Our Story
Emmanuel Lutheran Church dates back to the 1850s when Lutheran families settled in Macon Township, Michigan. From our humble beginnings to overcoming the devastation of a cyclone in 1920, our congregation's journey reflects resilience and faith. Transitioning from German to English services during World War I, and evolving with the times, we built a new house of worship in 1963, continuing to grow and serve the community. With milestones like the establishment of Sunday School in 1936 and expansions in the 2000s, our legacy of faith and community engagement endures, celebrating our 163rd anniversary in 2024. Join our journey of faith, service, and commitment to the Great Commission.
Our Beliefs
Foundation of Our Faith
With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God.
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Being Lutheran, means we accept and teach the Bible as God's inspired and inerrant Word. We agree with the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the Reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the other reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
Grace alone - God loves the people of the world, even though they are sinful, rebel against Him, and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and save the ungodly.
Faith alone - By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for them. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives people forgiveness through Him.
Scripture alone - The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
Our Mission
Emmanuel Lutheran Church seeks to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with you.
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We will do this by:
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Reaching out to the community
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Inspiring with Christian love
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Developing faith through Word and Sacrament
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Growing in Grace
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Educating through God's Word
Our Pastor
Rev. Dave McCarty
Reverend Dave McCarty has been serving at Emmanuel since July 12, 2014. He first served as a Convertible Vicar for one year and then was ordained into the Pastoral Ministry. Pastor McCarty was installed as Emmanuel's Shepard on August 2, 2015.
Prior to becoming a LCMS Pastor, he was employed for 37 years, as a toolmaker/machinist, in the manufacturing industry. Pastor and his wife, June, have been married for 42+ years and they have two married daughters: Heidi (Justin) Williamson and Lacey (Nick) Quatsoe. They also have two precious grandchildren: Ian and Leta Quatsoe. Both daughters and their families live in the Milwaukee, WI area.
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Pastor McCarty is passionate about serving God and His people, as he works to faithfully serve His Lord and the members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Pastor cherishes studying God's Word and spending time with family. He enjoys all kinds of sport activities, and he loves to travel and visit new places June and he have not been able to experience. Pastor and June feel blessed being part of God's family here at Emmanuel .
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Check out Pastor McCarty's podcast episode below, where he discusses alternative routes to becoming a pastor and what led him to become a pastor.