Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | ”Laying Down Our Gifts” | January 9

The story of the Magi, over time, has stolen the focus of Christmas. Those wise men from the East who, by their wisdom, are led to follow a star...bearing gifts for the newborn King. It's all very Hollywood. Yet, if not for God's direct intervention - the Magi would still be in the East. The story of the Magi is not really a store about the Magi, but the deepening of our understanding of the Word made flesh who dwells in our midst. Today, we'll wander with the Magi to the feet of Jesus.

 

"Achilles" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sermon | ”The In-Between Years” | January 2

Growth is a process and not a destination. In fact, St. Paul toils to present all those he teaches as mature in faith. It's his life work. When most of us think of Jesus, we think of Him either as a child in a manger or a 30 year old rabbi. Most of the "in-between" is lost to history...except for this small piece in Luke's gospel - where Jesus is a pre-teen. This week, we explore Jesus' own growth in wisdom and favor so that we can explore our own.

Sermon | ”Seeing With Simeon” | December 26

From stable to temple the story of Jesus continues. He's now 5 weeks old and His parents devoutly do what's required by the law for mothers and for first born boys. As they arrive to do what is very ordinary, they are met with Simeon's extraordinary exclamation--"Lord now I can die in peace...my eyes have seen your salvation." When you "look" at the baby Jesus, what do you see?

Sermon | ”Cracking Open the Darkness” | December 24

The dark night sky was cracked open by a blinding light and the announcement of peace and joy. Tonight we celebrate God made flesh - one Who would crack open the darkness of sin and death with His love and the light of His life.

Acts Bible Study | December 19

Sermon | ”Paying Attention to Mary” | December 19

Songs always have a way of capturing the heart, but Mary sings because her heart was captured. Her song is both a response and a prophetic word of God's work. Far too often, the evangelical world too quickly dismisses the role Mary has to play in the birth narrative. Her heart was captivated by the God who fulfills his promises and her response, like others in Luke's gospel who sing, was to worship even as she waits. Today, we have the opportunity, in our waiting, to learn much from this young mother about God's coming kingdom.

Sermon | ”Is He the One?” | December 12

There never is a shortage of questions or doubts when it comes to Jesus--even for John the Baptist, the special one set aside to announce His arrival. Sometimes things aren't as clear as we'd like...the good news, not good enough...the truth, not clear enough. Yet, Jesus assures us that what there is to know is enough. He is the long-awaited Savior and is more than enough for all you need.

Acts Bible Study | December 12

Acts Bible Study | December 5

Sermon | ”Prepare the Way” | December 5

Abiding with Jesus in the season of Advent continues to be a time of slowing down, reflecting, and waiting, so that we can see clearly what's in front of us presently. Today we pause and consider how the words of the one who prepared the way for Jesus-John the Baptist-intersect with us at the point in our journeys. His message is one of repentance, of turning back to "the way", which has always been the path to God's salvation. His point: Your pattern of life is forming you. That's certain. The questions worth asking then are how it's forming you and whether it is forming you to be increasingly fruitful.