09/05/2026
A message from our Interim Minister, Jack Shassberger:
Greetings, Grace Lutheran family!
Peace to you from our Savior Jesus Christ. It is with deep joy and humility that I share the council's decision to call me as your Interim Minister during this transition. I will strive to lead our worship and pastoral life with diligence and care, and I am profoundly grateful for the support of our worship team, Marty Hente, Amy Liggett, and Wally Mees, whose partnership has been a gift, and for every one of you whose prayers have carry me throughout this journey.
As we enter into the fall season, let’s embrace the fact that are not on pause until a new pastor arrives, but as the body of Christ, the priesthood of all believers, we possess all the spiritual gifts we need, such as weeping with those who weep, administration, music, and service and hospitality towards strangers—these are vital for ministry.
We are safe in God's love and this gives us the courage to face our flaws without stepping into despair, and to collectively look at the brokenness of our society and live an outward-facing life of freedom and solidarity with our neighbors, engaging in the painful challenge of loving our enemies in a political climate that is often fueled by rage and vengeance.
On September 13th, we will be celebrating our Grace Diner anniversary, an example of how community service in Culver City brings together our neighborhood through the example Jesus set for us in Matthew 25 to feed the hungry.
On September 27th, we have Rally Day, which is also Immigration Sunday, where we will be placing mini monarch butterflies outside of the church lawn and on the Altar, symbolizing the border crossings that some of us make in search of survival. You may also “buy a butterfly” to help raise money in support of Lutheran Global Refuge which has helped find sanctuary for thousands upon thousands of refugees across the world each year since WWII. These “butterflies” will be placed on the Altar, and we hope that by the end of October we will have raised a significant amount to send to Global Refuge.
On October 25, Reformation Sunday will arrive, where we are reminded once again by Martin Luther that "the Church is always reforming” because a church in transition is a church that does not rely on past legacy, but it forces us to lean into the future hope of Christ. We are a community on the way, and we're moving forward!
it is my prayer that we recognize that the Holy Spirit is alive in our hearts and in the room, that Jesus promises to be with us to the end of the age, and that He will give us the strength. A church faithfully administering the sacraments, advocating for justice — uniting struggles across race, class, and creed, joining spiritual and material freedom as one — participates in the cross of Christ. So take heart, my friends, we are safe in God’s love through his Son, Our Lord Jesus!
