Christ Our King Lutheran Church sits on a 5.45-acre parcel at 3255 Saline Waterworks Road, on the edge of Saline in Michigan's Washtenaw County. A member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Michigan District, the congregation is known locally for a historic, Word-centered form of worship, a deep investment in family life from nursery through high school, and a steady stream of outreach that ranges from GriefShare support groups to meal-packing events that feed neighbors around the corner and around the world.
From a U.A.W. Hall to a Saline Congregation
The story of Christ Our King begins in the fall of 1978, when Pastor Dan Wurster accepted a call to serve as a missionary-at-large in Saline. The first service was held in February 1979 at the local U.A.W. hall, with 47 charter members and an average Sunday attendance of 44. The name Christ Our King was chosen in March 1979, and a 5.45-acre parcel of land was purchased that June, the same property the church still calls home. In September 1981, Pastor Kenneth Huner was installed as the congregation's first pastor.
Ground was broken for the church building in August 1984, and the sanctuary was dedicated to the glory of God in April 1985. Less than two years later, on September 21, 1986, the congregation broke ground for an education wing addition. On January 31, 1993, the congregation extended a call to Thomas L. Schroeder of St. John's Lutheran Church in New Boston, Michigan. Pastor Tom accepted the call on February 24, 1993, and was installed on May 16, 1993, by Rev. Parke Frederick of St. Paul Ann Arbor, with Rev. Barry Sommerfield from Trinity, Sturgis, Michigan, proclaiming the Word.
A second building program, called "A Hope and A Future," was launched in March 2001. On February 23, 2003, the congregation dedicated eight classrooms, a gymnasium (now called the Family Life Center), offices, a youth room, and an expanded sanctuary. Pastor Dean Wachholz (retired) and Pastor Don Kirchhoff have served as associate pastors under Pastor Tom, who served faithfully as senior pastor until his retirement in December 2020.
In February 2021, the congregation called Joseph Polzin, who had been serving a dual parish in Grayling and Gaylord, Michigan, to be its next senior pastor. Pastor Polzin accepted the call in March 2021 and was installed on May 23, 2021, by Pastor Thomas Schroeder, with the sermon preached by his brother, Pastor Lewis Polzin of St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Today, total baptized membership stands at 529, with an average Sunday attendance of 198.
What the Church Believes
As a member congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Christ Our King teaches that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the inspired Word of God and the only source and norm for Christian faith and practice. The church confesses God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons yet one God. It teaches that human beings were created for perfect harmony with God, that Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, and that the sin we each inherit separates us from God and leads to eternal death.
The congregation teaches that Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose again so that sinners might be forgiven and receive eternal life, and that Christ will come again to resurrect all believers. The benefits of Christ's saving work are delivered to believers through the means of grace He has chosen: His Word, Confession and Absolution, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. The Book of Concord of 1580 is accepted as a faithful and authoritative exposition of God's Word.
A Historic Liturgy with Two Sunday Services
Sunday worship at Christ Our King follows a historic form of liturgy that is intentionally full of the gracious Word of God. Services are centered on a biblical theme, with hymns and liturgy that support that theme. The intent of the liturgy is twofold: to connect worshipers with the faithful Christians who have gone before, and to pass that same gift to the generations that come after. Each service usually lasts about an hour, or about 75 minutes when Holy Communion is celebrated.
Two Sunday services are offered, an early service at 8:15 AM and a later service at 11:00 AM. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first, third, and fifth Sunday of each month. Gluten-free bread is available, and non-alcoholic grape juice is offered at the center of each wine tray. Visitors and members who are not communing are welcome to come forward for a blessing, with arms crossed over the chest as a signal. Christ Our King invites to the table those who trust Christ's words, repent of their sins, and forgive others as they have been forgiven.
Music is usually organ-led and includes hymns and songs ranging from the first centuries of the Christian church to the present. On the second Sunday of each month, the Praise Team leads the music in a more contemporary style. The adult choir sings regularly throughout the year. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and a sermon podcast is available through PodBean. The Sunday adult Bible study led by Pastor Polzin is also published on the YouTube channel. A hearing loop is available in the sanctuary for worshipers who use hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with a T-coil.
Fellowship Time and Sunday School
Fellowship Time begins around 9:15 AM in the Family Life Center, located down the side hallway from the sanctuary or accessible from the east end of the building across from the playground. Coffee, conversation, and connection fill the space between the two services.
