THE
FIRST SUNDAY
E L C S , A M 9, 2025
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
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 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 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 OPEN DOOR POLICIES: God’s Surprising Strategies for Getting Sinners Back Home
When a wayward child wanders far from home, how does a loving parent pursue them without driving them further away? One thing that parent does is let the child know that there is an ongoing open-door policy. The child knows they will always be welcomed back home. Likewise, when we wander from God, he always keeps his door open for us. But God doesn’t just passively wait for us to return. He lovingly pursues sinners in ways that make them long for home.
In the Church Year, we have come to the season of Lent. The word Lent comes from an old English word for spring: “lengthen,” when the days grow longer. For over 1400 years the Church has set aside the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of repentance and renewal. In this 40-day journey to the cross and tomb, we will see the surprising strategies our heavenly Father uses for getting sinners back home, close to him and the loving care he offers.
In this season, our worship will follow this path:
March 9 One Stands; Everyone Else Sits
March 16 No Detours Allowed
March 23 Always Present, Always Patient
March 30 Grace Instead of Condemnation
April 6 Hiding Treasure in the Trash
OUR THEME FOR TODAY ONE STANDS; EVERYONE ELSE SITS
Normally in a family everyone must do their part...pitch in...pull their weight. In God’s family, he assigns and accepts the work of one on behalf of all. In God’s house, God’s Son our brother, Jesus stands alone on the field of battle against our enemies in our place. He fights vicariously. He fights victoriously.
This week we see one man, Jesus Christ, stand against Satan. We simply sit and watch with eyes full of wonder and repentant faith. Because Christ fought that battle as one of us, he won that battle for all of us. The door to heaven stands wide open for those who believe in him.
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN What a Friend We Have in Jesus Christian Worship 721
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
As our service begins, the minister speaks the words spoken at our baptisms and makes the sign of the cross, marking us anew as redeemed children of God.
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1819–1886, alt. Tune: Charles C. Converse, 1832–1918. Text and tune: Public domain.
Luke 15:10
SPOKEN RESPONSES
When God’s children rebel and wander from his ways, he desires that they return to him for pardon and peace through his Son. The courts of heaven resound with joy when a single wayward child returns home.
There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Children of God, the time to turn to our Father for forgiveness is now. God made Christ our sin that we might become his righteousness. He implores us to be reconciled to him, promising:
2 Corinthians 6:2
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.
HYMN RESPONSE—Today Your Mercy Calls Us
Christian Worship 916
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
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
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.
HYMN RESPONSE Today Your Mercy Calls Us Christian Worship 916
LORD, HAVE MERCY
In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie
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
For minds set on heavenly things, for hearts that long for heavenly glory, and for the will to bear our earthly crosses, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the gifts of humility and repentance, for faith that finds security in Christ and does not use God’s patience as an excuse for sin, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
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.
For perspective to see that, apart from Christ, gain is loss, and in Christ, loss is gain, and for the perseverance to press on and take hold of our heavenly prize, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
HYMN RESPONSE Today Your Mercy Calls Us Christian Worship 916
+ THE WORD +
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil’s temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan’s lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Text: Oswald Allen, 1816–1878, alt. Tune: Friedrich K. Anthes, 1812–after 1857. Text and tune: Public domain.
4A challenger who represented the Philistines came out from the camp of the Philistines. He was named Goliath of Gath. He was nine feet, six inches tall. 5He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore scaled body armor, which was made of more than one hundred pounds of bronze. 6He had bronze greaves on his shins and a bronze spear slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spearhead was made of fifteen pounds of iron. His shield bearer went out ahead of him.
8He would stand up and shout to the armies of Israel, “Why have you come out to line up in battle formation? I am a Philistine, and you are servants of Saul, aren’t you? Choose a man to represent you, and let him come down to me. 9If he is able to fight with me and kill me, we will be your servants. But if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our servants, and you will serve us.” 10The Philistine would say, “I defy the ranks of Israel today! Give me a man, and we will fight each other!”
11When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.
32David said to Saul, “Do not let anyone lose heart because of this Philistine! Your servant will go and fight him.”
33But Saul said to David, “You cannot go against this Philistine to fight with him, because you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior since he was a youth.”
34David said to Saul, “Your servant has been taking care of his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35I went after it and struck it and rescued the lamb out of its mouth. When the lion reared up against me, I grabbed it by its mane, struck it, and killed it. 36Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the ranks of the living God.” 37David added, “The L , who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go then! May the L be with you.” 38So Saul dressed David in his own gear. He placed a bronze helmet on his head and dressed him in scaled body armor. 39David strapped his sword over his gear. David tried to walk around in them, since he had never trained with this kind of equipment before.
David said to Saul, “I cannot go in these, because I have never trained with them.” So David took them off.
One warrior from each nation stood and fought while everyone else sat. David’s victory over Goliath is as much a spiritual victory as a military one, for it teaches us that the battle is the Lord’s.
This reading continues on the next page.
