Bethel Lutheran Church

About this church

Bethel Lutheran Church worships at 5 p.m. Sunday at 4963 Balboa Boulevard in Encino, both in person and through Zoom. The unusual evening hour is intentional: the church notes that Sunday morning does not work for everyone, including people who work mornings or families committed to youth sports. It describes the service as a way to close one week and begin another. A dated weekly event page confirms the recurring time, while the main about page explains the reasoning behind it; guests should use the current calendar for the Zoom connection.

Bethel identifies itself as a progressive Lutheran community that celebrates human diversity and embraces Jesus' social-justice mission. Its leadership works collaboratively around inclusion and affirmation, support for unhoused neighbors, local and global outreach, and spiritual growth and healing. The congregation's first worship service took place on October 14, 1951, under the Evangelical Lutheran Church's Home Mission Department. Later periods included expansion, preschool ministry, financial challenge, and a clarified mission for service in the San Fernando Valley. For someone whose schedule or theology has made a conventional Sunday morning difficult, Bethel's evening format and explicit commitments provide unusually clear expectations before a visit. Remote participation also gives people who cannot attend in person a direct way into the same weekly gathering.

Researched from the church’s official website and reviewed August 26, 2026. Sources: Official recurring Sunday-worship event, current 5 p.m. gathering time · Official about page, evening-worship rationale, in-person and Zoom access, commu · Official beliefs page, Lutheran identity, welcome, diversity, and social-justice · Official newcomer and history page, first service, ELCA roots, preschool, revita

Service times

Confirm current times directly with the church before visiting.

Location