Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | ”A Price Too High?” | June 19

A seeming detour with Jesus to a demon-possessed man brings us face-to-face with forces beyond our control...both in the man possessed by the demons and in Jesus who grants freedom, healing and wholeness. While it's much easier to chalk up all of this as "bible stuff" that was "then", but isn't "now", we have no reason to believe that's true. So if such captivity for Jesus' care or are we hurdles to His healing because the price we'd pay is too high?

Sermon | ”To See or Not to See” | June 12

There's an old idiom: it's hard to see the forest through the trees. In other words it's hard to see...even though you are looking. The conclusion of Peter's message in Acts 2 proclaims, without doubt, "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." There is not question in Peter's mind who Jesus is. Peter sees clearly. But, in our gospel reading, the Jews Jesus interacts with are so caught up in the details that even though they are looking at Jesus, they can't see him. This challenge to really see is the challenge we all face. Do we see Jesus in fullness or only in details?

Sermon | ”Help in the Harvest” | June 5

Today is Pentecost! For the Israelites and the Jews at the time of Jesus, Pentecost was the "Feast of the Harvest" or "The Day of First-fruits". It commemorated the completion of the grain harvest. It was a day to celebrate all of God's provision. For us, Pentecost is the celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples and the miraculous harvest of 3000 people who were added to the number of disciples that day. Today is the day to celebrate and to be fueled for the work of His kingdom.

Sermon | ”God’s Billboard” | May 29

Today marks the final Sunday of the Easter Season. The beginning of the Easter season is marked by an empty tomb and the shouts of "Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia." The cross and the empty tomb are a two-sided coin, providing proof of God's LOVE for humanity. And on this last Sunday of the Easter season, the church is called to reflect on the player and promises of Jesus - as He prays for His disciples...as He prays for you and me...praying that our lives (together) might be a proclamation to the unbelieving world around us that there is a God of love.

Sermon | ”Where Christ Meets Us” | May 22

Why do you come to worship? Is it something you've always done? Is it the right thing to do? Do you feel like it's necessary for saving faith? Many of us never think about why we come to worship...we just do. Certainly, we come to sing praise, to pray prayers, and to listen to a preacher teach. But more than that, we come because it's the place where Jesus meets us and brings us healing.

Acts Bible Study | May 15

Sermon | ”To Love & To Flourish” | May 15

Love is a beautiful things: it softens hearts, heals hurts and compels even the most reticent person into action. But love is inherently risky: it can be rejected, betrayed or misused. And because that's true - far too many people are hesitant to love with abandon. Jesus is quite clear: the world will know His disciples by the radical love they have for one another. In this season of Eastertide, we reflect on the kind of radical love Jesus had for me, you and for the whole world while in epitomized not only in the cross but also in the empty tomb.

Acts Bible Study | May 8

Sermon | ”If the Shepherd Is Really Speaking...” | May 8

We have a shepherd, a good Shepherd that hasn't just talked the talk, but has walked the walk. He's done miracles that prove that He's the Son of God--chiefly die on the cross and rise again. Both the words and the works of Jesus say the same thing: He is the Son of God. He's proven He has the authority and power to make us His sheep and lead us as that Good Shepherd. In fact, that is exactly what He's doing. Are you listening? Do you know his voice? If not, how are you following the one who has done and is doing so much to care for you?

Acts Bible Study | May 1