(released 12/19/23) – We updated the WELS App with a couple of minor changes.
(released 02/01/21) – Today we added Marriage Moments to the WELS App. Marriage Moments are short, weekly videos highlighting one Biblical marriage thought accompanied by a discussion question. Couples may subscribe to receive the videos in a weekly e-mail. Congregations can upload them to their social media pages, encourage members to sign up for the e-mail, and use them as part of their marriage counseling or Bible study ministries. Or you can view each one right here within the app. There is a dedicated “card” on the WELS App home page. You can also visit the Sections area and find them under “Videos.”
(released 10/02/19) – Recently Apple released the latest version of their iPhone and iPad operating systems — version 13.0. There were many improvements. However, one step back we noticed is that iPhones and iPads no longer support background audio for Progressive Web Apps, like this one. The WELS App makes audio podcasts available for the Daily Devotion, Through The Bible in Three Years, Military Devotion, and Early Childhood Ministry Educators Devotions. The audio will still play, but if the screen goes to sleep or you switch to a different app while the audio is playing, it will be suspended. We have been given no indication when or if Apple will restore this feature which had been available on previous versions. Of course, you can keep the page open while the audio plays, say to read along, and everything will work fine.
The news isn’t all bad though with this latest update. Siri Shortcuts continues to improve on the iPhone and you can easily instruct Siri to play the Daily Devotion or Through My Bible audio readings with a simple command. Read this blog post to learn more about how to install the Shortcut and different ways you might use it, including a hands-free way to hear God’s word while working out, driving, etc.
(released 06/18/19) – This summer the WELS App will be getting a number of new features. To kick things off we are rolling out a new home page design. The one you are looking at is cleaner, and should be much faster to load. It also features rotating Forward in Christ and Q&A articles. Stay tuned for text message notification options, a way to configure your own home screen, and health-related news from the WELS Benefit Plans Office. There is also quite a list of great suggestions that some of you have made which we intend to implement as time permits. Keep those ideas coming! Our goal is have the WELS App appear on the home screen of every WELS smartphone user. Thanks for using the app and pass the word to those who might be missing out on the great devotions and news features available every day. Remember simply visit https://wels.app to get started.
(released 01/08/19) – The audio version of WELS Daily Devotion can now be added to Amazon Alexa’s “Flash Briefing” function. If you have an Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, etc. you can set up a “flash briefing” that plays through a list of available items, or “skills” of your choosing. You can hear news from NPR, the local weather forecast, a daily joke, and almost anything else you can imagine. Once you have it set up you can just ask Alexa to “play my flash briefing” or “what’s in the news?”. There are other commands you can use as well. CNET put together a nice article on how to enable this feature.
As of today, you can now add WELS Daily Devotion to that lineup. Each day WELS provides a 3 to 5-minute devotion based on a Bible passage. These devotions are written by WELS pastors across the country and globe. They are then “read” by a few individuals within the WELS Congregational Services team. What a great way to put technology to work for you as you sit over your morning coffee or get ready for work.
If you do have an Echo (perhaps there was one in your stocking) and decide to use this “skill”, be sure to leave a review in the app. This will increase the likelihood of it being found by others, who can then also hear the Good News! Look for more skills in the near future including our “Verse of the Day” and “Through The Bible” readings.