Trinity Lutheran Church San Pedro CA

Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro!

When asked to describe the demograpic at Trinity, I usually say, "We are reflecting more and more the demographic of San Pedro, and I pray we are reflecting more and more the presence of Jesus in San Pedro."

For quite a few years, we have discerned our calling to be "growing in grace and blessing with grace." What does that mean? I call it the In-n-Out of the Christian life. God's love, forgiveness, hope, and life comes to us IN the ministry of Jesus. We grow IN his word. This is growing IN grace. Then God's love, forgiveness, hope and life flows OUT through us to our neighborhood and beyond. We bless with grace. When God grows us IN grace He readies us to bless others with his grace.

You are invited to this life in Jesus Christ, too. Come explore this life!

- Pastor Nathan Hoff

 

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http://www.trinitysanpedro.org/  

 

 

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History

In 1918, a group of Norwegians in the harbor area formed what was known as the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Services were held in various homes in San Pedro. The congregation was led by lay people and visiting pastors. On August 11, 1921, the church was incorporated as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of San Pedro. In 1934, the Pastor O.J. Edwards became the first called pastor, and during his pastorate, the first church building was erected at 10th and Alma streets and dedicated in 1935.

In 1937, the congregation voted to discontinue the use of Norwegian and conduct all services in English. The original structure was moved to Seventh and Broadway in 1948, and many improvements to the facility were made under the leadership of Dr Melvin Andrews.

During the pastorate of Les Hoffman (1956-1960), the educational building, two new front offices, a new front for the church, and an extension of the church tower were dedicated on January 11, 1959. During these years the church experienced growth because of the growing population of the area, as well as the evangelistic emphasis of Pastor Hoffman. When Pastor Hoffman took a call to plant a church in Hawaii, Pastor Larry Christenson received and accepted the call to serve Trinity. When Pastor Hoffman (the evangelist) left he told Pastor Christenson, "Now they need a teacher."

That is exactly what Christenson would do for the next 22 years at Trinity and beyond, as Holy Spirit moved. The renewal of the Holy Spirit brought life and healing to individuals, tranformed family life, and vitalized congregational life. There were so many Spirit-led initiatives during these years including Trinity Lutheran School, Health Food Co-op, family camps, engagement with other denominations and leaders, Project Servant/Project Timothy, Mid-month Communion, vital catechism and youth ministry programs, a commitment to intercession and early morning men's and women's prayer and Communion. Trinity became a lab for the Spirit-filled life. The multipurpose wing, including the present church, school offices, kitchen and lounge, was completed in 1970 to help facilitate the ministry's growth.

Because Pastor Christenson's time and teaching was in demand more broadly than his local ministry here at Trinity, the congregation was equipped for all sorts of ministries, and the Elders served their Biblical offices supporting the work of Gospel ministry in the congregation. Pastor Paul Anderson was also called as Pastor in 1972 and brought many gifts to the congregation for the next 23 years in vision and leadership, worship and teaching. Both Christenson and Anderson would go on to serve as Directors of Lutheran Renewal in St Paul, Minnesota.

Pastor Curt Peterson assisted Pastor Paul from 1990 and became the Senior Pastor in 1995, when Paul left to lead Lutheran Renewal. Peterson was devoted to the Word and the Spirit of God and brought a focused emphasis on Trinity being "a healing and caring community." Trinity's Sanctuary experienced a "Raise the Roof" campaign increasing the capacity, and updating the usefulness and beauty of the worship space in 1999-2000. Pastor Bill Sy (2001-2003) brought insightful and passionate Biblical teaching during a transitional time in Trinity's life.

In October of 2005, Pastor Nathan Hoff was called to serve, and Deaconess Sue Scott was installed in March of 2012, and Pastor Poul Erik Norgaard was ordained and installed as Formation Pastor in August of 2012. Trinity has a growing sense of God's call to Grow in Grace and Bless with Grace. This is the in-n-out (more than a great burger) of the Christian's life. God meets us with His grace, claiming us, redeeming us, filling us with His Spirit, so that we can be a blessing to the world around us with the grace He has freely given us. You won't be around Trinity long without hearing someone talking about growing and blessing with grace.

The loyalty and generosity of the Norwegian pioneers and the faithfulness of many who have joined them in the growth of Trinity Lutheran Church have made us who we are today. Pastor Christenson says, "Trinity has two deep pylons driven deep into her foundation. One pylon is that Reformation rediscovery of the Gospel. The other is the reality of the Spirit-filled life." Those strong pylons remain, and give Trinity the resources needed to joyfully meet the needs of the world, to the glory of God.