1-22-23 Grace-Sahuarita Worship Folder

THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Welcome to Grace!

Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.

Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org

WORSHIP NOTES

We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises, and as you offer him your thanks and praise.

The worship service is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at the exit today or give online at www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.)

Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. If you would like to worship from a hymnal today, you will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each row; however, you do not need to use a hymnal if you so choose, as everything needed for worship is printed in this worship folder.

OUR WORSHIP SERIES—JESUS APPEARS

The Gospels tell only a little about Jesus’ life as an infant. Then, St. Luke briefly discusses the desire of the boy Jesus to be in the temple. Then, Scripture falls silent, telling us nothing about almost two decades of Jesus’ life. For most of Jesus’ adult life, he lived quietly in Galilee, practicing the carpentry he had learned from his adoptive father, Joseph. Jesus had no followers. Jesus was not famous. But at the exact time God the Father had appointed, Jesus left that obscurity behind. The word epiphany means “appearance.” In the Season of Epiphany, we watch Jesus begin his public ministry. Jesus makes his first appearances. And in those appearances, it quickly becomes clear that this is more than a random carpenter’s son. As Jesus appears, we see exactly who he is and what he came to do.

Jesus Appears as the Anointed One Jesus Appears as the Lamb of God Jesus Appears as the Light in the Darkness

JESUS APPEARS AS THE LAMB OF GOD

For centuries the priests of Israel offered sacrifices to God for sin. Over and over blood flowed, testifying that the penalty of sin was death. But over and over a substitute stood in the place of the sinner. Countless animals died under the priestly knife as generations of the faithful brought lamb after lamb to the temple.

This week we see the Lamb that God himself was bringing to the temple. This was the Lamb that God himself would sacrifice. In the great act that would remove our condemnation, the Messiah took our sins, stood in our place, and died as the substitute for sinful mankind. This was the fulfillment of the entire sacrificial system. Every lamb and goat and bird pointed to God's Lamb who takes away our sin. The heart that sees his Savior willingly becoming the Lamb cannot help but take this news of salvation to the ends of the earth.

This morning, we will be using elements of The Service Setting Three from the hymnal (p. 188 and following).

INVOCATION

Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

OPENING HYMN Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun Christian Worship 380

1 John 1:8-9

CONFESSION OF SINS

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should.

I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Silence for meditation and reflection

Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.”

John 20:23

Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Mark 10:47

Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.

LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST Gloria

Luke 2:14

Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.

This song continues on the next page.

GLORY

Tune: David Kauffman; William Gokelman © 2010, 2021 GFTSMUSIC Publishing Company, Inc., admin. Music Services. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

WORD +

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

Almighty God, you gave your one and only Son to be the light of the world. Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and believed to the ends of the earth; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Please be seated

FIRST READING

1

Isaiah 49:1-6

Listen to me, you coastlands. Pay attention, you faraway peoples!

The L called me from the womb. When I was inside my mother, he mentioned my name.

2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. He hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me a polished arrow. He concealed me in his quiver.

3 He said to me, “You are my servant Israel, in whom I will display my glory.”

4 But I said to myself, “I have labored in vain. I spent my strength and came up empty, with nothing. Yet a just verdict for me rests with the L , and my reward is with my God.”

5 But now the L , who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to turn Jacob back to him, so that Israel might be gathered to him, so that I will be honored in the eyes of the L , because my God has been my strength

6 the L said: It is too small a thing that you should just be my servant to raise up only the tribes of Jacob and to restore the ones I have preserved in Israel, so I will appoint you to be a light for the nations, so that my salvation will be known to the end of the earth.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Servant of the Lord would suffer, but in that suffering God would display his splendor to the entire world.

Text: tr. Gerhard Gieschen, 1899–1987, alt.; Martin Opitz, 1597–1639, abr. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

Tune: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Heinrich Isaac, c. 1450–1517. Public domain.

