Tucked into a bend of Washington Avenue in downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Immanuel Lutheran Church has stood as a place of worship since 1883. Its stone-and-stucco sanctuary, with tall stained-glass windows and a soaring cathedral-style ceiling, anchors a stretch of the historic district that longtime residents know well. The congregation describes itself as "people of God's grace, building on the past, growing in the present, planning for the future - in Jesus Christ," and that sense of continuity shapes everything from Sunday worship to a monthly bingo fundraiser that helps preserve the very building the members cherish.
A Sanctuary of Light and Color
The church building itself is one of Immanuel's defining features. Worshipers step into a sanctuary filled with natural light and stained glass, with a high ceiling that gives the room a quiet, cathedral-like atmosphere. That sense of place matters to the congregation, which holds monthly bingo nights specifically to raise money for the preservation of the 1883 structure. The sanctuary is used for weddings and funerals as well as weekly worship, and members speak of the space with the kind of affection usually reserved for family.
Two Sundays in One: Traditional and Praise
Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Im Lutheran opens its doors for worship, both in person and online through a YouTube livestream. The services alternate between two distinct styles. One week is Traditional: a recognizable liturgical flow with music, scripture readings, congregational responses, a gospel reading, a sermon, prayers, and Holy Communion. The next is the Praise service, supported by the church's Praise Band, with contemporary songs from artists such as Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong UNITED, and Matt Redman. The two formats share a common shape but offer different musical textures, and many members find themselves looking forward to whichever one is on the calendar.
Communion is offered at every service, and Immanuel practices open communion. All baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, are invited to receive. Worshipers can come forward for the traditional sharing of bread and wine or remain in the pews with a pre-packaged cup and wafer. Gluten-free wafers and apple juice are available. The practice reflects the congregation's theology of welcome, captured in a frequently repeated phrase: "Come as you are - all are welcome - you are a child of God, and you belong here."
Pastor Vicki and a Grace-Centered Welcome
Immanuel is led by Pastor Vicki, who brings what the congregation calls a "reflective, peaceful, and mindful approach to faith." Her sermons are described as uplifting and grace-filled, encouraging listeners to follow Christ's example of kindness without judgment. In her welcome message, Pastor Vicki emphasizes that Immanuel is a community of "imperfect people who believe in Jesus," a place where doubt and questions are not only tolerated but welcomed as part of a healthy faith journey.
The congregation sees itself as fully accepting of all people regardless of race, ethnic background, or orientation. Its mission is simple and direct: to love others as Jesus did. Members describe a strong sense of belonging, with multi-generational families whose ties to Immanuel stretch back decades alongside first-time guests just discovering the church.
What Immanuel Believes
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and follows the denomination's historic roots in the Lutheran tradition. The congregation teaches a Trinitarian faith - one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and honors Scripture as the inspired Word of God, read through a Christ-centered lens that values history, science, and reason alongside faith.
Salvation is understood as a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through effort. The church celebrates two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism is offered to both infants and adults, with infant baptisms welcoming children into the community of faith until they are old enough to affirm their own vows, typically through Confirmation in middle school.
Living out the baptismal covenant takes shape in five practices: to live among God's faithful people, to hear the word and share in the Lord's Supper, to proclaim the good news through word and deed, to serve all people following Jesus' example, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. These commitments shape everything from the music program to the quilting group.
Children, Sunday School, and Confirmation
Children are woven into the life of the congregation from an early age. Sunday School is offered for children ages 3K through 5th grade during the Praise services from September through May, meeting every other week. The children begin worship with their parents, are called up front for a prayer with Pastor Vicki, and then head downstairs for about twenty minutes of lessons, songs, and activities. They return to the sanctuary in time for communion and the closing of the service. The curriculum introduces the basics of Martin Luther's Small Catechism - the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer - alongside Bible stories and what the church calls "spreading loving kindness." Jessie Johnson coordinates the Sunday School program.
Confirmation is a joint ministry with the other ELCA churches in Cedarburg, an arrangement that brings together middle school students from across the community. Most classes are held on Wednesday evenings at Advent Lutheran Church on Washington Avenue. A shared dinner is served from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m., followed by coursework from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Students in grades 6 through 8 learn about the promises made at baptism and what it means to affirm them, often deepening friendships with peers from other congregations in the process.
