THE
FIRST SUNDAY
FIRST SUNDAY
E L C T , A M 9, 2025
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 order of worship we will follow 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. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video livestreaming.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
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
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.
OPENING HYMN Jesus, My Great High Priest
Christian Worship 538
The vocalist will sing stanza 1. Please join in singing the remaining stanzas.
Please stand
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
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:
In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.
Jesus Still Lead On Joseph Herl On Eagle’s Wings
Eric L. Carlson
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Anne Krentz Organ
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.
Luke 15:10
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
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
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.
In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please be seated
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.
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.
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.
This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 91 which is the appointed Psalm for this Sunday of the church year.
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.
Jesus has stood in our place, facing every temptation that we have faced. Yet he did not sin.
HYMN—On Eagle’s Wings
We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.
SECOND READING Hebrews 4:14-16
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.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please stand
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1 John 3:8
Vocalist: Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Refrain (ALL):
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.
The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel. 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
Please be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY—A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Christian Worship 864
SERMON 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 32-40, 45-49
The Battle Belongs to the L
Please stand
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.
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
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.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
OFFERTORY:
Before the Throne of God Above Christian Worship 561
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
Please stand
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Please be seated
POSTLUDE MUSIC:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Larry Shackley
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Pat Messer with praise and thanksgiving to God for the many blessings given to her, and to celebrate the birthday of her son David on the 13th.
If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. Upcoming available dates are May 11 & 18 and most of the Sundays in June. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. Thank you to Craig and Laura Lipke for hosting this morning! Upcoming available dates are April 27 and May 11. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
We thank Stanley Mead for sponsoring the tall banners we will be using through the Lenten season.
We are currently studying the first half of the book of Romans. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in that important city to reassure them and us that God triumphs over sin and sadness by his grace. Please join us for “The Triumph of Grace: The Book of Romans.” If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this would be a great time to start! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
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 here at GraceTucson at 6:00 PM.
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 Light Supper
Grace-Sahuarita: 4 PM & 6 PM Lenten Worship 5 PM Supper
Preacher Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Worship Leader.................................................................................Pastor Ron Koehler (10:00 AM)
Accompanist Kathy Parra
Vocalist...................................................................................................................... Jay Wiechmann
Greeters
Bill & Lisa Toben (10:00 AM)
Ushers..........................................................................................Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Dylan Guenther, Lucas Guenther, Ferdie Kramm, Rick Street (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs .................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke
A light supper is held at 6:00 PM each Wednesday evening before our Lenten service. Individuals, families, or groups are invited to host! Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Hosts are needed for March 19 and April 9. More detailed information is with the sign-up sheet. A Thrivent Action Team will cover initial expenses and a free-will offering will also be taken.
All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for a study of the life of the Apostle Peter on Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. This is the last of the series on The 12 Apostles, but you do not need to have participated in previous classes to join this one–it is entirely new.
Grace will once again have a booth at the Tucson Festival of Books being held on the University of Arizona campus on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 & 16. We are looking for volunteers to staff the booth in two-hour blocks from 8:30 to 5:30 each day. You will be handing out activity packets to kids, helping people sign up for our 3 raffle gift baskets, and be available to talk with people about our church. If you can help out with this, please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the Fellowship Hall or contact our Outreach Coordinator, Gary Kojo, at (520)888-0000 or info@instyonoracle.com.
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.
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 on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Please register by March 31.
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 at each of Grace’s sites or you may bring them to the LWMS Rally on April 5.
Today
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.
Worship Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes March 30)
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Big Questions 9:00a Fellowship following worship NO TCM Bible Study (resumes March 16)
Tuesday Pastors’ Staff Meeting 9:00a English Classes 6:30p
Wednesday Midweek Lenten Services 10:00a & 7:00p Lenten Supper 6:00p
Thursday
Women’s Bible Study: Apostle Peter 9:00a Handbell Practice 5:30p Grow in Grace Class 6:00p Worship Choir 6:45p
Sunday, March 16
Worship Services with communion 7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour......................................................8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes March 30)
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: Big Questions 9:00a Fellowship following worship ................................................... Mission to the Children Spanish Service & Meal 4:00p TCM Bible Study 7:00p BENSON
Service
Sunday, March 16
Worship Service with communion 7:30a Adult Bible Study: Hebrews 8:45a Fellowship following worship
SAHUARITA
Worship Services 7:45 a & 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Gospel of Mark 9:00a Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fellowship following worship Teen Group 11:30a
Midweek 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
Adult Bible Study: Timely Topics....................................9:00a Worship Service 10:00a Fellowship following worship
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
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
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
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
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.