Every Life Connected:
Membership at Emmanuel

The Bible describes the Church as the Household of God. To be a member of that household – different from membership in many other organizations – is to belong to a family…be committed to the welfare of that family…and be ready to work together as a family. As with other family ties, such a relationship is not of one’s own choosing or making. Rather, we are “born” into the Church through the sacrament of baptism…brought together and given to one another by the same God who gives us life! Each then has a responsibility to the whole…like a body with many different parts functioning together, accountable and interdependent!

At Emmanuel we believe it more important to consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus (that is, one open to learning from Jesus and committed to following Jesus) than to be a member of any congregation. When we know how to love and follow our Lord, we can’t help but love and encourage one another! At our 50th Anniversary in the spring of 2006, the Emmanuel congregation signed a “Discipleship Covenant,” detailing what our life in Christ can be. We invite you to read through and consider that Covenant.

In that spirit of living as Christ, we have high expectations of what it means to be a disciple.  Our “High Five” are:

We are grateful for the people who commit to living out this covenant as the members of Emmanuel. Together, we prayerfully determine what God is calling us to do as Christ’s Body in this time and place…and give of ourselves to fulfill that mission. We also pray, play, laugh, and weep together, as any family would.

Want to know more about Emmanuel’s community, history, and ministries? You’re welcome to attend our “FYI” classes offered monthly after the LAST service on the LAST Sunday of the month.  Each monthly gathering features a light lunch and a presentation on one ministry area or other facet of life at Emmanuel.

If you are interested in membership at Emmanuel, the process for joining is as follows:
1.  Contact a pastor or Chris Moyer in the church office at 703-938-2119.

2.  Attend at least three FYI Lunches.

3.  Complete the paperwork required to update our database.

4.  Attend worship on the first Sunday in May or November, when new members will be received.  A festive reception will follow the last service on those Sundays.

Have questions?  Please call the church office at 703-938-2119 or email Chris Moyer, the New Member Coordinator, at cmoyer@emmanuellutheranvienna.org.

To give you an idea of what goes on, please VIEW our current monthly newsletter.

Of course, you may also speak with a pastor about your interest or to ask your questions.  If you are not baptized, you will be mentored in the faith until that time when you are ready to join Christ’s Church through the sacrament of baptism.