Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church is on W. 11th Street in Tempe, directly off S. Priest Drive, and is known for its motto, “To Discover and Share the Beauty of Christ.” A congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the Pacific Southwest District, Beautiful Savior centers its life on the beauty of God as promised in his Word, his people, his promises, creation, and the sacraments. Its ministries extend from worship and prayer to Sunday School, confirmation, adult study, women’s Bible study, senior fellowship, and a four-week course for new members.
A Shared Vision of Beauty
At Beautiful Savior, the beauty of God is the center of its mission. The church seeks to discover and reflect on that beauty where God promises to meet people: in his Word, in his people, in his promises, in creation, and in the sacraments. Through worship, prayer, and the study of Scripture, the congregation seeks to deepen its relationship with God and with one another. The response to being seen by God as beloved is to care for others in mind, body, and soul.
Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen
Beautiful Savior’s statement of belief begins with Jesus’ question to his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The church teaches that Jesus is the only Son of God and the only one who can save people from their sins. It preaches, teaches, and confesses Jesus Christ as crucified for sins and risen from the dead so that people may have eternal life. Beautiful Savior is associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is part of its Pacific Southwest District.
Worship Through the Church Year
Sunday worship is the center of the church’s life. Beautiful Savior’s worship follows the Christian church year, with recurring seasons of Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. The church names the Word and the sacraments among the places where God promises to meet his people. Worship, prayer, and Scripture study are closely joined in the congregation’s life: each deepens relationship with God and one another, and the sacraments mark faith shared together in the church.
Children Move Through the Story of Salvation
Sunday School is offered each Sunday from September through May, except for holidays. For children, faith formation begins with the story of the Bible and its major moments in the story of salvation. The year culminates at Easter as children learn what Jesus has done at the cross and in the empty tomb, and how he equips his church to share the beauty of his Gospel with the world. The classroom is thus tied directly to worship and to the church’s shared mission.
Older children continue through a two-year confirmation model. Seventh graders study the overarching themes of Scripture, while eighth graders learn the core teachings of the church. Confirmation Sunday then marks the first time the confirmands receive communion. Classes meet from September through May and are scheduled with the pastor. Vacation Bible School is another part of the Youth and Family Ministry.
Pastor-Led Study and Prayer for Adults
Adult Bible Study meets on Sundays and is led by the pastor. The group works through one biblical book a chapter or two at a time, with discussion and conversation encouraged. Each gathering opens with prayer for one another, the congregation, the church, the world, and friends and family. The result is a regular setting for adults to dig deeper into faith, listen to one another’s understanding of the text, and bring the people and concerns of daily life before God.
A separate Bible study is offered on the second and fourth Mondays at 7:00 p.m. It is open to all Beautiful Savior members and especially serves people who work during the week and cannot attend the noon gatherings. The class continues the congregation’s emphasis on regular study, shared conversation, and prayer.
Women Gather at Monday Noon
Women gather every Monday from September through May at 12:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for an overview of “The Men of the Bible.” Each week centers on a different biblical figure. The study is led by Sandra Wardwell together with the church’s LWML, giving women a regular setting for exploring stories at the center of the faith.
Food and Faith Formation at Gethsemane
Beautiful Savior’s senior group is called SAM. Seniors are encouraged to join its times of food and faith formation at Gethsemane, the church’s daughter church. On the first Thursday of each month they gather for Bible study, and the third Thursday features a guest speaker. Holiday potluck meals and daytime outings add more time for senior Christian friends to enjoy fellowship together. The rhythm brings study, hospitality, shared meals, and time outdoors into one senior fellowship.
A Four-Week New Member Course
For people new to Beautiful Savior, the church offers a four-week new member course each quarter. It introduces the history of Beautiful Savior and the core beliefs of Lutheran Christians. The church presents the class as an introduction to the faith and the first step in a journey with the congregation, rather than a complete discipleship journey. In that setting, newcomers encounter the same Scripture-centered learning, worship, and service that shape the congregation.
Sharing the Gospel and the Whole Life
Community engagement is a defining commitment for Beautiful Savior. The congregation says it is committed to equipping believers to share the Gospel above all, but also their stories, lives, and blessings. As people share, they bear witness to how God has served and shaped them. In word and deed, the church seeks to engage its community with the love of Christ, and it understands the call to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn as part of life together.
Livestreamed Worship and Giving
Beautiful Savior extends worship through a YouTube channel and a Facebook livestream. Online giving is available through EasyTithe. At 1337 W. 11th Street in Tempe, the church continues to center its life on the beauty of Christ, discovering it in Word and people and sharing it through the community.