Emmanuel Lutheran Church (NALC) in State College, PA is a dynamic, growing, and multi-generational church plant located in the heart of central Pennsylvania, home to Penn State University. Celebrating 10 years of faith, growth, and community, Emmanuel’s name, God with us, captures the essence of our journey. From the very beginning, we’ve felt God’s presence guiding us as we seek to live out His calling.

Our core values are foundational to everything we do: Grounded in God’s Word, Confident in God’s Grace, and Committed to Sharing God’s Love. These principles shape our worship, outreach, and relationships, as we strive to be a faithful, generous, and enthusiastic presence in our community. A pastor called to Emmanuel will find a supportive and encouraging congregation, eager to partner in ministry and growth. We are committed to providing opportunities for both personal and family development, as well as a welcoming environment for leadership and spiritual growth. As we look to the future, we are excited to call our next pastor; a shepherd who will help guide us in sharing the Good News and extending God’s love in the State College area. Together, we will continue to grow in faith, hope, and mission.

For more information about Emmanuel, see the Congregational Profile at:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VNb_7wyQAMPb2-sn8Dj29BxM9_0x8dD/view

A video about Emmanuel is available at:  

Link’s to Emmanuel’s webpage and Facebook page:     

https://www.emmanuelnalc.org

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38-39).

This world hates Jesus.  It even hates the name of Jesus.  This world despises love, loyalty, and the very things that make us truly human.  We are driven, like sheep to the slaughter, to the place of self-destruction.  Clinging to the salvation in, by, and through Jesus is hard because this world tugs at the ones who hear and follow the voice of the Master.  Yet, Jesus has given us the words of eternal life.  There is no other place to go, except destruction.

Lord, I read these words and they are plain and simple.  I see the struggle, but living amidst the struggle is so hard.  Help me to take the steps that are needed in order to enter the journey.  Help me to see that what I am giving up is nothing and that what You are giving me through grace is everything.  Empower each step I take to move forward on the journey of salvation.  Be the One who leads me.

Lord Jesus, with just a few words You have revealed the truth of the journey before me.  This world shouts that if it does not feel good it cannot be good.  You tell me otherwise.  Help me to hear Your voice and let it break through to my soul so that the eternal life words that You have spoken would reside in me.  Lord, I ask that the truth reside in my heart and be unshakable through the storms of this world.  Amen.

“And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”  And He warned them to tell no one about Him” (Mark 8:29-30).

Who is Jesus?  That is the most important question anyone can ask.  He is either who He says He is or else a lunatic or a liar.  No one treated Him as if He were crazy, so He either is the Son of God or else a deceiver.  Everyone must make their choice.  If You hear His voice and know that He is the Christ, then fall at His feet and worship Him.  He will lift You up and send you to work in His kingdom.

Lord, this simple question must be answered by each of us.  Some will ignore the question, which is its own answer.  Some will spend a lifetime trying to deny the answer and even be fanatical about it.  Help me to realize that You are the Son of God, the Messiah or Christ, the anointed One of God, God in the flesh.  All who hear His voice know He is our Shepherd.  Hear, follow, and obey.

Lord Jesus, You have said that the sheep know Your voice.  Help me to hear and obey all that You command.  Lead me far from the doubts of this age to live in the truth that You are the One who has come to save all who believe.  Lead me through the doubts of this age to humbly submit to the trust what You have revealed for all ages.  Guide me in faith to live according to Your word and live into the Father’s will.  Amen.

“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Marl 8:34-35).

We were created.  God created us.  We were born into a rebellion of the heart where we act as though we created ourselves.  If we cling to what we think life is, we will go ever deeper into ourselves and the illusion that we have control.  If we deny ourselves and go with the Lord where He leads, He will show us what life is eternally.  The journey is hard because we need to be led out of ourselves and into the Lord.  Jesus came to set us free.  We are in bondage and must be set free.

Lord, I know this, but my rebellion wells up within me and I sink back down into the pit, believing I am able to control circumstances.  Help me to see things clearly and humbly walk wherever You lead me.  Guide me according to Your purpose to live into the life You have set before me.  Grant me the grace to step out and the faith to learn how to trust You above all things.

Dear Jesus, You have watched and guided countless souls who struggle with the same struggle that I have.  You know the way out of the maze of deception that is all around an in me.  Lord, I desire to follow You, but I get in the way.  Teach me what it means and were I need to deny myself in order to take up my cross and follow You.  Help me to look to You and follow You where You lead.  Amen.

