Produced and Delivered Web-TV Programming
LaGrave Live
LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
About The Service:
March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
LaGrave Live
LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
About The Service:
March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
Summary
The provided content is a detailed transcript of a Palm Sunday worship service, blending musical worship, scripture readings, sermons, and prayers focused on the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. The central theme revolves around the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, a key article of the Apostle’s Creed. The sermon explores biblical references and theological interpretations of hell, its meaning, and Jesus’ experience of suffering and victory over evil through His death and resurrection. The service also includes reflections on human suffering, the presence of evil, cultural attitudes towards hell and the devil, and the hope found in Christ’s redemptive work. Prayers for healing, community needs, and missionary work are included, along with traditional hymns and Christian liturgical elements. The message encourages believers to find strength and hope amid life’s trials by remembering Christ’s victory over death and the devil.
Highlights
Palm Sunday worship commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and anticipates His death and resurrection.
The Apostle’s Creed includes the phrase "He descended into hell," a doctrinal point explored in depth.
Biblical terms related to hell—Sheol (Old Testament), Hades (Greek Scriptures), and Gehenna (New Testament)—illustrate evolving views of the afterlife and judgment.
Modern secular culture shows declining belief in hell and the devil but paradoxically exhibits fascination with horror and chaos, reflecting an underlying spiritual awareness.
The sermon contends that Jesus experienced the full despair and separation of hell on the cross, bearing all human suffering and sin.
The concept of the Harrowing of Hell, where Jesus triumphantly frees Old Testament saints, is discussed as a traditional but debated interpretation.
The service includes communal prayers for healing, peace, and spiritual growth, emphasizing Christ’s ongoing presence and victory.
Key Insights
Theological significance of "He descended into hell": This phrase assures believers that Jesus fully experienced human despair and spiritual separation from God, affirming that no suffering is beyond His redemptive reach.
Evolution of hell in Scripture: Old Testament Sheol is a neutral realm of the dead, while New Testament Hades incorporates judgment, and Gehenna represents eternal punishment, reflecting deepening biblical understanding of the afterlife.
Cultural paradox of belief and fascination: Despite declining explicit belief in hell and the devil in modern society, horror movies and dark themes flourish, suggesting a subconscious grappling with evil and chaos.
Christ’s victory over evil: The sermon highlights that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the power of Satan and death is broken, offering believers hope amid suffering and loss.
Pastoral application: Recognizing Jesus’ descent into hell as both experiential (sharing human suffering) and victorious (defeating evil) provides comfort and courage for believers facing trials.
The Harrowing of Hell tradition: The idea that Jesus physically descended to free righteous souls before resurrection enriches Christian art and liturgy but remains a debated biblical interpretation.
Community and mission focus: The service integrates prayers for real-world needs, health, and missionary efforts, connecting doctrinal reflection with practical Christian living.
Keywords
Apostle’s Creed
Descent into hell
Sheol
Hades
Gehenna
Harrowing of Hell
Redemption
FAQs
Q1: What does the phrase "He descended into hell" mean?
A1: It means that Jesus Christ experienced the full depth of human suffering, including spiritual separation from God, and through His death overcame the power of evil and death.
Q2: How is hell described differently in the Bible?
A2: Hell is described using three terms: Sheol (Old Testament realm of the dead), Hades (Greek term for the underworld, sometimes a place of judgment), and Gehenna (New Testament term for eternal punishment).
Q3: Why is belief in hell declining in modern culture?
A3: Secularization and changing worldviews have led many to reject traditional beliefs in hell and the devil, though cultural expressions like horror films suggest an underlying awareness of evil’s reality.
Q4: What is the "Harrowing of Hell"?
A4: It is a traditional Christian belief that Jesus descended into hell after His death to free the souls of Old Testament saints, illustrating His victory over death and Satan.
Q5: How does understanding Jesus’ descent into hell help Christians today?
A5: It offers assurance that Jesus has shared in human suffering and despair, providing hope and strength for believers facing trials, knowing He has defeated evil and death.
Core Concepts
Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative: Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, anticipating His suffering and death, which are central to Christian faith and worship. This day contrasts the initial celebration with the sorrow that follows, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ mission.
The Apostle’s Creed and its Central Doctrines: The Creed is a concise summary of orthodox Christian beliefs, including Jesus’ suffering, death, burial, and descent into hell. The phrase "He descended into hell" is a pivotal theological assertion signifying Jesus’ solidarity with human suffering and His triumph over evil.
