Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Sermon | "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" | August 4

Sometimes, the best response to joy is a SHOUT! We all know this is true - we've all shouted for joy at some point in our life; whether for a sporting team, for lifetime accomplishment, for the good work of your children. The psalmist notes that when you see the saving work of God - there is only one response, "Shout for joy to the LORD." Our Hymn today focuses on the joyous news of an empty tomb - and comes back to the refrain "Alleluia" again and again and again. This is a musical way of shouting. So, let's shout today!

Sermon | "Shekena or Angels?" | July 21

God shows up in our lives in different ways and under different circumstances.  Let's look at this reality from the ministry of Jesus.

Sermon | "You're a Tool" | July 14

God created Adam and Eve and gave them purpose in the garden of Eden. That plan was not by mistake. He has given all human beings purpose too! As Christians we get to figure out how God is using us in this world.

Sermon | "Peacemaking: A Risky and Costly Business" | July 7

Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you." - yes, how the world longs for peace. In days saturated by violence, war and injustice - people long for peace, for true peace. Jesus also says, "Blessed are the peace-makers." We long for peace AND are instructed to make it. As we dive into the words of Jesus, we'll spend time with the peace Jesus gives and the peace we make.

Sermon | "The Beautiful Shepherd" | June 30

Jesus is our BEAUTIFUL SHEPHERD.  The depth of meaning connected with the Bible's common image of a shepherd is hard for us to grasp in a day when most of us have never seen a frail newborn lamb or a shepherd leading his sheep in a desert place.  But all of us have experienced feeling vulnerable, misled, and in imminent danger.  In this message we will dig deep into the image of the shepherd and be invited to follow Him into the fields of abundance.

Sermon | "Repent" | June 16

Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity has been forging their own path. Ultimately, this path leads NOT to life, but to death. Recalibration can only happen when there is an accurate diagnosis of the issue. Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity's issue has been our desire to go at life on our own terms. But, this only leads to frustration, sorrow and ultimately to death. The third tactic for recalibration is REPENT.

Sermon | "Reflect" | June 9

One of the things Ancient Israel offers to the church today is the practice of telling the story. They were always telling the story - in their prayers, in their worship, even, as Moses says in Deuteronomy, when they rose, when they walked along the road, when they sat in their homes and when they went to bed. Israel was always telling the story of God's wonderful deeds; reflecting and recounting all that God had done for them. The second tactic for recalibration is REFLECT.

Sermon | "Rest" | June 2

There is a pretty powerful invitation from God...in only eight words. It's an invitation to stop - which, I guess, doesn't sound like much. But, if John Ortberg is correct and the greatest hurdle to Christian Discipleship is hurry, then a simple invitation to stop is actually quite difficult. If we are going to use this change of season for recalibration, then our first step must be to heed our Heavenly Father's invitation - stop. More than that, our Heavenly Father invites us not only to stop, but to REST in who He is. The first tactic for recalibration is REST.

Sermon | "Remember What's Been Done for You" | May 26

Tomorrow is Memorial day...a day to remember and honor all who have sacrificed so that we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy in America.  Yet, today is Trinity Sunday...a day when we remember and honor the work of all 3 persons of our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  For the same reasons that we celebrate Memorial Day, it's important that we celebrate our God in His fullness: that which is celebrated is valued, and that which is valued is shared.  While freedom in America is certainly a valuable gift, what our world longs for most is the freedom and wholeness that comes to us through our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To fully grasp and enjoy the whole of the good news, we need the whole picture of what's been done for us.

Sermon | "Worship: A Living Posture" | May 19

Surrender to the Lordship of Christ is not just a Sunday activity. Worship is NOT just for Sundays. In fact, St. Paul urges that we offer our whole selves in surrender to Christ... every ...single… moment. We have offered Jesus our whole lives, to do with it what He wills and pleases. When we offer Jesus our time, our money, our daily conversations around the dinner table, our interactions on the road, our frustrations at work - we surrender all to his Lordship, we worship.