What We Believe

Immanuel Lutheran teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all mankind and to rise to life again in victory over death and the devil; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments. These three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.

Being “Lutheran”

Immanuel accepts and preaches the Biblical teaching of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. These teachings can be summarized in three phrases: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone.

“Sola Gratia” Grace Alone

God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.

“Sola Fide” Faith Alone

By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.

“Sola Scriptura” Scripture Alone

The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian teaching.

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

The word “Synod” in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) comes from Greek words that mean “walking together.” The term has a rich meaning in our church body, because congregations voluntarily choose to belong to the synod. Though diverse in our service, we all hold to a shared confession of Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. 

The Lutheran Confessions

The Lutheran Confessions are statements of belief that were transcribed and shared by the church leaders in during the 16th century. These confessions are contained in The Book of Concord. Immanuel and all members of the LCMS accept and believe these confessions to be a correct and accurate interpretation and presentation of biblical doctrine.

Holy Communion

The Lord's Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, 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.  Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes.  Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this alter, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Chuch-Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor or an usher.  For further study, see Matthew 5:23f.; 10:32f.; 18:15-35; 26:26-29; 1Cor. 11:17-34.  

For more information, visit the LCMS Belief and Practice website.