Sermons

Rev Eric ShaferThe Rev. Eric Shafer, Senior Pastor  -  

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church,
Santa Monica, California


 

Since this is my first time in worship with you and my first week as your new Senior Pastor, I want to share some thoughts with you all.

First of all, I want to thank God and thank you all for this new opportunity for ministry, ministry for me and ministry for all of us together. You have all been so kind to both my wife, Kris, and me, as we have made the journey here from across the USA. Thank you.

What should you expect from me?

Here’s what I believe is most important – we all live in the midst of God’s unconditional love for us. That’s it. That’s really all there is. The problem, our problem, is that we sometimes or even often have difficulty accepting God’s love and living as if God loved us unconditionally.

Thus, you will hear a lot about God’s love for humankind from me over these next months and, hopefully, years. About receiving God’s love for us all and trying to live as if we believe that God loves us unconditionally.

There is much more to our Christian faith, of course, than God’s love for us all. But, if I have learned anything over the years is that God’s love for us all is the most important fact of our life and faith as Christians. If we really believe and remember God loves us, we can live different lives, lives that are focused on loving each other and lives free from worry about what might happen to us in this life or in the life to come.

And, you will hear often from me about God’s (and Jesus’) commitment to the poor and marginalized, something most of us here at Mt. Olive are not. Jesus spoke about the poor a lot, perhaps more than any other topic. The Gospels make it pretty clear that Jesus wants us to share His concern for the poor.

So, you will probably hear a lot about this from me also.

Obviously, my ecumenical and interfaith experience has influenced my ministry and beliefs. As has my global experience, especially my time in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Regardless, we are in this ministry together.

I remember hearing a story some years ago from Bob Armstrong, who worked in stewardship with ELCA congregations in Alaska. Bob told of one trip to an isolated Alaskan village. The weather was terrible, snowy and icey. Bob was waiting for his flight in an isolated part of the Anchorage airport, watching the weather outside grow increasing grim. He was flying Alaska Airlines, but the plane was just a four-seater, just the pilot and three passengers. And, as far as Bob could see, there was just one other passenger, and he was near Bob sitting with his heavy coat on and his hood covering his head. No one else, not even the pilot, seemed to be in sight. Bob’s flight was called – the other man got up and went out to the plane and surprised Bob by taking the pilot’s seat. As Bob boarded the flight, the pilot looked at Bob and looked out at the weather and said, “Well, you and I, we are in this together!”

And that is it – we, you and I, are in the ministry of Jesus Christ together here at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. I thank God daily for you all and this opportunity.

The Rev. Eric Shafer
Senior Pastor
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, California

 


Past Sermons

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Contact Information

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church

1343 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Office 310-452-1116

Preschool (310) 452-2342

Office Hours:

Tues. & Wed. 9am-1pm

Limited due to Covid.

For information & bookings please call or send a message through website contact form.

 

Worship Services

  • Worship Services:
    Saturdays - 5:00pm
    Sundays - 9:00am
    Join us for fellowship following worship!

  • Sunday School:
    9:00 am for preschoolers.

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