Listen to an individual sermon—Click on the “Listen to this sermon” link to play the mp3 file of that sermon. To save the file to your computer and listen later, right-click (Windows) or option-click (Mac) on the “Listen to this sermon” link for that sermon.
For recorded sermons since Easter 2007 and earlier sermon texts, visit our Sermon Archive.
Transfiguration of Our Lord: Last Sunday after Epiphany—February 19, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Exodus 24:12–18 | Psalm 2 | 2 Peter 1:16–21 | Matthew 17:1–9
Summary: The Transfiguration Gospel text is a powerful one of transformation. The disciples are sent a powerful sign that God is with them and transforming them, but they seem to want to remain where they are. Standing in a similar place, we want to know how to live in this world, but if we try to change ourselves, there is no transformation. That can only come through dialog with God and the Spirit. God is at work in the world. If we allow ourselves to be surrounded by the love of God, we will be transformed, for we have seen the glory of the Lord.
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany—February 12, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Deuteronomy 30:15–20 | Psalm 119:1–8 | 1 Corinthians 3:1–9 | Matthew 5:21–37
Summary: The other day Jazzy and I were out with our new foster child, and we were attacked by dogs. Fortunately, an auntie in a big truck drove up and rescued us. In our Gospel, Jesus tells us to be reconciled with our neighbors in both attitude and action. When we, as Christians, look at others, we see them as beloved of God. Our response to those in need shows our deep beliefs and attitudes. God’s inbreaking presence in Christ reorders our priorities and offers us a life that is deep and wide.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany—February 5, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 58:1–12 | Psalm 112:1–10 | 1 Corinthians 2:1–16 | Matthew 5:13–20
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “You [plural] are salt” and “You are light.” Both salt and light are additive; once added they cannot be taken away. In Isaiah, God desires a feast of liberation and care for the poor. We are called to join the lights of our neighbors of every kind to share the light of God. God has given us all light and made us salt to uphold our neighbors and bring righteousness, justice, love, joy, forgiveness, and peace.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany/Reconciling in Christ Sunday—January 29, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Micah 6:1–8 | Psalm 15 | 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 | Matthew 5:1–12
Summary: The Beatitudes sound to us like a statement of how the world should be. But scholars of Aramaic tell us that the word we translate as “blessed” probably has a meaning closer to “the time is right for.” In the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day, these words would be seen as radical criticism of the state. Under this understanding, each of us stands convicted as representatives of the ruling class. This, as Paul observes, seems like foolishness that we think will never work. Back in the early 1990s, LCH departed from ELCA practice and became an RIC congregation, and eventually the ELCA adopted the same welcome. We as a church are still repenting our racism, and there is still much to do. The time is right to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, for God delights when we are creators of justice and joy and peace.
Third Sunday after Epiphany—January 22, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Isaiah 9:1–4 | Psalm 27:1, 4–9 | 1 Corinthians 1:10–18 | Matthew 4:12–23
Summary: I recently toured the watercress farm near Pearl Ridge, and the owner shared this wisdom, “Know your vision,” because it will guide you through whatever happens. Our society today seems to struggle to have a shared vision. In Corinthians, Paul urged the people to be united in vision. In the Gospel lesson, we wonder what vision Jesus offered that made them leave their boats and follow him. The song I shared with the children offers a Hawaiian vision. What is our vision?
Second Sunday after Epiphany/Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday—January 15, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 49:1–7 | Psalm 40:1–11 | 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 | John 1:29–42
Summary: In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist sees Jesus and excitedly exclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God.” As we approach Martin Luther King Day, we are dismayed to see a resurgence of white supremacy and antisemitism; we seem to have lost the image of the Lamb of God seen in our Gospel. It is only when we can see the sin of our own racism that we can honor the Lamb of God. Jesus abides with us and wears us down with God’s love so that we can see the truth, see God in our neighbors, and live out God’s love.