40Then David took his staff in his hand and picked five smooth stones out of the stream bed and put them into the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. He took his sling in his hand and approached the Philistine.
45Then David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come against you in the name of the L of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defied. 46Today the L will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth. Then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, 47and all those gathered here will know that the L does not save with sword and spear, for the battle belongs to the L , and he will deliver you into our hand.”
48Then, when the Philistine started advancing to attack David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49David put his hand into his bag, took a stone from it, shot it from his sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown to the ground.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 91 which is the appointed Psalm for this Sunday of the church year.
This hymn continues on the next page.
HYMN
This hymn concludes with the Final Refrain on the next page.
Jesus has stood in our place, facing every temptation that we have faced. Yet he did not sin.
SECOND
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. 16So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s
Text: Michael Joncas, b. 1951, abr. Tune: Michael Joncas, b. 1951. Text and tune: © 1979 OCP Publications. Used by permission:
4:1-13
1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during those days. When they came to an end, he was hungry.
3The Devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
5The Devil led him up to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6The Devil told him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it has been entrusted to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7So, if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
9The Devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here,
10because it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,
11And, they will lift you up with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
12Jesus answered him, “It says: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”
13When the Devil had finished every temptation, he left him until an opportune time.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please greet those around you and then be seated
(10:00 AM) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
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.
Weak and in the wilderness, Jesus stands against Satan’s temptations. He overcomes them, winning the victory for us.
Deuteronomy 8:3
Deuteronomy 6:13
Psalm 91:11-12
Deuteronomy 6:16
Matthew 6 and Luke 11 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.
10:00 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 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Composite. Tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546. Text and tune: Public domain.
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
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.
Please be seated
Apostles’ Creed
is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.
The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Gracious Father, after his baptism your Son faced the stern attacks of Satan who tried to derail his journey to the cross. On this day we rejoice in Jesus’ victory in the wilderness and praise him for his ultimate triumph over the works of the devil. Send us your Spirit that we may believe this truth and apply it in our lives.
Satan and his followers seek to overturn our faith and love every day. Their goal is to separate us from your presence and destroy our relationship with your Son. Give us wisdom to be alert for their attacks and recognize the danger they bring.
Protect us as we endure temptation. Keep us from becoming Satan’s victims. Forgive us and restore us when we give in to him.
Make our faith stronger than it is now so that we might know more and more that Jesus matters most to us in life and death. Give us wisdom and power to follow him and do his will.
Keep us from thinking that sins are harmless and cannot lead us away from him
According to your will, Lord, curb the influence of Satan in our world and society. Help people to grasp the appalling effects of his power and to refrain from doing wicked and harmful deeds.
Come to the aid of those who are the objects of devilish power.
Give us courage to warn those we love about the dangers of the devil’s temptations. Lead us to speak the truth in love so that family members and friends may discern evil and step back from error and sin.
Move us to share the horror of Satan’s power honestly and to offer your forgiveness in love.
Keep in your care all who are struggling with pain, battling with sickness, and facing death. Spare your people from Satan’s temptations in their difficult hours and strengthen them with the promise of your Son’s ultimate victory over sin, death, and the grave.
Help us to support them when we can and to keep them in our prayers.
Protect us, gracious God, from the power of Satan, the allure of the world, and the seduction of our sinful nature.
Cause us to believe that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, because you crushed the head of the serpent, make us bold to face all the challenges of life. With you at our side, no one can harm us. With your angels standing guard over us, no danger can overcome us. Help us triumph in every temptation, and show us your salvation.
Amen.
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.
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
Text: Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf, 1700–1760, adapt.; tr. Jane L. Borthwick, 1813–1897, alt. Tune: Adam Drese, 1620–1701. Text and tune: Public domain.
Text: Charitie Lees DeCheney Bancroft, 1841–1923. Public domain.
Vikki Cook,
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 10:00 AM 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
We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. There are 4 Gospels in the New Testament. Each one has a story to tell and a way to tell it. Christians are drawn to the works and words of Jesus. This study will focus the readers on the unique aspects of Mark’s Gospel and apply it to their daily lives. Vicar Noah is leading this entire study on Sunday mornings. If you haven’t been to Bible study in a while, now is a great time to start. Please join us in the CLC gymnasium Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Sahuarita Teen Group: Today
The Sahuarita Teen Group will be hitting the Top Golf links with students from St. Croix Lutheran High School today after lunch at the CLC. Transportation to and from Top Golf will be provided as well as everything necessary for golf. Come and enjoy time hitting some golf balls and making new friends!
Midweek Lenten Services
Midweek Lenten services are being held at Grace-Benson, Grace-Sahuarita, and Grace-Tucson through April 9. You are also invited to join us for a Lenten Supper each Wednesday at 5:00 PM between our services.
Our Lenten series is “Reflections on Repentance.” The sermons and service themes are rotating among the various sites, so worshipers who attend more than one site could hear a sermon repeated.
