Note: This Pastor’s Page is adapted from my Aug 16, 2026 sermon for Rev. Dr. Leroy Leach’s installation as St. Matthew's Assistant Pastor. The sermon text was 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Our Lord Jesus spoke of the serious task of the Holy Ministry both to His Apostles (in the Gospels) and throughthose same Apostles (in the rest of the New Testament). One of those passages is 2 Corinthians chapter 5. How does St. Paul characterize the work of ministry? He calls it “the ministry of reconciliation.” He writes in 2 Cor. 5:18-19, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

This type of reconciliation is about much more than people trying to get along or sweep their differences under the rug. As far as it depends upon us, the Lord does expect us to live peaceably with others (Romans 12:18), but there’s much more to this “ministry of reconciliation” than just putting up with others or attempting to “reconcile” our differences maybe even by excusing our own sin or the sins of others.

First of all, 2 Corinthians 5 is about what the Lord has done for us! Without Christ Jesus, there is no reconciliation. Apart from our Savior, there is only alienation and separation from God. That’s the stark reality of our sin. The wages of our sin is death and eternal separation from the Lord.

As pastors, we are called to proclaim God’s Law and the harsh reality that He has pronounced about our sinful condition. But this message of the Law (with the damning nature of our sin, and the separation from God that our sin causes) also prepares us to hear the Gospel as truly Good News from the Lord, like this Gospel statement from St. Paul in 2 Cor. 5:18, “Through Christ [God] reconciled us to Himself!”

Don’t take those words for granted as you read them! Don’t take that message for granted as we pastors teach and preach it each week!  Instead, remember where you’ve come from. … In just one chapter of the Bible, Ephesians chapter 2, Paul uses all of these descriptions of our natural sinful condition: dead in your trespasses and sins; by nature, children of wrath; separated from Christ; alienated from God’s people; strangers to His promises; having no hope and without God; and being far off from Him. Finally, though, Paul preaches Good News for us in Eph. 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For Himself is our peace.”  

Through Christ, God has reconciled you to Himself! And Paul says the work of Christ and His cross went even further: “That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Cor. 5:19). This is the very Good News that our Lord Jesus gave Himself for every human soul. Because of this, we ought to regard every single person accordingly,  as a precious soul whom Christ has died to redeem!

But still, this Good News needs to be shared and heard and believed. The blessings of Christ’s cross must be applied to us individually through Holy Baptism. Christ’s plan for making people His new creations is that they be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt, 28:19), having their sins washed away, and receiving His promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). And then, having been brought near and reconciled to God in Christ, we need to continue hearing the powerful Word of God, for faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17).

And all of this points to the necessity of the Holy Ministry. God provides pastors for His people, that we might be baptized into Christ, continue growing in His Holy Word, and be fed with Christ’s Body and Blood. Pastors are called to publicly preach and teach God’s Word and administer His Sacraments, that we would know and believe that it is by God’s grace, through faith in Christ alone, that we are saved. 

God Himself is the Reconciler, but He carries out this ministry through His people, through pastors, teaching and preaching the saving Gospel of Christ crucified and risen to make us His new creations, and through Christian lay people, as your words and lives bring the peace of Christ to those in need of it. 

Again, St. Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 5:19-20, how God is “entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

As we go forward, receive Pastor Leach, like any faithful pastor, as the Ambassador for Christ that he is. An ambassador doesn’t just speak on His own behalf. He speaks for the One who sent him. This is what Paul means when he says God is making His appeal through us. When you hear your pastor proclaim God’s Word of Law and Gospel for you and pronounce forgiveness for your sins, the Lord Himself is addressing you through His minister.  

When Pastor Leach appeals to you to heed God’s Word, to live a life that is reconciled to God through faith in His Son, listen and take it to heart. And when he teaches you to let God’s reconciliation filter down into your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ, listen up to that as well! You and I have been made new in Christ: made new to live a faithful life, which receives and honors God’s Word, and a life that both shares and practices Christ’s reconciliation with those around us.

So, thank you, Pastor Leach, for accepting the Call to serve as St. Matthew’s Assistant Pastor  and for faithfully making known to us the Good News that, in Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself!

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke

Earlier this month, St. Matthew’s new stained-glass window was installed. This window has been a long time in coming! Its predecessor was much beloved but was buckling and needed to be replaced. (Thankfully, the old window was removed intact and is being restored by Soos Glass for future use elsewhere in our facility.) Prior to his death, former member Scott Sparks was working on finding a stained-glass artisan who could help us with the project. Later, Scott Roper took up the project and designed the layout and elements of the window. Soos Glass of Maumelle eventually produced the new window.

Throughout church history, Christians have used a variety of symbols to depict biblical truth and to serve as visual reminders and teaching tools of what the Lord has done for us. In European churches, stained-glass windows long served as a visual tour of Scripture, depicting major biblical figures and scenes. Lutherans have historically embraced Christian artwork, provided that its content is consistent with God’s Word. Here is a summary of the symbols included in this new window:

The cross – at the exact center of the window is the cross. Christ’s cross is the center of our Christian faith, for it was upon the cross that He sacrificed Himself for our sins and became our source of eternal salvation.

Communion bread and chalice – the central cross is set on the communion bread and suspended above the large, golden chalice. In, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion, our Lord Jesus feeds us His body and blood for our forgiveness. The window overlooks the altar from which we receive the gifts of Christ’s body and blood.

