OUR MISSION | OUR MINISTRY | OUR FAITH

We believe that the mission of our congregation is to fulfill the Great Commission (to make disciples for Christ) by living the Great Commandment (to love one another as Christ loves us). We do this by witnessing and evangelism in our local community, and by supporting missions throughout the world. We call pastors and teachers to prepare us for works of service to build up the body of Christ. They help us recognize and use our spiritual gifts for the welfare of Christ's Kingdom. As a congregation we gather frequently for worship and prayer. We promote the unity of the body of Christ as we minister to each other's spiritual needs through Christian fellowship. We also minister in love to the bodily needs of all people as we have opportunity, especially our fellow believers.

Our vision for ministry includes the following:

· Communication Commission - informing congregation and community

· Day School Commission - operate our Christian elementary school

· Education Commission - Sunday School, Bible Classes, Youth Ministry

· Elders Commission - spiritual care for congregation members

· Evangelism Commission - Gospel outreach to our community

· Fellowship Commission - strengthen bonds between fellow Christians

· Finance Commission - administer the congregation's finances

· Future Planning Commission - identify trends and plan for the future

· Mission Commission - promote cross-cultural and world missions

· Social Ministry Commission - encourage care for those in need

· Stewardship Commission - using time, ability and income for Christ

· Trustees Commission - care for the church's buildings and grounds

· Worship Commission - strengthen and enhance meaningful worship

Immanuel Lutheran Church began with the founding of our Christian elementry school in 1852. Presently, the school has approximately 60 pupils enrolled in kindergarden through eighth grade. The congregation was organized in 1858 and today numbers around 400. While Lutherans take their name from Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer of the Christian Church, our faith centers in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

We believe in the one true God who is three-in-one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Creator of the universe. God has revealed Himself to us in the Bible, which is his Word in every part, without error. There He has told us that we are sinful by nature, unable to save ourselves. Nevertheless, God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to suffer and die to pay the penalty for our sins and to rise from the dead to guarantee our salvation. All who trust in Him as their personal Savior are declared not guilty by God because of His blood shed on the cross. God the Holy Spirit uses the Bible and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to bring us to faith, to assure us of God's forgiveness and love, and to enable us to live for God.