For Visitors
Visitors and children - even sweet little noisy ones, since there is no more wonderful sound than a child in church - are always welcome to participate with us in the Divine Service every Sunday morning at 8:30 am, as well as Wednesday evenings during the seasons of Advent and Lent. As you prepare to visit Immanuel Willow Creek for the first time, there are perhaps a few things you would like to know. Large print copies of the hymns, readings, and announcements are available in the narthex. Please let one of the ushers know if you would like a copy.
Restrooms are located outside, south of the church, yep...outside. You can't get any better than our new modern outhouse. There is an emergency bathroom in the basement, but it is only for ladies and little children when the weather outside is frightful. If you need anything else please feel free to ask.
A note about Holy Communion. At Immanuel Willow Creek we customarily celebrate the Lord's Supper on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. As part of our belief in the Lord's Supper, we follow the historic Lutheran practice ofclosed communion. This is nothing new, nor a novel innovation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Rather, for many centuries, this has been the universal practice of all of Christendom, and to this day, is still practiced by the majority of the Christian Church. We observe closed communion to protect people in body and soul from taking the Lord’s Supper to their judgment and harm. (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)
We observe closed communion because the Lord’s Supper is a public profession of our unity of faith. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) Our practice is guided by our love, care, and concern for people. We ask that if you are not a confirmed member of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, that you do not commune until you have had a chance to visit with our Pastor. Please know that this ancient practice is in no way any kind of judgment on you or your faith, and that we eagerly look forward to having you at the Lord’s Table with us. Our Pastor sincerely invites you to visit with him about the joys of Holy Communion. He will offer you instruction about our Lutheran faith and this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, so you will be ready to stand with us and partake of this wonderful meal.
For a brief explanation of the practice of closed communion please read this short pamphlet or feel free to contact our Pastor with any questions.