St. John's Lutheran Church
Wauwatosa WI
53213
Who we are
We are a CHRISTIAN church
The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – created the universe and made mankind in his image, holy and without sin. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, disobeyed God and brought sin on the entire human race. Therefore, all people are sinful from conception. The punishment for sin is death. Because of our sin, there is nothing we can do to win God’s favor or earn eternal life. God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be our Savior from sin and death. Jesus is fully God and fully man, the Son of God who was born of the virgin Mary. Through Jesus’ perfect life, he fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law. Through Jesus’ undeserved death, he paid the penalty for the sins of the all people. Through Jesus’ victorious resurrection, he proved that the payment was complete and all sin was forgiven. We receive this free gift of forgiveness only through faith in Jesus Christ, not on the basis of our own works. This faith is not something that we can produce on our own, but rather is a free gift from God, worked by the Holy Spirit through the gospel. Jesus will return on the Last Day to judge all mankind. All those who possess saving faith will live forever with God in heaven. All those who do not possess saving faith will be condemned to eternal separation from God in hell.
We are a BIBLICAL church
The Bible, in its entirety, is the true and inspired Word of God. Through it, God reveals himself to his creation. The Bible is a unified document, true and without error in everything it says. The Bible teaches us all that we need to know for salvation. The Bible is the only source and standard for Christian teaching and living and guides us in leading godly lives of thanksgiving to our Savior.
We are a LUTHERAN church
We believe, teach, and adhere to the historic confessions of the Lutheran Church as recorded in the Book of Concord because they are clear and accurate statements of the Bible’s teaching. We believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, as taught by Scripture alone. We are a community of believers washed by the waters of Holy Baptism, fed by Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion, and taught and guided by the Word of God. We are a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a network of churches across North America and around the world that are bound together by a common confession of faith.
We are an EVANGELICAL church
“Evangelical” comes from the Greek word for gospel, or good news, about Jesus Christ. Our church, school, and childcare ministries are all committed to serving our community on behalf of Christ by actively sharing the good news about Jesus Christ.
Mission & Vision/Strategic Plan
As God's people gathered together at St. John's, we live to declare the praises of our Savior God who called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of his grace.
The following are the goals we will pursue and the attitudes we will embrace as we strive to fulfill our mission between now and 2025...
Making worship of our Savior the top priority in our lives
Growing in our faith through daily contact with God's Word
Fostering Christian friendships for mutual support and encouragement
Using our unique gifts to glorify God and serve God's people
Sharing the good news of God's forgiving love with others
The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – created the universe and made mankind in his image, holy and without sin. Adam and Eve, the first human beings, disobeyed God and brought sin on the entire human race. Therefore, all people are sinful from conception. The punishment for sin is death. Because of our sin, there is nothing we can do to win God’s favor or earn eternal life. God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be our Savior from sin and death. Jesus is fully God and fully man, the Son of God who was born of the virgin Mary. Through Jesus’ perfect life, he fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law. Through Jesus’ undeserved death, he paid the penalty for the sins of the all people. Through Jesus’ victorious resurrection, he proved that the payment was complete and all sin was forgiven. We receive this free gift of forgiveness only through faith in Jesus Christ, not on the basis of our own works. This faith is not something that we can produce on our own, but rather is a free gift from God, worked by the Holy Spirit through the gospel. Jesus will return on the Last Day to judge all mankind. All those who possess saving faith will live forever with God in heaven. All those who do not possess saving faith will be condemned to eternal separation from God in hell.
The Bible, in its entirety, is the true and inspired Word of God. Through it, God reveals himself to his creation. The Bible is a unified document, true and without error in everything it says. The Bible teaches us all that we need to know for salvation. The Bible is the only source and standard for Christian teaching and living and guides us in leading godly lives of thanksgiving to our Savior.
We are a LUTHERAN church
We believe, teach, and adhere to the historic confessions of the Lutheran Church as recorded in the Book of Concord because they are clear and accurate statements of the Bible’s teaching. We believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, as taught by Scripture alone. We are a community of believers washed by the waters of Holy Baptism, fed by Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion, and taught and guided by the Word of God. We are a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a network of churches across North America and around the world that are bound together by a common confession of faith.
“Evangelical” comes from the Greek word for gospel, or good news, about Jesus Christ. Our church, school, and childcare ministries are all committed to serving our community on behalf of Christ by actively sharing the good news about Jesus Christ.
Mission & Vision/Strategic Plan
As God's people gathered together at St. John's, we live to declare the praises of our Savior God who called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of his grace.
The following are the goals we will pursue and the attitudes we will embrace as we strive to fulfill our mission between now and 2025...
Making worship of our Savior the top priority in our lives
Growing in our faith through daily contact with God's Word
Fostering Christian friendships for mutual support and encouragement
Using our unique gifts to glorify God and serve God's people
Church Website
St. John's Lutheran Church on Social Media
April 30, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jefferson, Wisconsin
Leadership
Leader Name:
Joel Leyrer
Leader Position:
Senior Pastor
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Joel Leyrer
Leader Bio:
Pastor Joel Leyrer was born in Waukegan, IL. His family moved to Watertown, WI when he was four years old and to Milwaukee, WI when he was in eighth grade. Pastor Leyrer attended Northwestern Preparatory School (now Luther Preparatory School) in Watertown, WI, graduating in 1973 and Northwestern College, also in Watertown, graduating in 1977. He continued his ministry studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, graduating in 1981.
