Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | "The Faithful Pray-er" | July 6

One of the most powerful, but often underutilized, tools in the life of following Jesus is prayer. Prayer is simple…yet difficult. Prayer is mysterious…yet practical. Prayer has been a keystone in the life of believers throughout the scriptures - from the very beginning through the very end. For James, the believer’s life should be marked by prayer…in any and every situation. Prayer is how faith works.

Sermon | "Dealing With Desire" | June 29

Wars, battles, and conflicts are raging around us. But James turns our attention to the wars, battles and conflicts raging within us. Our life in Christ is one in which we must submit our whole selves - our hearts, our minds, our bodies, and our desires. It’s often this last one that is most difficult - to reflect on, evaluate and offer to our Lord Jesus our desires. Yet James, with deep pastoral care, knows that without God’s transformation of our desires - the war will go on.

Sermon | "Watch Your Mouth" | June 22

Words are never just words. They can heal or harm, bless or burn—and James isn’t silent about their power. This week, we’ll discover how the Resurrection of Jesus transforms not only our hearts, but also our tongues, so that we speak as people shaped by grace.

Sermon | "Loving Without Strings" | June 15

A pecking order is nothing more than a basic pattern of social organization where some are more powerful and some are less powerful; where some rule and some submit. The danger, of course, is this kind of thinking and behaving would find its way into the community of faith. But, as James instructs, there should be no distinction between neighbors with power and influence and those who are barely scraping by. Love in the way of Jesus, is given to all.

Sermon | "Doing the Word" | June 8

On the day of Pentecost, God sent His Spirit; the same spirit who was hovering over the waters at creation, and the same spirit who was breathed into humanity…animating dust. It’s this Spirit who is poured out on Pentecost and who, once again, is put INTO disciples - animating them to live the resurrection and kingdom life. As James encourages and challenges the believers in the Jerusalem church to “do the word”, as he addresses the very practical applications of living the faith, he knows it’s only possible through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we celebrate Pentecost - it’s a reminder that He’s poured out so that we will not only hear the word, but DO IT.

Sermon | "Living in the In-Between" | June 1

What does it look like to live in the space between promise and fulfillment — when life feels unresolved and ordinary? Today we step into a quiet moment after Jesus’ ascension and discover how small acts of faithfulness become part of God’s bigger story. Resurrection life isn’t just about bold miracles — it’s about trusting Jesus in the in-between.

Sermon | "Extra Ordinary" | May 25

When we think of the "great mothers and fathers of faith" we tend to think of people like: Martin Luther, Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Paul. But, what if the "great mothers and fathers of the faith" are not really extraordinary but extra ordinary. When Jesus sets forth the mission, when he calls, equips and sends workers into the harvest, when he see great advances in the kingdom - he does so through the extra ordinary.

Sermon | "Going Everywhere" | May 18

What happens when the road ahead of you looks nothing like the road behind you? The resurrection changes the very nature of the journey. As we discover what this new resurrection life looks like, we discover the old way of doing things isn't incorrect, it's just incomplete. God is doing a new thing and asking us to join Him.

Bible Study | May 11

Sermon | "Where Are Your Feet Pointed?" | May 11

In a world full of noise, demands, and uncertainty, the Risen Jesus calls us to trust His voice and follow Him—even when the path ahead is unclear. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to live in the resurrection by reorienting our lives toward the One who knows us, holds us, and leads us.