Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Cincinnati

“You do have a job and your job is to be growers – growers of goodness, mercy, and healing.”– Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex reminds us that we are people who are called to grow goodness, mercy, and healing in God’s creation.

“We can never lose sight that – as people who follow Jesus – the ethic and predominant position we should have is one first of grace.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne reminds us of the amazing power that is provided through God’s gift of grace.

“But if you’ve ever had an experience like mine and wondering if the God of the universe loves you, the one name Jesus died for you, if the Holy Spirit can dwell in you – I say, welcome, beloved.” – Pastor Melinda Garza Moran. In her first sermon at Good Shepherd, Pastor Melinda reminds us that no matter where we are on our faith journeys we are truly beloved.

“But it’s the children that understand intuitively that there is a beauty and gift found in being present.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne reminds us of the importance of being present to the moment we are in and to linger just a little longer in the season of Christmas.

“Are our eyes open to God showing up in ways that we cannot and do not expect?” – Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex reminds us that a spirit of curiosity keeps our eyes open to the ways in which God is calling us to bring more love and grace into the world.

“Nobody needs to do this thing alone.” – Pastor Alex Hoops On this Christmas Eve, Pastor Alex reminds us of the importance of relationships in our lives and how God provides the example when he came to live among us.

“When God sees you, God sees a child who is loved.’” – Pastor Lorne Hlad In a culture where we hear so many things about ourselves that simply aren’t true, Pastor Lorne reminds us to listen for the voice of God which declares in no uncertain terms that we are loved.

"Hope always comes when we open ourselves up to the support and partnership and love of other people." - Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne reminds us of the joy that God provides when we open ourselves up to living life in community, surrounded by people who will walk with us through the good and the bad.

“We’re lighting a candle that’s talking about a different kind of peace.’” – Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex explores how the true peace offered through Christ is not to be confused with “quiet”, but rather is a peace that comes from trusting that God will always guide us.

"This Advent, brothers and sisters, don't just prepare your homes. Prepare yourselves to remember that God has given us more gifts than we could ever hope for that have the capacity to transform and change us." - Pastor Alex Hoops In this first week of Advent, Pastor Alex explores God's gift of hope and how it help us endure the good and bad times of our lives.

“Empires are temporary. God’s kingdom is not.’” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne reminds us that God’s Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of the earth. It’s a kingdom that’s built on love and mercy with open doors welcoming all people inside.

"The cycle of life for people who follow Jesus is that we experience a thousand deaths. And on the other end of them we experience a thousand rebirths." - Pastor Lorne Hlad In this week's sermon, Pastor Lorne reminds us that God is always working in our lives, even during our lowest moments.

“Our hope is not in political parties, it’s in and always has been in Christ.’” – Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex reminds us that regardless of our views on politics, we are people who are called to love God and love our neighbor.

"Big steps is the [phrase] we use, but it has nothing to do with physical distance. Big steps are intentional steps...it has everything to do with our hopes connected to them." - Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex asks us to consider how God is calling us all into taking the next big step in our lives.

“I want you to think of those people in your life that have modeled a heart of serving and giving, of love and sharing for you.’” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne reminds us that bold generosity is a lifelong commitment to serving and giving so that others may know God’s love in their life.

“True abundance is found in a beautiful hope that exists in the midst of challenges and says, ‘The worst thing is not the last thing.’” – Pastor Alex Hoops Pastor Alex reminds us that even in our darkest moments we can trust in Jesus and that the worst thing is not the last thing.

“We have to learn to get past the walls we build if we want to experience true, authentic community.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne explores how all people are invited into the life-giving, authentic community that Christ offers as they are.

“True abundance is not the absence of pain…it’s never about what we earn, accomplish or achieve. It is about living a life marked by faith, by hope, having community, living a generous life, and taking risks.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad Pastor Lorne shares Good Shepherd’s reclarified mission, “Connecting People to True Abundance in Christ”, and begins to explore how we can live a life marked by the abund...

“We have an amazing, unbelievably gracious God who is going to walk with us, lead us, show us the path forward. And when we fail and stumble in fear – feel overwhelmed – God is going to pick us up again and say, rejoice brothers and sisters, rejoice, my children, because your names are written in the book of life.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad In this week’s sermon, Pastor Lorne explores the gifts that God...

“There is someone in your midst who is likely being overlooked, spoken over, and is never even considered to be in the conversation of who’s the greatest – that’s where your attention should be.” – Pastor Alex Hoops In this week’s sermon, Pastor Alex explores what it means to stop focusing on ourselves and instead put that focus on those who are overlooked in lives.

“Do you know who you were created to be?” – Pastor Lorne Hlad In this week’s sermon, Pastor Lorne reminds us that when we live our lives as a reflection of Jeus, we are showing the world who Christ really is.

“There's just a statement of truth - that crumbs would be more than enough - an honest declaration of God's infinite, boundless, and amazing love.” – Pastor Alex Hoops In this week’s sermon, Pastor Alex explores what it means to humbly respond to Christ’s calling in our lives and how God’s provision is enough.

“What’s being offered by Jesus in this life of faith is not a list. It’s no less than life in all its fullness.” – Pastor Alex Hoops On his return from sabbatical, Pastor Alex reminds us our faith is more than a “to do” list, but an invitation to live a life transformed so that all may see God’s love and grace in their lives.

“Today is an invitation to quit running, to quite striving, to quite trying to fill yourself with things that only leave you more hungry.” – Pastor Lorne Hlad This week, Pastor Lorne reminds us that the hunger we have for meaning and purpose in our lives can only truly be satisfied by accepting the love and peace Jesus offers and leaving the things the world offers.

“I will continue to affirm that…I was created perfectly and that I shouldn’t have to feel like I need to change any part of me to feel accepted and appreciated – especially not for God.” - Good Shepherd Flock Student This week, we welcomed Good Shepherd’s High School Youth Group, The Flock, to share their Spirit moments from their recent trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.