Who We Are
Our mission is simple...
As for me and my house we will serve the Lord in how we Love, in how we Live, and in how we Give.
We are an active, growing, and energetic congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) and the Northeastern Iowa Synod (www.neiasynod.org).
We offer both contemporary and traditional worship services and offer faith building opportunities for people of all ages.
Newsletters
Immanuel Apparel E-Store
You can now shop for your Immanuel Apparel in our E-Store! Available products and designs are in the E-Store. Place orders by Saturday, October 10th. All orders will be shipped to Immanuel. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Giving
Follow Us
A post card is being sent out to all member households with this information, as well. If you have any questions, please comment here or contact the church office.
If
‘If’ is a hard word to define. Go ahead and try.
Grammatically, ‘if’ is a conjunction – you remember what that is, a little word that connects phrases or coordinates words.
If was a hit song by the group Bread, released in 1971.
This little two-letter word is actually quite powerful. It can show fear or produce fear in others.
Sometimes, when this little two-letter word is preceded by a four-letter word – what – a whole new world of possibilities shows up. Sometimes this little two-word phrase sets us off on a journey of hope and discovery. Sometimes it opens up a whole new landscape for the fantastical imagination of a child or storyteller. Sometimes it creaks open a door to a scarier world.
Sometimes, when this little two-letter word is followed by a different four-letter word – only- a lost opportunity is realized. Sometimes it places blame. Sometimes it admits failure. Sometimes it douses the last spark of hope.
Right now, there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘what ifs’ and ‘if onlys’ being thrown around. We hear them at national political conventions and in advertisements, we see them in social media commentary, and we use them when we talk about the start of a new, but strange, school year.
‘If’ creates a lot of questions and leaves a lot of questions. ‘If’ is a word of uncertainty.
Except in the Bible.
In the Bible, ‘if’ is a purveyor of faith and hope.
The lady with the 12-year hemorrhage says, “If I can just touch his clothes….” And she is healed. (Mark 5:25-34)
A leper said to Jesus, “If you are willing….” And he is healed. (Mark 1:40-44)
The disciples think they see a ghost on the water and Peter says, “If it is you Lord….” And Peter walks on the water. (Matthew 14:22-33)
We make ‘if’ more complicated and scary than it has to be.
What if, instead of giving up, we reach out to Jesus? (like the woman with the 12-year hemorrhage)
What if, instead of surrendering to our challenges, we ask Jesus for help? (like the leper)
What if, instead of feeding our fears, we turned them over to Jesus? (like Peter)
What if…?
If only…
If…
Greg DeBoer
Junior Choir, Senior Choir, and Wednesday meals will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the Covid situation to determine when these activities can resume.