“And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.  But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Mark 8:32-33).

The rebellion causes us to look at things from our point of view.  Our point of view is perverted, trapped in time, and driven by the self.  We are not the Creator, but the created.  The opposition (for this is what the word Satan means) is opposed to what God is doing.  God is love.  The opposition is hatred against God, and therefore, love.  You are invited to cease hating and learn how to love.

Lord, I am a bunch of self-centered nerves, seeking what I want and wanting what I want and how I want it.  It never has worked out right, but I seek this none-the-less.  Guide me out of my narcism and into the light of Your love.  When I rebel, humble me and by Your mercy, begin with me again and place me on the narrow path of submitting to the Father’s will.  Lead me so that I may be created by You rather than pretending that I am creating myself.

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior.  You know all that I need and what hinders me on the path of salvation.  Help me hear Your rebukes and heed Your warnings.  Create in me a clean heart that seeks to learn how to love as You love.  Guide me in Your goodness all the days of my life so that I may humbly walk in all of Your ways.  Be the One who is leading me always and help me learn humility.  Amen.

Matthew 4:1-11

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

Pastor: Hey Sammy, how are you doing?

Sammy: I am ready for Spring, Pastor.

Pastor: I am, too, but we still have several more weeks of Winter. 

Sammy: We do. I know.

Pastor: Wouldn’t it be great if we could just melt all the snow?

Sammy: Yes it would.

Pastor: And wouldn’t it be great if we could just have warm spring breezes and sunshine?

Sammy: I would really like that. And fresh grass, too! But you, know, Pastor, winter has a purpose and the seasons are a part of God’s plan for creation.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. 

Sammy: I mean, as much as I would love to have new spring grass and feel the warm sun on my wool, I am going to try my best to enjoy the last few weeks of winter.

Pastor: Great perspective, Sammy. It’s tempting, though–to just think about willing winter away. 

Sammy: What does tempting mean?

Pastor: Tempting means that you feel pressure to do something that you shouldn’t do.

Sammy: Oh you mean like eat extra oats out of the oat bin?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: Or go in the Pastor’s office and hide somewhere and yell, “Surprise!”

Pastor: Definitely.

Sammy: Or let a whole bunch of mice in the church?

Pastor: Sammy, let’s focus. You know, Jesus was tempted, too.

Sammy: Did he want spring to come, too?

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus is fully God and fully man, and he felt hungry, just like we do.

Sammy: I understand that. I’m always hungry. 

Pastor: Being hungry is okay, but because Jesus is the Son of God, he was tempted to make his own food.

Sammy: Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. Men can make food, too, Pastor. I know you can cook–I’ve been to your house. 

Pastor: That’s not what I mean, Sammy. Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread.

Sammy: Stones? Like rocks on the ground?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: That’s silly. Why would he do that?

Pastor: Jesus is God–he is Lord of Creation and can do anything. But he was asked by someone to turn stones into bread so he could prove who he is. 

Sammy: Why would Jesus need to prove he is God? All throughout scripture, people who encounter him just know by the power of the Holy Spirit. They trust him, and they believe.

Pastor: And that’s what we are called to do today, too. We are called to believe in Jesus. 

Sammy: How did Jesus stop being tempted?

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. We all are tempted to do wrong things. Jesus gave us a great example of how to resist temptation: He quoted scripture. 

Sammy: That’s why it’s important to know your Bible verses.

Pastor: Indeed it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads to pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to rescue us. We praise you and we love you. Thank you for helping us stay strong when we are tempted to do wrong. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Pastor, I have a question.

Pastor: Okay Sammy. Go ahead. 

Sammy: So the apostles go up the mountain with Jesus right? 

Pastor: Yes they do Sammy.

Sammy: And when they get to where Jesus was, they saw Jesus in all his glory with Moses and Elijah. 

Pastor: You are on track so far. 

Sammy: And then they hear the voice of God. 

Pastor: Sammy, are you just going to recite the passage we just read or are you going to ask me your question?

Sammy: Excuse me pastor, but I said I had a question.

Pastor: I’ll be quiet now Sammy. 

Sammy: If the apostles saw Jesus in all of his glory. Why were they afraid of Jesus? 

Pastor: Well Sammy, Seeing God is quite the scary thing. 

Sammy: It is? 

