Visitors

Welcome to the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church. We are a community that has been located in the Big Rapids area for over 100 years. Our message is the same as it has always been: We would consider it a privilege to have you worship with us and participate in any of our other various events and activities. We want you to come and experience the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ we have found!

Immanuel is a dynamic congregation being changed always by Christ to make the presentation and the living of the Gospel what is needed for today. Though we have a long tradition in this community, we do not want to be bogged down with traditionalism. Traditionalism would be for us to insist that you come here and be exactly like us, doing things the same way we have done them for years and years.
 
In response to the call to Romans 16:7, “Welcome one another, therefore as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God,” we believe that every person has worth as an individual and every person is entitled to dignity and respect.

We therefore, publicly proclaim that: “We welcome people of any race, nationality, sexual orientation, age, and ability into membership of our church, and we encourage everyone to share their faith, gifts, and talents in worship, service, study, and leadership; We commit to remove all barriers that exclude people from full and active participation in our church; and We will continually strive to eliminate prejudice by other at every opportunity.

We of Immanuel Lutheran Church take seriously that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We may even fall short of being as welcoming as we try to be. But, we offer you welcome here with all our heart, because we believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Christ did not tell use to “get it together” before he would accept us. So in gratitude for our receiving a “Divine Welcome from Christ”, we proclaim the same: “Everyone is Welcome!”

History

Immanuel Lutheran Church was originally the Swedish Lutheran Evangelical Immanuel Church. The church as we know it was formed in 1945, when three different churches in the Big Rapids area merged. The congregation voted down a proposition to move the church in 1947, and in 1950, Ferris State College burned to the ground. The church treasurer at the time owned the campus bookstore, which also burned. The new bookstore, housed in the Rankin Center, is named in his honor.  

In 1954, the church’s name officially changed to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1955, construction officially began on the church’s new location at the intersection of Linden and Stewart. A year later, the church officially moved to its new location.

In 1963, Immanuel left the old Augustana Synod and became a member of the Michigan Synod of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). In 1972, the church mortgage was fully paid off, and burned. In 1974, Immanuel held its centennial celebration, almost thirty years after the merger that formed the church as it exists now. Ground was also broken for on a new bell tower, fellowship hall, kitchen, offices, and bathrooms later that year. Construction was finished in 1976.

In 1987, the LCA and the ALC merged, forming the ELCA. As a member church of the LCA, Immanuel automatically joined the new organization. In 1999, the church celebrated its 125th anniversary. In 2005, we moved to our new location at 726 Fuller Avenue, where we remain to this day.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Can I come to your church?

               We believe that the church is the "body of Christ", representing Jesus in the world. That means it's not "our" church, it is Jesus' church. It is our privilege and joy to welcome you in Jesus' name.

• Do you have open communion?

               Yes. If you have been a guest at the Lord's Table in the past, it is not our place to exclude you now. If you have not taken communion before, it is our tradition that normally a person is baptized before taking communion. We believe that Jesus is truly present in and with the bread and the wine, and with it we receive his presence with us and his forgiveness.

• What should I wear to a service?

                You will find a a range of clothing styles at Immanuel, from ties and jackets to jeans and t-shirts; from dresses to jeans with casual tops. It's okay to be who you are.

• What does it mean to be a Lutheran?

                A Lutheran is one way of being a Christian. Lutherans believe that God's love and acceptance is a free gift from God. Jesus died on the cross and rose to life again so that we may be forgiven for all of our sin and be given new life in Jesus. We are followers of Jesus, trying to live according to his teaching and expectations of us. We believe that the Holy Spirit calls us together and equips us to be Jesus' representatives in the world.

                                                                                                                          CORE BELIEFS
1.  We believe that all persons regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation are full members of the community of God and due all rights, privileges, and responsibilities therein.
2.  We believe that God comes to us without our bidding; moves us to fullness of life as God's beloved creation, and is truly present in, under, and with the common elements of baptism and Communion.
3.  We believe that the Church truly is the body of Christ in the world and are called to give expression to that presence through our words and actions.
4.  We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a referent for the life and mission of the church, and a culturally conditioned composite, assembled over many centuries and meriting a critical reading for our time and place.
5.  We believe that God is still speaking through faithful proclamation and personal engagements that lift up grace, forgiveness, and love.
6.  We welcome anyone who comes to the table of Grace (Holy Communion) to taste and see the goodness of God.  All are welcome to the table.
7.  We cherish the depth of tradition that shapes our public worship and are committed to making that experience accessible and enriching to all.
8.  We believe that both worship and daily life engage the best of our whole selves; mind, body, and spirit.  We believe you do not leave your brain at the door when you enter the church.