Holy Cross Sunday Sermons: Recent Episodes
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
The weekly cut of the reading(s) and sermon. 15-30 minutes in length, unless one of the preachers really got on a roll! Published Monday/Tuesday of the following week.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Beginnings of the new year. How do we, in a culture steeped in marketing that tells us we are not enough, claim so boldly that God says to us: "You are my child, my beloved!" That makes all the difference in the world in this new year.
Readings: Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Pastor Mike's sermon on the continued story of Good News of Great Joy for all the people, as the shepherds hear and respond to the good news by going and seeing all that has taken place.
Merry Christmas! Pastor Mike's sermon of the Good News of Great Joy for ALL the people. This is given "For You". What do those words mean for us as those who hear/respond to this good news?
Pastor Mike's sermon on the arrival of Jesus in our midst and how Mary's Magnificat and John's proclamation in the wilderness are responses aimed at the new things God is doing in our life.
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Pastor Jon's sermon on the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - and how repentance is more than just making a turn on the tracks of life. Choo Choo!
Readings:
Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15
Mark 1:1-8
Pastor Mike's sermon on the first week of Advent, a new church year, and Mark's little apocalypse of Jesus.
Readings:
Isaiah 64:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Pastor Mike's sermon on Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of the church's year. When we pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done" we are making a political statement- as citizens of God's kingdom. Based on the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the concept of Risk Tolerance as it relates to being bold and following after the God who risks everything for us. Based on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Taking a hard look at the work the church does, Pastor Jon asks the words of Amos, "Do we honor God with our words and prayers but not our hearts?" How is it the Water's work is unleashed or dammed up by our actions?
On All Saints Sunday and Confirmation Sunday, how do we understand the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12? How is it God views those we deem 'lesser' or 'unworthy? References about Stranger Things abound!
Once every 500 years, a sermon comes alone... picking up Luther's thoughts on Romans 3:19-28 and John 8:31-36, Pastor Mike's sermon is sure to help you continue reforming your own faith and life.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Simeon's word of promise and praise to Jesus in Luke.
Sermon 2 of 3 in the series: Valuable Conversations
How do we have difficult conversations around things like money, with young ones? How are our choices making a statement about who we believe God to be?
Readings:
Romans 12:4-8
Luke 18:15-17
First sermon in the series: Valuable Conversations
Using Matthew 6:19-24, how is it that we engage in having difficult and important conversations? How is our allegiance shaped by our active choices? Who do we really serve?
Pastor Mike's sermon on Luther's theology of the cross and how God is revealed in the crucified Christ.
Readings-
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Matthew 27:45-54
What does it mean to experience God's grace in the physical experience of Christ/the sacraments? Find out in this sermon around Luther's concept of the Means of Grace:
Readings-
Romans 1:16-17
John 1:1-16
Pastor Jon's sermon on Luther's concept of justification, on which the church stands or collapses. Hopefully the sermon did justice to the former, not the latter!
Readings:
Romans 5:1-11
Matthew 9:20-22
Pastor Mike's sermon on God's grace seen through the eyes of the Parable of the Prodigal Son:
Romans 1:1-7
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Calling of Levi and what it means to live a life called to love of God and service to neighbor. Week 1 of the Freed & Renewed sermon series.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Peter, his confession, and his struggle to be a non-sinking rock.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the interaction between Jesus and the Canaanite woman who is seeking healing for her demon-oppressed daughter.
Pastor Jon's sermon on Jesus' miracle of walking on the water to meet the disciples. Not Peter's miracle. And what the boat means for us this day.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Matthew's Feeding of the 5000 and what it means to receive in graciousness from a generous God
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Parable of the Mustard Seed.
Part 3 of 3 in the Seeds, Weeds, and Beautiful Things sermon series.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat.
Part 2 of 3 in the Seeds, Weeds, and Beautiful Things sermon series
Pastor Mike's sermon on Matthew's Parable of the Sower.
Part 1 of 3 in the Seeds, Weeds, and Beautiful Things sermon series.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the need to represent Jesus no matter the welcome. How can we find ways to bring the message to those in need, however and whomever they are?
Pastor Mike continues to preach about the cost of discipleship and what it means when Jesus says, "I have come not to bring peace, but a sword" - Hint: It doesn't mean Jesus wants violence, it means that Jesus came to free us!
