Pastor Nate

We do not always get what we want!  I think we have all been there before:  You are looking forward to something for a long time, maybe weeks or months, or even years, and right before it is supposed to…

Death and resurrection are a part of the seasons of the world we live in.  Every year in spring, at Easter time, we remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after he had been tortured…

The movie Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson, and starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, was a weirdly fantastical movie that came out in 1986, the year of my birth.  It was a favorite movie of my sister’s generation that grew…

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! 

- Psalm 133:1 

It may not be surprising to you that there are wide variety of political opinions of members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and that…

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” 

-Ephesians 5:15-16 

In the United States and in many countries around the world we have a…

Why do we spend so many weeks waiting and preparing for Jesus, when we already know how the story goes?  We know about the proclamation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, we know how Joseph almost broke off the engagement…

Living in Church Community in Tumultuous Times 

One of the beautiful parts of Christianity is that it brings together so many people of different backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, cultures, and more (or at least that is what it should do).  We…

I recently came across an interesting grouping of scientific books and research papers that define Parasite Stress Theory, which posits that political and cultural divisions between people into liberal and conservative values is caused by their exposure to infectious diseases…

Fundamentalism (From August 2021 Newsletter Article)

Often seen from a Protestant Christian perspective Fundamentalism (capitalized) refers to a movement in the church focusing on a literal interpretation of the Bible and strict adherence to the beliefs and rules derived therefrom.  

…

"Reverend Rapper" Pastor Nate and singer Nicholas Preston combine for this unique blend of hip hop and classical styles.  A remake of the iconic hymn How Great Thou Art, this remake brings the hymn to the 21st century with some…

My first single of 2021 is titled "Lost Pages"! 

Back in the day when I was a teenager I used to just get lost in my writing, poems and raps and all kinds of stuff. My life may have taken…

Children’s message: 

Jesus came to bring not peace he said, but a sword… 

Now I have a couple of swords right here 

There was certainly a lot of fighting with swords in those days 

Not as much anymore, unless, you…

Children's message:

We have a special broadcast message from our partners in ministry 

Stay tuned 

Methuselah: 

Welcome my dear friends, 

My name is Methuselah, 

And you are watching, the Show 

Oh, it has been so long!  So long! 

 Good to…

Children's message:

What in the world is the Trinity?? 

Many wise and intelligent people have tried to comprehend 

And to explain over the years 

But one way you can imagine (not perfect but just a helpful analogy)

Is with a…

Children’s message: 

Pentecost and the tongues of fire: the Holy Spirit

Disciples went out talking about Jesus 

Everyone heard in their own language! 

Jesus loves you, in multiple languages 

almasih yuhabik  (Arabic) 

Yēsū ài nǐ  (Chinese) 

Jésus t’aime (French) 

Jezi…

The other day our outdoor bird cage 

accidentally got left open. 

Rosetta (Yaretzi’s bird) almost got away  

Coco (Natalia’s) was nowhere in sight 

But we could hear him squeaking and squawking 

Up in the oak tree, right next to the…

Children’s message: 

Methusala the Dragon:  Welcome one and all to story time with Jesus of Nazareth, and his trusty sidekick, the Camel who went through the eye of a needle!  I hear them coming along right now… 

Jesus:  Hello Camel…

Children’s message: 

What would you ask for in Jesus name? 

What does your name mean? 

Many times, there is a story behind it! 

Has anyone ever told you a story about your name? 

If not, you should look up what…

Children’s message:  Listening to the voice of Jesus 

I have a very special guest for you!

Methusala the Dragon:  Welcome one and all, gather around while we hear the tale 

Of Jesus starring in his role as the GATE and…

We can sure get stuck in a rut! 

As someone who writes a sermon message every week 

It is something that could happen to a pastor preacher 

How to come up with something new and creative 

each time?

There are…

So… Jesus, Breathes on his disciples… 

C’mon man, not cool, not cool! 

Jesus is not following current sanitation regulations… 

That’s for sure! 

Although earlier he did spit in the dirt 

and made mud that gave a blind man his eyesight…

There has certainly been an appropriate vibe 

with the weather and political events, 

For this Holy Week!

We are living in interesting times! 

Rain has been coming down,  

Thank you God; for the rain! 

But it does give things a…

I’ve been thinking about this word Hosanna all week long.

What does it mean to shout Hosanna? 

Hosanna is like our Lenten form of Alleluia kind of 

Every song that you typically sing Alleluia 

If you sing it during Lent…

Remember that story from Ezekiel, 

The valley of dry bones? 

In many ways, the world looks like a valley of dry bones 

Empty streets, restaurants, and businesses 

And in general, 

 even when we are not in a crisis, 

Our politics 

…