Pastor: Yes it is, even when Angels come to see people on earth. The first thing they tell them is be not afraid. 

Sammy: Why is that. 

Pastor: Because just seeing an angel is very different than anything else in this world. Seeing God is even scarier. When Israel reached Mt. Siani, God set a whole mountain on fire, and blew trumpets. As said anyone that approached him on the mountain, without being called up like Moses was, would die from the sight of God. Once the apostles heard God’s voice. They thought their life was in danger. 

Sammy: But why would they be afraid of dying just by seeing God? I thought that would be a good thing. 

Pastor: It would be a good thing, but because we sin and do bad things. We can’t look at God. We can’t even approach him. Because sinners cannot approach God. 

Sammy: But how do we approach God then?

Pastor: Because Jesus died and rose again Sammy. Jesus died to forgive our sins so we could be with God again. Just like our first parents were: Adam and Eve. 

Sammy: Oh I see pastor. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was all about reconciling God and humanity. And because Jesus died and rose from the dead. We don’t have to be afraid. 

Pastor: Exactly Sammy. I hope I answered your question Sammy. 

Sammy: You did Pastor.  

Pastor: Let’s pray everyone. Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down from heaven and living on earth. Thank you for revealing yourself to us so we can approach God without fear. We love you. Amen. 

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31).

The way of the cross, following Jesus is not easy.  It is war.  This world is in rebellion against our God who created it.  He has come to reconcile those who will lay down their arms and cease the rebellion, bringing all who believe to be with the Father.  But the war in this world rages on.  Jesus was killed by and for the sin of this world.  We are united with Him in order to be resurrected with Him.

Lord, I know the story and I see the rebellion all around me.  Lead all those who call upon Your name so that we live in the truth that You have come to reconcile all who believe in You in order to be with You for eternity in the love relationship out of which flows all goodness.  Guide all who turn to You out of the rebellion of this age and into the love You have for all.  Lead the faithful to see that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Raise us with You to live according to the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, You have called me to die to sin, death, and the devil.  In You alone do I have hope and a future.  Guide me dear Jesus to do what is right in the Father’s sight and live the life You have given me to live.  Help me to stand firm in the truth amidst the rebellion of this age.  Teach me all I need to know in order that I may remain faithful to You, my Lord and Savior.  Help me always hear You voice.  Amen.

“And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”  And He warned them to tell no one about Him” (Mark 8:29-30).

Who is Jesus?  That is the most important question anyone can ask.  He is either who He says He is or else a lunatic or a liar.  No one treated Him as if He were crazy, so He either is the Son of God or else a deceiver.  Everyone must make their choice.  If You hear His voice and know that He is the Christ, then fall at His feet and worship Him.  He will lift You up and send you to work in His kingdom.

Lord, this simple question must be answered by each of us.  Some will ignore the question, which is its own answer.  Some will spend a lifetime trying to deny the answer and even be fanatical about it.  Help me to realize that You are the Son of God, the Messiah or Christ, the anointed One of God, God in the flesh.  All who hear His voice know He is our Shepherd.  Hear, follow, and obey.

Lord Jesus, You have said that the sheep know Your voice.  Help me to hear and obey all that You command.  Lead me far from the doubts of this age to live in the truth that You are the One who has come to save all who believe.  Lead me through the doubts of this age to humbly submit to the trust what You have revealed for all ages.  Guide me in faith to live according to Your word and live into the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”  They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets” (Mark 8:27-28).

Who do people say that Jesus is?  A great . . . but not . . .?  Sinners want to define God.  God created us, we did not create Him.  The world guesses, but Jesus has told us the truth.  The real question is whether or not you will believe that Jesus is who He says He is.  Either He’s telling the truth or He is lying.  If He is lying, then go your way.  If He is telling the truth, then fall at His feet and call Him Lord, Master, and God.

Lord, You are the One who created all things and they exist because of You.  We guess and fumble over definitions as if we had the power to decide how things ought to be.  Lead me away from such arrogance so that I live in the truth of Your word.  Help me to understand that in You alone will I find the answers to life’s questions.  Define me so that I do not lie to myself and think I can define You.

Lord Jesus, You have shown Your light to the world.  Guide me in my faith so that I act in belief and live according to the truth that You have revealed.  Help me now and always to humbly look to You as the One who will answer all of my questions.  Teach me and help me to apply the lessons You teach me so that I may grow in Your likeness and share with others the truth that You are the Word made flesh.  Amen.