• 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…

  • New Habits

    Pastor Patrick’s Perspective: January 25, 2026 Happy new year everyone. When writing for the January newsletter, I was busy thinking about Christmas and Epiphany. Now that they are over, my mind has turn to the new year itself. Happy 2026. What are your plans and goals this new year? Any new years resolutions? Forbes magazine…

  • What is the point of incense? Can Lutheran use incense?

    Ask the Pastor Incense is the burning of aromatic gums to produce fragrant smoke. It first appears in the Old Testament as a command of the Lord. In the tabernacle and later in the temple, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense (Exodus 30:1–10). Morning and evening, incense rose before the Lord as…

  • What is the unforgivable sin? Why is it unforgivable?

    Ask the Pastor Several passages in the New Testament mention sinning against the Holy Spirit, including: Matthew 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–29; Luke 12:10; Hebrews 6:4–6; 10:26–31; and 1 John 5:16. At first glance an unforgivable sin appears to contradict the fact that God can forgive all sins through the Jesus. We read about God’s forgiven throughout…

  • Three Gifts

    Pastor Patrick’s Perspective: January 2026 “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 The Magi came from the East to see the newborn King. They followed the star, not because they understood everything, but because God had drawn them. When they entered the house, they saw the child…