RECENT NEWS from Hollywood Lutheran Church
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Matching Fundraiser Nears its Goal
Last December, Hollywood Lutheran Church was awarded a $5,000 competitive grant under Thrivent Financial's Economic Opportunity Bridge Grant program, to help us help those most affected by the severe economic downturn of the last four years.
Thrivent Financial has also challenged us to raised an additional $5,000 with the incentive of matching our new contributions at 50 cents for each dollar raised. This challenge runs only until March 31, 2013, so we are in the final weeks of asking for special donations to this cause!
You can contribute any amount to the Bridge Grant Fund by using PayPal on this site.
As of mid-March 2013 we have received about $4,000 troward the goal, and are truly blessed by generosity from people far and wide who know the good work being done here to change lives. When the math is done and the matching funds proposal is submitted, we hope to receive up to an additional $2,500 for our work.
Where do these funds go? They will directly support outreach through the programs run by this congregation to help those in need: our weekly Food Pantry for the poor and hungry of the community; the homeless who often come to our doors seeking shelter or clothing; emergency and discretionary funds; and our vital Mariposa Prison & Parole Ministry which relates to nearly 100 inmates in California prisons, and helps ex-offenders who are trying to start their lives again in the community while on parole, probation or under community supervision.
We are pleased to WELCOME THE PEOPLE OF
Mt. Hollywood Congregational ChurchThis historic church in Los Feliz now worships each Sunday morning in our newly-refurbished Gallery Hall at 10:30 a.m.
After a time of uncertainty, Mt. Hollywood sold its deteriorating property at Rodney and Prospect, and was on the move. Over the summer, plans were laid to share facilities with us here at Hollywood Lutheran Church, only three blocks away, keeping its commitment to neighborhood ministry which began in 1905. (Hollywood Lutheran Church was established in 1921).
Our two congregations have much in common. Our parent denominations, the United Church of Christ and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, share "full communion" under a "Formula of Agreement" which allows ordained ministers of one church to serve in the other. In addition, both congregations and denominations are fully welcoming of sexual minorities. Both congregations are known for their exuberant hospitality.
For the last decade, Mt. Hollywood and Hollywood Lutheran have periodically shared resources and participated in joint worship and community service activities. Mt. Hollywood brings its Sunday School program along to our campus. Called "Godly Play," a Montessori- inspired Christian education method of storytelling, reflection, art, writing, singing and/or creative play.
At present, Mt. Hollywood is actively seeking to hire a new pastor to help it pursue a vision for the future. When a pastor is found, it is likely that she or he will establish an office here as well.
Hollywood Lutheran Church already hosts other congregations: the Church of the Beloved Disciple (American Catholic Church), St. Michael’s Apostolic Old Catholic Church, and On Ma Eum Church (Korean-speaking, Presbyterian).
It is hoped that in the coming months these congregations continue to find ways to express Christina unity by working together in service to the larger community.
Mt. Hollywood is re-creating its web site at www.thenewmthollywood.org.
The Hollywood Master Chorale has made Hollywood Lutheran Church its permanent performance venue, in an agreement reached over the summer.
Operning its 18th season, the annual Holiday concert will be held Sunday, December 16. [Concert information here]
We are also pleased to learn the Hollywood Master Chorale will be performing during the World AIDS Day benefit event here which is staged by Hollywood Remembers, an HIV/AIDS advocacy and education organization we launched in 2008.
December News
In December 2012 we welcome Mr. Chad Metcalf as our guest Organist. Chad has served as a "substitute" in years past, but had moved to Palm Springs for a time in pursuit of his regular career employment. Now he is back in the Los Angeles area, and available for Snday services. Please welcome Chad warmly.
On Christmas Day, On Ma Eum Church will hold its festive Christmas worship service. We have been hearing their choir rehearse for weeks, and it brings a smile to hear the familiar tune of Christmas being sung in the Korean language. Truly the light and joy of Christmas has spread around the world! And it is wonderful to know that the On Ma Eum choir will be carolling this year at Van Ness Recovery House in Beachwood Canyon, bringing some joy to those who are engaged in battling addiction.
Pastor Durkee's Widow Passes
Members and friends were deeply saddened to learn of the September 6 passing of Mrs. Norma Durkee, the widow of our Pastor Emeritus Harry Durkee, who served this church from 1960–1991. Norma died in Burbank, surrounded by her children. A memorial service was held at All Saints Lutheran in Sun Valley.
