Lake Avenue Church Service to Mark First Anniversary of Eaton Fire With Special Service and Guest Speaker

A public memorial service marking the first anniversary of the fire that destroyed Altadena and scores of Pasadena homes will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. The program will feature best-selling Christian author and speaker Philip Yancey, who is editor-in-chief of Christianity Today.

The 70-minute service, titled “Songs of Remembrance: A Service of Hope and Renewal,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Worship Center at Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Ave.

“This will be a meaningful opportunity to come together and find something redemptive in the midst of tragedy,” Yancey said in the announcement. “Ironically, it’s often tragedy that brings people together.”

Yancey is a multiple Gold Medallion Award winner, editor-at-large for Christianity Today, and author of numerous books on faith and suffering, including Where Is God When It Hurts? and Disappointment with God.

Yancey has previously spoken at national memorial events following tragedies such as Columbine and Sandy Hook, offering “messages of grace and healing in times of pain.” He has been described as “Billy Graham’s favorite author.”

The Lake Avenue Church Chamber Orchestra and members of the Sanctuary Choir will lead the program with sacred hymns, choral anthems and classical works “that invite reflection, comfort, and renewed hope,” a church release said.

The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Donations are welcome to support the Lake Avenue Church Fire Relief Fund at www.Lakeave.org, which “continues to assist victims through financial aid, legal and pastoral counseling, and property damage recovery services.” The church said it is entering the second phase of its rebuilding initiative in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse.

The memorial service, Songs of Remembrance: A Service of Hope and Renewal, will take place Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Worship Center of Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Ave. in Pasadena. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations are welcome to support the Lake Avenue Church Fire Relief Fund at www.Lakeave.org.