01/12/2025 update on wildfires in Southern California

Thank you for continuing to pray and for contributing funds to assist the Southern California fire victims - your prayers and gifts are so important as the scale of this disaster grows. The following includes information and updates we have received as of this point.

How to help

So many of you are likely wondering how you can best help the victims of these terrible fires. At this early point, based on guidance we have received from expert disaster responders from the LCMS Synod office and Lutheran Church Charities, the most effective ways to help right now are:

• Pray - Continue to lift up the victims, first responders, communities and all of us in prayer as we experience this significant disaster. This includes praying that we recognize the opportunities we have to share the light and love of Jesus to so many in need. See below for a prayer you can offer. Especially be in prayer as another significant wind event is expected through Wednesday 1/15.
• Donate - Victims will have a significant immediate need for financial resources to purchase basic items, pay for hotel stays, pay for meals, etc. The PSD has a standing fund which you can donate funds to for this purpose (see below). We have already distributed about $4000 in gift cards to area congregations, and will continue to do so - thank you to so many who have contributed.
• Love - Be the hands and feet of Jesus as you care spiritually for those you may come in contact with that are affected by this disaster, and even those who may not be in the immediate area but are traumatized. This especially applies to active, caring listening as they share their trauma and needs. Look for information soon on how you can receive rapid training to effectively provide "spiritual first aid."

PSD Disaster Response Contact

The District contact for disaster response coordination is PSD COO Jon Niederbrach. Email disaster.response@psd-lcms.org or call 949-854-3232 x222.

PSD SoCal Fires info website: psd-lcms.org/disaster-response

A PSD website is now live which includes the latest resources, updates, shelter locations, and other pertinent information on the Southern California fires. Access it at psd-lcms.org/disaster-response.

Donate to relief for wildfire victims

As the devastation from the Southern California fires continues to be revealed, the best help that can be offered now are donations to help victims with their immediate needs. This will help provide gift cards and other funds that the PSD will provide to those affected. Your Pacific Southwest District has a standing emergency relief fund in place to assist our churches and schools, their people and community. If you would like to donate to this fund, please click the button below.

UPCOMING: Lutheran Church Charities offering Spiritual First Aid training

LCC's Spiritual First Aid rapid training program teaches people how to be spiritual first responders and mental health champions in times of crisis or trauma. Trained volunteers will be needed to serve the churches, schools and communities with a loving heart and listening ear - look for signup information soon.

First Lutheran - Venice

Sunday, January 19th - lunch served at noon with training from 1-3pm

St. John's Lutheran - Orange

Sunday, January 19th from 5-7:30pm - a light meal will be provided

Online and in-person at the Pacific Southwest District office

Monday, January 20th from 7-9pm, and Tuesday, January 21st from 10-12noon (lunch provided for those attending in-person)

Joint service between Palisades Lutheran and Pilgrim Lutheran

A wonderful, meaningful joint worship service and fellowship was held today at Pilgrim Lutheran - Santa Monica with many members from Palisades Lutheran-Pacific Palisades in attendance, several of whom have recently lost homes and businesses in the fires. The Palisades congregation was invited to worship with Pilgrim as they are currently unable to access their church property.

Rev. Martin Lee of Palisades Lutheran delivered a message to the congregation reassuring them of God's personal involvement in their lives as they experience this disaster, just as God was personally involved in our salvation in Christ's incarnation, life, death and resurrection. Rev. Lew Upchurch, vacancy pastor at Pilgrim, reminded the congregation of their baptismal identity in Christ as something that can never be taken away. PSD Mission Executive Rev. Dominic Rivkin assisted in the service and shared the Scripture readings for the day, and LCMS Disaster Response Director Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson shared words of encouragement from Psalm 23.

The combined congregation shared the Lord's Supper together, and then after worship shared lunch and fellowship, "bearing one another's burdens" as they sat and shared their stories and situations. We praise God for this beautiful expression of the Body of Christ serving one another!