A House Full of Music
Music is one of the most visible expressions of Immanuel's life. The music ministry includes a Praise Band led by co-directors Gretel and Rob Anderson, a Chancel Choir under Sandy Stoffel, a Handbell Choir led by Debbie Donovan, and organists Lisa and James Quick, who also serve as pianists. The Praise Band supports congregational singing with piano, guitar, bass, and drums, while the Chancel Choir sings on the third Sunday of each month and on special holy days. The Handbell Choir rings English handbells during traditional worship and on节日 like Christmas and Easter. Children have their own handbell program through the Sunday School, where color-coordinated bells become part of favorite seasonal performances.
Lisa Quick and Gretel Anderson are featured at both Praise and Traditional services, filling the sanctuary with what one description calls "the most beautiful sounds of joy." New musicians and singers are always welcome, and previous handbell experience is helpful but not required.
Quilts, Bingo, and a Heritage of Service
Outside the sanctuary, Immanuel members keep busy hands serving the wider community. The Lutheran World Relief Quilters meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Monday and Tuesday of each month from September through May, producing an average of 175 quilts a year for people around the world. No experience is needed; new helpers are invited to bring a pair of scissors and a bag lunch and stay for one day or every month.
On the second Saturday of every month, the church hosts Cedarburg Bingo, with doors opening at noon and games beginning at 1:00 p.m. Proceeds go toward preserving the historic 1883 church building, and each month a portion is shared with a different local non-profit partner. Recent partners include the Mequon Nature Preserve and the Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund. The atmosphere is intentionally intergenerational, and children are welcome to play alongside a grown-up.
Recreational fellowship includes a softball team and a dartball league, both long-standing traditions that bring together players of various ages for friendly competition and community time.
The Legacy Fund and a Long View
Immanuel established a Legacy Fund in 1985 to ensure that the ministry of the church could continue far into the future. Thanks to generous bequests over the years, the fund has provided more than $700,000 in support of programs, people, missions, and outreach. Grants have gone to partner congregations such as Incarnation Lutheran Church on 15th and Keefe in Milwaukee, as well as to youth camps, mission trips, and building improvements. Members are invited to remember Immanuel in their wills, consider gifts of appreciated stock or annuities, or make qualified charitable distributions directly from their IRAs. The church is an eligible 501(c)(3) organization.
Hands at Work: Serving Together
The rhythm of Immanuel depends on dozens of volunteers who serve during worship and behind the scenes. Ushers greet at the door, hand out bulletins, and guide the flow of communion. Lectors read the scripture lessons, with materials sent out in advance. Communion assistants help distribute the sacrament alongside the pastor. Assisting Ministers support traditional services, while the Altar Guild prepares the altar with communion vessels and candles before each service and tends to them afterward.
Beyond worship, a network of committees keeps the congregation running: Worship and Music, Building and Grounds, Legacy, Stewardship, Technology, Youth and Education, Connection Crew, Fellowship and Family Ministry, Community Outreach, and Fundraising. There is also a RIDE committee that helps members without transportation get to church. New volunteers can explore roles through a simple online form on the church's "Get Involved" page.
Online and Connected
For those who cannot attend in person, Immanuel livestreams its 9:30 a.m. Sunday services on its YouTube channel, where past services are also archived. Podcasts of sermons are available on the church's podcast page, and a current newsletter can be downloaded as a PDF. The church calendar, prayer requests, and email subscription are all accessible from the main menu, and giving can be made online through Vanco or PayPal. The office can be reached at 262-377-4484 or office@immanuelcedarburg.org, and visitors are gently reminded that Immanuel Lutheran is the church on Washington Avenue in downtown Cedarburg - not First Immanuel Lutheran, which is a separate congregation near the high school.
For more than 140 years, Immanuel Lutheran has opened its doors to the people of Cedarburg. With stained glass filtering the morning light, music filling the sanctuary, and a congregation committed to both tradition and welcome, the church on Washington Avenue remains a steady presence in the heart of its town.