A Garden Grove Congregation Since 1957
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church stands at 12301 Magnolia Street in Garden Grove, California. Founded in 1957 as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a member of the Pacifica Synod, the church gives shape to its calling with a simple motto: "Loving like Jesus - beyond ourselves, in service to all." That posture runs from the open communion table on Sunday mornings to the food pantry that reaches into the surrounding neighborhood.
A Lutheran Home in Garden Grove
The congregation teaches that because God has offered unearned grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the church responds by serving neighbors and living graciously, forgiving generously, and hoping for resurrection and eternal life. Members practice that response in worship, in advocacy, and in service to the wider community.
The vision commits the congregation to "love and serve all God's creation as Jesus would." Five core values give that vision hands and feet: LOVE that openly and compassionately welcomes and includes God's children in all their diversity; SERVICE to God's creation through action in the community at large; OUTREACH that brings God's love to the world; WORSHIP expressed in scripture, sacrament, and music that celebrates the Holy Spirit's uplifting of the human spirit; and FELLOWSHIP that empowers God's people to collaborate creatively, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
The congregation is pastored by Rev. Dr. Luther W. Symons, whose ministry has taken him through Canada, Cameroon, Thailand, North Dakota, and Southern California. A Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa, Pastor Luther previously served for sixteen years at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Poway before joining Our Redeemer. His ministry there focuses on preaching, teaching, administration, pastoral care, and visionary leadership.
Sunday Mornings at 8:30
Coffee and donuts are served beginning at 8:00 AM, and worship begins at 8:30 AM. The service is described by the congregation as both contemporary-blended and traditional, weaving scripture, sermon, song, and communion into a one-hour rhythm. Visitors can expect to be surrounded by a diverse group of people all taking the Eucharist together, all given the grace of God in equal measure but in different ways, and all welcome at the table.
The sermon is Bible-based, and the music draws on a sanctuary organ, piano, and harpsichord played by organist and choir director Lee Lassetter. Lassetter holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and Music Education from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where she won the inaugural Strader Organ Competition in 1975. She later completed a Master of Arts in Education from Northern Kentucky University and a Certificate in Music Therapy from California State University, Long Beach, and previously toured Europe with the Manhattan Beach Community Church choir.
Worship Director David Hild shapes the congregation's sung prayer, and Media Coordinator Blake Williams runs the sound board, livestream, and social media. Open communion is served every Sunday.
Loving Like Jesus: Service and Outreach
Service is woven into the congregation's identity. Community Coordinator Cathy Seabourne supports the lay ministry teams that keep that work moving: Altar Care, Worship Hospitality, Greeters, Care & Kindness, Eucharistic Ministry, and Stephen Ministry. A lifelong Lutheran who teaches Tang Soo Do, Tai Chi, and Egyptian dance in her spare time, Seabourne helps the church feel like home for everyone who walks through the doors.
Two outreach ministries anchor the congregation's wider mission. The Lord's Pantry distributes food to neighbors in need, and Ship House meals are prepared by volunteers and shared with people in the wider community. Stephen Ministry provides one-to-one Christian care for those going through hard seasons. Care & Kindness supports members through cards, calls, and visits. Eucharistic Ministers bring communion to those who cannot easily attend worship.
Members also volunteer with Vacation Bible School, serve on the Pre-K School Council, assist the Altar Guild, gather with Young At Heart for older-adult fellowship, and meet in a Book Club. Ministries are organized into six umbrella areas: Learning, Support, Worship, Service and Mission, Life Groups, and Leadership.
Learning and Life Together
A Tuesday morning Bible Study led by Cathy Seabourne has become a cornerstone for members who want to dig deeper into the texts heard in Sunday worship. Life Groups bring members together around shared interests and stages of life. The Book Club adds a literary dimension to the congregation's fellowship. Vacation Bible School welcomes children each summer, and the Pre-K School Council supports the preschool that shares space on the Magnolia Street campus.
Visiting on a Sunday Morning
First-time visitors are encouraged to arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before the 8:30 AM service. Parking is available in both the front and back lots. The church sits between Lampson Street and Chapman Avenue on Magnolia Street and shares its campus with other ministries. From the parking lot, visitors walk through the gates to find wooden double doors opening into a traditional sanctuary with a curved roof shaped like an upside-down V.
Attire is casual and comfortable, though some members enjoy dressing up. The service runs about an hour, and everyone is welcome at the communion table. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the pastor and staff are happy to make appointments to meet in person.
Worship is livestreamed on YouTube, sermons are archived there for later listening, and giving is available online for those who want to partner with the work happening on Magnolia Street.