Grace-Benson: 10 AM Lenten Worship
Lunch to follow
Grace-Tucson: 10 AM & 7 PM Lenten Worship 6 PM Supper
Grace-Sahuarita: 4 PM & 6 PM Lenten Worship 5 PM Supper
Midweek Lenten Supper Hosts Needed
As previously mentioned, supper is held at 5:00 PM each Wednesday between our Lenten services. Individuals, families, or groups are invited to host! Please sign up on the sheet in the church entryway. A Thrivent Action Team will cover initial expenses, and a free-will offering will also be taken.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Minister Vicar Noah Nordlie
Accompanist ................................................................................................................ Laura Heiman
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ladies’ Fellowship Group: March 20
Ladies from all sites are invited to join the Ladies’ Fellowship Group to visit the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive). They will meet at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 20. Admission is $15 per adult and $13 for seniors (62+). After visiting the museum, the ladies will enjoy lunch at the nearby BZ’s Bistro (3225 N. Swan Road, Suite 105A). Ladies interested in carpooling from Grace-Tucson can contact Lois Thornton at (520)323-8772 to make arrangements. She can also answer any questions you may have.
LWMS Spring Rally: April 5
Ladies, mark your calendars for the LWMS Grand Canyon East Circuit Spring Rally being held at Grace-Sahuarita on Saturday, April 5, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. Presentations include Aaron Wakeman from Friends Network (formerly Friends of China and Friends of Vietnam) and Vicar Noah Nordlie who will explain the vicar program and what his responsibilities and opportunities have been at a home mission. For more information and to register online, please go to grandcanyonlwms.org. There are also registration forms in the church entryway. Please register by March 31.
Medication Bottle Collection
In connection with the LWMS Rally, we are collecting empty pill/medication bottles to send to the Central Africa Medical Mission. These bottles are then used by the medical staff to send creams, ointments, or syrups home with patients. Containers are requested in the following sizes: 4”x2”, 3¾”x1½”, 3”x1¼”, 3”x1½”, 3”x1”. Please remove all labels, and if there is adhesive remaining on the bottles, do not send those. Wash any used pill bottles. Bottles can be dropped off in the marked box in the church entryway or you may bring them to the LWMS Rally on April 5.
CLC Charity Golf Tournament: April 28
Do you enjoy golf? Join us on Monday, April 28, for the 6th annual CLC Charity Golf Tournament! Beginning at 1:00 PM, golfers will participate in a 4-person scramble golf tournament at Desert Hills Private Golf Club in Green Valley. Our goal for this big event is to raise funds for the It Takes the Community Scholarship Fund to benefit our community families in need of child care. Go to ItTakestheCommunity.com to register for this event, either as a team ($450) or individual golfer ($125). If you know of any businesses that might be interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Jen Rickling at 262-366-5778 or jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org.
Vicar in Mission Setting
Grace is once again requesting a Vicar in Missions to serve under Pastor Heiman here at our Sahuarita location. The congregational cost is $25,000 for the 2025-2026 school year ($15,000 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2026). We are looking to cover this cost with special offerings. As of January 31, $11,437.29 has been collected. You will find envelopes for this purpose in the church entryway.
Giving Opportunity!
Grace-Sahuarita has been gifted $30,000 toward additional mesquite church furniture, tables and chairs for the gym, a shed to hold tables and chairs, and landscaping between the church and CLC. In order to complete all of these projects, we’d like to raise an additional $30,000 in special gifts. Envelopes and information are available in the church entryway.
SAHUARITA
This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.
This Week at Grace March 9 - March 16
Worship Services 7:45 a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Gospel of Mark 9:00a Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Fellowship following worship
Lenten Services.................................4:00p & 6:00p Lenten Supper 5:00p Festival Choir Rehearsal 7:00p Sunday, March 16
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Gospel of Mark 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship....................................................
VAIL Today
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship.................................................... Thursday
Adult Bible Study: 1 Corinthians 6:30p
Sunday, March 16
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics 9:00a Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship
ONLINE Today
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson).......................10:00a
Sunday, March 16
Adult Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
OFF-SITE EVENTS Monday
Pastors’ Circuit Meeting at Shepherd of the Hills 9:00a Saturday & Sunday Booth at the Tucson Festival of Books on UA Mall 9:30a
TUCSON
Grow in Grace Class (resumes March 30)
(High School) Bible Study: Big Questions 9:00a
following worship
TCM Bible Study (resumes March 16)
March 16
Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a
Bible Hour......................................................8:45a
Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a
(High School) Bible Study: Big Questions 9:00a
BENSON
One Church. Four Locations.
Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.
Grace-Tucson and Central Office
830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org
Administrative Assistant—Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship Coordinator—Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail
Benson
451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602
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
Grace-Sahuarita
75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538
Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicar Noah Nordlie vicnpn@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center (520)848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com
Director—Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org
Assistant Director—Jen Rickling jrickling@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center Mission Teachers
Maddie Nordlie, Toddlers mnordlie@gracelutheransaz.org
Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org
Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org
Chris Leathers, Toddler/After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org
Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714
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.