6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 by being rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith just as you were taught, while you overflow in faith with thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, which are in accord with human tradition, namely, the basic principles of the world, but not in accord with Christ. 9 For all the fullness of God’s being dwells bodily in Christ. 10 And you have been brought to fullness in him. Christ is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in him, with a circumcision not done by human hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead.

13 Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses. 14 God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 After disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Please stand

The Lamb of God needed to be flesh and blood, so that he could be sacrificed. And because that Lamb was the Son of God, it is a sacrifice valuable enough to forgive us all our sins.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1 John 2:2

Alleluia. Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. Alleluia.

We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our Savior and King. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.

As the last and greatest of the prophets, John the Baptist succinctly summarizes God’s plan of salvation by pointing to Jesus and calling him the Lamb of God.

GOSPEL

29 The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘The one coming after me outranks me because he existed before me.’ 31 I myself did not know who he was, but I came baptizing with water so that he would be revealed to Israel.”

32 John also testified, “I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven and remain on him. 33 I myself did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this myself and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day, John was standing there again with two of his disciples.

36 When John saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

38 When Jesus turned around and saw them following him, he asked, “What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 He told them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying. They stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated “the Christ”).

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & GREETING

While the children are coming forward please greet your neighbor and fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder in your row and pass it along. Thank you!

Please be seated

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

and Luke

record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers. During the singing of this hymn, children ages 1-8 are excused to attend Children’s Church in the CLC Building. Parents can pick-up their children there following the service.

HYMN OF THE DAY—The Lamb Christian Worship 525

Look the Lamb of God

The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus. Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Almighty God and Father, we thank you for all your mercies, especially for the gift of your Son, through whom you have revealed your gracious will. We praise you for the Holy Spirit and his working through the means of grace.

Plant your Word in our hearts, and cause it to produce fruit in our lives.

Strengthen and defend your Church, that by your Word and sacraments faith may grow and love toward all may increase.

Support all who spread the light of your truth throughout the world.

Keep our children in the grace of their baptisms. Enable their parents to train them in lives of faith.

Raise up Christians to serve you in the ministry of the Word and in all godly walks of life.

Preserve our nation in justice and honor. Guide and bless all who make, administer, and judge our laws.

Give them wisdom that they may promote justice and hinder evil.

Let your blessing rest on planting and harvest, commerce and industry, medicine and science, the arts and culture. Protect all who travel, and care for those whose work is difficult or dangerous. Be with all who devote themselves to any useful task.

Comfort all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity. Remember those who suffer persecution for the faith. Have mercy on those for whom death draws near.

Grant them your love, and take them into your tender care.

Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.

Silent prayer

We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served you, who now rest from their labors. Console those who are mourning or living with sadness. Keep us in the true faith, and bring us at last to the joys of heaven.

Grant us these things, Father, for the sake of Jesus, who died and rose again. Amen.

Please stand

CLOSING PRAYER

Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27

BLESSING

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. Amen.

This song continues on the next page.

Please be seated

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLOSING HYMN May the Peace of God Christian Worship 929

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING Minister

Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanist

Laura Heiman

Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

Text and tune: Stuart Townend, b. 1963; Keith Getty, b. 1974 © 2005 Thankyou Music, admin. CapitolCMGPublishing,com. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friendship Register

We would like to have a record of both members and guests who are worshiping with us. Please sign the red Friendship Register book located along the center aisle in the hymnal rack.

Children’s Church

Children ages 1-8 will be dismissed from our worship service today during the hymn before the sermon to attend Children’s Church. Parents, following worship, please pick your child up from the gymnasium in the CLC building.

Sunday Morning Bible Study

“God just wants me to be happy.” “God helps those who help themselves.” These and other popular, positive, catchy statements might sound good, but do they really fit with what the Bible says? We are currently working through the Bible study, “10 Lies About God.” This study will help us respond to false teachings about God and to defend what the Bible teaches. Now would be an excellent time to make this study a part of your Sunday routine! Class is held at 9:00 AM in the CLC gymnasium.