Biblical Terminology for Hell:
Sheol is the Hebrew term for the place of the dead, depicted as a shadowy, non-judgmental realm in the Old Testament.
Hades is the Greek counterpart used in the New Testament, initially similar to Sheol but increasingly associated with judgment and torment.
Gehenna is a term Jesus used to describe eternal punishment, a fiery place reserved for the wicked, emphasizing the reality of final judgment.
Theological Interpretations of Jesus’ Descent: The sermon presents two main views: one that Jesus experienced the emotional and spiritual anguish of hell on the cross, and another traditional view (held by Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions) that He physically descended to the realm of the dead to liberate the righteous, known as the Harrowing of Hell.
Cultural Context and Spiritual Reality: Despite declining intellectual belief in hell and the devil in Western culture, the popularity of horror films and dark narratives reflects a deep-seated awareness of evil’s reality and the human struggle with chaos and despair. The figure of the Joker in The Dark Knight exemplifies this chaotic evil seeking to undermine order and hope.
Pastoral Application and Encouragement: The message encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and evil, recognizing that He has borne every human pain and temptation. This assurance offers comfort amid suffering and fosters spiritual resilience.
Christian Worship and Community Life: The transcript reveals the integration of liturgical elements—hymns, prayers, scripture readings—and community concerns, including prayers for healing, missionaries, and social justice, demonstrating the holistic nature of worship that engages both doctrine and daily life.
Through these core concepts, the content provides a rich theological, cultural, and pastoral exploration of one of Christianity’s foundational beliefs, inviting believers to deepen their faith and find hope in Christ’s redemptive work.
LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
About The Service:
March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
LaGrave Live
LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
About The Service:
March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
Summary
The provided content is a detailed transcript of a Palm Sunday worship service, blending musical worship, scripture readings, sermons, and prayers focused on the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. The central theme revolves around the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, a key article of the Apostle’s Creed. The sermon explores biblical references and theological interpretations of hell, its meaning, and Jesus’ experience of suffering and victory over evil through His death and resurrection. The service also includes reflections on human suffering, the presence of evil, cultural attitudes towards hell and the devil, and the hope found in Christ’s redemptive work. Prayers for healing, community needs, and missionary work are included, along with traditional hymns and Christian liturgical elements. The message encourages believers to find strength and hope amid life’s trials by remembering Christ’s victory over death and the devil.
Highlights
Palm Sunday worship commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and anticipates His death and resurrection.
The Apostle’s Creed includes the phrase "He descended into hell," a doctrinal point explored in depth.
Biblical terms related to hell—Sheol (Old Testament), Hades (Greek Scriptures), and Gehenna (New Testament)—illustrate evolving views of the afterlife and judgment.
Modern secular culture shows declining belief in hell and the devil but paradoxically exhibits fascination with horror and chaos, reflecting an underlying spiritual awareness.
The sermon contends that Jesus experienced the full despair and separation of hell on the cross, bearing all human suffering and sin.
The concept of the Harrowing of Hell, where Jesus triumphantly frees Old Testament saints, is discussed as a traditional but debated interpretation.
The service includes communal prayers for healing, peace, and spiritual growth, emphasizing Christ’s ongoing presence and victory.
Key Insights
Theological significance of "He descended into hell": This phrase assures believers that Jesus fully experienced human despair and spiritual separation from God, affirming that no suffering is beyond His redemptive reach.
Evolution of hell in Scripture: Old Testament Sheol is a neutral realm of the dead, while New Testament Hades incorporates judgment, and Gehenna represents eternal punishment, reflecting deepening biblical understanding of the afterlife.
Cultural paradox of belief and fascination: Despite declining explicit belief in hell and the devil in modern society, horror movies and dark themes flourish, suggesting a subconscious grappling with evil and chaos.
Christ’s victory over evil: The sermon highlights that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the power of Satan and death is broken, offering believers hope amid suffering and loss.
Pastoral application: Recognizing Jesus’ descent into hell as both experiential (sharing human suffering) and victorious (defeating evil) provides comfort and courage for believers facing trials.
The Harrowing of Hell tradition: The idea that Jesus physically descended to free righteous souls before resurrection enriches Christian art and liturgy but remains a debated biblical interpretation.
