HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Preacher: Tom Zucconi Scripture uses an abundance of clothing metaphors or illustrations to make a point: having been baptized into Christ, we are now “dressed in our Sunday best,” wearing the power and grace of Jesus like a runway boss–wow! One might also say that clothes are an outward expression of the inward person. From […]

Preacher: Tom Zucconi Text: Various Good Friday continues the three-day observance (Triduum) of Christ's Passover, marking the day of his crucifixion. As such, it is a day for repentance of sin, focus on the cross, and restrained joy for our redemption. In keeping with this auspicious day, elaborate words of praise are omitted and the altar remains bare. The […]

Text: John 13 Preacher: Pastor Tom Zucconi The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” It is taken from Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love […]

Palm Sunday is historically a day of triumph, a glance at the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amongst all the fanfare and celebration. But what the crowd doesn’t know, however, is that they misunderstand the timetable. Where there was a rush to kingship, they will have to wait. Where there was a rush to triumph, there first awaited a tragedy. Jesus did what the Father called him to do, but he prayed and taught along the way. He also waited. He waited and suffered. God’s answer was not in the immediacy of the moment like the crowd wanted, but it was on the horizon. If only the crowd was able to look a few days ahead—if only you and I can look a few days ahead. Perspective is key! This morning, we join the crowd and pray our perspective is a godly, Christ centered one!

Palm Sunday is historically a day of triumph, a glance at the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amongst all the fanfare and celebration. But what the crowd doesn't know, however, is that they misunderstand the timetable. Where there was a rush to kingship, they will have to wait. Where there was a rush to triumph, there first awaited a tragedy. Jesus did what the Father called him to do, but he prayed and taught along the way. He also waited. He waited and suffered. God's answer was not in the immediacy of the moment like the crowd wanted, but it was on the horizon. If only the crowd was able to look a few days ahead—if only you and I can look a few days ahead. Perspective is key! This morning, we join the crowd and pray our perspective is a godly, Christ centered one!

Texts: Exodus 12 and Mark 10 Preacher: Tom Zucconi In this final Sunday before Holy Week we see an interesting contrast between the restrictions on participation in the Passover Meal (Exodus 12) vs Jesus’ comments to the disciples and participation in his Kingdom (Mark 10). Where one is restrictive and exclusive, the other is invitational […]

Texts: Exodus 12 and Mark 10 Preacher: Tom Zucconi In this final Sunday before Holy Week we see an interesting contrast between the restrictions on participation in the Passover Meal (Exodus 12) vs Jesus' comments to the disciples and participation in his Kingdom (Mark 10). Where one is restrictive and exclusive, the other is invitational […]

Preacher: Tom Zucconi Text: John 3 The prophet Isaiah writes, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) Deep darkness and a great light. The words of the prophet are words that take us from hopelessness to assurance […]

Preacher: Tom Zucconi Text: John 3 The prophet Isaiah writes, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) Deep darkness and a great light. The words of the prophet are words that take us from hopelessness to assurance […]

Preacher: Ken Haupt Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 Theme: In this morning’s second reading, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in Greece. Many members of the Corinthian church were gentiles who had been brought up in Greco-Roman culture and schooled in Greek philosophy. Greek philosophers believed that their wisdom […]

Preacher: Ken Haupt Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 Theme: In this morning's second reading, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in Greece. Many members of the Corinthian church were gentiles who had been brought up in Greco-Roman culture and schooled in Greek philosophy. Greek philosophers believed that their wisdom […]

To obey outwardly is one thing. To believe inwardly is another. At one point in our lives, we have all grudgingly gone along with something so as to avoid the negative consequences of non-compliance.

To obey outwardly is one thing. To believe inwardly is another. At one point in our lives, we have all grudgingly gone along with something so as to avoid the negative consequences of non-compliance.

This past year has been a "Year of Ash." Between the pandemic, political unrest, and now the Texas deep freeze, we don't need anymore reminders of death, disappointment, or decay. What we need is Easter!

This past year has been a "Year of Ash." Between the pandemic, political unrest, and now the Texas deep freeze, we don't need anymore reminders of death, disappointment, or decay. What we need is Easter!

Lent begins with a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. During Lent, the people of God reflect on the meaning of their baptism into Christ's death and resurrection. The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an ending is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God's mercy and forgiveness. With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter feast to come. Welcome to all who worship on-line with us this evening!

Lent begins with a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. During Lent, the people of God reflect on the meaning of their baptism into Christ's death and resurrection. The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an ending is really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God's mercy and forgiveness. With the cross on our brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter feast to come. Welcome to all who worship on-line with us this evening!

Scripture: Mark 9 Preacher: Ken Haupt Description: The Rhythm of Life: Have you ever noticed that all life has a common rhythm? We can describe it in different ways, like activity and inactivity or work and rest, but it really is the same rhythm. In today’s text from the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Ken Haupt […]

We all know that buildings, including our homes, require continual care and sometimes complete renovations, but have you ever thought of yourself as being “worked on” or “renovated” in your life of faith? In his letter to the Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul uses this idea of construction (or repair) upon the people of God. That we are, in a right way, a project, attended to by the Master Craftsman who is continuously caring for His creation, using the power of the Gospel to heal and reshape us into the people He is calling us to be. It’s what Paul calls in verse 6, a “good work” in us. Today, we are in WEEK 3 of our series on this “good work," discovering what the Lord is up to in our lives. Welcome to all who join us for worship!

We all know that buildings, including our homes, require continual care and sometimes complete renovations, but have you ever thought of yourself as being “worked on” or “renovated” in your life of faith? In his letter to the Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul uses this idea of construction (or repair) upon the people of God. That we are, in a right way, a project, attended to by the Master Craftsman who is continuously caring for His creation, using the power of the Gospel to heal and reshape us into the people He is calling us to be. It’s what Paul calls in verse 6, a “good work” in us. Today, we are in WEEK 3 of our series on this “good work," discovering what the Lord is up to in our lives. Welcome to all who join us for worship!