Offering Envelope Delays

Many Grace members and friends receive a monthly mailing of offering envelopes that they use for their giving to support the ministry of our congregation. The envelopes for January were delayed, and we have just learned that all individuals may not receive their February envelopes. The company that mails our envelopes has been experiencing difficulties, and they are working hard to handle the situation. They deeply apologize for this inconvenience and expect to be back on track with the March envelopes.

In the meantime, an offering placed in any envelope marked with your name and envelope number will be recorded. If needed, you will find envelopes to use on the desk in the entryway.

You may also contribute your offerings through online giving, accessed through our church website, www.GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Members and friends who set up automatic giving do not need to rely on the monthly envelope mailing, but are welcome to receive them for any additional or special gifts. If you have any questions, please contact the Grace Central Office (520-623-6633, office@gracelutheransaz.org) or our Financial Manager (finance@gracelutheransaz.org).

Divine Call Received

Pastor Patoka was informed on January 12 that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI voted to extend to him a Divine Call to serve as their associate pastor. This means that he now holds two calls, one to Grace and one to St. Paul’s. He is working to make a decision whether to accept the new Call and move his ministry to Wisconsin or to decline the Call and continue serving here. He will strive to make that decision with prayer and careful consideration where his particular gifts for ministry fit best.

Pastor Patoka welcomes any input that the friends and members of Grace might wish to share with him. You can reach him by email at RevTLP@GraceLutheranSAZ.org or by phone at (520)6236633. He also appreciates prayers offered on behalf of him and Katie during this deliberation as well as for both congregations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monday Evening Service

An evening worship service is held here at Grace-Sahuarita on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM, and they are scheduled to continue through the spring. This service provides another alternative for those who may not be able to worship on Sunday. Members who regularly worship at any Grace sites are welcome to make use of this weeknight service.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Bible Project: The 66 books of the Bible are a collection of history, poetry, prophesy and insights into the eternal history of God and his people. The focus of the entire Bible is God’s plan of salvation. However because of the sheer volume of the Bible, many people get bogged down trying to read it and understand it. This Bible Project is a study that quickly summarizes each book and give the student a quick overview of the Bible. Please join us on Wednesday 10:00 AM in Church Entryway.

Chili Cook-Off at Grace Benson: Saturday

The members at our Grace-Benson location are hosting an all-site chili-cook off THIS Saturday, January 28, at noon. If you would like, bring your best chili for some friendly competition! You may also bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please come out and join us for this fun event! If you have any questions, please contact Frances Lindquist at (520) 686-4152.

Ladies’ Valentine’s Tea: February 11

Ladies from all Grace sites are invited to attend the Women of Grace Valentine’s Tea on Saturday, February 11, at 11:30 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall. We host this event for all the WELS ladies in Tucson. Grace ladies are invited to decorate and set a table, and any theme is welcome. We need ten tables set for 6-8 people. We also provide a large array of brunch/lunch type food and desserts, and kitchen help is also needed. You are invited to sign up for any of these needs by contacting Adrienne Snavely at golong31@hotmail.com or (520)302-7840 or you may call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633. We hope you can join us for this popular and fun event!

Special Voter’s Meeting: February 12

A Special Voters’ Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, February 12, at 12:00 PM here at our Sahuarita location. Lunch will be provided. This meeting will allow us the opportunity to call a Mission Teacher to fill our remaining vacancy at our Child Learning Center and also to discuss and vote on our mission request regarding an additional pastor at Grace-Sahuarita. Please watch for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grow in Grace Class

Would you like to learn more about our Anointed Savior, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what Grace Lutheran Church believes and teaches? Our congregation offers a series of Biblebased lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Heiman, or register your interest at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/ GIG.

Grace Child Learning Center and Fry’s

Our Child Learning Center (CLC) is enrolled in the Community Rewards Program at Fry’s. This program allows a percentage of your spending to be donated to the CLC. We would greatly appreciate it if you could create an account and link it to our organization. The link is: https:// www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards and our organization code is CV025. If you have any questions, please contact the CLC office at (520)848-4630. Feel free to share this with friends who are not members of Grace too!