Pastor Mike's impassioned sermon about the compassion of Christ and the miracles that are produced by a loving God as seen in Matthew 9 and 10.
Pastor Jon's sermon on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, framed in the context of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor Mike's sermon on Pentecost Sunday, the Acts reading, and how the gift of the Holy Spirit means that God continues to speak to us today in new and meaningful ways. Definitely worth the listen!
Pastor Mike's sermon on the week's readings:
Acts 1:6-14
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Holy Spirit, what it means to have an advocate and how we are called to be an advocate to another from John 14:15-29.
How are we people of mercy because of who God is and how God dwells with us? Pastor Mike explores John 14:1-14.
Pastor Jon's sermon on John 10:1-10 and how we are called to have Jesus act as the gateway through which we interact with everyone and everything. (Just listen, it makes more sense inside!)
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Road to Emmaus and how Jesus meets us even in times of despair, drawing us in to conversation, renewal, and hope. Make sure to check out our "The Couch" podcast being released on 5/3 to learn more about how this meets our daily lives.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the resurrection appearance to the disciples and to Thomas in John 20 and how the cycle of fear, doubt, experience, and being sent calls us in to a life of peace which we share with the world.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the resurrection account in Matthew and the women's call to go and tell even in the midst of fear. In the fear, there is great joy as we go share the news of the Risen Christ.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Matthew's Last Supper and the concept of betrayal. How are we all deserters and betrayers? How amazing is it that Christ still does all of this for us?
Pastor Jon's sermon on the resurrection of Lazarus and how the call in to new life by Christ is sometimes obstructed by our efforts to put up barriers and wrap others up in things that kill and separate.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Jesus' encounter with the man born blind in John 9. How is it that we need to receive new sight, opening up our hearts and minds and lowering our barriers and walls to those around us?
Pastor Mike's sermon on the encounter between Jesus and the Woman at the Well. What encounters do we have with Jesus that cause new, living water to spring up inside us?
Pastor Jon's sermon about John 3:1-17 and what it means for the world that God loves us means we can participate now in the Kingdom of God.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Jesus' wilderness temptation and how we too are called in the rite of baptism to renounce the devil, all evil, and the forces that defy God.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Transfiguration of Jesus and Peter's own journey of transfiguration. How are we called to rise up and live a life without fear, following Christ?
Pastor Mike's sermon on being perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. What does this mean if perfection means living out God's purpose for our lives?
Pastor Jon's sermon on Choosing Life as a community and the tough but necessary orientation in Loving God and Neighbor.
Light and Salt. That's what Christ calls us. This is Pastor Mike's sermon about how to stay salty and bright by avoiding the bushel baskets of life.
Pastor Ron Glusenkamp joined Holy Cross and preached about the Beatitudes and what it means to be blessed by God. How are we able to serve those in need in Godly ways?
Pastor Mike's sermon on the call of Christ to the first disciples and what it means to place Christ first in all things and in our very life.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the baptism of our Lord and the start of the 500th Anniversary Year of the Reformation.
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Slaughter of the Innocents and the need for a deep faith struggle in the midst of a complex world.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Christmas and its associated readings including Luke's nativity.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Matthew 1:18-25 and Joseph's dream and how God meets us in our vulnerability and calls us into participation in God's Kingdom.
Stirring, powerful prophetic message for the end of the church year and hope we have in Christ's reign as King. Readings are: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Pastor Jon's sermon on Luke 21:5-19 and doing good in the face of anything that comes our way- Do not be weary in doing what is right!
Dan Bierne from the Global Church Sponsorship program with the ELCA preaches on Luke 20:27-38.
Pastor Mike's Reformation Sermon on Luther, John 8, and the reality of what the truth is that sets us free, indeed.
Pastor Mike's Commitment Sunday sermon regarding how we invest 100% of who we are and what we have been entrusted to God and our neighbor, as revealed to us in Jesus' words in Matthew 22:34-40.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the series "Handle with Care", week 2, with the readings of 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 and Matthew 16:13-19
Pastor Jon's sermon on Luke 17's dynamic between the disciples' request for more faith and simply living faith actively in love.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus and the need to see with a Christ-like lens.
Pastor Mike's sermon on creating not simply idols or worshiping false gods (money, power, etc.), but on creating God in our own image- a false image of God.