Members of Palisades Lutheran and Pilgrim Lutheran share God's peace

Rev. Martin Lee from Palisades Lutheran delivers a message to the congregation

Rev. Lew Upchurch, Rev. Lee and Rev. Dominic Rivkin serve the Lord's Supper

The Good Samaritan window at Pilgrim Lutheran

Reports on affected churches and schools

Note: If you call, text or email pastors, church/school leaders, members, etc. in the affected areas offering help, they very likely are unable to respond. Please understand they are focused on their members, students, etc. for the immediate future.

We praise God that no PSD church or school properties have experienced significant damage as of this point. Of note is the fact that Palisades Lutheran is the only Christian church still standing in their immediate area. The churches and schools below are listed as they are in or near the fire areas, not because they have been damaged or destroyed.

New updates:

(No new reports as of this publish date.)

Previously published:

Palisades Lutheran Church - Pacific Palisades, CA

At least 12 members have lost their homes. Members (especially elderly) scattered in different places; one blind member still not located. Loss for members is not fully known. Pastor challenged with trying to contact members.

Historic First Lutheran - Pasadena, CA

Confirmed 5 members have experienced total losses. Unable to contact 9 members. 4 members homes miraculously spared.

Faith Lutheran - Tujunga, CA

Some members impacted. Our organist and his family live in Altadena and had to evacuate. They are staying at the church, but they found out their home is ok. Others have had no electricity for several days. But thank God no major losses or injury. 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church/Pacifica Christian High School - Santa Monica, CA

Some members evacuated. Some Pacifica student families have lost homes.

Trinity Lutheran - Simi Valley, CA

In "the eye of the storm" with lots of wind but no smoke or fire.

Mt. Olive Lutheran - Pasadena, CA

Evacuation of some members, including pastor and family, along with his parents. Planning online services for this weekend. 

Gethsemane Lutheran - La Crescenta, CA

Members are currently safe and secure, and the church property remains undamaged.

Emmaus Lutheran School - Alhambra, CA

Church is safe and cleaning up debris from winds. Relative of school family lost home.

Our Savior Lutheran - Arcadia, CA

Faring well. Families without power with some evacuated. Congregational vice president is waiting to hear if they lost their home (young family of 5). Planning to have regular Sunday services for now.

First Lutheran Church - Venice, CA

One family lost their home in the Palisades fire. It seems like everyone has one or more close friends or family members who lost their house. 

First Lutheran Church - Monrovia, CA

Pastor and family evacuated their home in the Eaton Fire area at 2:30am yesterday and were staying at their business office as no hotel rooms were available. Church was without power and preschool closed. Aware of several people who have lost homes but no members.

Hope Lutheran Church and School - Glendora, CA

Doing fine so far. One school family evacuated but home is intact.

We continue to pray together:

Lord,

We lift up our eyes to the hills and see danger, threat, and fire. We ask with the Psalmist, “Where our help come from?" It comes, as it always has and always will, from You Lord, the maker of heaven and earth! Give Your help, that is Your strength and support, to all those in need.

Calm the winds and ease the flames by Your power over all things. Give strength and courage to the first responders serving throughout our communities. Many are weary and overwhelmed. Send relief and assistance, enabling them to find moments of rest.

Comfort those grieving loss, whether of life, home, or security. Send helpers into their lives to meet their immediate needs and to bear witness to Your love. Provide hope in the midst of grief, as only You can, because You are near with everlasting life and security that can never be taken away.

Guide Your people to reach out to our neighbors with the grace and mercy of Christ. Enable us to listen and humble us to serve in the most helpful ways. Work in the lives of those who don’t yet believe with the gift of faith.

Lord, throughout it all, direct our eyes to the hill on which You suffered for us. Assure us by Your death and resurrection that You overcome all things and redeem them for Your good purpose. Watch over our going out and coming in now and forever. In the name of our eternal help, Jesus Christ.

Amen

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson

PSD President

mike.gibson@psd-lcms.org

www.psd-lcms.org

16355 Laguna Cayon Rd. #300

Irvine, California 92618

949-854-3232