ACSTO Donations for Grace Members

Thank you to the many members who have used the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit to support our students at Redeemer Lutheran School and Arizona Lutheran Academy! You may have heard recently about new opportunities for families and students through the state of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. While this program may be beneficial to many of our member families, you can still make use of tuition tax credits and support Lutheran education with money you would otherwise pay as taxes.

Many Grace families and students who attend our Lutheran schools would appreciate you making use of the tuition tax credits if possible. How it works: 1) You make a donation up to certain limits and up to your tax liability. This needs to be done before April 15, 2023 to count for your 2022 state taxes. 2) When you make the donation to ACSTO (Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization), please recommend “Grace Lutheran Southern AZ” members to support our students who still need assistance. 3) When you file your taxes, two extra forms will give you a dollar-for-dollar credit so you save off of your total tax bill. In other words, you can help our members without spending more of your money to do so.

You can find more information and even make a donation online through the ACSTO website, www.ACSTO.org. Remember that this option is available to all those who have state tax liability in Arizona. Grace member Jeff Weinstein (520-909-7649, JeffWeinstein@ACSTO.org) is also an employee of ACSTO. He is able to help answer questions you may have. Even if you have never made use of tuition tax credits before, we would be happy to help you figure it out!

This Week at Grace Ÿ January 22 – January 29

SAHUARITA

Today

Adult Bible Study: 10 Lies About God 9:00a

Children’s Sunday School.............................................. 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a

Monday

Worship Service 6:00p

Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: The Bible Project 10:00a

Next Sunday, January 29

Adult Bible Study: 10 Lies About God 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a

VAIL Today

Children’s Sunday School.............................................. 9:00a

Adult Bible Study: Male & Female He Created Them 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a

Thursday

Midweek Bible Study: Grow in Grace ............................ 6:30p

Next Sunday, January 29

Children’s Sunday School 9:00a

Adult Bible Study: Male & Female He Created Them.... 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Potluck & stained glass cross making following worship

TUCSON Today

Worship Services

7:45a & 10:00a

Children’s Bible Hour ......................................................8:45a

Adult Bible Study: 10 Lies About God 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study 9:00a Fellowship following worship

TCM Bible Study: Jesus Introduced by John..................7:00p

Tuesday

Weekly Pastors’ Meeting 9:00a Ministry Board Meeting & Training..................................6:15a English Classes 6:30p

Wednesday

Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p TCM Book Club at UA Student Union 6:30p

Thursday

Women’s Bible Study: Prepared to Answer 9:00a Ladies’ Fellowship Group..............................................10:15a Handbell Rehearsal 5:30p Worship Choir 6:45p

Next Sunday, January 29

ONLINE Today

Adult Bible Study (Tucson) .............................................9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) 10:00a

Next Sunday, January 29

Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Tucson and Sahuarita) ..................10:00a

Stay Up to Date

Worship Services

7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a Adult Bible Study: 10 Lies about God 9:00a Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study................................9:00a Fellowship & Fundraising Lunch following worship

TCM Bible Study: “Jesus Heals With Miracles” 7:00p

BENSON Today

Worship Service 7:30a

NO Adult Bible Study following worship Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: Large Catechism 10:00a Saturday

All-Site Chili Cookoff 12:00p Next Sunday, January 29 Worship Service..............................................................7:30a

Adult Bible Study following worship: 1 Corinthians

The fastest and easiest way to keep Grace members and friends informed about what is happening at our four sites is through our weekly email update. This email is sent every Friday and at other times when special announcements are necessary. If you have not been receiving this email, but would like to, please email the Grace Central Office at office@gracelutheransaz.org and request to be added to our email list.

Grace

Grace-Sahuarita 75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538

Pastor

Pastor

Pastor

Grace-Benson 451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602

Grace-Vail Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747

Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org

Office at Civano

10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631

Prayer Group Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org

Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher cinda@gracelutheransaz.org (520)405-3286

Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org

Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org

Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr office@gracelutheransaz.org

Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world. For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net