Community and mission focus: The service integrates prayers for real-world needs, health, and missionary efforts, connecting doctrinal reflection with practical Christian living.
Keywords
Apostle’s Creed
Descent into hell
Sheol
Hades
Gehenna
Harrowing of Hell
Redemption
FAQs
Q1: What does the phrase "He descended into hell" mean?
A1: It means that Jesus Christ experienced the full depth of human suffering, including spiritual separation from God, and through His death overcame the power of evil and death.
Q2: How is hell described differently in the Bible?
A2: Hell is described using three terms: Sheol (Old Testament realm of the dead), Hades (Greek term for the underworld, sometimes a place of judgment), and Gehenna (New Testament term for eternal punishment).
Q3: Why is belief in hell declining in modern culture?
A3: Secularization and changing worldviews have led many to reject traditional beliefs in hell and the devil, though cultural expressions like horror films suggest an underlying awareness of evil’s reality.
Q4: What is the "Harrowing of Hell"?
A4: It is a traditional Christian belief that Jesus descended into hell after His death to free the souls of Old Testament saints, illustrating His victory over death and Satan.
Q5: How does understanding Jesus’ descent into hell help Christians today?
A5: It offers assurance that Jesus has shared in human suffering and despair, providing hope and strength for believers facing trials, knowing He has defeated evil and death.
Core Concepts
Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative: Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, anticipating His suffering and death, which are central to Christian faith and worship. This day contrasts the initial celebration with the sorrow that follows, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ mission.
The Apostle’s Creed and its Central Doctrines: The Creed is a concise summary of orthodox Christian beliefs, including Jesus’ suffering, death, burial, and descent into hell. The phrase "He descended into hell" is a pivotal theological assertion signifying Jesus’ solidarity with human suffering and His triumph over evil.
Biblical Terminology for Hell:
Sheol is the Hebrew term for the place of the dead, depicted as a shadowy, non-judgmental realm in the Old Testament.
Hades is the Greek counterpart used in the New Testament, initially similar to Sheol but increasingly associated with judgment and torment.
Gehenna is a term Jesus used to describe eternal punishment, a fiery place reserved for the wicked, emphasizing the reality of final judgment.
Theological Interpretations of Jesus’ Descent: The sermon presents two main views: one that Jesus experienced the emotional and spiritual anguish of hell on the cross, and another traditional view (held by Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions) that He physically descended to the realm of the dead to liberate the righteous, known as the Harrowing of Hell.
Cultural Context and Spiritual Reality: Despite declining intellectual belief in hell and the devil in Western culture, the popularity of horror films and dark narratives reflects a deep-seated awareness of evil’s reality and the human struggle with chaos and despair. The figure of the Joker in The Dark Knight exemplifies this chaotic evil seeking to undermine order and hope.
Pastoral Application and Encouragement: The message encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and evil, recognizing that He has borne every human pain and temptation. This assurance offers comfort amid suffering and fosters spiritual resilience.
Christian Worship and Community Life: The transcript reveals the integration of liturgical elements—hymns, prayers, scripture readings—and community concerns, including prayers for healing, missionaries, and social justice, demonstrating the holistic nature of worship that engages both doctrine and daily life.
Through these core concepts, the content provides a rich theological, cultural, and pastoral exploration of one of Christianity’s foundational beliefs, inviting believers to deepen their faith and find hope in Christ’s redemptive work.
The Metaphysical Hour with Julia Cannon and Tracie Mahan and Question Master Tiffanny
Post-Egypt Energy Update and the Power of Being
In this episode of The Metaphysical Hour, hosts Julia Cannon and Tracie Mahan discuss Tracie's recent spiritual retreat to Egypt, emphasizing the transformative power of group energy and the shift from "doing" to "being." They also address listener questions regarding manifestation, breaking ancestral karmic loops, and managing empathic sensitivities.
The Egyptian Retreat and Group Evolution
Tracie Mahan recently returned from a spiritual journey to Egypt, where she experienced a significant shift in group dynamics. Despite facing personal health challenges during the trip, she noted that her need to step back allowed other participants to "step forward" and exercise their own spiritual gifts and abilities. The group utilized a private dahabiya boat for a Nile cruise, which Tracie described as a "game-changer" for the retreat experience, allowing for uninterrupted meditations and a deeper sense of "time traveling" while observing traditional Egyptian life along the riverbanks.
