• First names

    Ask the Pastor Why are only people’s first names mentioned during the prayers at church?We have a long history of naming people. In the Old Testament, the Hebrews named male children at circumcision on the eighth day after birth. See Luke 1:59. The early church adopted a similar pattern with baptismal names which were given…

  • Discipleship

    Pastor’s Perspective Since our congregation has started the RENEW process, we should talk about discipleship. Why? RENEW is about “Renewing Peace Lutheran in Disciple-Making.” I am excited about our congregation as we begin this adventure of trusting in God’s faithfulness. What is discipleship? American Christianity often portrays discipleship as an extra layer of faith, suggesting…

  • Where was God before the beginning?

    Ask the Pastor Let me give a simplified answer. The first thing to note is that God created everything that is not God, even if it is not listed in the Genesis 1 account. This means God created atoms and angels, and time. This is what is meant by creation out of nothing. Other ancient…

  • What do we mean when we say that Jesus is Son of the Father?

    Ask the Pastor The Nicene Creed states two things about the second person of the Trinity that are equally true. First, that he is “begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.” Second, that “For us and for our…

  • Jesus descent to hell?

    Ask the Pastor What does it mean when we say that Jesus descended into hell in the creed? Yes, the Apostles’ Creed confesses that “Jesus descended into hell.” It is not alone in that confession for the Athanasian Creed makes a similar confession. The Athanasian Creed, which is named after St. Athanasius, is the third…

  • Just Protestant?

    Pastor Patrick’s Perspective: February 2026 “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3b ESV I’ve been think about labels and effective or ineffective they are. There are some words that really don’t do they job we thought it…