The Heart of Christ in the Heart of the City
“For by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not our own doing;
it is a gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
First Lutheran is God’s Church, not ours. We begin with grace; meaning that everything we’re about begins with God’s love for us collectively and individually. Jesus gave us His heart so that we could, in turn, be “The Heart of Christ In the Heart of the CIty.” In all circumstances we are free and blessed so that we might become a living, loving community of blessing for all. We know that we can’t be a church of great service on our own, God’s grace makes it possible.
First Lutheran Church of San Diego is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Since 1989 we've been explicitly and vibrantly welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, races, and ethnic backgrounds. Being so, enriches and greatly strengthens our faith community.
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Testimonials
Membership at First Lutheran Church, San Diego is important to me because of its long history of being welcoming to the LGBT community. I am a lifelong Lutheran and know, firsthand, what it feels like, as a gay man, to not be welcomed at a Lutheran church. First Lutheran always says that “all are welcome” and those words are taken seriously at First. I have been able to become a leader in the congregation and am able to do so while being my authentic self. The support of my church family, and the friendships that I have made, are invaluable.
Chuck L
I became a member of First Lutheran Church, San Diego in 2024. I was drawn to this
church because of its strong liturgical music program and intentional outreach to serve
the local community. As a visitor, I found the congregation to be welcoming and
engaging. As a member I can easily see the commitment of each congregant to
fellowship and service. To me, a church lives beyond the walls of its structure, providing
opportunities to be a witness to our faith, and to serving others. Through our support of
the TACO program, the mobile shower service, and Global Refuge, First Lutheran
Church enables us to share our resources with those in need. These efforts to deliver
local and global services are meant to lift others up, to help disadvantaged individuals
improve their lives. I travel each week from the distant suburbs to downtown San Diego
to engage in meaningful worship and fellowship. I am blessed to be a part of this caring
place that embodies the heart of Christ in the heart of the city.
Joyce
I found First Lutheran Church of San Diego about 20 years ago. I was hoping to
find a church with contemporary music along with exciting, relevant messages.
What I found was much deeper than any of that: a loving, accepting, “arms open”
congregation; a liturgy steeped in biblical meaning, but completely relevant to
today’s trials, tribulations, and joys; and traditional music that deeply touched my
soul. This is what I ( unknowingly) needed in my life. So First Lutheran became
my “home”.
First Lutheran is the living example of Matthew 22:37-40, which contains Jesus'
definition of the greatest commandment. He summarizes the entire Old Testament
law into two core instructions: complete, wholehearted love for God, and selfless
love for others. As I became more involved in First Lutheran’s life and liturgy, I
came to internalize these commandments. I make attempts every day to live the
way Jesus asked of me.
The ministries and opportunities to serve, live, and love within First Lutheran and
the local community are boundless. This is a place I am growing spiritually,
personally, and intellectually. This is my church home.
Joann
Since 1888, First Lutheran has been in downtown San Diego, welcoming people from all walks of life and from all over the world. From the beginning, First has been a place of multicultural diversity and openness to the wondrous variety in the human experience. Granted, in 1888, cultural diversity and welcome in a Lutheran congregation meant it was not just a place of German heritage, but Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, and…even Fins were welcome. As narrow a perspective as that looks, it set the stage for First to be a place with an open door. An open welcome is in First's organizational DNA.
During WWI First’s doors opened to welcome the men and women who came from all around the U.S., far from home, to train and serve in the military. During the Great Depression, members came together to welcome and care for those coming West to find work. When WWII broke out, soldiers, sailors, and marines poured through the harbor on their way to and from the Pacific theater; First was here to welcome and care. In the 1960s, when many businesses and organizations fled the city, First made a clear-eyed and faithful decision to stay put.
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
1970s, First began intentionally welcoming and serving people who found themselves on society's social and financial margins. We are still active in that welcome through our Third Ave. Charitable Organization (TACO) ministry. In the 1980s, First took an early and bold step to welcome those in the LGBTQ+ community explicitly. Today, we regularly welcome folks from Africa, South America, the Middle East, and even as far away as Ramona, Poway, and New York! We are never sure who will make their way to First. Today, we are equally thrilled to welcome YOU! Wherever you are from, whatever your previous experience, and wherever you are on your faith journey, we are excited to welcome you to God's table. This is the place.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.
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