|
Pastor Ralph’s Audio Sermons ————————————————————— January 11, 2026 Baptism of Our Lord at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Heaven Is Opened” When we do what God wants us to do, our work is forgiveness, healing, kindness, compassion, generosity, love. TEXT: Matthew 3:13-17
January 4, 2026 Epiphany (observed) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Drawn to the Light” Arise. Shine. Light has come. Hang on, for dear life, to the LOVE and JOY that the LIGHT offers you. TEXT: Isaiah 60:1-6 ——————————————— December 28, 2025 First Sunday of Christmas at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “The Hopes and Fears of All the Years” In the midst of fears, suffering, grief, still we love one another, we show compassion, we’re generous to those in need, etc. etc. etc. TEXT: Matthew 2:13-23
December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Great Glad Tidings” God’s love is with us. Let’s resolve to bring this love into our daily lives, one kind word at a time, one act of service at a time, one caring action at a time. TEXT: Luke 2:8-14
December 21, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Be Born In Us Today” When you’re able to “hush the noise,” when you get your soul to a place of holy peace, remember Emmanuel, remember God is with you. TEXT: Matthew 1:18-25
December 14, 2025 Third Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Hush the Noise” There comes a time when the best we can do is “Hush the Noise.” TEXT: Matthew 11:2-11
December 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Prepare the Way of the Lord” God never gives up on us. No matter what our “viper-ness” is, we can ALWAYS be assured of God’s forgiveness and love. So, let's adopt John the Baptist’s message of invitation and hope, announcing that God is coming into our world, that we bear God’s fruit in the world, doing good in the world in small and large ways. TEXT: Matthew 3:1-12 ——————————————— November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “What Time Is It?” What time is it? It’s time to take care of each other. TEXT: Matthew 24:36-44
November 23, 2025 Christ the King Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “The Reign of Mercy and Love” We’re invited to be people of mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness, resisting and fighting against evil in the world. TEXT: Luke 21:5-19
November 16, 2025 Proper 28 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Christ, Be Our Light” We sometimes wish our lives would be all sunshine and flowers, but we’re people who have disasters, trials, and suffering. So we cry out: “Christ, be our light.” And he is. Christ IS our light. TEXT: Luke 21:5-19
November 9, 2025 Proper 27 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “We’re Talking About God!” When we forgive, and when we’re forgiven, we taste eternity. When we’re kind, and when others are kind to us, we taste eternity. When we serve the poor, the needy, the hurting, the grieving, we taste eternity. TEXT: Luke 20:27-38
November 2, 2025 All Saints Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Craving God’s Blessings” When we all feed the world with morsels of kindness, generosity, blessings, and love, God will change the world through us. TEXT: Luke 6:17-31 ——————————————— October 26, 2025 Reformation Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Greenville, PA TITLE: “We Remember” There’s plenty of trouble in the world: tumult, frustrations, and anxiety. Be still... be still... receive divine and holy gifts and put them to good use in the world: generosity, kindness, forgiveness, mercy, etc. TEXT: Psalm 46 ( My original musical paraphrase is included.)
October 19, 2025 Proper 24 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Pray Always and Do Not Lose Heart” Don’t lose heart. Because, in the end, God wins. All that is good wins. Love wins. TEXT: Luke 18:1-8
October 12, 2025 Proper 23 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Giving Thanks to God” Count your blessings and give thanks! TEXT: Luke 17:11-19
October 5, 2025 Proper 22 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Bloom Where You Are Transplanted” Our job description is to plant simple seeds of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, peace (shalom), and love. TEXT: Luke 17:5-10 ——————————————— September 28, 2025 Proper 21 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “Learning to Love” Love the way God wants us to love: with compassion, caring, empathy, support, prayer, lifting up those who are low. TEXT: Luke 16:19-31
September 21, 2025 Proper 20 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “You Can Be Forgiven” “Children of light” marinate in compassion, empathy, goodness, honesty, joy, peace, FORGIVENESS! TEXT: Luke 16:1-13
September 14, 2025 Holy Cross Day at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “It Was for Love” SONG: “It Was for Love” (words and music © 1992 by Ralph J. Mineo) When we receive God's love, we’re equipped, motivated, and blessed to forgive others, to give living water to others, to help others with the difficult journey they’re traveling. TEXT: John 3:13-17
September 7, 2025 Proper 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Erie, PA TITLE: “We Follow Jesus. We Worship God.” Here’s a plan: receive God’s love. And then, give God’s love to others. TEXT: Luke 14:25-33 ——————————————— |