Grace Lutheran Church

06/19/2026

This Sunday's theme is that God does not promise that the path of the disciples will be easy. Even so, we need not be afraid, for God accounts for every hair on our heads. Though we may experience hardships and death, God’s grace and love make us a new creation every day.

Worship Team member, Amy Liggett preaches 6/21, and Interim Minister Jack Shassberger leads the service.
Our "Troublemaker" Amy (as Pastor Jim liked to call her) has had to cope with life-long physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness, speech impediment, and resultant anxiety. Yet she has earned a B.A. and a Master's degree in religious education, and carries a calling on her life to spread the Word that Our Lord places on her heart.
Through your understanding and support, Grace is committed to inclusion of those with disabilities. We are honored to have Amy as a valuable member of the Worship Team along with Marty Hente and Pr Wally Mees, and led by Jack Shassberger. Please join us in person on Sunday at 10am to worship our Lord and Savior! Stick around for fellowship, snacks and coffee following the service. It's always good to catch up, meet new people, and deepen friendships.

ONLINE https://youtu.be/A1FXXMNba54 Jim Snodgrass, Grace musician and Lector, reads this short Devotional, and plays percussion behind amazing singer Tara Shull on "Amazing Grace." We hope these short video "faith-lifts" are an inspiration to you on your spiritual journey.

This Sunday's theme is that God does not promise that the path of t...

06/16/2026

Eternal life is not escape. It's relationship. Transformation. Abundant life now:
"Every time love refuses to give up. Every time mercy interrupts resentment. Every time compassion overcomes indifference."
❤️‍🩹🙏

06/16/2026

Shared from Peri Norman Nishikawa 💝
This Old Testament passage struck me as so applicable to our current situation. PN

What Does God Want?

“What is God’s will for my life?”
“What is my purpose and calling?”
“What can I do to please God?”

In the New Testament, Jesus provides the answer to those questions by telling His followers to love God and love people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah—empowered by the Holy Spirit—summarized God’s will for Israel by saying:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These words were penned during a time when God’s people were trying to please Him with sacrifices, offerings, and going through religious motions—while living lives of deception, violence, and pride. But as the prophet Hosea writes, “I [God] desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God is after our heart motives, not our outward religious activity or begrudging obedience.

Let’s break down what God desires of us:

- DO JUSTICE. Doing justice requires faith and actions working together: helping the hurting, defending the weak, dealing fairly with the people we encounter, and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. In other words, to do justice, we must love others as we love ourselves.

- LOVE KINDNESS. The mercy of God is an extreme kindness. And because we’ve been shown undeserved kindness by Him, we can show undeserved kindness to others. God desires these things more than endless “I’m sorry” speeches. God is kind to the grateful and the wicked (Luke 6:35), so we should be too.

- WALK HUMBLY. Be teachable. Be moldable. Remember: You’re not God. You have limitations. You need a Creator and Savior. You’re only here because God spoke you into existence. So confidently embrace who you are, and who you are not, because it’s when we live fully surrendered to God that He does incredible things through us.

Seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly—that is what God wants from us. So in a world that’s saturated with injustice, hatred, and arrogance, let’s be people marked by these three things.

06/12/2026

This upcoming service, the focus is on Jesus sending out his disciples as laborers into the harvest. Their mission is to continue the mission of Jesus himself. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry – we are to share God’s love by proclaiming the good news, healing the sick, and sharing our bread with the hungry in the many ways and opportunities available to us. This is how we live our faith through both word and deed!

The short online devotional (5 minutes) is read by Marty Hente, and includes father and daughter Jim and Clare Snodgrass joining their wonderful harmonies in praise songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" and "Lord, You Have My Heart." https://youtu.be/idz_g5oftxs

We hope to see you Sunday at 10am. Jack Shassberger leads the service as our Interim Minister. If you'd like to learn more about Grace, join him for lunch after the service!

How-ever, whenever or wherever you worship, you are God’s beloved child. Have a blessed week!

06/05/2026

This Sunday Jack Shassberger, our Interim Minister, preaches on Jesus' healing. As Jesus demonstrates, mercy is to be at the heart of all that is said and done, including for those on the margins of society – like Matthew the tax collector and the woman who was hemorrhaging. Through Jesus Christ we are made well and given the love to be signs of God’s mercy for all the world.

