mind, and spirit. God's forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others brings healing to our whole being.

March 3, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 2:1-12; Psalm 32 Forgiveness and Wholeness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. We aren’t like a car. You can take apart a car and put it back together. It’ll run just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Heart Of Worship

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 8, 2021

Sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B

March 7, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 2:13-22 The Heart of Worship Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The Bridge on the River Kwai is widely considered as one of the best movies ever made. The film came out in 1957. It won 7 ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Royal Entry

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 15, 2019

Jesus' Palm Sunday entry is completed on Good Friday

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:1-49 The Royal Entry Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Lutheran

The Royal Entry

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 16, 2019

Jesus' Palm Sunday entry is completed on Good Friday

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:1-49 The Royal Entry Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Lutheran