Hope in Hollywood offers all traditional forms of ministry. Its Pastors are available to administer the Sacraments, preach and teach God's Word, individual and family counseling, and prayer.


Mark Rasbach, Pastor
Hope's Pastor since 1980 is Mark Rasbach. Pastor Mark received his BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BROADCASTING AND COMMUNICATIONS from San Fernando Valley State College, Northridge. He later received his MASTERS OF DIVINITY from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. He has been an advisory board member of ANGELCARE (an international relief organization on behalf of children), and CHRISTIANS CONCERNED (an organization concerned about anti-Semitism). In 1983 after an arson-set fire destroyed Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Mark led his congregation through this tragedy and in 2 1/2 years rebuilt the new Church. he has hosted worldwide tours to the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Cornerstones of Pastor Mark's 26 years of ministry at Hope include a long history of community involvement and social service. A brief list of ongoing and past activities include:
  • services focusing on help for abused people
  • services for overcoming substance abuse
  • adopting Holocaust survivor Ebi Gabor, who has taken over 300 people from Hope to the Museum of Tolerance
  • assisting children from low-income homes through the HomeSafe child-care program
  • sponsoring disadvantaged children from around the world through San Diego based Angelcare
  • participating in Temple Beth Israel's Mitzvah Day
  • annual Aids Memorial Service
  • Tolerance Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • support services for those dealing with Cancer and for those remembering loved ones lost to Cancer

Hope was established on the corner of Melrose and Mansfield in 1942. Pastor Mark Rasbach, who has served Hope since 1980, succeeded his father, pastor H.K. Rasbach, who ministered the congregation for 47 years.




Hubert Rasbach, Pastor Emeritus
In Memoriam 1913-1994

Hubert Rasbach was named Pastor Emeritus after serving the parish for 34 years. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Hubert H.K. Rasbach was educated at Chapman College and Capitol University Theological Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the ministry of the American Lutheran Church.

He was called to be pastor of Hollywood's Hope Lutheran Church in 1947, and served faithfully until 1980 when he was designated Pastor Emeritus to assist his son Mark, and then served 14 more years until he entered the church triumphant on November 7, 1994.

Of particular significance to the Church, community, nation and world has been Pastor H.K.'s pronounced influence in the motion picture industry. He virtually stood alone among Christian clergy in his tireless attempt to use motion pictures to reflect a message of morality, priority and relevancy. Pastor H.K. was responsible for scores of films including "The Way of Peace" which was premiered in Washington D.C. in 1947; was a friend to such producers as Cecil B. DeMille and George Stevens; chaired for seventeen years the Script Evaluation Committee of the National Council of Churches; was in charge of the Hollywood Ministerial Association's annual Holy Week showing of DeMille's "This King of Kings" for twelve years; and critically reviewed dozens of pictures for Lutheran publications.

Pastor H.K. and his wife Esther were married in 1937. Together with their four children, they exemplify the real meaning of family, faith, involvement, purpose and values. On behalf of so many of every background, circumstance and persuasion, we especially thank God for Pastor H.K. Rasbach - the man and the ministry - this gifted servant...and beautiful human being.



Esther Rasbach

In Memoriam 1918-2007

Esther was born in Olean, New York on December 31, 1918. She was the third child of Alvina and George Haase. She had two sisters Elvera and Thelma and is survived by her brother, Alvin Haase.

esther

When the children were young, the family moved to Highland Park, California where Esther graduated from Franklin High School. Her family church was The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a faithful member and sang in the choir. While there, she met her husband, Hubert with whom she enjoyed and celebrated 58 years of marriage. After their wedding on June 13, 1937, she and Hubert moved to Columbus, Ohio where she worked to help support him through three years of seminary.

They returned to California in 1940 where they moved to Hubert's first Parish - First Lutheran in Fullerton. While serving as an active Minister's wife in a new congregation, Esther gave birth to four children - Sharon, Judy, Mark and Pat.

In 1947, the family moved to Hollywood, California to take a call to hope Lutheran Church. Esther served in many capacities at the church and assisted her husband for 47 years. In 1990, Hubert sustained a debilitating stroke. Esther chose to care for him at home until he died 3 1/2 years later. After Hubert's death, she continued to assist her son, Mark, in his ministry for the remainder of her life.

View Esther's obituary in the Park LaBrea News.