Metaphysical Principles: Being vs. Doing
A core theme of the discussion was the spiritual importance of "being" rather than "doing." Julia Cannon emphasized that many people feel a false obligation to constantly work, whereas the current energetic shift requires letting go of that pressure. This was visualized through the "Grid," where listeners from around the world—including Australia, Spain, the UK, and North America—shared their locations to "light up" the global grid with "heart lights," creating a collective visual of interconnectedness and support.
Manifestation and Overcoming Resistance
When addressing a listener's desire to attend future retreats in Santa Fe or Egypt, the hosts provided a framework for manifestation. They advised shifting from a "fear angle" to an "excitement angle" by asking the universe "how" something can happen rather than focusing on the obstacles. Tracie shared her own "poster child" story of traveling to Spain and Egypt with minimal funds by taking leaps of faith, trading services for miles, and finding creative solutions like room-sharing to reduce costs.
Healing Ancestral Loops and Empathic Boundaries
The hosts tackled the complex issue of breaking karmic loops, particularly those involving long-standing family feuds or adoption trauma. Julia suggested that awareness is the first step; by simply deciding "it stops with me," an individual can reverberate healing across all timelines. Furthermore, for empaths picking up on others' depression, the advice was to acknowledge that the energy is not theirs. They warned that "worrying" about others actually attaches one to the negative energy and suggested using "octopus arms" metaphors to pull one's energy back to the self after offering support.
The episode concludes with a reminder that spiritual growth is an internal process that ripples outward. Whether it is navigating the logistics of modern travel or the depths of ancestral karma, the key lies in maintaining personal alignment, choosing "ease and flow," and recognizing that we have the power to step off any "hamster wheel" we no longer wish to ride.
Post-Egypt Energy Update and the Power of Being
In this episode of The Metaphysical Hour, hosts Julia Cannon and Tracie Mahan discuss Tracie's recent spiritual retreat to Egypt, emphasizing the transformative power of group energy and the shift from "doing" to "being." They also address listener questions regarding manifestation, breaking ancestral karmic loops, and managing empathic sensitivities.
The Egyptian Retreat and Group Evolution
Tracie Mahan recently returned from a spiritual journey to Egypt, where she experienced a significant shift in group dynamics. Despite facing personal health challenges during the trip, she noted that her need to step back allowed other participants to "step forward" and exercise their own spiritual gifts and abilities. The group utilized a private dahabiya boat for a Nile cruise, which Tracie described as a "game-changer" for the retreat experience, allowing for uninterrupted meditations and a deeper sense of "time traveling" while observing traditional Egyptian life along the riverbanks.
Metaphysical Principles: Being vs. Doing
A core theme of the discussion was the spiritual importance of "being" rather than "doing." Julia Cannon emphasized that many people feel a false obligation to constantly work, whereas the current energetic shift requires letting go of that pressure. This was visualized through the "Grid," where listeners from around the world—including Australia, Spain, the UK, and North America—shared their locations to "light up" the global grid with "heart lights," creating a collective visual of interconnectedness and support.
Manifestation and Overcoming Resistance
When addressing a listener's desire to attend future retreats in Santa Fe or Egypt, the hosts provided a framework for manifestation. They advised shifting from a "fear angle" to an "excitement angle" by asking the universe "how" something can happen rather than focusing on the obstacles. Tracie shared her own "poster child" story of traveling to Spain and Egypt with minimal funds by taking leaps of faith, trading services for miles, and finding creative solutions like room-sharing to reduce costs.
Healing Ancestral Loops and Empathic Boundaries
The hosts tackled the complex issue of breaking karmic loops, particularly those involving long-standing family feuds or adoption trauma. Julia suggested that awareness is the first step; by simply deciding "it stops with me," an individual can reverberate healing across all timelines. Furthermore, for empaths picking up on others' depression, the advice was to acknowledge that the energy is not theirs. They warned that "worrying" about others actually attaches one to the negative energy and suggested using "octopus arms" metaphors to pull one's energy back to the self after offering support.
The episode concludes with a reminder that spiritual growth is an internal process that ripples outward. Whether it is navigating the logistics of modern travel or the depths of ancestral karma, the key lies in maintaining personal alignment, choosing "ease and flow," and recognizing that we have the power to step off any "hamster wheel" we no longer wish to ride.
