Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Easter Sermon | "Suffering Set Aside" | April 20

Easter morning didn't begin in JOY. It began in suffering...as the women, weeping, went to the tomb of their murdered master. They went to the tomb with heavy hearts, troubled spirit and overly fatigued bodies. They went to see the inevitable conclusion for all people...to see death. On Easter morning, the women were walking in suffering. But the news that morning, that death had died, would move the women from suffering into unimaginable joy. It is the resurrected Christ who walks us through suffering and into His life, love and joy!

Good Friday Sermon | "Words Are Hard" | April 18

Words are hard...picking the right ones...delivering them clearly. Will they be heard the way you intent? Will they be understood and responded to the way you hope? Jesus picked just a few to say from the cross. Just seven statements were recorded and, in total, very few words. However, He picked them carefully...and they help teach, comfort, and guide us to see how this Friday can be considered "good". Have you heard them how He hopes you do?

Maundy Thursday Sermon | "Passion Meal" | April 17

Some people are really passionate about food - cooking, discovering, or simply eating! Food holds a central place in our lives - since it's necessary to fuel our bodies. Tables (where the food is served) often have a central place within families and friends circles. It's around a table, with food prepared and served, that we are filled both in body and in spirit. Jesus is passionate about food! He's passionate about making sure you and I are filled and fueled - in body and spirit. He invites us tonight, and on the regular, to come to His table - and to feast on this passion meal.

Bible Study | April 13

Sermon | "Suffering and the Coming King" | April 13

Today is the day when we celebrate the King of Kings’ entry into Jerusalem. It’s the day we shout and cry “Hosanna.” It’s the day we wave palm branches in festal procession. It’s the day we join Jesus on His journey to reclaim humanity. But, since the beginning of this Lenten season - this journey has been about one thing…suffering. It’s about…the Cross. Today is not only a day of rejoicing but a day when rejoicing can only happen through the lens of suffering.

Sermon | "Suffering and the Church" | April 6

When one becomes a follower of Jesus, whether in infancy or later in life, their life doesn’t immediately change for the good, but they immediately come into a family of faith. This community of believers is a community that journeys together through all of life’s mountains and valleys. As we walk through suffering, the community of faith has a role - a very important though often overlooked role - to play. In fact, it should be the first and last thing we do.

Bible Study | March 30

Sermon | "Suffering and Purpose" | March 30

We should be careful not to call a bad thing good. Suffering - of body, mind or soul - is bad. Yet, it is true that God can work even through the bad. God can use instances or seasons of suffering to lead us toward His good purposes. Is suffering good? No. Is God’s work in and through that suffering good? Yes. But, in order to see that good, we’ll need to learn to cling to something outside of ourselves.

Bible Study | March 23

Sermon | "Suffering and Sitting" | March 23

Suffering is a human constant and yet, most of us are uncomfortable around the suffering of others; we don’t know what to say, how to act, or what to do. Rather than sit with others in their suffering, we offer quick and pithy sayings that are often hurtful rather than helpful. But what if the greatest gift we can offer others is nothing more than our presence…our willingness to sit in their suffering?