In the Spirit

Michele Marr, For the Independent

ADDRESS: 6931 Edinger Ave.

TELEPHONE: (714) 897-0361

WEB SITE: www.gracehb.org

DENOMINATION: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The

congregation recently hosted the ELCA national conference.

YEAR ESTABLISHED: April 1965

SERVICE TIMES: 8 a.m. Sunday, traditional worship; 9:30 a.m. blended

worship; and 11 a.m. praise worship; 9:30 a.m. Sunday school for all

ages, 11 a.m. Sunday school for ages 3 through adults. Communion is

offered every Sunday at the 8 a.m. service. Communion is offered at the

9:30 a.m. service on the first Sunday of each month and at the 11 a.m.

service on the second Sunday of each month.

PASTORAL STAFF: Mark F. Bents, interim senior pastor; Kurt Morem,

associate pastor; Paul Johnsen, pastor emeritus; Mel Bollesen, pastor

emeritus.

SIZE OF CONGREGATION: 1200 Sunday attendance; 400 children attend

Sunday school; 100 more of high school age attend.

MAKEUP OF CONGREGATION: Members come both from Huntington Beach and

well beyond its borders.

CHILD CARE: Provided for the 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday worship and other

family-oriented activities.

TYPE OF WORSHIP: The 8 a.m. worship is the historical Lutheran liturgy

with hymns accompanied by organ and choir; the 9:30 a.m. worship is

characterized by a blend of traditional and contemporary music; the 11

a.m. worship is thoroughly contemporary in style and informal, led by a

praise team and band. The same sermon is delivered at each service.

TYPE OF SERMON: Biblically based and theologically conservative.

UPCOMING SERMON: February 17, “Temptations On Our Journey,” based on

Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7.

DRESS: By and large the dress is casual at all worship services.

VISITOR INFORMATION/HOSPITALITY: There is a visitor welcome center on

Sunday. Visitors are invited to fill out a visitor card and to pick up a

welcome gift at the visitor center.

CHURCH PROGRAMS: Discipleship is central to the life of the

congregation. Between 40-60 small group ministries meet two to four times

each month. Close to 500 people participate in these groups. There are

programs for children of all ages. There is a very active Youth and

Family Ministries.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS: Among the programs and classes that the church

supports, sponsors, hosts and provides for the community are: S.H.I.P., a

transitional program for the jobless and homeless; scout troops; Sharing

Healthy Adolescent and Parent Experiences, classes led by Camp Fire Boys

and Girls of Orange County instructors for parents and their adolescent

girls and boys (next class starts February 19); Care Connections. (714)

896-9100, respite care for seniors and family caregivers; and the Grace

Counseling Center (a nonprofit, Christian-based, professional counseling

center located off campus on Center Avenue to maintain anonymity and

confidentiality, 1-877-560-HELP.The church runs a preschool, elementary

school and before and after school program at two sites, one on the

church campus and another nearby.

CHURCH BUILDING: Presently the sanctuary holds close to 500 people.

With attendance on the rise, the church is working with planners to

achieve a 10-year plan for new facilities at the present site.

MISSION STATEMENT: As a community of disciples empowered by the Holy

Spirit, we are committed to leading people into a lifesaving relationship

with Jesus, teaching them to live a transformed life through faith-filled

obedience to all that Jesus commands.

VISION STATEMENT: As disciples of Jesus, we proclaim the Gospel,

reaching the world, by making disciples one person at a time.

INTERESTING NOTE: The church has entered the Huntington Beach Fourth

of July Parade for the last three years. The second year it entered, it

won first place for best float.