• 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…

  • The Offense of Christmas

    Christmas is just as offensive as the cross.

  • Angelic Saints?

    Question: Why is the archangel Michael called a saint? I thought only people were saints. Reply: Good question. The word saint simply means holy one. The English word “saint” comes from the Latin word sanctus, which means “holy” or “set apart.” Many of us refer to the hymn, “Holy, holy, holy” as the Santus because…

  • About All Saints Day

    Observing All Saints Day reminds us of our calling to be saints because of our baptism.