Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve Sermon | Illuminate: What Was, Is, and Will Be True | December 24

To illuminate is to make something visible by shining a light on it! The Prophet Isaiah declared that a people walking in darkness have seen a great LIGHT! And, upon those who are living in darkness - a light has dawned! The light Isaiah spoke about is the very one who would proclaim, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus has come to make visible that which has always been true - God's love for the world and living an abundant life with His love.

Sermon | ”Love” | December 18

Love in relationships is spelled T-I-M-E. You can proclaim it many other ways. There's even love languages that offer different ways to communicate it. However, in every case it requires your time, your commitment, your investment to show that love. God has done this for us as He came to be WITH us. That's love! Will you let God illuminate His love for you again?

Sermon | ”Joy” | December 11

Jesus, THE light of the world, illuminates the darkness and emptiness of faux joy that is so quickly fleeting. He's given us new life by His resurrection so that we can experience real joy...all. the. time. Real Joy is more than emotions. Real Joy is founded in trust in Jesus not circumstances or one's present perspective.

Sermon | ”Peace” | December 4

God has made a way for you to be at peace with Him. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We long for peace in lots of ways and from lots of sources...but these really are just reminders that peace is something we need. No peace will satisfy except the peace that is found in Jesus. Our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.

Sermon | ”Illuminate Hope” | November 27

The march towards Christmas has begun, but we're planning to take 4 weeks to get there! A little at a time, one candle at a time, we'll journey there. This week, we light the candle of hope and see how the coming of Jesus illuminates the reality of hope in our lives. It is not only promised in the future, it's possible now. The best news in that Jesus, who is the light of the world, determined that you don't stay in the darkness of hopelessness.

Sermon | ”Stillness” | November 20

When the psalmist invites us to "be still" - he's inviting us to more than just stopping activity. He's inviting us into the presence of the King: the One who rules in power and authority over all things. He's inviting us to recognize our own smallness in the light of His bigness. He's inviting us to rest in the assurance that nothing is outside His sovereignty. He's inviting us to live with Christ as King.

Sermon | ”We Extravagantly Live” | November 13

When Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life - life abundant," He does so in the context of a beautiful image; an image designed to captivate our imaginations and move us beyond the mere knowledge of Jesus as a Good Shepherd. In fact, this image should cause us to grow still, and reflect on our experience of Jesus as OUR Good Shepherd. Jesus wants more than a mere knowledge of an extravagant life - He wants us to experience extravagant living.

Sermon | ”We Extravagantly Give” | November 6

Your giving to the church could be a window into your heart. It could be a window into where you place your trust. On what do you rely? Your money or your God? When giving hurts a little, it could mean that the power, control or influence that money offers has become the basis for your contentment and peace rather than Jesus. Jesus' encouragement toward extravagant giving is not only a way to care for others, but also a way to re-orient our lives to a fuller trust in Him.

Sermon | ”God Extravagantly Gives” | October 30

God has always been a God of provision: from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the New Heaven and Earth of Revelation. God is not simply a provider, but One who does it extravagantly. He lavishes us with grace, with the riches of His very life, and with His love. He gives more than necessary. As we orient our lives around the words and the ways of Jesus, and because He is the image of the unseen Father, our lives should be one of extravagance. We are called to be extravagant givers.

Sermon | ”God Sees in Color” | October 23

Things are not as they ought to be. All are NOT treated equally. It's time for all God's children, black, white, brown, red and yellow to make peace and actively pursue reconciliation. Justice that is rooted in the good news of Jesus must act. We who have received the peace of the good news of Jesus must act. We who have received the peace of God now must give it away to others and give it away in abundance. God is NOT color blind - in fact, He very much sees in color. He sees and values each and every color. In fact, at the end of days, people of ever color will be gathered around the throne in praise. As we live and work to see God's kingdom of earth - we must pursue racial justice.