Upon graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Leyrer was assigned to exploratory mission work in Perry, GA. During his time in Georgia, Sola Gratia Lutheran Church was established. In 1986, Pastor Leyrer accepted a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN. He served in Indianapolis until 1992, when he accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, MN. Pastor Leyrer was called to St. John’s in August 1998.
Pastor Leyrer serves as the senior pastor of St. John’s. He is responsible for the overall spiritual growth and guidance of the congregation as well as administration and leadership training. Although his ministry extends through all areas of the congregation, he works primarily with the Boards of Elders, Stewardship, and Education.
In 1978, Pastor Leyrer married Lorna. They have been blessed with five adult children and four grandchildren. He enjoys reading, watching sports, spending time with family, and traveling and has been to Malawi, Norway, Greece, China, and Mexico.
One of his greatest joys as a pastor is watching God at work in the lives of his people. Pastor Leyrer is thankful for the opportunities to teach and interact with congregation members. His vision and prayer for St. John’s is that we be a Great Commission church – one that is consciously dedicated to nurturing believers in Jesus Christ and reaching out to those who don’t yet know of his saving love.
Upon graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Leyrer was assigned to exploratory mission work in Perry, GA. During his time in Georgia, Sola Gratia Lutheran Church was established. In 1986, Pastor Leyrer accepted a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN. He served in Indianapolis until 1992, when he accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, MN. Pastor Leyrer was called to St. John’s in August 1998.
Pastor Leyrer serves as the senior pastor of St. John’s. He is responsible for the overall spiritual growth and guidance of the congregation as well as administration and leadership training. Although his ministry extends through all areas of the congregation, he works primarily with the Boards of Elders, Stewardship, and Education.
In 1978, Pastor Leyrer married Lorna. They have been blessed with five adult children and four grandchildren. He enjoys reading, watching sports, spending time with family, and traveling and has been to Malawi, Norway, Greece, China, and Mexico.
One of his greatest joys as a pastor is watching God at work in the lives of his people. Pastor Leyrer is thankful for the opportunities to teach and interact with congregation members. His vision and prayer for St. John’s is that we be a Great Commission church – one that is consciously dedicated to nurturing believers in Jesus Christ and reaching out to those who don’t yet know of his saving love.
Other Church Leaders:
Pastor Eric Schroeder - Discipleship Pastor
Pastor Joel Schwartz - Outreach & Youth Pastor
Pastor Joshua Yu - Chinese Outreach Pastor
Pastor Joel Schwartz - Outreach & Youth Pastor
Pastor Joshua Yu - Chinese Outreach Pastor
Driving Directions to St. John's Lutheran Church
Travel/Direction Tips
St. John's is located in the heart of the Wauwatosa Village, at the crossroads of Harwood Avenue and Dewey Avenue.
Parking
Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the church or across the street at St. John's School.
St. John's Lutheran Church Service Times
Worship Services
Saturdays at 5:30 PM
Sundays at 8:00 & 10:30 AM
Bible Class
Sundays at 9:15 AM
It's been more than 11 months since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Saturdays at 5:30 PM
Sundays at 8:00 & 10:30 AM
Bible Class
Sundays at 9:15 AM
It's been more than 11 months since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
PRINT
ZOOM
ICAL
SUBSCRIBE
Dress Code
What to wear is not an issue at St. John's. Like most people, our members try to make their worship time at church a special time. This is often reflected in the way they dress. Ultimately, however, dress is a personal matter of worship before God.
When people dress out of love for their Lord, the choice of dress is acceptable to God and to us. We welcome those who dress more formally and those who prefer casual clothing. What you wear isn’t nearly as important as you being here…so come as you are!
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Other activities & ministries
Chinese Ministry
As part of the confessional Lutheran church, St. John’s Chinese Ministry is a faithful ministry to Chinese people in the precious, saving truths of Scripture and the blessings of God's amazing grace. The eternal gospel has drawn Chinese speaking people from the greater Milwaukee area to our worship service in Chinese where they enjoy the blessings of fellowship opportunities for growing Christian faith. Chinese Ministry at St John’s is not an independent group or organization in America. We are affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
Through our Chinese ministry we offer worship services in Chinese, Bible study in Chinese, children’s Bible classes, discipleship and Christian leadership training for Chinese. Our Chinese ministry also provides counseling for people in cross-cultural marriages and families. For more information, please email Pastor Yu or call 414-258-7831.
As part of the confessional Lutheran church, St. John’s Chinese Ministry is a faithful ministry to Chinese people in the precious, saving truths of Scripture and the blessings of God's amazing grace. The eternal gospel has drawn Chinese speaking people from the greater Milwaukee area to our worship service in Chinese where they enjoy the blessings of fellowship opportunities for growing Christian faith. Chinese Ministry at St John’s is not an independent group or organization in America. We are affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
Through our Chinese ministry we offer worship services in Chinese, Bible study in Chinese, children’s Bible classes, discipleship and Christian leadership training for Chinese. Our Chinese ministry also provides counseling for people in cross-cultural marriages and families. For more information, please email Pastor Yu or call 414-258-7831.
Other information
Additional Info:
St. John's Lutheran School
1278 Dewey Ave.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
(414) 258-4214
1278 Dewey Ave.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
(414) 258-4214
St. John's Lutheran Church History
"Pray often. For prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan". John Bunyan
St. John's Lutheran Church listing was last updated on the 8th of May, 2023
