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We’ve been waiting for you! It’s true, because we believe that every person who comes into the circle of this special fellowship was sent by God Himself. It is not by accident that we have the joy of meeting you. So, above all else we want to express Christ’s love to you with genuine, heartfelt warmth. We are eager to know you, and we are excited to share with you the marvelous ways God is working in our church.

All types of people and families are welcome — seriously! The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) teaches that it doesn’t matter what your experience with religion has been or what kind of doubts or questions you might have about faith.

You are welcome as you are.

People long for something beyond themselves even if they don’t know what that something is. We believe that people long for God who gives us meaning and purpose. God is the creator of everything, the source of life, the giver of love, the power of healing, the champion of the poor and oppressed.

We believe that God came to us in Jesus who taught us God’s love by his words and actions. We believe Jesus was put to death and then returned to life giving us hope for the future.

We’re a community who celebrates with joy what God has given us. We work to support each other in our lives’ journeys.

We’d like to be part of your life.
You’re welcome at Joy Lutheran, whoever you are and wherever you are on your life’s journey.

The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

ELCA teachings or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s story is both ancient and timely. It’s a story of a powerful and patient God who has boundless love for all people of the world. It’s a story that brings deep meaning, comfort and strength to a growing community of people who live in modern, often unsettling times. Learn more about our beliefs—and become a part of this faith story.

When Lutherans talk about faith, we are talking about the relationship God’s Holy Spirit creates with us. It’s a relationship where God’s promise of steadfast love and mercy in Jesus opens us to a life of bold trust in God and joyful, generous service to everyone we know and meet in daily life.

The services include gathering words and music, sharing the word of God through Bible readings and a sermon, receiving Holy Communion, and delivering a sending blessing. On Sunday mornings we worship at 8:15 am and at 11:00 am in our Sanctuary. In the summer months we have one Service on Sunday at 10:00am.

Our services are mostly Traditional with some more contemporary music and readings included as well. We share communion in every service.  Anyone who believes that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine (gluten-free or grape juice) is welcome to receive the sacrament.  We love music! We sing with gusto and our services are filled with the gifts of our talented member musicians. We have a choir and a handbell choir. We use biblically-founded sermons preached by our pastor, Art Wuertz.

Children and families are welcomed here! We are surrounded by retirement communities in south west Ocala, so many of our parishioners are retired. That being said, we are filled with joy when we have families join us! We hope to become more family oriented as we see younger communities being developed in our area.

At Joy, we have a time of Fellowship and Hospitality following both Sunday Services.

Come as you are to worship, learn, serve and grow in faith with others.