Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

Baptisms, weddings, and funerals all have something in common: all are immensely important events in people’s lives and are treated as such at Immanuel.  In each case, we will personally walk you through the process.  If you have any questions or simply want more information, please contact the Church Office at immanuel@ilcp.org or 847-359-1549

Baptisms

We believe that God wants all people to be baptized. Baptism is washing away the sin we are born with, making us a child of God.  Saint Peter also said,

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”  Acts 2:38:41

There are no age restrictions for baptism. We welcome anyone at any age to be baptized.

Weddings at Immanuel

“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Your wedding day — this is a day you are both anticipating eagerly and joyfully. It will be one of the most special and important days in your lives. By inquiring about a wedding ceremony at Immanuel, you are stating that you desire a Christian marriage. Following is the Statement of Faith of our Church, Appertaining to Marriage:

Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS, in Convention in 1990, affirmed, on the basis of Scripture, that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. As such, Immanuel Lutheran Church, as a member of the LCMS, only conducts marriages that join one man and one woman who intend to be joined for their mutual lifetime. (Genesis 2:2-24; Matthew 19:5-6).

Immanuel performs only Christian Marriage ceremonies. There is a rich heritage at Immanuel Lutheran Church upon which your marriage service may be built. The sanctuary is dedicated to the worship and glory of God. He will be the guest of honor at your wedding. The ceremony will be an opportunity for worship and praise as you become husband and wife. God instituted marriage and you have His promise that He will bless all who enter this holy estate according to His will and purpose. It is our desire to provide the best foundation for your lives together. For that reason, we require that you complete the pre-wedding counseling sessions that are part of the preparation for weddings at Immanuel. The pastor and deaconess will meet with you prior to the wedding as part of that preparation. Our Synod and Church require that an LCMS pastor in good standing officiate at the wedding ceremony in our sanctuary. For more information, contact the Church Office at immanuel@ilcp.org or 847-359-1549.  We are pleased to assist you in making your wedding day beautiful and wonderful, and filled with joy as you are joined together by the Lord.

Funerals

The death of a friend or loved one is one of the times in our lives when we are desperately hungry to hear the proclamation of the hope that we share in Jesus. The Pastoral Team (Pastors, Deaconess, Music Director, Administrative Assistants) and members of Immanuel are ready to do whatever we can to help people through this difficult time of life. Funeral planning should be made in consultation with the pastoral team as early as possible. Whether the funeral will be held at Immanuel, a funeral home or at graveside, the details and service time will be set in cooperation with the family, the pastoral team, and the funeral director. To avoid conflict with other scheduled activities the time should never be set until its suitability has been confirmed by the church office and the pastoral team. Providing care for the bereaved is part of the mission of our congregation and is available to all of God’s people, regardless of membership or affiliation with Immanuel Lutheran.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4