From 9:45 to 10:45 AM, Sunday School classes meet for everyone from preschoolers through adults. A staffed nursery is available for children ages 0 to 3 during the Sunday School hour, and the unstaffed nursery remains open for parents who need it during the worship services themselves. Children ages 4 through 4th grade may attend a Children's Message during the sermon at the 8:15 AM service. Registration for Sunday School and Wednesday classes is handled through an online form.
Walking with Families from Nursery through Senior High
Christ Our King invests heavily in its children and youth. The heart of children's ministry is to teach kids about who God is and how His Word applies to their lives, to help them understand what it means to have a real relationship with God, and to show them that the Bible is full of stories that matter in everyday life. The children's ministry spans from birth through 6th grade.
Sunday School classes run from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. The nursery is open for the youngest children during both Sunday services and the Sunday School hour. The church marks special faith milestones, including Baptism, the presentation of Third Grade Bibles, Confirmation, and Graduation, with prayers and celebrations that re-affirm the promises made at baptism.
Wednesday evenings provide a second weekly touchpoint. From 6:00 to 6:30 PM, students gather for recreation in the Family Life Center, followed by class time from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Children's Ministry classes run from age 4 through 4th grade, with Mrs. T-K leading Bible story time and activities. Pre-Confirmation serves 5th and 6th graders, and Confirmation is offered for youth in 5th through 8th grade, facilitated by Pastor Polzin.
Junior and senior high youth, grades 7 through 12, have their own Sunday School classes in the Youth Room, located behind the altar, where they study topics such as "Vocation: Right Here, Right Now," a four-session curriculum exploring how God works through them in every area of life. Grades 6 to 8 also meet on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The youth ministry participates in the LCMS National Youth Gathering (held every third year), the Michigan Senior High Youth Gathering on Mackinac Island (also every third year), and the annual Jr. High Youth Gathering in Frankenmuth. Mission trips are offered locally and farther afield, depending on the interests of the youth.
Past Sunday School lessons and children's messages from Mrs. Deanna and Mrs. T-K are posted on the church's YouTube channel so families can revisit the lessons at home. A catalog of faith-based, family-friendly resources is also maintained to help parents reinforce lessons at home.
Bible Studies for Every Season of Life
Christ Our King runs an unusually rich slate of adult Bible studies, meeting on most days of the week. Members and non-members are welcome to join any of them.
On Sunday mornings at 9:45, two studies run side by side in the Family Life Center. Pastor Polzin leads "Small Catechism, Big Faith: Part One," walking through Martin Luther's 1529 Small Catechism to help participants rediscover its foundational teachings. The same hour, Pastor Tom Schroeder and Deacon Scott McClelland lead an Adult Information / New Member Class, which gives an overview of major biblical teachings and serves as the on-ramp to membership at Christ Our King.
On Tuesday mornings from 6:30 to 7:30 AM, the Men's Breakfast and Bible Study gathers in the Family Life Center for breakfast and a walk through the Gospel of Mark. All men are welcome. An annual Men's Retreat is held at Camp Arcadia in western Michigan, the second weekend in September.
Wednesday mornings bring the Women's Wednesday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 AM in Room 2/3 (also on Zoom). That same evening, the Women's Wednesday Evening Bible Study on Joshua meets at 6:30 PM in Room 2/3 and on Zoom, led by Kathy Brade Smith. A Mom's Group meets at 6:30 PM in Room 6, working through "Ruth: Fields of Grace" from The Daily Grace Co., with no homework outside the Wednesday gatherings. Also on Wednesday at 6:30 PM, Pastor Don leads a study on Galatians in Room 12, and Greg Witto, Director of Family Life Ministry, leads D360: Nine Conversations About Whole-life Discipleship for young adults in Room 11.
On the second and fourth Thursday of each month, a Bible study with Pastor Polzin meets in the Family Life Center (and on Zoom), working through Paul's letter to the Romans. Anyone of any age is welcome. A small lending library is also maintained by the church, with the catalog searchable online.
Walking with the Grieving
GriefShare is a flagship ministry of Christ Our King. Hosted as a friendly, caring group for people who have lost loved ones, the program is biblically based and uses video teaching, group discussion, and personal reflection to walk participants from mourning toward joy. Each series has thirteen two-hour sessions exploring a different aspect of grief, and participants are encouraged to attend at least three sessions. Sessions do not have to be taken in order. Pre-registration is helpful but not required, and the church runs new series in the fall and winter.
