Revive LA Hosts Outdoor Services at Palisades Lutheran Church

By JENNIKA INGRAM | Contributing Writer

When there’s a will, there’s a way.

With COVID-19 precautions in mind, Palisades Lutheran Church’s Revive LA is taking services outside on Sundays at 5 p.m.

“We feel the interpersonal connection when we gather as a church to praise and worship Jesus together,” a Revive LA statement shares. “Revive LA’s weekly community service is planned to keep people safe as we finally come together in-person for church.”

Worship leaders and husband and wife team Joe and Cyndi Ramirez, seniors for the contemporary service, opened a church plant born out of the Palisades Lutheran Church called Revive LA.

When Revive LA lost its lease at a theater in Santa Monica, its home base from 2016 to 2018, the group came back to the Palisades to hold a Sunday evening service at Palisades Lutheran Church until COVID-19 hit.

Then, after months of not being able to meet in-person following statewide restrictions, Joe and Cyndi brought to life an idea for outside service—with the permission of the Palisades Lutheran Church. Volunteers from within and outside of the church put together the setup.

“Steven Burkholder, who sings on the praise team and is an engineer for WET [a fountain design team], brought forth the idea of meeting in the parking lot,” Joe shared. “Steve presented the idea to the church council and is quoted as saying, ‘It’s time to get together,’” with state and CDC guidelines put into practice.

Joe explained his energy served as a catalyst.

Joanne Fife and Diane Reagan, leaders of the “Reopening Committee” and council members of the Palisades Lutheran Church, developed safety protocols. Masks are worn at all times and sanitizer stations are on hand. Attendees are asked to maintain six feet of distance.

Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs or remain in their cars.

“All are welcome, there is no judgement here,” Joe and Cyndi shared. “It’s about a relationship with God, not religion.”

Joe is the director of operations at Clare Matrix Foundation, and Cyndi is a middle school English and theatre teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“Alongside since day one, is Roger Herrador, who is on staff at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica,” Joe shared in the statement.

All are contract pastors through the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. The entire Revive LA team’s effort is to bring people together, worship with the latest contemporary music and provide an inspiring message.

“As the church council president, we at Palisades Lutheran Church are excited in this new Revive LA Sunday evening outdoor parking lot service that affords families and individuals who have busy weekend daylight activities that don’t allow following a church service during traditional hours,” Rich Wilken shared with the Palisadian-Post.

“Folks can drop by with sandy feet following a fun day at the beach, and a plop down in their beach chairs or lounge in the comfort of their cars, just like a drive-in movie.”

RSVPs and cancellations are important due to social distancing and the limited attendance. Palisades Lutheran Church is located at 15905 Sunset Blvd.

For more information or to RSVP, visit reviveLA.net.