We all know that buildings, including our homes, require continual care and sometimes complete renovations, but have you ever thought of yourself as being “worked on” or “renovated” in your life of faith? In his letter to the Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul uses this idea of construction (or repair) upon the people of God. That we are, in a right way, a project, attended to by the Master Craftsman who is continuously caring for His creation, using the power of the Gospel to heal and reshape us into the people He is calling us to be. It’s what Paul calls in verse 6, a “good work” in us. Today, we are in WEEK 3 of our series on this “good work," discovering what the Lord is up to in our lives. Welcome to all who join us for worship!

We all know that buildings, including our homes, require continual care and sometimes complete renovations,, but have you ever thought of your life of faith as being “worked on” or “renovated”? In his letter to the Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul uses this idea of construction (or repair) upon the people of God. That we are, in a right way, a project, attended to by the Master Craftsman who in continuously caring for His creation, using the power of the Gospel to heal and reshape us into the people He is calling us to be. It’s what Paul calls in Philippians 1:6 “a good work” in us. Today, we continue our series on this “good work,” discovering what the Lord is up too in our lives. Welcome to all who join us for worship!

We all know that buildings, including our homes, require continual care and sometimes complete renovations, but have you ever thought of yourself as being “worked on” or “renovated” in your life of faith? In his letter to the Philippian Christians, the apostle Paul uses this idea of construction (or repair) upon the people of God. That we are, in a right way, a project, attended to by the Master Craftsman who is continuously caring for His creation, using the power of the Gospel to heal and reshape us into the people He is calling us to be. It’s what Paul calls in verse 6, a “good work” in us. Today, we begin a new series of messages on this “good work,” discovering what the Lord is up to in our lives. Welcome to all who join us for worship!

Today’s text reminds us that the Lord’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8), or, as the Yiddish proverb has it, “Man plans. God laughs.” Either way, we are reminded that the journey of life brings unplanned diversions or stops along the way. Yes, it’s important to plan, but it is just as important to be flexible with those plans, recognizing our own limitations in controlling the present or predicting the future. Think about some of the diversions or stops (good and bad) you’ve experienced in your journey of faith. How has the Lord led you through these times? What have you learned about His love and provision for you? Where has your thinking about Jesus been challenged by your experiences? Share with someone today your story of faith and how the Lord has worked in your life during the "unplanned!"

Text: is Isaiah 40:1-11 Description: A comfort stop. Even on the best of trips (and most certainly the worst) we need comfort stops along the way—whether a Welcome Center as you cross state lines or a clean and comfortable motel late at night. How does God comfort us as His people along our journey of […]

Much of the ADVENTure in following Jesus is about how His Word shapes and forms us into a distinct people with Advent hope. What are places of false hope? How about politics, career, spouse, and retirement? What else? How are these and other places of false hope contrasted against the Lord’s unending presence in our lives? How does living between the Advents shape us to be people of hope? How does the Lord Himself shape us? Consider these questions as you consider what it means to be a People of ADVENTure!

Are you an adventurous person? Are you willing to try new foods or a new vacation destination? Do you sometimes mix up your route to work or perhaps try a new genre of music? Why or why not? What keeps you from deviating from what you know, if even for a moment?Sometimes adventure is hard to come by. We get into routines and routines are hard to break—they’re comfortable and predictable. And we love comfort and predictability! So, beginning this week, we'll look at the invitation from Jesus to go on an adventure with Him, a journey which promises us that there will be no routine or comfort, only the reality that He is leading the way and calling us to come and follow. So pack your bags (bring lots of faith with you!) and join us as we learn what it means to be “People of ADVENTure.”

The three parables at the end of Matthew 25 encourage us to love and look for Jesus’ second Advent all the while laboring until He returns. We are “watching, witnessing, and working!” We may not, however, be successful or popular by the standards of the world, but by the Lord working through us, we are made profitable servants in His Kingdom.

How good are you at waiting, being patient, letting things flow naturally? It's tough, isn't it? In a microwave world we want it yesterday. But in our text today, we learn the importance of a follower of Jesus learning to watch and wait for His return. Where we hoped it would have happened yesterday, the Lord tells us only to be prepared, but nothing more. Listen in as we explore "watching and waiting" and being prepared for the return of Jesus!

No one sees the advantage of being at the bottom—until you start to understand Jesus. Then and only then does it become clear Christ is “good news for losers.”

The worst bondage is the kind that the prisoner does not recognize. She thinks she is free, yet she is really a slave. The religious people of the day thought they were free, but they were actually enslaved to sin and Satan. They would not face the truth, and it was the truth alone that could set them free. Do you know this truth? What forms of enslavement vie for your soul? Discuss with a close friend how Jesus and His Word are “chain breakers,” freeing us to live for Him and the good of our neighbor.

In this week's message, Pastor Tom looks at Jesus' well-known saying, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's." In an election year what are the implications for us in relation to the government and to our neighbor? Are our loyalties to "church and state" at odds with one another or is there a way to be both a faithful follower of Christ and a faithful citizen, regardless where we live?

The Christian life is a feast, not a funeral, and all are invited to come. Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are Christ’s ambassadors, “as though God were making his appeal through us.” We are the invitation bearers, the ones privileged to call others to the feast.

In our text today from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus confronts the religious hypocrisy of the day while calling the faithful to a life of fruitful discipleship. What context do you find yourself in? Who is in your sphere of influence? Where is Jesus calling you to serve His Kingdom? Listen in as we discover more about the Son of God who came to save us and send us forth into the world!