It's Jack's birthday this Sunday. Stay after the worship service to celebrate this Spirit-filled young man!

Here's a short devotional with Marty Hente, and "There is a Balm in Gilead" sung by our old friend, singer Sherri Hutson: https://youtu.be/cJ6dpqTWz68 We hope this little "faith-lift" inspires and refreshes you!

Jesus reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of all that is sa...

05/30/2026

More than a doctrine, the Holy Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation, made known in Jesus, and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament as we profess the creed and go into the world to bear witness to our faith. Synod-authorized Minister (SAM) Amy Liggett preaches (and it's her birthday!). Jack Shassberger leads the service.

Online: https://youtu.be/62tY96nqBdk In this little "faith lift" video, Randy Murphy sings the traditional hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy." Then "The River of God" is lead by sublime percussionist Jim Snodgrass, and praise singers Clare, Jana, Jessica, and Michelle. Robert Tidwell narrates. Thank you for watching!

We hope to see you Sunday at 10am in the church and that you'll stay afterward for coffee and snacks. Connecting or reconnecting with your fellow Jesus-followers can provide inspiration and comfort. Come share some food and faith!

May 31, 2026--Holy Trinity SundayMore than a doctrine, the Trinity...

05/24/2026

Synod-authorized Minister, Jack Shassberger, led the Pentecost service this morning! Thanks to Drue Wagner-mees for the picture. 💝🔥❤️‍🔥

05/22/2026

Fifty days after the day of Resurrection, we celebrate the Holy Spirit within and among us. In Acts, the Spirit arrived in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. We celebrate that we too are given the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world. Although we each have different capacities and gifts, we are nonetheless unified in the Spirit. Please join us in church on Sunday (wear red in celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit!).

After the service, please come to Coffee Hour in the Fireside Room. And -- if you are new to Grace and want to learn more -- please stay for a special lunch and talk with Jack Shassberger, Synod-authorized Minister, in the Choir Room.

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nbSjeCwfeQ
Marina Tidwell reads the Devotional this week, and beautiful soprano Clare Snodgrass sings "Spirit of Gentleness." We hope you are uplifted and blessed by this short video. Thank you for worshiping with us! If you like what you see, please subscribe to our channel, leave a comment, contact us, or -- better yet! -- join us in person on Sundays at 10am: Grace Lutheran, 4427 Overland, Culver City CA 90230
310-559-1027 [email protected]

Fifty days after the day of Resurrection, we celebrate the Holy Spirit within and among us. In Acts, the Spirit arrived in rushing wind and flame, bringing G...

05/15/2026

In the days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples and wait for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In Sunday's gospel Jesus prays for his followers and their mission in his name. We seek the unity that Jesus had with Father God, which our Lord intends for the whole human family. Marty Hente, Synod-authorized Minister is our Worship Leader, 10am.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGDIakdbLZY
Marina Tidwell does the reading and Tara Shull gives a glorious rendition of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus." Thank you for watching this short devotional message! If you like what you see, please subscribe to our channel, leave a comment, contact us, or -- if you are able -- we'd love for you to join us in person on Sundays at 10am: Grace Lutheran, 4427 Overland, Culver City CA 90230

In the days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples and wait for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel...

05/08/2026

This Sunday's emphasis is that Jesus does not abandon his followers! Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

We hope you'll join us on this Mothers' Day. We know that this day can be hard for those who had/have a troubled relationship with their mother, are grieving, or are not mothers themselves. We acknowledge you, and we pray:
Abba Father, we come to you on this day that can feel isolating. We lift up those who are grieving the loss of their mother. We ask for your blessings on childless woman, and we celebrate the many ways in which they support and care for others. For those women who experienced a toxic or broken relationship with their mother, Lord, be the caring parent they need. May all women see themselves through your eyes and feel your love in every fiber of their being. Amen

Grace Online May 10, 2026 We hope you enjoy this short video "faith lift" -- read by Synod-authorized Minister Martin Hente, with Leslie Soultanian singing "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSEPmCD0ROw

Blessings,
Marina Tidwell
Church Administrator

Office Hours
Monday--Thursday:
9am--3:30pm.
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Friday & Saturday:
Emails and calls will be
returned within 48 hours.
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Grace Lutheran Church
4427 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
310-559-1027 x2

This Sunday's emphasis is that Jesus does not abandon his followers! Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As...