Hollywood Lutheran's Fellowship Hall is named Durkee Hall in memory of Norma and Harry Durkee. But their memory is best preserved in the hearts of the thousands of people they touched during their long and faithful service here.
Search for musicians
Hollywood Lutheran Church is seeking new Organist and Choir Director, or Director of Music (combined position) for renewed, creative music program. About us: Historic church, blended worship style, one Sunday service, small choir. Newly-expanded 30-rank pipe organ; grand pianos; handbells; other instruments. Compensation negotiable, may include Kaiser group insurance. Call Pastor Dan at 323.667.1212 and see: www.hollywoodlutheran.org.
August 26: Third Annual Neighborhood BLOCK PARTY
Join us for the 3rd Annual North New Hampshire Block Party on Sunday, August 26 beginning at Noon. Food, prizes, music, face painting and magic tricks---and a place and time to cool off after the heat wave around our fountain. Come meet your neighbors
The Neighborhood Block Party is being co-sponsored this year with our friends at Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church, and we hope to see many people from the neighborhood so that we all make new friends.
(Beginning this fall, we will be sharing our facilities with Mt. Hollywood, which recently sold its facility over at Rodney and Prospect.
Los Feliz is truly a neighborhood, with many people who get out and twalk to its many attractions. Come over and grab a bite, sit and chat, enjoy the music and make a friend!
Organ Fund Drive Entirely Successful!
An anonymous matching pledge of $10,000 made early in the year has now been matched dollar-for-dollar by generous donors. As of June 30, our Pipe Organ Fund received the full $20,000 needed to completely pay off the instrument.
Amazingly, since 2007 we have raised over $72,000. (This includes$11,000 received from the sale of the Salvi concert harp— originally the gift of Mrs. Oneida Hathaway of Hollywood. She also donated organ pipes and parts, one rank of which is now part of our organ.)
“Miss Vickie”—the affectionate name given to the new instrument by our Council in memory of Victoria Marie Huff—was dedicated September 25 last year as a major enlargement/ replacement for “Miss Wheezie,” the original small Wurlitzer acquired from the Warner Bros. Theatre in Hollywood in the 1920s. In actuality, almost all the pipes from that organ are incorporated into “Miss Vickie,” which is more than four times the size of the theater organ.
September 25, 2011
Celebrating 90 years of Ministry, Hollywood Lutheran Dedicates New Pipe Organ
Arrayed in the red colors observing festivals of the church, the Sanctuary is ready for the 90th Anniversary party September 25, including a festive Dinner and Dedicatory Concert on the newly-completed 30-rank pipe organ. Download the Concert program for highlights of the church's history and the story of the pipe organ. |
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Arrayed in the red colors observing festivals of the church, the Sanctuary is ready for the 90th Anniversary party September 25, including a festive Dinner and Dedicatory Concert on the newly-completed 30-rank pipe organ. Download the Concert program for highlights of the church's history and the story of the pipe organ. |
Lutheran bishop speaks out, because “our silence causes you pain.”
We were glad to receive word that even our national Lutheran bishop has joined the "It Gets Better" project which has sprung up on Youtube. the project seeks to gather the voices of people across the nation who are willing to speak directly to lesbian and gay, bisexual and transgender youth about the terrible tragedy of teen suicides in recent weeks.
This letter came in from Lutherans Concerned/North America on October 29:
Dear Members and Friends of Lutherans Concerned/North America:
The recent wave of media reports of teen suicides as an apparent result of anti-gay bullying has brought national attention to a matter which has affected LGBT people for generations. Video messages from cultural celebrities such as Lady Gaga, from governmental leaders such as President Obama and Secretary Clinton, and from the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA have provided crucial words of support and hope for millions of vulnerable youth. While anti-LGBT bullying has taken center stage of late, anyone who is perceived as "not like us" can and do become targets of both physical and verbal bullying. It's vitally important that parents, teachers, elected leaders, and clergy reassure all young people that they are loved and cared for just as they are.
In his video message, Bishop Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speaks of the "pain and shock" of hearing of young people bullied "for being the people God created them to be." He says that he knows of the hurt that had been inflicted by the words of some Christian brothers and sisters and also that "our silence" had the power to hurt as well. He reminds lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people that they are "beloved children of God," for whom there is a place in this world and in this church.
To see trhe video, go to: http://lutheransconcerned.blogspot.com/2010/10/rev-mark-hanson-and-it-gets-better.html or http://tinyurl.com/BpHanson-on-bullying.