About Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church

Dedicated to the Memory of David S. Smith

Our History

Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in A.D. 1923 on Milton Street in South Bend, Indiana. For over one hundred years, this congregation has been a faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community. In 2023, we gave thanks to Almighty God as we celebrated our 100th anniversary -- a century of His gracious provision, steadfast faithfulness, and the ongoing gift of Word and Sacrament ministry in this place.

From our founding to the present day, Emmaus has remained steadfast in the apostolic faith, confessing the truth of God's Word and administering the Holy Sacraments as our Lord has commanded.

Our Affiliation

Emmaus is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS), a denomination of nearly two million baptized members across the United States. The LCMS is committed to the authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture and to the faithful confession of the Christian faith as expressed in the Book of Concord of 1580.

Our Theological Identity

Emmaus is an orthodox, confessional, and liturgical Lutheran congregation. These three words describe who we are and how we worship:

Orthodox

We hold to the right teaching of the Christian faith as it has been handed down from the Apostles through the centuries. We confess the Triune God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- and believe, teach, and confess all the articles of the Christian faith as revealed in Holy Scripture and summarized in the three Ecumenical Creeds: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

Confessional

We are bound by the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, which we hold to be a true and faithful exposition of Holy Scripture. These confessions -- including Luther's Small and Large Catechisms, the Augsburg Confession, and the Formula of Concord -- shape our teaching, preaching, and practice.

Liturgical

Our worship follows the historic liturgy of the Western Church. The Divine Service at Emmaus is centered on God's gifts to His people: the reading and preaching of His Word, and the administration of the Holy Sacraments. The liturgy is not a human invention, but a faithful pattern of worship received from the Church throughout the ages, rooted in Holy Scripture, and saturated with the Gospel.

What to Expect When You Visit

When you come to Emmaus for the Divine Service, you will encounter reverent, liturgical worship that may feel both ancient and new. The service follows the historic order of the Western Mass, including hymns from the Lutheran Service Book, the reading of Holy Scripture according to the lectionary, the preaching of a sermon grounded in the appointed texts, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

If you are unfamiliar with liturgical worship, do not worry. Hymnals and bulletins are available to guide you through the service. Our pastors and members are happy to answer any questions you might have.

We practice closed Communion, which means that the Lord's Supper is ordinarily offered to those who have been catechized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and who are members in good standing of an LCMS congregation. If you have questions about Communion at Emmaus, please speak with one of our pastors before the service. All are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing at the communion rail.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Lord's house.