Our Savior Lutheran Church is a community partner in Westchester - Los Angeles. Trusted by our neighbors, relied on by the village.
You can belong here, because of who God says you are. There is no political, economic, or racial agenda. We are serving the need for loving spiritual fellowship - nothing fancy. We just connect people to people, and to Jesus Christ our Lord.
At Our Savior, we focus more on Jesus's sacrifice for you, and not on measuring your own worthiness. We want you to soar like a bird in gratitude for God's affection, so our teaching is richly Scriptural and unabashedly Christian. God has planted His Word and Sacraments here, dealt in accordance with the pure Lutheran Confessions.
Grace Alone
In His magnificent love, by sending His perfect Son Jesus Christ to fulfill every good deed required for eternal life, who also took the punishments due to us because of our sins, shed His blood on the cross and was raised from the dead by the Spirit of God, our Heavenly Father has saved the human race from death and hell.
Faith Alone
Peace with God and unity with our Creator depends not on our personality, nor skills, nor good deeds, nor donations, nor achievements, nor attitude, nor social nor financial effectiveness, but purely by believing that the promise of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ is, indeed, for you. It is free. By this faith, God is glorified and you enter His joy.
Scripture Alone
We are not tied down to any opinion, pope, party, or movement. The Bible alone has authority to command and comfort our hearts. All ideas are compared to Scripture as the living voice of God, so that His people may be useful citizens, pure in body and spirit.
Vocation
God lovingly tends His creation through the work of people. In your family, in your neighborhood, in your job, God is upholding the world through your labor. Food and clothing, education and employment, housing and medicine: We are commanded to support and improve them all for good of our neighbor. So empty yourself in love for others, as Christ gave Himself up for you.
Worship
Joining your brothers and sisters, being in the sanctuary, soaking up sacred teaching, singing divine praises, kneeling at the altar and praying for the community -- this is how we live. To worship God is to receive Him exactly where He puts Himself. Take a break each Sunday and let Him work in you.
Marriage
The union of male and female is a profound and blessed mystery. It symbolizes the union of Christ and the Church. Yet it is one of the hardest things a person will undertake. The Church is here to support and deepen your marriage, as well as encourage young men and women to find their genuine selves in light of this potential calling.
Prayer
God commands us and invites us to pray to Him. We pray for what He promises, and nothing less. All our joys, requests, lamentations and vows are sanctified by Christ, through whom we pray to God the Father. We pray from the heart, as well as from the page.
Community Engagement
The Church is an open door; Christians stay in by going out. God has planted us in the wonderful city of Los Angeles not to condemn it, but to be here for its good. May the Lord use us to remind the daughter of Los Angeles of God's intention for her -- to call on the name of her Savior Jesus, and to devote her life to serving her neighbors.
Everyone knows people are isolated. We're here to kill that problem.
You need communion with people. Not superficially, like networking for business, but life must connect on the most important level. God enjoins us to gather together and stand before Him, so He may bless sinners with union in the body of Christ. We livestream our worship services, but we don't want you to watch them. We want you here.
The Feel
Worship at Our Savior is rooted in the deep history of Christ's people from around the world. Time-tested forms endure, so they are perfectly suited for the future of our children. When you visit, I'll be honest, it's not going to feel cutting-edge or competitive. It doesn't need to. God already works here and He is changing lives. It might feel to you like a new hobby that will take practice to get the hang of. That is alright! All good habits are like that. This one is worth it.
The Music
We sing ancient chants, classic hymns, and modern songs, on organ and piano.
Following Along
You choose to follow the screen, the book, or from memory.
Dress
Wear whatever you think best.
Preaching
Goes for 15-20 minutes. While the preacher gets to the heart of your sin, he never screams or shames anyone. The point of gathering is to be forgiven and recharged by Jesus Christ. Life tips show up from time to time, but usually the focus stays on the most important realities of righteousness, faith, and mercy.
Communion
We receive Holy Communion frequently. If you'd like to participate in the Lord's Supper, please talk with the Pastor beforehand. There are good things to get squared away before coming to Communion, and it doesn't imply you're not already one of us.
Kids in Church
We are a Preschool Church, in case you didn't notice. We love when your children are here. We also have a nursery where someone will watch your children if they need to play, and you can remain with the congregation.
After Church
Get ready for a flurry. We normally have coffee and refreshments, with lots of people to hang out with. There are often homemade foods, just like old times. Card games have started, coloring books come out, conversations lead to new ideas for outreach or planning, and vital updates are shared on friends' prayer needs and victories. This is where a lot of work happens. If I didn't know the point of worship was receiving Christ's sacred promises for eternal life, I'd think maybe the after-church fellowship is the best part. Nothing has made my kids love the Church more.
In an environment where organized religion has been abusive and earned itself a bad name, Our Savior Lutheran Church prays we may live simply as God has called His people from the beginning. By His teaching, we sense that our calling is not to become an impressive church with large numbers. Rather, our calling is to announce His love for you, and to assist everyone we know to grow in the love of Jesus. Therefore, we offer you what God has given us to share:
Biblical Literacy
Answers to Hard Questions
Starting a Prayer Life
Creating a Family Spirituality
Baptism
Marital and Pre-Marital Counseling
Personal Counseling
Entering into Membership
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. Proverbs 3:9
Check out this collaboration between Pastor Duling and Pastor Andrew Gerike
Children of Our Savior Preschool and Infant Care
6705 W. 77th St., Los Angeles, CA 90045
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