Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | "Rough Water" | June 14

Often times, the water begins to get rough well before one encounters rapids. It doesn’t take long before the early church would encounter rough water. But, rather than retreat, the early church presses into prayer, asking for the strength and endurance to keep going…even if it means rougher water still.

Sermon | "Living in the Power" | June 7

Anyone who has ever rafted down a river quickly recognizes the power of moving water. Jesus promised that His disciples would do “greater things than Him,” and it’s the Spirit who keeps us connected to the POWER. As the church begins to expand, Jesus’ ministry of power — particularly in healing — continues to be a primary tool for witness. And while all that power could go to one’s head, the disciples are quick to point out this POWER comes from SOMEONE else.

Sermon | "Riding the Current" | May 31

Learning the pace, tempo and rhythm of the water is key to any rafting trip - especially as one approaches the power and unpredictably of the rapids. In the wake of the Spirit’s outpouring, the early church discovered spiritual rhythms that kept them intimately connected to Christ - and prepared them for the rough rapids that would come.

Sermon | "Opening the Floodgates" | May 24

The work of Christ, on a cross and through a tomb, created a ripple that touched the edge of every human experience. Yet, it was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that opened the floodgates! While Jesus attracted a good number of disciples, it’s in the wake of the Holy Spirit’s coming that the church sees exponential growth. Today we celebrate the opening of the floodgates and the outpouring of the Spirit and the journey that begins in its wake.

Sermon | "The Ripple TO and THROUGH Death" | May 17

The resurrection ripple touches everything, affects everything, and redefines everything. The resurrection is THE defining moment of all human history. And it is worth dying for. Stephen - the first martyr - was so convinced of Jesus’ resurrection, His Lordship and the life He brings…that he was willing to lay his life on the line rather than deny the life that was his in Jesus. And yet, in his death, his (eternal) life began.

Bible Study | May 10

Sermon | "The Ripple Through Old Patterns" | May 10

The pivot from disciple-arresting Saul to disciple-making Paul is his encounter with the Resurrected Jesus. The Jesus Who died, Whom the disciples claimed had risen from the dead, Whose teaching was unraveling everything Saul loved - that Jesus met Saul on a road. And his interaction with the resurrected Jesus - left him so that he could see the world anew. That’s what the resurrection does - it allows us to see the world anew.

Sermon | "The Ripple Through Trust" | May 3

The resurrection ripple affected each disciples - but perhaps, none as profoundly as Peter. Peter’s journey from “I don’t know him” to “Jesus Christ IS the Cornerstone” can be indicative of each an ever one of us - our past failures hidden in the blinding light of Jesus’ resurrection.

Bible Study | April 26

Sermon | "The Ripple of Competing Voices" | April 26

The resurrection life is an abundant life - both now and in the world to come. But, the abundance that Jesus speaks about is often at odds with the abundance the world desires. In fact, the abundant life will only be found when the desire for the abundance of the world…dies. The resurrection ripple brings death and life.