Pastor Jon's sermon on Jesus' words in Luke 12:49-56 and how the God revealed in Jesus can in fact create division in communities, families, and ourselves, as the Kingdom breaks in to our world.
Pastor Jon's sermon on Luke 12:32-40 and the need to pursue things of the Kingdom, not earthly, trivial pursuits.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Luke's Parable of the Rich Fool and what it means to stamp your life with the phrase, "Soli Deo Gloria"
Pastor Mike's sermon on prayer, the Lord's Prayer from Luke, and what it means to be used by God to answer prayers.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the parable of the good Samaritan. Have you ever looked at the parable with Jesus as the Samaritan and us as the one left in the ditch? Powerful proclamation in here!
Pastor Mike's sermon on the 4th of July weekend, featuring discussion about the need to rely on one another and God, a unique take on the understanding of the American dream of Independence.
Pastor Jon's sermon on Luke 9 and James and John's troubles with the Samaritan village.
Pastor Mike's sermon on Luke 8 and the possessed man of Gerasene and what happens when God shows up and makes us afraid of the change brought by the Kingdom.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the weeping woman and the response to God's grace from Luke 7-8.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the feeding of the 5000, the vision appeal, and the need to have everyone involved in God's mission.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the festival of Pentecost and how God's Spirit continues to work in our lives today!
Pastor Jon's sermon on Psalm 8, the Great Commission in Matthew 28, and the 'raging debate' between science and scripture.
Struggles with doubt can sometimes cause us to question God's existence. In this sermon, Pastor Mike doesn't simply question IF God exists, but WHICH God exists? Provocative.
Pastor Mike's sermon on doubt and scripture. How can we consider the scriptures relevant and authoritative for our lives? Is it possible? Is it meaningful?
Pastor Jon's sermon on Mark's account of the Crucifixion and how God will never forsake us, even though we may feel that way.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the story of Doubting Thomas and how discovery is rooted in doubt.
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Palm Sunday acclamation of what it means for Jesus to be "King".
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Wilderness and Restoration and the necessity to take a break and rest from Mark 1:28-39
Pastor Mike's sermon on transition in the Wilderness, preaching on the Israelites' fear during the Exodus and Mark 4's telling of the storm on the Sea of Galilee.
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Wilderness and Creation based in the reading of Genesis 2:4-5 and Luke 13:1-9
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Journey into the Wilderness and how we experience temptation there and the meta-moment it creates for us.
Pastor Jon's sermon on Transfiguration Sunday and the transfiguration account from Luke 9
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Vital Sign of Christ-Like Community and the proposed facility renovations. Find out more on our website!
Pastor Mike's sermon on the vital sign of Generosity and the readings -
2 Corinthisians 9:6-12
Matthew 25:14-30
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Vital Sign of Service and the day's readings:
Philippians 2:3-11
Mark 10:35-45
Pastor Mike's sermon on the Vital Sign of Worship and the day's readings:
Psalm 42:1-6A
John 4:1-15
Pastor Mike's sermon on the new year:
Readings -
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:1-18
Pastor Mike's sermon on the 4th Sunday of Advent's readings:
Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Pastor Jon's sermon on the 3rd Sunday of Advent's readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Pastor Mike's sermon on the 2nd Sunday of Advent and the day's readings:
Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
Pastor Mike's sermon on the 1st Sunday of Advent and its readings:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
Pastor Mike's Celebration Sunday sermon on the day's readings:
1 Kings 17:8-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
All Saints' Day
Pastor Mike's sermon on the day and the day's readings:
Isaiah 25:6-9
Revelation 21:1-6b
John 11:32-44
Reformation Sunday/Confirmation Sunday
Pastor Mike's sermon on the day and the day's readings:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
Commitment Sunday!
Pastor Mike's sermon on the day's readings:
Psalm 1:1-3
Luke 6:17-31
1st Sermon in the Happy series
Pastor Mike's reflections on the readings:
Psalm 1:1-3
Matthew 7:24-27
Pastor Jon's sermon on the Sunday's readings:
Jeremiah 11:18-20
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Pastor Mike's sermon on the day's readings:
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-15, 21-23
Pastor Jon's sermon on John 6 and Peter's confession: "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life"
READINGS:
Joshua 24:1-2A, 14-18
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69