About Emmanuel Lutheran
A Changed People Changing Lives in a Changing World
Our Mission: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Elk River, will provide a total Christian
experience that delivers the message of Jesus Christ, Our Goal is to reach out to
and meet the needs of the families of our church, surrounding communities, and beyond
by promoting Christian values and beliefs.
What We Believe
Being "Lutheran," our congregation accepts
and teaches Bible-based teaching of
Martin Luther that inspired the
reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther
and the 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.
Who is Jesus?
For more than 2,000 years people have asked the question, "Who is Jesus?". We were not present
when Jesus lived on this earth, but in the Bible we have the record of his birth,
life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Study of the Bible, God's Word,
will enable you to seek out the answer to this age-old question.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod maintains an excellent website with
study material, answers to theological questions, and church positions on present
day issues. Questions and concerns
may also be sent to pastor Terry.
About Our Pastor
Rev. Terry Lee Grzybowski was born February 21, 1956, in Winona, Minnesota.
He attended Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota for two years and Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan for two years. He received his B.A. degree at Concordia, Ann Arbor, with a Major in Psychology/Sociology and Minors in Greek and Religion. In 1978 he began his training at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. During his third year, he served as a Vicar at Jehovah Lutheran Church in Pensacola, Florida. He finished his seminary training and received his Master of Divinity degree in May of 1982.
He began his ministry by serving two parishes, Our Savior's of Rich, Arkansas and Faith Lutheran in Forrest City, Arkansas. While in Arkansas he served on the District Education Committee in the Mid South District.
In the fall of 1985 he accepted a Call to Garrison, Minnesota serving at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church until June of 1994 when he answered the call to St. Paul's Lutheran in Perham, Minnesota. Rev. Terry came to Emmanuel in the Summer of 2006.
While at Garrison, Pastor Grzybowski served as Assistant pastoral Advisor on the Minnesota North Active Christian Teens District Board for five years, and on the Crow Wing County AIDS Task Force.
While serving at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Pastor Grzybowski helped out in the community as Boys and Girls Varsity Tennis Coach at Perham High School.
He was a member of the Perham Rotary Club, led worship at the Perham Nursing Home, served as Hospital Chaplain.
On the circuit level, he served as Circuit Youth Advisor, LWML Pastoral Advisor, Circuit Education Representative, Lutheran Laymen's League Counselor, and Alive In Christ Group Leader. He served at the chairman of the first Board of Directors of Family of Christ Lutheran School, a mission project of the Brainerd Circuit. Pastor Grzybowski also served as a member of the circuit Mission committee during the time Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church of Crosslake was being planned, also a mission project of the Brainerd Circuit. Pastor Grzybowski is also a trained Stephen Ministry Leader/Instructor, and is one of the Pastoral Advisors for the Minnesota North District LCMS Human Care Commission.
Rev.
Terry and his wife Nancy have been married since 1980 and are the parents of five children. Timothy (age 24) is married to Katie and lives in Detroit Lakes, MN with their children Zoey and Annelise. Lindsey (age 22) lives in Fargo and works at The Olive Garden. Julie (age 19) is in her first year at the University of Wisconsin Stout in Menominee, Wisconsin.
Jennifer (age 19) is in here first year at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. Jordan (age 14) is in 8th grade at St. John's Lutheran School at Nowthen.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church History
- In 1912, Rev. John Kretzschmar, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church
near Nowthen, began conducting services twice a month in Elk River .
- In 1914, Rev. John Schert became pastor at St. John's
and soon after began a worship service in Elk River
on every Sunday.
- On November 28, 1917
, a group of nineteen people asked for their release from membership at St. John's
in order to organize another congregation.
- On February 24, 1918
, this new congregation was officially named the Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel Congregation
of Elk River , Sherburne County, Minnesota .
- Rev. R. Weinhold succeeded Rev. Schert in
1924 and continued to serve both congregations until 1948 when Rev. Arnold Affeldt
became resident pastor of Emmanuel.
- The present church building and parsonage was
constructed in 1949-50. In 1966 the Christian Education building was added
to the church.
- In 1975, Rev. Gerald Creighton became the
new pastor after Rev. Affeldt retired.
- In 1979, a remodeling of the sanctuary was completed. During these years David Hussong served as
Director of Christian Education (1971-73), Mark Wenger as Director of Christian
Education and Youth (1973-77), and Wayne King as Parish Assistant (1983-85).
- In July, 1997, Rev. Gerald Creighton completed
his ministry at Emmanuel and accepted a call in Lampson, Wisconsin . On March 15, 1998
, Rev. Gary Rehborg became Emmanuel's new pastor.
- In August 1999, Cheryl Heidinger became the
first Director/ Teacher of “Guiding Hands Preschool”, a program of our Congregation.
-
In July 2001, remodeling of the Education building was completed. This included roofing our courtyard area and creating an enlarged narthex
and fellowship room, new offices, kitchen and handicapped accessible bathroom.
- August 15, 2004 , Richard Hensel began his vicarage.
- September 1, 2004
, Rev. Gary Rehborg was released from his call to complete a doctorate in Missiology
at Concordia Seminary-Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
- August 15, 2005 , Richard Hensel completed his vicarage.
- June 25, 2006
, Rev. Terry Grzybowski was installed as pastor.