Wheat and grapes – these are yet another symbol of Holy Communion and reflect the design of our prior window. The images of wheat and grapes can also symbolize the church: “For just as the one cup is filled with wine of many grapes and one bread made from countless grains, so also we, being many, are one body in Christ.” (LSB p. 291)

Blue background – as the window overlooks the baptismal font, its beautiful blue background reminds us of the waters of Holy Baptism. There, “by the washing of water with the word,” Christ cleansed us and made us His holy people (Ephesians 5:26).

Dove – at Jesus’ Baptism, God the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove and rested on Him (Matthew 3:16). That same Spirit of God is His gift to us in our Baptism (Acts 2:38). Every day, we live this Christian life through the strength and presence of the Holy Spirit.  

The combined Greek letters, Chi-Rho – at the top of the window is a Christian symbol that resembles the English letters X and P. These are the Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P). Together, these letters are an abbreviated form of Christos, or “Christ.” This ancient monogram dates back to the early church. It is Christ, our Messiah, who makes all the difference for you and me, for “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The Greek letters, Alpha and Omega – on the left and right sides of the window are two additional Greek characters, Alpha and Omega. These letters point to God the Father (Revelation 1:8), completing the Trinitarian symbolism of the window. They likewise point to Jesus who announces, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). Christ alone begins, accomplishes, and finishes our salvation through His life, death, resurrection, and return.

Grace and Faith – last but not least, near the bottom of the window are two words which are foundational for our Christian faith: “Grace” and “Faith.” It is by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ alone that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). This is the Gospel message which we continue to share and proclaim, not only within these walls but in our everyday lives and relationships. May this vibrant new window continue to remind all of us of these truths of God’s Word for many years to come!

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke

Lutheran Christians confess the church’s three historic creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. These creeds are called “ecumenical” which means that they are shared by the whole Christian church. The word “creed” comes from the Latin credo, which simply means “I believe.” Here are a few questions and answers pertaining to the creeds:

Why do the creeds speak of the “catholic” faith? The olriginal versions of all three creeds speak of the catholicity of our faith. For example, the Apostles’ Creed says, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian [catholic] Church.” This is not an exclusive reference to the Roman Catholic Church. Early believers would speak of the catholic faith to describe the doctrines which were believed and confessed universally among Christians. As you confess these creeds, remember that you are confessing your faith together with Christians throughout space and time.

What occasions are associated with the creeds? The Apostles’ Creed was an ancient baptismal creed. It is confessed in the liturgy of Holy Baptism and at Confirmation. Of the three, it is the most succinct statement of the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed was formulated at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and modified at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381. This creed goes into more detail on the identity of Jesus Christ. It is traditionally associated with the Lord’s Supper. The Athanasian Creed, the longest of the three, was named in memory of St. Athanasius (AD 296-373), a staunch defender of trinitarian theology. The creed itself originated perhaps a century after his death. Because this creed was not necessarily prepared for corporate use (and because of its length), it is usually reserved for use in worship to Trinity Sunday.

Why do the creeds say that Jesus “descended into hell”? Both the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds include this article of faith. This is based on one Scripture passage, 1 Peter 3:18-20, in which Peter states that Jesus suffered and died and was made alive again, “in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey.” This was interpreted by early Christians as Jesus descending into hell to proclaim His resurrection victory over sin, death, and the devil. Lutherans maintain this teaching and recognize Christ’s descent into hell as part of His exaltation following His suffering and death.

Why does the Nicene Creed say so much about Jesus? The Second Article of the Nicene Creed uses the word “begotten” three times to describe the relationship between Jesus and the Father. It’s reinforcing the teaching that there is an eternal Father-Son relationship between them. The Christians at Nicaea especially emphasized the divinity of Jesus. He is “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.” Additionally, He is “of one substance with the Father.” In the fourth century, a heresy called Arianism was causing confusion among Christians. Arius taught that Jesus was an exalted man who was created, not eternal. This contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture about the Person of Jesus. The formulators of the Nicene Creed made it clear that Arius’ teachings (and other false teaching along the same lines) are not compatible with the biblical, Christian faith.

If the Holy Trinity is a mystery, why does the Athanasian Creed say so much about Him? While we can’t intellectually grasp everything the Bible teaches, such as how Christ’s body and blood are present in the Lord’s Supper or how God can be three persons in one divine being, that doesn’t mean that we can’t make faithful theological distinctions about such teachings. The Athanasian Creed is responding against various false teachings regarding the Triune God. Some, for example, did away with the doctrine of the Trinity in favor of a oneness view of God. This heresy, called Modalism, still exists in Oneness Pentecostalism. The Athanasian Creed expresses the mystery of the Holy Trinity both by emphasizing the distinction between the three persons and the Unity of the Godhead.

Does the Athanasian Creed teach salvation by works? The closing statements of the Athanasian Creed speak about Christ’s return and the final judgment. Verse 39 states, “And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.” While we may balk at the wording, the writers of the Athanasian Creed were echoing statements from Scripture itself, such as Jesus’ words in John 5:28-29. However, reading further along provides more clarity about our salvation. In the next chapter, Jesus is asked, “‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” (John 6:28-29) A few verses later, Jesus offers more Good News: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day” (John 6:40). 

On the last day you and I will be judged not according to the goodness within us. (There is none apart from the Lord’s work.) Instead, we’ll be judged according to the good work that the Holy Spirit has done within us – bringing us to saving faith in the One whom God has sent for us, Jesus Christ (John 6:29), just as the book of Hebrews tells us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6). Good works continue to flow from saving faith in Jesus, but they are not the basis for our salvation.

Join me in thanking the Lord for these three ecumenical Christian creeds which summarize both our shared Christian faith and our personal faith in God the Holy Trinity. May we continue to confess the creeds boldly and faithfully as countless men and women of God have done before us!

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke