Mission Statement:
Emanuel Lutheran Church is a people centered in Christ, rich in heritage and beauty, living out Christ’s openness to all. Our ministry is to spread the Word of God in our community through service, education and fellowship, creating a sense of family as we break bread together in the company of Christ.
Emanuel agrees with Kelly Fryer in claiming 5 Essential Core Beliefs
We are centered in the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Luke 9:18-24)
Everyone is welcome the way they are. (Matthew 9:9-13)
Love changes my neighbor and myself. (1 Peter 2:1-10)
Everyone has a gift to offer. (1 Corinthians 12:1-14)
We need to share with the world what we have (John 1:1-13)
These beliefs are about public witness of our faith in our community!
Sunday Worship at 9:00 AM through October
October newsletter is now available – click here
The Pastor’s Piece
“The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.”
Mark 6:30
Greetings to you dear friends in Christ at Bethany and Emanuel Lutheran churches! My name is Pastor Lloyd and I wanted to introduce myself and my wife Amy and our four dachshunds: Layla, Leelu, Lambeau, and Lupa, and share some of our story with you. But first of all, we want to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for your invitation to join you in ministry during this time of transition in your congregations.
Amy and I are excited to be back in the Negaunee-Skandia area of Marquette County. It was back in the summer of 1997 that we moved from our home on Midway Drive in Negaunee to Pueblo, Colorado. This move eventually led us on a path to candidacy and seminary and eventually ministry as a parish pastor in the ELCA. Now, after all that time, to be able to return back here truly feels like coming home!
A little bit about us. Amy and I just celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary in August. We have three adult children: Amanda, Lucas and Lance. Amanda and her husband Jeff and their three children live in Sands Twp; Lucas and his wife Meredith live in West Ishpeming; and Lance and his spouse Tassy and their two sons live in Negaunee Twp. They all love animals and between them is quite a gang of cats and dogs! More on our four dogs later. Anyway, through our children we have been blessed with five grandchildren who range in age from 9 to 21 years of age. They are all very active in various schools and other youthful activities and pursuits in the Marquette area. I have recently celebrated my 16th year of ordination serving congregations in the Upper Peninsula and Northern and East Central Wisconsin. My wife Amy works remotely from home for a company that manages the revenue cycle and patient records for major hospitals and clinics across the country. Amy has always been my faithful partner in ministry and she is delighted for the opportunity to be involved in ministry in her hometown area again.
I do want to thank pastor Dave for his leadership in your congregations as your Administrative Interim pastor, and for his wonderful introductory article and for all the help he is giving me getting settled into your ministry. Amy and I look forward to meeting all of you and learning about your ministry and how it has been and currently is impacted by your common and individual stories in both your urban and rural settings. As Pastor Dave said, I will offer more in upcoming articles and conversations about what “Intentional Interim” or “Transitional” ministry is all about and what that might possibly look like for all of the people of Bethany and Emanuel and their communities.
In closing, the above verse from Mark’s Gospel tells of the time when the disciples returned back to where Jesus was after having been sent out by him in pairs to preach the Good News and offer healing to the people. It was a time of great enthusiasm for them as they returned to share their stories of ministry with each other and especially with their Lord and teacher Jesus. Imagine the things they shared about their experiences; the people they met, the things that were said, the prayers that were offered, the healings that took place, the food that was eaten, the places they slept, the mistakes they made, the ways in which they kept themselves motivated, and how each of them came to realize in an even deeper way of the depth of love that God has for each of them and the world. What great memories were made! It is my prayer that this time we spend together in the transition of your ministry will bring similar enthusiasm, joy and hope for both of your congregation’s futures. Until we meet in person, remember pastor Dave’s words: “Fall is a season of transition. Not all that comes with the transition is bad!” See you in church!
Grace and peace to you,
+LLL
Rev. Lloyd Leo Luedeman
Transition Pastor