When are Worship and Bible Class? Worship is Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Bible Class is beforehand on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Ryan’s on Shoop Avenue.
How do I find out what is happening this month? To see our online newsletter, click here. To request a newsletter to be emailed to you, click here. Please supply your name, email address, physical address, and phone where we can reach you. To view our online calendar, click here. You can also go to the events page for upcoming events. Or connect with us on social media:
Why is the church named, “Emmaus”? Our name comes from Luke 24:13-35. Walk the Emmaus road with Jesus – discover how all Scripture points to Jesus and delivers us from confusion and not knowing to clarity about God and His plans as well as a relationship with Him and others. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 20:30-31)
Is there WIFI available? Yes, the church has very good WIFI service and speed. Connect to the SSID “Emmaus LCMS-Guest”. No password is needed.
How should I dress? God sees into our hearts and minds. Because Jesus took away our sin, we are spiritually covered with a white robe of righteousness (this is why Pastor wears an alb for worship). What we wear on the outside is a human convention. Be comfortable for what your needs are and for the weather.
Worship Style – We are a liturgical church, that is, we follow an order of service that has been modified and used over the life of the universal Christian Church. At the same time, we vary parts and pieces so as to keep things fresh. Worship is deeply meaningful and new at the same time. Twice a month we use organ and hymnody, and twice a month is the Praise Team on instruments with songs from the last 30 years to what we just heard on the radio. The fifth Sunday alternates between the two. We believe that worship is not about personal preferences, but how a timeless God brings us word and sacrament and we experience this in a convergent way. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Our primary hymnal is Lutheran Service Book (2006) but we use elements of worship from Lutheran Worship (1982), Creative Worship (current subscription), Creative Communications for the Parish (Advent and Lent), and Lutheran Service Builder (Web-based interactive form of LSB). The order of worship is on screens, but a limited number of paper bulletins are available for those who need them.
Families – We love children and anyone with special needs in worship! We believe children need to experience worship in a way that is hands-on and available for them. Twice a month there is the opportunity for children to play percussion instruments with our Praise Team at the end of service. Every other week is a children’s message (calendar here). Thursday night worship includes the children directly with what is happening in worship interactively. Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. Preschool through 6th grade have Bible time, songs, crafts, games, and a snack. 7th and 8th grade are in Confirmation with Pastor.
Baptism – Whether it is adults or children, we all are born sinful and are in need of salvation. (Rom. 3:23-24). Jesus commanded baptism (Mt. 28:19-20) and baptism brings salvation (Acts 2:38-39). We baptize babies and children because Jesus specifically invites them (Luke 18:15-17). We believe that baptism is what God does in us by Jesus’ merit, and is not dependent on us, but on Him. If you would like to be baptized, or you want your child(ren) baptized, contact Pastor here.
Holy Communion – Communion is offered on the first and third Sundays of the month (and Thursday preceding) as well as on festivals (see calendar here). We celebrate the Lord’s Supper in confidence and in the confession that our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine, but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. If you also believe this and wish to come to the Lord’s Table, you are welcome. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34) We do ask that you would please try to speak with the Pastor or an Elder beforehand.
Can I be part of a group to get to know people? Yes! Some groups are open to anyone from the community and some are open only to members of Emmaus, depending on the purpose of the group. You can see a current description of groups here.
I would like to join Emmaus – People join Emmaus by transfer from another LCMS Congregation, by release from their former congregation, or by profession of faith and/or baptism if they don’t have a previous membership. New members are asked to attend a seven week session to discuss basic Christianity, Lutheran belief and practice, and to be familiar with Emmaus itself. After that new members are received in a worship service. If you are interested in joining you can contact Pastor here.