Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church began as a Sunday School mission station in 1899 and was chartered as a congregation in 1904. For more than a century Emmaus has faithfully proclaimed the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in accordance with both the Sacred Scriptures and the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as contained in the Book of Concord. We also accept as immutable the moral law which God has revealed in the Old and New Testaments. We are strongly pro-life, and affirm that all persons -- from the time of conception until natural death -- are precious in the sight of God, their Creator.
We are a small parish with an average Sunday attendance of about 40 (which means that nobody remains anonymous very long!), but we offer everything necessary for a healthy congregation:
- a vigorous, liturgical worship life grounded in God's Word and Sacraments;
- Sunday School for children;
- serious Bible study for adults;
- a two-year confirmation course for teenagers;
- Adult Membership Classes scheduled as needed;
- numerous fellowship activities, including our deservedly popular parish suppers.
In addition, the pastor is available by appointment for private confession and absolution, for ministry to the sick and shut-in, and to offer spiritual counsel.
The congregation also takes seriously its responsibility to the church-at-large and to those in need.
- We contribute financial support to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Martin Luther High School in Queens, and Concordia College in Bronxville, New York.
- We provide a $2000 scholarship to one student each year at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- We operate a year-round collection of non-perishable food items to help feed the hungry.
- Special offerings received at various times throughout the year also support the work of our Synod's Ministry to the Armed Forces and LCMS World Relief.
To put it briefly, you won't find anything trendy or gimmicky here -- just rock-solid Lutheran teaching, worship and practice.
The pastor of Emmaus is the Reverend John Anwyl Stoudt. A native of Pennsylvania, he received his education at Susquehanna University (B.A. in classics), Fordham University (M.A. in Latin), and Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario (M.Div.). He served his year of vicarage at Our Saviour Lutheran Church and School in the Bronx. Before coming to Emmaus in 1995 he was pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Croydon, Pennsylvania. He is married to Faith (nee McElvain), who teaches 2nd grade at St. John's Lutheran School in Glendale, Queens.
