There are several standing ministry teams and groups which oversee, manage and coordinate the business and activities of Emmanuel. They invite participation in the fullness of church life and offer a range of opportunities for members to contribute their time and talents to our ministries. We're all blessed with talent or aptitude that God invites us to invest and develop in His work. Maybe something about the committees and groups you read about here will spark your desire to participate or summon you to serve.

The Congregational Council The Congregational Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The Christian Education Ministry Team The Christian Education Ministry Team develops and implements an educational ministry program and oversees the conduct and promotion of the educational programs within the congregation. The Committee is responsible for: recruiting and training teachers, ensuring that teaching and worship materials are current, using primarily those materials published or approved by the ELCA, and seeking to introduce the church's periodicals and books of family devotion into the homes of the congregation.

The Church Property Ministry Team The Church Property Ministry Team provides for the cleanliness, maintenance, repair and preservation of all church property, cognizance of which is not otherwise assigned to another ministry team, organization or individual. This ministry team monitors safety requirements; physical security; and fire protection and fire prevention measures related to church buildings, their contents, and grounds.

The Evangelism Ministry Team The Evangelism Ministry Team provides for the congregation's witness ministry and provides motivation to the members to witness to their faith in their daily lives by means of a visitation program, attempting to restore members who have lapsed from active membership and to bring new members into the fellowship of the church by establishing follow-up communications with visitors to our worship services.

The Finance Ministry Team The Finance Ministry Team oversees the financial affairs of the congregation, including overall insurance and investment programs. It ensures procedures are followed providing safeguards for the counting and depositing of offerings. The ministry team prepares a draft budget for the succeeding year and, following council action, presents the recommended budget to the congregation for approval. Throughout the year, the committee monitors income, spending plans, and expenditures ensuring the prompt payment of all obligations, and provides for the annual audits of accounts and records of the financial secretary, the treasurer, and the organizations of the congregation.

The Social Ministry Ministry Team The Social Ministry Ministry Team provides for the outreach of service to the needs of society on the local level, and in cooperation with the synod and the ELCA, on the national and worldwide levels.

The Stewardship Ministry Team The Stewardship Ministry Team plans and executes the annual Every Member Response Program; educates the congregation as to the need for and its responsibility towards support to Emmanuel's ministries with time, talent and treasure; conducts a visitation program for new members to explain the congregation's programs and obtains their pledges of support. The team regularly informs the congregation of the ministries being accomplished.

The Worship and Music Ministry Team The Worship and Music Ministry Team assists the Pastor in leading the congregation in accomplishing its worship function. It ensures that worship services are conducted regularly and in accordance with the liturgy of the ELCA; procures and cares for the musical instruments, supplies and hymnals; and recruits and trains members for participation in the worship service as lay assistants, acolytes, choir members and ushers. The team provides for element presenters and for nursery facilities for both Sunday services.

The Altar Guild The Altar Guild works closely with the Pastor and is responsible for preparing, caring for and storing all items used for worship. The Altar Guild oversees the Memorial Program by maintaining the Memorial Book and making specific recommendations to the congregation and Council for expending Memorial Fund gifts.

Congregational Life Ministry Team The Congregational Life Ministry Team works closely with the Pastor and is committed to providing assistance to members and their families in times of need by visiting shut-ins; providing rides to appointments, shopping and church services; and preparing and delivering meals in the event of births, surgeries, hospital stays and funerals.

Emmanuel Youth Ministry Emmanuel has a thriving Youth Ministry with group activities tailored to every age from one year through high school. Youth events range from social times to service projects. Older youth have opportunities to take very active roles in church life. Visit the Youth Activities page for more details.

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) WELCA welcomes every woman of the church to participate in all its activities, which include: circle meetings with bible studies, craft workshops, Meals on Wheels, Sunshine, Lunch Out, two coffee hours per year, game night, Members of LCTA, and Church Women United.