Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address and phone number?
Danish Lutheran Church and Cultural Center
16881 Bastanchury Road
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
United States
Phone: (714) 993-6362
When and where was the Danish Church founded?
The Danish Lutheran Church was founded in 1906 in Los Angeles. It began as a dream for 5 Danes and became a reality on June 5, 1906 - and after re-locating in 1995 from Downtown Los Angeles to Yorba Linda in Orange County, California.
Are Church Services in Danish?
Every Sunday service at 11 am is in English with a Danish accent and Danish Liturgy, and some translated Danish Hymns. So, you don’t need to speak Danish to attend and worship.
Once a month we offer a Danish Service followed by a Danish evening & Dinner. These Services are in Danish, but we provide a translation of the sermon - At the Danish Eve we serve Danish Meals and provide lots of Danish Hygge… and around the tables we might speak a mix of languages.
Is the Danish Church financially supported by Denmark?
No. The Danish church has never received official financial support from Denmark nor is it part of the National Church of Denmark (Folkekirken) although our liturgy, services and ceremonies closely mirror those practiced in Danish churches. We are funded like most American Churches through membership offering and donations - and fundraisers. We are a local global Danish Lutheran Church supported by the congregation and community.
Who is the pastor?
The current Pastor is Anne-Grethe Krogh Nielsen. She is born in Denmark and received her Master in Theology at Aarhus University in 1991. Her first Call was as the pastor of Ringive Parish from 1991-2004. Pastor Anne-Grethe served at the Danish Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda in 2004-2006 on a 2-Year Contract. Upon completion she and her family went back to Denmark from 2006-2008, only to return in August 2008 - and has served the Danish Church since. She is called directly by the Congregation under ELCA and currently serves as Dean for Rejoice Conference.
Who serves on the Church council?
Nine church members serve on the Church Council as the Governing Board of the Congregation. You are elected at the general Meeting for a term of 3 years and can service 2 consecutive terms - then you need to be off council for at least 2 years to be eligible to serve again. Treasurer is appointed not elected member of council. The Church Council meets every Month to plan, maintain, budget, decide and direct. We elect new Councils Members in January 2024 - let us know if you are interested in serving.
Who plays and sings at the Danish Church?
We are truly blessed with Christine, Monika, Marja-Liisa, Mette, Cymbaline, Peggy and Rush.
What does an usher do?
A little girl once explained that the (h)ushers in church were making sure that everyone were quiet so others could sleep! Ushers are Church Members who serve as greeters on Sundays: raising the flags, ringing the bell, welcoming all to worship, handing out Bulletins, assisting at collection and Holy communion and leading the opening and closing prayers.
Can I worship online ?
Yes! Since March 2020 we have offered Live Streamed Services on Facebook Every Sunday. You simply lock into this Facebook Account or via our Website. Every Sunday you may worship from your living room in your pyjamas, from your car, from anywhere in U.S. or the World. We are so blessed to have gained a fine faithful online congregation who worships with us Sunday after Sunday: from California, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Tennessee, Canada, Norway or Denmark.
What about food at the Danish Church?
Yes! Food and gathering at a table is a central part of who we are - and how our church and community thrive. Every Sunday we offer Lunch after service; gracefully prepared by Volunteers. Don’t expect strictly Danish food - but a true mix. Monthly Thursday Thoughts & Food - are centered around reflections and meal. Seasonally we offer food and fellowship at Julemarked, Hyggefest, Grundlovsfest, summer camp, Books & Breakfast, Concerts etc. We thrive to feed the Soul and the Body when you come to church…. And we always have coffee.
How do I become a member?
Currently we have 360 members, who are considered active. We have a contact list of +750. Please contact the pastor if you do not know if you are a member or not - or if you would like to apply for membership.
As a member of The Danish Lutheran Church you have these advantages:
1. Voting Rights at Congregational Meetings on financial matters and calling for new pastor.
2. You may serve on the Church Council and be part of the decision making at your church.
3. You may rent the beautiful Sanctuary or the Hall for weddings, receptions, parties or celebrations at membership fee.
4. You may call yourself a member of the Coolest Danish Church in California.
We have members from San Diego to Solvang and beyond California borders. While distances prevent many from attending service every week most maintain strong bonds with the church and cultural center and participate in services and events whenever possible.
Request and complete an application then give it to the pastor who will present it to the church council for approval. It does not cost anything to become a member or be a member. However, members are encouraged to financially support the church and cultural center to the extent possible for each member in order for us to best serve the needs of the congregation.
What do I wear?
Given that we live in southern California people come to our services both casual and dressed up.
Why is there a ship hanging from the ceiling?
In our church sanctuary a beautiful church ship hangs from the ceiling above the nave. To Danes it symbolizes both the church being a safe ship on the vast ocean of life while simultaneously recognizing Danes as great sailors, fishermen and merchant mariners throughout history.
What Danish traditions do you celebrate?
We celebrate Danish traditions during our church year such as Fastelavn at lent (a carnival for the kids at the beginning of the Lenten season), a Harvest Service in Fall and preparing for Advent and Christmas with a Klippe-Klistre (Cut & Paste Decorations) in late November. Our Danish history and heritage is continuously incorporated into our services and events through the year and its seasons.
What do you believe?
God’s love extends to all people. We are all part of God’s creation, created in his image. God’s love cannot be earned; nor is God’s love a reward for who we are, what we do or do not do. God offers love and forgiveness to all people through his son, Jesus Christ. God’s grace is beyond human comprehension. God is a Triune God. God created and loves all creation. Jesus Christ transforms lives through his life, teaching and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit works in the world. We are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.
Who is N.F.S. Grundtvig?
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig (N.F.S. Grundtvig), (1783-1872) was a Danish teacher, writer, poet, philosopher, historian, politician and pastor. He remains one of the most influential persons in Danish History, exerting influence on both Danish culture and Danish spiritual life. Grundtvig is credited with having a very influential role in the formation of a modern Danish consciousness and, even more, the formation of the Danish National Church commonly known as Folkekirken [The People’s Church]. We are Lutherans, but we are Grundtvigians as well. Some refer to us as “Happy Danes”, a name we carry with honor. We still sing a lot of Grundtvig’s hymns and historical songs. We have adopted his guiding principle of “Human first, then Christian” as our motto.
What is a Lutheran?
Lutherans are Christians who follow the teachings of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546), a German monk and theologian who challenged the Roman Catholic Church in the early 16th century. Denmark became Lutheran through the national Reformation in 1536. Our church carries on some of the oldest Lutheran traditions. Lutherans hold to the basic principles of Luther’s theological teachings: Saved by Grace alone Justified by Faith alone Based on Scripture alone Lutherans center their faith on the divinely inspired words of the Old and New Testaments written by humans. Our faith is supported by docu- ments written by Martin Luther, some of his contemporaries and later Lutheran theologians. Lutherans have two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. In Baptism we become God’s children and at Holy Communion we receive forgiveness for our sins. The Lutheran church regularly uses the The Apostolic Creed, The Nicene Creed and The Athanasian Creed during service. These creeds date back to the early times of Christianity.
What can I expect?
Our church is a liturgical church. Our worship service follows a similar structure each Sunday. At each service we gather in the name of Jesus, listen to the gospel, pray, sing, share communion and are sent out to serve. A liturgical church divides the church year into various seasons such as Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, Advent and Christmas.
What does “hygge” mean?
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Are you on social media?
Yes, we have both a FaceBook and Instagram page. Click the links below to email us or follow us on FaceBook or Instagram.