worship and music
You are invited to join us for worship!
All are welcome!
Sunday Morning 9:00AM:
Worship is the foundation of our faith. We are gathered by God and receive God’s gift of grace anew each week through Word and Sacrament, so that we may be continually sent out to be the body of Christ in the world. At Immanuel, we follow a traditional Lutheran order for worship, lead by both our Pastor and lay leaders with a mix of piano and organ music. When there is a 5th Sunday in a month, we do a Chicago Folk Service.
What to Expect on sundays
Our Sunday morning worship services are at 9:00AM and are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
They also air in real time on KCZQ 102.3FM.
Both large and small print bulletins are available at the entrance to the sanctuary. Everything needed for worship participation is also projected in the front of the sanctuary. If you desire to read music from the hymnals, they are the red books that can be found in the back of the pews. Page numbers noted with a “p” appear in the front of the hymnal at the bottom of the page. Hymn numbers are designated “ELW ____” and can be found in the remainder of the hymnal at the top of the pages. If you have any questions about worship and how to participate in worship, feel free to ask those around you.
Worship Leadership
is open to any who are able and interested: from reading, to serving as an assisting minister, to serving as an acolyte, to serving communion, to ushering. We also encourage participation in sharing musical talents as a part of worship. We have a choir that sings from time to time; all voices are welcome.
Wednesday Worship
Wednesday evenings September through April we have weekly Wednesday evening worship that are part of our GLOW (God's Love on Wednesday) program from 7:00-7:30pm
This service is contemporary in style, offering communion or remembrance of baptism each week. Communion at this service offers grape juice in lieu of wine for all participants. Along with all our Wednesday evening ministry, this worship service is ecumenical with First United Methodist Church-Cresco, co-led by Pastor Dan (Immanuel) and Pastor Melissa Warren (First UMC).
Special Worship Services
In addition to our regular weekly worship, special services are held to celebrate various Holy days in the church year.
Blue Christmas – December 21 at 7PM
Blue Christmas Worship is an opportunity for those for whom the holidays are not joyful or who are dealing with grief surrounding the holidays to recognize that grief and the complexities of life and hear the hope of the Christmas message. This is an ecumenical worship service. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve – December 24 at 5PM
A Christmas Eve candlelight service is held at 5PM on December 24.
Other Holy Days:
Other Holy days shift based on the church calendar: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday. All these evening worship services are held at 7PM. Other occasions for worship may come up throughout the year. Please see our latest Newsletter for any further information
Weddings and Funerals:
If you desire Pastor Dan to officiate a wedding or a funeral at Immanuel, please contact the office about our policies and procedures regarding weddings and funerals
baptisms
Baptisms may be celebrated during any Sunday morning worship service for persons of any age, as we believe that the power of baptism rests in God’s action, not our own understanding or choice. Be in touch with Pastor Dan if you or a loved one desires to be baptized.
Holy communion
Holy Communion is celebrated each week. At Immanuel, Communion is an open table, meaning that all are welcome to fully participate in Holy Communion regardless of background, faith, church membership, age, or any other category. Communion is served in a continuous style. Pews are ushered forward down the center aisle to receive the bread from first and then taking the wine or grape juice from the individual glasses in the trays. There are baskets to place empty glasses in as you head back to your seat down the side aisle. If you desire to receive the bread and wine, come forward with your hands open to receive the bread. We have gluten free wafers and grape juice available. Just ask your communion server. If for your own reasons you desire to not receive the bread and wine, you are still welcome to come forward with your arms crossed and receive a blessing.
scripture
Scripture used in worship typically follows the Revised Common Lectionary—a three-year rotational schedule of Biblical texts for use on Sundays and festival days—which is utilized by many Christian denominations so that the same lessons are read and preached on in many various congregations.
Vision and Mission
Reflecting God’s Love
Celebrating that God is with us
Witnessing that God is for us
Growing as God works in us
Serving as God loves through us