Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | "What's Freedom For?" | July 4

Freedom, while beautiful, is not free - it comes at a cost. Paul exhorts his listeners to recognize their freedom - from rules and regulations, from sin and brokenness. Paul wants his listeners to relish in that freedom, to celebrate that freedom. Yet, Paul wants his listeners to remember that their freedom cost someone something. And if that's true - what we do with our freedom matters - that we might be more like Him.

We are free - to love and serve.

Sunday Worship | June 27

Sunday Worship | June 20

The first preacher of the good news in the Gospels is a Samaritan woman. This should both give us pause and fill us with confidence.  We are like humble clay jars carrying the most valuable treasure.  If this power lives in you, how does it change how you pray? Or, how you share the good news with others? How does knowing your own shortcomings benefit the gospel? God's got the power! And that power is living IN you. 

Sunday Worship | June 6

There are lots of things that we could lean on to leverage people into the Kingdom of God, but only one thing can change hearts. The good news of Jesus changes hearts. He doesn’t need your additions and we should not rely on them to do the work that only the gospel can. You get to be like a waiter and serve what God has given you.

Sunday Worship | May 30

Eugene Peterson says being a disciple is a "...long obedience in the same direction." Following Jesus is a lifelong journey with learning all along the way. We only arrive when we see Jesus face to face. Yet, we're often surprised when we or others have questions about our faith. And, as SENT ones, we come alongside those whom we want on the journey too. But, like our life of following Jesus, it takes time...a lot of time.

Sunday Worship | May 23

Jesus invites the disciples into a problem they can’t answer. He invites them into a place of challenge. Why, so they can learn. Jesus is inviting us into a time of learning...and it might be challenging. As disciples, we have Jesus living in us! That being true, we posture ourselves with hospitality and see our own tables as a door to a faith community. Once we do that...we actually have to have people at our table. It’s time to step into the challenge of living Christ’s mission at the table...your table.

Sunday Worship | May 16

For decades now, the growth strategy of the American church was to simply unlock the front door. And - it worked for lots of years. But, much has changed around the church in the last 20 years. And with it...the front door of the church is no longer the front door of the church. It’s moved, whether we like it or not. Jesus invites His disciples to be on the lookout for people who are relationally open. And when they find them - leverage the opportunity for God’s kingdom. When we follow suit, we discover that the front door of the church is our couch and table.

Sunday Worship | May 9

Throughout the scriptures, a hallmark of those in the Way of God is hospitality. From Abraham to St. Paul, hospitality is a posture and spiritual discipline lived out into the world.  At the Lord’s Table, there’s always room for one more. Christ models for you and me a life in which there’s always room for one more.

Sunday Worship | May 2

 Food is not only meant to be enjoyed, but it also serves to fuel our body, mind and spirit for activity. Without food, we have no fuel for the day ahead. The Lord’s Supper is enjoyed by Christians around the world as they partake in God’s provision of forgiveness through the meal He provides. Yet, it is also true that this food is fuel to accomplish His mission on earth. We come to the Lord’s table to be refreshed and re-sent into the harvest field.

Sunday Worship | April 25

 Forgiveness is NOT the same as forgetting. It’s hard, if not impossible to forget a sin committed against us....especially if it was traumatic. The real challenge of forgiveness is not can I forget, but rather even though I remember will I hold it against you. The prophet Jeremiah delivers God’s word to Israel - assuring them that HE will remember their sins no more. God doesn’t forget their sins - but he certainly forgives them. Today we explore the false relationship between forgiving and forgetting.