Please know that we love visitors! We pride ourselves on welcoming strangers and friends alike to Emmanuel because we believe that God has sent you.  Here are some common questions people ask when they come to a worship service.  

What happens when I walk into the Sanctuary?
When you walk into the church building, someone will be there to greet you and to hand you a worship bulletin for the morning worship service. That bulletin will have information about how to use the hymnal as well as other important information. Our main goal is to welcome you and not to make you feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions, please ask someone.

Will I have to stand up with other visitors and introduce myself?
While some churches ask their visitors to stand up and introduce themselves, we don’t. We do ask that you fill out a visitor’s card, which is in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate, or sign the guest register in the Narthex outside the Sanctuary.

Do you want my money?
No!  We are not after your money. While we do collect an offering each Sunday, we expect our members to provide the financial resources needed for ministry to happen here. Please know that your presence here as a visitor is a gift within itself.

What about my kids?
In the gospel Jesus lets us know that children are a blessing. Because of that, we welcome children into worship. We have some bags for young children in the Narthex for children during church, as well as a children’s bulletin, available from one of our ushers. We also offer children birth-age 4 a nursery in our Christian Development Center, down the hall from the Sanctuary, for those who desire it.

What should I wear?
The majority of people business casual clothing.  With that said, people at Emmanuel wear a variety of things to worship from high heels to tennis shoes.  You are welcome at Emmanuel regardless of what you’re wearing!

What’s a Lutheran worship service like?
A Lutheran worship service, often called the liturgy, follows an ancient pattern that has four basic parts to it.
Gathering
Word
Meal
Sending

Unlike a music concert or lecture, everyone participates in a Lutheran worship services. The pastor will have lines he will speak or sing, but the congregation also participates by speaking and singing, too. We stand and sit at different parts of the liturgy. Everything you need to say and do will be marked clearly in the bulletin.

How long do worship services last?
Most worship services last about an hour, give or take a few minutes.

Am I welcome at Holy Communion?
We believe that Jesus welcomes all baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, to the Lord’s Table. Those who do not receive Communion can come forward for a blessing.

Someone in my family has a mental or physical disability, are they welcome?
Our church welcomes those with disabilities. We have parking spaces reserved for those with disabilities. Our facility is accessible for people in wheelchairs.  Our church believes in and practices full participation of people with disabilities, as much as one is able.

If you have any other questions, please contact Pastor Russell and he’ll be glad to answer them.