1993 West Church Street, Freeport, IL 61032
Church 815-235-1993 School 815-232-3511 CDC 815-232-3443
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Quick Tour - This is all the quick facts about us.Church Address School Address Phone Numbers Church/Pastor’s Office 815/235-1993 Worship Opportunities Sunday Morning Worship 8:00 and 10:30 Radio Ministry Sunday Mornings 8:30-9:00 on WFPS-FM ("Kickin' Country") Our History We are one of some 6,000 congregations which are part of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, a church body formed in 1847. Our congregation in Freeport was formed 30 years later in 1877, so we celebrated our 130th anniversary in 2007. In our "history" we have had four church buildings, including our current modern handicap accessible facility completed in late 1993. From "day one" we have supported a variety of "missions" including our Christian Day School, Immanuel Lutheran School. Our Mission Statement Our "mission statement" is as follows: "Immanuel Lutheran Church is a Christ-centered family, sharing the good news of the love of God in Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament." Our Teachings As a church body we stand in the line of historic Christian churches whose faith is summarized in the words of the Apostles Creed as expressed at the time of Holy Baptism. We believe in the Triune God--God the Father who created us and who preserves us, God the Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit, who is the one who brings us to faith. Following the principles expressed at the time of the Reformation, we believe that we are saved "by faith alone--faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin, death, and the devil," "by grace alone---we are not saved by the good works we do but by the grace of God as given to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ," and "by Scripture alone--our teachings are based only on the 66 books of the Bible." These truths are expressed in the "Small Catechism," a teaching book based totally on the Bible written in 1529 by Martin Luther. Our Worship Services Christians need to gather together for worship, prayer, fellowship, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). We offer at least four services each week--two on Sundays (8:00 and 10:30 a.m.), our mid-week School chapel services open to all on Wednesdays at 8:50 a.m. and a weekly informal Thursday evening service at 6:30 p.m. year round. Additional worship services are offered during Lent, Advent, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Our Radio Broadcasts Homebound individuals, shift workers and others unable to attend Sunday morning worship can listen to our "Introspect" radio program on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. This broadcast prepared by our Pastor, Willis Schwichtenberg, is on WFPS-FM 92.1 ("Kickin' Country" and Freeport Cable TV channel 17). Our Study of God’s Word Study of the Bible is one of the ways that we grow in our faith and in a knowledge of God’s Word. We offer many opportunities for such growth:
Our Fellowship Groups
Our Service Groups Many of our fellowship groups named above also participate in service projects for our church and for others. Other groups include:
Our Tape/Manuscript Ministry
Our Counseling Ministry Counseling with the pastor, vicar, or principal is available. Call one of them to schedule an appointment. We also support a Freeport counselor through Lutheran Child and Family Services (Call the "intake" number 1/800/363-LCFS or 1/800/363-5237.) The counseling takes place at 1320 South Blackhawk. Our Ministers All who confess the name of Jesus Christ as Savior are "ministers" or servants. We have pastoral ministers (pastor and vicar) who lead us and help to equip us for service. We also recognize teaching and serving "ministers" in our church and school. Our Publications
Our Prayers Prayer is a "heart to heart" talk with God. Our God listens to us and responds as we bring our concerns to Him. We regularly pray at all of our gatherings and worship services. We also have a "prayer chain" in which many of our members pray about special concerns. Call the church office if you have prayer needs. How You Can Help We encourage each Christian to use to God’s glory their time, talents, and treasure. All communicant members of the congregation may attend and vote at our "Voter’s Assembly meetings" and may join other policy making bodies according to the guidelines of our church constitution How To Join Worship, Bible Study, service and fellowship groups, and similar activities are open to both members and non-members. Those wishing to become full members join by confirmation, transfer from sister congregations, or by application through Profession of Faith. Adult information and growth classes are regularly offered. |
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