All Services at Emmaus follow the beautiful and historic liturgy of the Lutheran Church as contained in Lutheran Service Book.   The rites, hymns and reverent ceremonial of our worship bespeak our conviction that God Himself is present in the Word and the Sacraments, forgiving our sins and offering us all that we need for eternal life.  Our parish organist is Ms. Chien-Yin Chen, who earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees at the Vienna Academy of Music.  She leads the congregation's singing on our 16-rank Wicks pipe organ. 

On Sunday mornings throughout the year we gather at 10:30 for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also known among Lutherans as the Divine Service or the Mass).  The basic structure of this liturgy has remained unchanged from the days of the apostles, and is still followed by most western Christians. 

The first part of the Service focuses on the Word of God, and includes three readings from Sacred Scripture -- usually one from the Old Testament, another from the New Testament Epistles, and a third from one of the Gospels.  The congregation also chants a psalm between the Old Testament lesson and the Epistle.   The pastor's sermon is almost always based on one of these readings. 

The second half of the Service includes the prayers of the faithful, the gathering of our tithes and offerings, and the consecration and distribution of Christ's true body and true blood in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  The liturgy concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving, the blessing, and a final hymn of praise.

Our Communion practice  reflects our belief that the act of receiving the Sacrament is a public affirmation that one professes and practices the Lutheran faith as it is taught in this congregation.  Indeed, from the apostolic age onward the church has always maintained that sharing in the Eucharist is a visible manifestation of unity in doctrine.  For this reason, only communicant members of congregations in fellowship with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are invited to receive the Sacrament.  This ancient practice of "Eucharistic fellowship" (which is followed also by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches) is not intended to be unwelcoming, or to imply that we consider ourselves superior to other Christians.  On the contrary, it honestly acknowledges the regrettable fact that we do not yet share unity in doctrine with members of other denominations.

On Wednesdays in Advent and Lent (the seasons leading up to Christmas and Easter, respectively) we gather for Vespers at 7:00 P.M.  These shorter and more contemplative liturgies also feature a sermon, but there is no celebration of Holy Communion.  Their emphasis is seasonal, offering worshipers an opportunity in the middle of the week to reflect on the Scriptures.  

Holy Day Services are also offered at Emmaus on

• Christmas Eve - 7:00 P.M.
• Christmas Day - 10:30 A.M.
• The Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6) - 7:00 P.M.
• Candlemas: The Presentation of Our Lord (February 2) - 7:00 P.M.
• Ash Wednesday - 7:00 P.M.
• The Annunciation of Our Lord - 10:30 A.M.
• Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday in Holy Week - 10:30 A.M.
• Maundy Thursday - 7:00 P.M.
• Good Friday - 7:00 P.M.
• The Ascension of Our Lord - 7:00 P.M.
• Thanksgiving Eve - 7:00 P.M.

Please call ahead (718-821-5253) to confirm the times of these special Services.  The church office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.