Hope Lutheran celebrates 75 years
ASCENSION VOCALS’ Estani Frizzell will perform at the service.
Hope Lutheran Church, 6720 Melrose Ave., is going back to its German roots Sun., Nov. 5 to celebrate 75 years of being in our neighborhood.
The festivities begin with the morning worship at 10:30 a.m., which will include music director Helena Buscema’s Hope Band and Choir and the gospel roots band “Little Faith.” Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael will sing “How Great Thou Art,” violinist Elizabeth Bacher will play, and Estani Frizzell of Ascension Vocals, with orchestra and band, will conclude the service.
There will also be a brief history of Hope Lutheran and remarks by Bishop R. Guy Erwin of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
VIOLINIST Elizabeth Bacher.
Following the service led by Pastor Mark Rasbach, enjoy an authentic Oktoberfest with German appetizers and beer, a free catered lunch inspired by Martin Luther, a silent auction and a mariachi band (because what’s a celebration in Southern California without a mariachi band?).
History
The church at Mansfield and Melrose was established in 1942, after a small American Lutheran congregation purchased the site from the Melrose Park Methodist Church, which had fallen on hard times. Pastor Hubert K. (H.K.) Rasbach came to Hope Lutheran in 1947, serving the congregation until 1980, when his son Pastor Mark Rasbach took over.
In 1983, the building burned in an arson fire, but by 1985 a new, 15,000-square-foot facility had been erected, which now houses 12-step groups, children’s relief organizations and an emergency food dispensary, as well as the congregation.
A 25-minute documentary on the history of Hope Lutheran will be shown Sun., Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, call 323-938-9135 or visit hopelutheranchurch.net.
Category: Entertainment
