A Century on North Hill Avenue
Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church has stood on North Hill Avenue in Pasadena for more than a hundred years. Its brick sanctuary with arched chancel and stained glass windows is a familiar landmark for neighbors who walk to Sunday worship, and its open doors extend well past Sunday morning. The congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and its life is shaped by a simple motto drawn from the Gospel of Matthew: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." A century after its founding, the church remains a steady gathering place for worship, music, fellowship, and outreach in the heart of Pasadena.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship is at the center of life at Hill Avenue Grace. Services begin at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday and follow a structured Lutheran liturgy of scripture, confession, hymns, and a sermon of faith and hope. Holy Communion is celebrated every week, and the table is open to all who wish to come forward, no matter their background or where they are on their faith journey. Bread and wine are shared as a sign of God's grace, love, and presence.
Music shapes the service from the opening voluntary to the final hymn. The Chancel Choir, led by Music Director Dr. Doug Shabe, is joined by organist and pianist Dan Scoville and a roster of instrumentalists. Together they carry the liturgy with traditional hymns and choral anthems, following St. Augustine's familiar line that "he who sings, prays twice." A bell choir also shares its gifts in worship throughout the year.
Children have a special place in the Sunday gathering. After a children's sermon, young worshipers are invited to children's church for age-appropriate faith formation during the remainder of the service. Afterward, the patio fills with the aroma of fresh coffee and the conversation of a congregation that likes to linger in fellowship before heading home.
Joining from near or far
For those who cannot be present in person, the Sunday service is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page, where a growing library of recent sermons is also archived. Those who prefer a Zoom connection may request a link by emailing the church office. Each week's printed worship bulletin is posted online so anyone can follow along at home.
A Lutheran Home in the ELCA
Hill Avenue Grace identifies as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The church's stated beliefs rest on the historic Lutheran pillars of grace alone, faith alone, and Scripture alone, summarized in its own materials as a commitment to continuous learning, a community built on empathy and respect, and a faith that engages with Scripture, tradition, and the world. The congregation emphasizes that God's grace is for everyone without exception, that Christ's table is open to all, and that lifelong learning and open conversation are part of what it means to follow Christ together.
As a community within this tradition, the church commits itself to worship that nurtures faith, lifelong learning, serving neighbors with compassion and justice, and working for peace in the wider world. The congregation is rooted in the ELCA's emphasis on inclusivity and the conviction that faith is lived out in service to others.
Music that Carries the Liturgy
Music is woven into nearly every part of life at Hill Avenue Grace. Dr. Doug Shabe directs the Chancel Choir, which sings at weekly services and leads the congregation in meaningful hymns and liturgy. Dan Scoville serves as organist and pianist, supporting worship from the keyboard and shaping the congregation's song each Sunday. A Bell Choir invites those who enjoy handbells to share in the music ministry, and through the year small groups and individual soloists share their talents in worship and at special events. There is room for singers, ringers, instrumentalists, and anyone who wants to lend a voice to the liturgy.
Stephen Ministry: A Listening Companion for Hard Seasons
One of the most distinctive expressions of care at Hill Avenue Grace is its Stephen Ministry program. Trained laypeople from the congregation meet one-on-one with people who are navigating grief, illness, loneliness, loss, or other difficult seasons. The relationship is confidential, Christ-centered, and continues for as long as needed.
Stephen Ministers extend the reach of pastoral care beyond the church staff, offering a listening ear, prayer, encouragement, and steady companionship. The program is built on the conviction that no one should have to face life's struggles alone, and that brokenness is met with hope in Jesus Christ. Anyone interested in connecting with a Stephen Minister can reach out through the church office.
The Grace Food Shelf on Saturday Mornings
For many years, the Grace Food Shelf has opened its doors on Saturday mornings to share with anyone in the community who needs a hand. The food shelf operates from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday, distributing bags of groceries to neighbors in need. Scripture grounds the work in the words of Luke: "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."
The food shelf runs almost entirely on helping hands from the congregation and wider community. Volunteers gather to set up, sort donations, and distribute bags with a warm word and a listening ear. It is one of the most visible ways the church reaches beyond its own walls and into the life of Pasadena.
Forming Faith in Children and Parents
Sunday School is a long-standing part of the church's life. Children gather during the Sunday service for a children's sermon and children's church, and Sunday School classes are supported by a rotating team of volunteer teachers and helpers. Crafts, stories, and shared activity help them grow in faith and understanding from an early age. The congregation welcomes new families and makes a special place for the youngest worshipers each week.
Beyond the church year, Associate Pastor Rev. Garry Mohr, a licensed marriage and family therapist, leads Parenting with Grace, a six-week course for parents and caregivers of children ages two through twelve. Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church and offer practical, research-based tools for building stronger relationships, improving communication, responding to challenging behaviors, and supporting children's emotional growth. Materials are offered on a sliding scale, and the course is open to the wider community, not only church members.
Spaces that Welcome Beyond Sunday Morning
The Hill Avenue campus offers more than its sanctuary. The building includes a chapel with seating for about fifty, surrounded by stained glass and thoughtfully chosen artwork, ideal for small services, prayer gatherings, or quiet meetings. A gymnasium with a raised stage hosts performances, rehearsals, and receptions. An education building holds a range of classroom and meeting spaces that accommodate small groups and larger workshops.
These spaces are available for filming, events, and meetings, and the sanctuary itself, with its soaring ceilings, vibrant windows, and arched chancel, is a striking setting for wedding scenes, concerts, and period productions. Couples from the congregation and beyond are also welcomed for weddings, with the sanctuary's stained glass and classic pew seating providing a timeless backdrop for the ceremony.
Serving Together in Many Ways
A wide circle of volunteers keeps the church's life running smoothly. The Altar Guild quietly prepares the sanctuary for worship each week, setting the communion table and caring for the sacred spaces. Ushers greet worshipers, hand out bulletins, assist with the offering, and help everyone feel at home. The church council partners with the pastor in guiding the congregation's vision, with opportunities to serve as officers or to chair vital committees including Personnel, Property, Evangelism, Youth and Congregational Life, Stewardship, Education, and Music and Worship.
Whether someone wants to sing in the choir, teach Sunday School, ring bells, distribute groceries on Saturday, or join the council, there are many ways to put faith into practice at Hill Avenue Grace.
A Hundred Years and Counting
The congregation's story traces back more than a century, from its beginnings on Lake Avenue to its longtime home on Hill Avenue. Along the way, the church has founded schools, formed partnerships with neighbors and community groups, and embraced a care for creation through sustainability efforts. Its mission, stated plainly in its own materials, is rooted in Jesus' command to love one another and is carried forward through worship, education, outreach, and care.
Connecting Throughout the Week
Grace Notes, the congregation's monthly newsletter, keeps members and friends in touch between Sundays. The newsletter shares news, devotionals, and schedules from the ministries of the church. Online, the congregation maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where sermons, bulletins, and announcements are posted. Those who wish to support the work of the church financially can give through the church's online giving, and prayer requests can be submitted through the church's prayer ministry for the pastors and Stephen Ministers to lift up.