Feeding Neighbors Near and Far
Outreach at Christ Our King is grounded in serving the Saline community and beyond. The Kids Coalition Against Hunger is a recurring meal-pack event that brings together volunteers of all ages (everyone 4 and older) to pack thousands of nutritionally complete meals in a single morning, providing food locally and shipping supplies internationally. Recent goals have aimed at 40,000 meals, with a fundraising target to cover the cost of ingredients.
Other outreach efforts include Growing in God's Love, an intergenerational event that pairs Bible study with a community service project, and senior living ministry led by Pastor Tom Schroeder, who holds services and Bible studies at seven senior living facilities. Vacation Bible School is a fun summer program for children from preschool through 6th grade.
Inside the building, a Quilt Ministry donates handmade quilts to the Ann Arbor Salvation Army Family Shelter, the Delonis Center, the Wayne County Center, Aid in Milan, Saline Social Services, and Lutheran World Relief. A Helping Hands Ministry coordinates meals and gift cards for congregation members facing long-term illness or the birth of a baby. A prayer chain and a Connector prayer list keep the community lifting one another up.
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League is active at Christ Our King, with a mite box collection on the third Sunday of each month, supporting global mission work through the LCMS women's auxiliary. An Endowment Fund, established in June 2009, provides grants for projects outside the annual Plan of Work, including scholarships for students entering full-time church work and supporting mission, ministry, and outreach projects.
Music, Art, and Other Ways to Serve
Music is woven into the life of the congregation. The adult choir welcomes singers from older elementary through high school and adults, while the Praise Team practices weekly and leads a more contemporary set the second Sunday of each month. Special events music opportunities are open throughout the year.
Faith by Illustration offers a creative outlet for those who want to linger longer in God's Word through visual art. The group, which requires no art skills, uses creativity as a form of worship and fellowship, with supply lists and most materials provided.
Rooted in Christ, Building Toward Our Future
A long-range congregational plan called "Rooted in Christ, Building Toward Our Future" is shaping the next chapter at Christ Our King. Driven by Colossians 2:6-7, the plan focuses on stewarding the gifts of Word, Worship, Witness, and Work so the congregation is poised to faithfully serve in God's kingdom now and into the future.
Completed phases include the addition of a Director of Family Life Ministry to the full-time staff; a multi-year landscape refresh, including a new church front and pavilion; and a new digital LED road sign at the corner of the property, replacing a 25-year-old manual sign. A major worship technology refresh, including cameras, microphones, speakers, livestream equipment, and reconfiguration of the Sanctuary space, has been rolled out in stages.
On the horizon are sanctuary and narthex lighting upgrades, an interior refresh, and an exterior refresh that addresses siding, roofing, windows, and trim, while preserving the stained glass and adding a possible covered courtyard.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Christ Our King aims to make first-time guests feel at home. There is a large parking lot, with visitor parking spaces near the front entrance. Some people dress up; most wear casual or business casual clothes. The rule of thumb is to dress comfortably.
You will meet people from different backgrounds and in different stages of their faith journey. Pastors and ushers are always available to answer questions, and a next-steps form near the church entrance is an easy way to share contact information and let the staff know your interests. For those who want a deeper connection, the Foundations New Members class is the on-ramp to membership at Christ Our King.
Leadership and the Staff Team
Joseph Polzin serves as Senior Pastor. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated from Miami University with a degree in Social Studies Education, and earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife Jennie have been married since 2009 and have four children.
Tom Schroeder, now retired as senior pastor, serves as Pastor of Community Outreach. He leads worship and Bible studies at seven senior living facilities, facilitates GriefShare, and preaches in various settings. He grew up on a farm in Britton, Michigan, attended Concordia Ann Arbor, and has served congregations in New York City, Waltz, Michigan, and Saline.
Don Kirchhoff serves as Associate Pastor (retired). A graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he served congregations in Oklahoma for forty years before joining the Christ Our King staff in October 2008.
Greg Witto was installed as Director of Family Life Ministry in the spring of 2024. He previously served as Director of Campus and Family Life Ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston, Illinois, and as Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at Concordia University Wisconsin Ann Arbor. He holds a bachelor's degree from Concordia, Ann Arbor, and a Master of Science in Family Life from Concordia University, Nebraska. He and his wife Cindy have two adult children.
Joining the Family
Becoming a member of Christ Our King is a serious, prayerful step, and the church emphasizes that no one is pressured to join. Anyone interested in membership, whether through affirmation of faith or confirmation, is invited to attend the New Member Foundations class to learn what the congregation believes, to get to know the pastors, and to discern whether Christ Our King is a good fit.