About

Pastor

Pastor David L. Steffenson was born on June 3, 1957 in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and graduated with majors in Business Administration and Religion, and a minor in Greek, in 1979. He graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and received his Masters of Divinity in 1983. Pastor Dave met his wife Julie at college. They have been married since October 6, 1979. God has blessed them with 3 children, all married, and 7 grandchildren. Pastor Dave has served three congregations prior to coming to Emmanuel: Grace Lutheran, Lake Lillian, MN; First Lutheran, Little Falls, MN; and Mount Cross Evangelical Lutheran, University Place, WA. Pastor Dave was installed as Emmanuel's first pastor on Sept. 14, 2013.

Theme Verse: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify to the gospel of God's grace."--Acts 20:24

Pastor Dave and his wife Julie

Musician

MarJean Damerval is our primary Worship Pianist

Mary Ann Groven is also serving as one of our worship pianists.

Church Council

Pastor Dave Steffenson; Jeff Patzke - President; Judy Caudill - Treasurer; Deb Vomhof - At Large; Don Wanek - Vice-President; Judy Caudill - Treasurer; and Darald Bothun - Secretary (left to right).

History

Oct 16, 2011: Interest meeting for forming a new NALC mission congregation in Rochester.
Nov. 2011: 4-8 people met at the Covenant Church for 8 weeks of Bible Study on Ephesians.
Dec. 2011: A Steering Committee was formed.
Feb. 19, 2012: Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba of the NALC spoke at the Covenant Church.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012: First Service of Worship, at Oasis Church; one year lease is signed.
Guest pastors offered pulpit supply each week, with Pastor Tim Duesenberg, Gift of Grace Lutheran, Holmen, WI, serving as the mainstay.
March 15, 2012: First website up and running.
Aug. 11, 2012: Emmanuel adopted a constitution.
Call Committee was formed in summer of 2012.
Nov. 15, 2012: Emmanuel became a mission congregation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
May 2013: $1200 Thrivent Grant received for Education and Evangelism.
Pastor David Steffenson accepted the call to serve Emmanuel on May 24, 2013, preached for the first time on August 10, 2013, and was installed on Sept. 14, 2013.
Weekly Men's Bible Study Breakfast began on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.
First Confirmation Class - Bible Reading for Grades 3-5 began in October of 2013.
October 12, 2013: Emmanuel's first baptism - James Matthew Wagner.
October 27, 2013: Reformation Sunday Prayer Walk and Potluck.
Women's Study began on Monday, November 18, 2013.
November 2013: Introduced new liturgy (Bread of Life from With One Voice).
First Thanksgiving Eve Worship & Pie Social; first Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship - November & December 2013.
First Twelve Days of Christmas Bell Ringing Service - January 4, 2014.
First Annual Meeting: Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. - Initiated annual Membership Covenants with emphasis on "marks of discipleship".
Lenten Series 2014: Discipleship Dramas with revised Holden Evening Prayer and guest pastor character sketches on the Twelve Apostles.
Gift of Paschal Candle and Stand for use in Easter Worship.
May 31, 2014: Recognition of High School Graduates and Quilt Blessing.

Emmanuel Church Picnic – hosted by Vomhof family on August 3, 2014.
Use of ReClaim Hymnals with Edited Version of Holden Evening Prayer during the month of September 2014.
Weekly Saturday School - Christian Education for kids - began in September 2014.
Gift and use of Baptismal Cloths with Emmanuel Logo - September 2014.
Gift and use of Advent /Christmas Wreath - December 2014.
First Funeral: Memorial Service for Sharon Hart on February 19, 2015.
Lent 2015 - Sermon series on Holy Christian Baptism with weekly soup suppers.
Gift of baptismal stand and bowl - February 25, 2015.
Constitution revisions and new Bylaws approved – May 30, 2015; ratified at January 2016 Annual Meeting.
New altar candles - December 2015.
New Pulpit Paraments for each Season of the Church Year - 2015.
February 25, 2017 - 142 people gathered for worship and celebrated Emmanuel's Fifth Birthday. An offering of $1,607.00 was received to be used for a new NALC church plant.
April 2, 2018 - Third annual public reading of the entire New Testament. Also the launching of our "Building for the Future" fund appeal. Followed by Dinners for 8 in the month of June.
4.9 acres of land purchased on December 27, 2019 for $75,000. Current Retail Value: $246,500 (2021).
2020 - COVID-19. Virtual offering of Worship Services via Facebook and Emmanuel Website. Upgraded Website with additional features (Pay Pal; Resources, Video components, etc.). In-Person worship resumed in June with masks and physical distancing. SEMAC Mission Trip to Dayton, Ohio in February. Virtual reading of the entire New Testament on Easter Monday. Produced an Emmanuel Picture Directory. Dedicated church land with a church picnic. Virtual offering of the Children's Christmas Nativity (600+ views on Facebook).
2021 Highlights: Hosted a Worship Celebration of Life (SOHL) and a Virtual Baby Shower in support of New Life Family Services (First Care) in January--over $1,000 in baby gifts. Soup to Go and Soup to Share - Lenten collection of store-bought soup in support of the Salvation Army Food Pantry (249 cans thus far). In-Home Bible Reading on Easter Monday (April 5).