About Lutheran Church of the Master
E-mail to someone who wanted to know more about our church.
Hello -------,
I'm Ioan (Yu-whan), the pastor of the little church on Santa Monica you visited. It was really nice to have you join us, and I hope our worship was a meditative/peaceful place for you. That's kind of what we were going for. During some church seasons we shoot for joyous and beautiful or hopeful and inspiring.
I got a note that said you wanted to know a bit about us. Well, the church values music a great deal. Our organist is pretty much the person who makes it all happen. He directs the choir and chooses pieces for them to sing. He's great. I actually have no musical gifts, so I'm lucky and so is the church to have such a wonderful and talented person at such a small church. If you like the traditional style of worship, with the whole choral music thing, then you'll probably get something out of the worship services at our church.
People seem to like the pastor just fine. I just got out of Seminary, so I'm new to the whole pastor thing. I've been here since 2010. Still figuring things out. But you can come to your own opinions. Sermons aren't always as heavy as they are in Lent. Sometimes people laugh. No one has booed yet.
Beyond that, we are a small church so we do a lot of experimenting with things like bible study, service in the community, social outings, partnering with other churches. We dabble here and there, having a good time, and kinda watch for what works and what flops.
One thing that you should know is that even though there is a mixed bag in our church of politically conservative and liberal, fiscally conservative and liberal, we are an open and affirming congregation welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people. We believe in a God whose love for the world includes all people, without exception. Including more marginalized people in society or church culture, is statement to how radical we believe God’s love to be. As a result, we practice open communion where all people are invited to receive the Lord's Supper without condition or exception.
Wow, I had more to say then I thought. I thought I was going to give you a "glad you came by" sort of thing.
Anyway. You're welcome back anytime.