Epiphany of Our Lord (transferred)—January 8, 2023
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 60:1–6 | Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14 | Ephesians 3:1–12 | Matthew 2:1–12
Summary: The story of the magi, who we remember on Epiphany, has its roots in earlier times. In our first lesson, the people have fallen short, and God calls them to come to the light and be restored. We too are called to stand up, look around, and see what God is up to in the world. In our Gospel, the established order is upset by the star, but the magi offer their gifts and return another way. Many of us can be terrified at anything that upsets the norm. Jesus sets us free to be children of God. May we all follow the star, look around to see what God is doing, and take that road.
The Name of Jesus—January 1, 2023
Lessons and Carols—no sermon
Christmas Day—December 25, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Isaiah 52:7–10 | Psalm 98 | Hebrews 1:1–12 | John 1:1–14
Summary: Four years ago, there were reports of baby Jesuses being stolen from crèches. Some churches responded by bolting their baby Jesuses to the floor, but others were happy that someone wanted to take baby Jesus home. We can’t nail Jesus to the ground. Jesus is always where Jesus needs to be, and Jesus always comes to us.
Christmas Eve—December 24, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 9:2–7 | Psalm 96 | Titus 2:11–14 | Luke 2:1–20
Summary: We have heard the Gospel story from Luke hundreds of times, but we need to hear it again because new needs for hope abound. The message from God that a child has been born for us binds us together in love. In his life, Jesus calls us to live together in love. God is persistent in reaching out to us.
Fourth Sunday of Advent—December 18, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 7:10–16 | Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 | Romans 1:1–7 | Matthew 1:18–25
Summary: Today is the last Sunday in Advent, and we hear Matthew’s version of Jesus’ birth, which is very different from the familiar story in Luke. Matthew starts with Jesus’s genealogy and then turns to Joseph. The angel tells Joseph that Mary is pregnant, and he decides to divorce her quietly, but the angel tells him not to be afraid. The baby is from God, and Joseph is to name him Jesus. Joseph’s decision makes all the difference in the world. We should not dismiss the message of the angel. Like Joseph, we should not be afraid and believe the promise and reality that God is with us, not because of our worthiness but because of God’s love.
Third Sunday of Advent—December 11, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Isaiah 35:1–10 | Psalm 146:5–10 | James 5:7–10 | Matthew 11:2–11
Summary: I’m not a patient person, so today’s lesson from James convicts me. Patience is a spiritual practice, and it relates particularly to the long arc of justice. Our modern desire for instant gratification works against our waiting patiently for justice, and even with our Gospel lesson of the end of oppression on the Day of the Lord, we ask “Where is God?” and “Where is the one who is to come?” Patience can be seen as the difference between faith and atheism. We need faith to wait for the Day of the Lord, to remain strong in the belief that God is near.
Second Sunday of Advent—December 4, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Bree Lloyd
Lessons: Isaiah 11:1–10 | Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Romans 15:4–13 | Matthew 3:1–12
Summary: Some people talk about an overly-optimistic hope that can lead to despair, but perhaps it’s better to think about waiting expectantly for possibilities. We are experiencing the eruption of Mauna Loa, and in those rumblings, there are new possibilities, but they are not safe or sanguine. This is the power of the shoot coming out of the stem of Jesse. May this active waiting carry you forward.
First Sunday of Advent—November 27, 2022
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 2:1–5 | Psalm 122 | Romans 13:11–14 | Matthew 24:36–44
Summary: Today’s Gospel concerns the time when Jesus will come again. No one know when or how, and the images are not intended to be literal, but we can be sure that the future will surprise us. When your computer is acting up, they tell you to reboot and get rid of the old junk in the system. The Gospel lesson is that kind of fresh start. We also know that the world is being drawn towards God, and Jesus tells us to be watchful. We don’t need to look for Christ because Christ is already here. It’s about looking out for others and caring for the most vulnerable and all creation. This kind of watchfulness throughout the whole year will transform us in the way of Christ.