Who We Are

Our church is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We are a community called and empowered by the grace of God in Jesus Christ to serve Christ in our community. We embrace the love that God offers us through Jesus Christ.  We are a welcoming congregation of believers in Jesus Christ that invite all people in the Sellwood neighborhood and the greater Portland area to join with us in worship, fellowship and service in sharing the Gospel.

Mission Statement

We are called to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we offer ourselves to God through:

  • Faithful study of God’s Word
  • Sincere worship and prayer
  • Active fellowship
  • Loving Service
Stained Glass

Come worship with us and join in our ministries

Our Core Values

  • Spiritual Life
  • Friendly Community
  • Acceptance and Inclusiveness
  • Tradition and Heritage
  • Music and Worship
  • Growing in Faith
  • Serving and Volunteering

History of Immanuel Lutheran Church

Click the links below to learn more about the history of Immanuel Lutheran Church:

 

History of Immanuel Lutheran Church

History of Immanuel Lutheran Church – Altar Cross

History of Immanuel – Stained Glass Windows

Photo Apr 11, 7 25 00 Am

First Time Visitors

Our mission at Immanuel is that we believe we are called to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We offer ourselves to God through “Faithful Study, Sincere Worship and Prayer, Active Fellowship and Loving Service.

A lot has changed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the year 2020. While we used to have Sunday School and Education Hour before service, as well as coffee hour and fellowship after service, we have had to make many changes in order to create a safe environment for church attendees during the coronavirus pandemic.

The opening procedures were prepared in accordance with spiritual guidance provided by the President of the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (NOW), requirements and recommendations of the State of Oregon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and consultation with Immanuel’s Elders, interim pastor and volunteers familiar with health procedures.

Back Of Church

COVID-19 Procedures

In a letter to Rev. Dr. John Hess, found in Luther’s Works, Volume 43 p. 132, as “Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague,” Luther writes:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash no foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

These procedures are written “in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.”

Personal Self-Assessment/Personal Responsibility

Each member of the congregation is to assess themselves to determine if they should attend worship services. If you are immuno-compromised – such as in chemotherapy, etc. you should NOT attend services at this time. The further assessment should include:

Identifying your own risk category from the following (highest risk is level A, lowest risk is level D:

  1. Age 65 or older with a chronic health condition (most risky are high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.)
  2. Age 65 or older with NO chronic health condition
  3. Age 65 or younger with a chronic health condition (see conditions in A).
  4. Age younger than 65 with NO chronic health condition.

Those members in risk category A should remain at home and take advantage of the online worship resources provided. If the member is in categories B – D, make your decision on your own risk tolerance. Please consider letting your elder or pastor know if you have determined it best for you not to attend for these reasons in order for us to minister to you, as needed as we desire to provide Christian care for you.

Identify other significant factors:

  1. Have you been in close proximity to anyone that has tested positive with COVID-19?
  2. Do you have a fever, cough, or other symptom associated with COVID-19?

If you answer yes to questions 1 and 2, you must not attend service in person, but worship via online resources.

The procedures and information are also provided to reassure our Immanuel family, as well as local, state, and national authorities, that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure our congregation’s health and safety. The best way to prevent illness is to practice routine and common sense hygiene practices. These everyday practices also help to prevent the spread of many other respiratory diseases. Each member, guest or user of Immanuel’s facilities should follow the following general guidelines:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of their elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Clean high-contact surfaces and objects thoroughly and repeatedly.

In accordance with state guidelines, masks are optional starting on March 12, 2022 until further notice.  We understand there will be strong feelings on both sides about this decision.  We ask that your decisions and conversations be made and had in wisdom.  Please practice things that bring peace and unity to the Kingdom of God while giving thanks and living in joy, brothers and sisters!

Worship Services

For your information as to what to expect when attending our worship services during this time, we provide the following information.

Welcoming Immediately Prior to Service

Before taking your seat, place your offering in the plates on the table just inside the sanctuary (or near the front of worship area for services conducted in the Fellowship Hall or outside). Please consider switching to direct debit electronic methods for giving your offering – contact Paul Lambert for the Simply Giving forms to initiate that process.

During the Worship Service

Facial coverings/masks: Facial masks are required.

Singing: You are now encouraged to sing.

For communion Sundays: The usher will motion to those in the pew/chair rows to come forward. Please assure you are at least 6 feet apart from other worshipers at all times, markings will be provided on the carpet to indicate spacing. There will likely be a new method of distribution, which will be explained prior to you communing. You are encouraged to continue to progress and return to your seats to avoid congregating and congestion at the Sacrament table. This will be a standing continuous communion and located in front of front pews so as to not require use of handrails.

 

Post-Service Fellowship

At the moment, with the present uptick in COVID-19 cases, fellowship is suspended until further notice.  When resumed, masks are required unless eating, or drinking.

Other Items:

When using bathrooms, only do so one person (or family group) at a time and please use the sanitizer provided or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.