Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation
Torah Based Messianic CongregationTraditional, yet modernJew & Gentile, One in MessiahCelebrating the Biblical Festivals of the LordInterfaith Couples are Welcome
Shalom and Welcome to EMJC!
We are glad that you are interested in getting to know us.
To understand who we are. It is helpful to consider the terms that make up our name.
This will help you appreciate what makes Emmanuel different from other congregations
Emmanuel
Emmanuel a Hebrew word meaning, “God is with us,” is the promise of the presence of God so central in our history as Jews. “Emmanuel” is the word God used to tell the world that he would bring the Messiah through the Jewish people. The promise given over 700 years before Yeshua’s birth,fulfilled at his birth, tells us that one would be born who would let us see that “God is with us.”
Messianic
Messianic means “of the Messiah.” Since we believe Yeshua is the true Messiah, we honor him by referring to his title in our name. Some Jewish people still await the Messiah’s coming; others don’t believe in the idea at all. Nevertheless, throughout Jewish history our people have believed in the Messiah. Because of the prophetic expectations that Yeshua fulfilled, we believe that he is the true Messiah, the one promised to our people, the one of whom Moses and the prophets spoke.
Jewish
Jewish Our congregation consists of both Jews and non-Jews who all maintain a Jewish life-style. Our worship services reflect thousands of years of Jewish tradition and practice. Our members respectand revere the Torah, the document ratified by the Jewish people at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Those who are intermarried find a warm elcoming home here. We provide bar/bat mitzvahs, Jewish weddings, Hebrew lessons, Israeli-type dancing, etc.
Congregation
Congregation is a group of people who gather in order to praise and worship God, study his Word, and serve him as a community. As a Messianic Jewish congregation, we have a love for God and his Messiah, Israel, the Jewish people, and the heritage that is ours either as Jews or “grafted-in” Gentiles. We are a friendly family.
services
Our weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) service beings at 10 AM on Saturday with songs of praise toGod. Some of our members take this opportunity to express their worship through Israeli folk dancing. Some in our congregation follow the ancient custom of lifting their hands to God in worship. Some weara tallit (prayer shawl) and kippah or yarmulke (skullcap). We continue with liturgy and a Torah service and finish with a teaching and discussion time. The service can be followed in the siddur (prayer book provided). Those familiar with a traditional synagogue service will recognize the prayers, recited in bothHebrew and English. We also incorporate the teachings of the Messiah in our liturgy and throughout the service. Following service, at noon, you are invited to join our oneg Shabbat (“delight in the Sabbath) and enjoy a meal with the people of Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation.
Celebrations
Special services are held for the biblical holidays: Pesach (Passover), Rosh HaShana (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, & Purim.
Why We Are
First and foremost, our mission is to provide a spiritual home and congregational community for Jews. There are many good churches, but none is committed to Judaism. There are synagogues, but none follow Yeshua the Messiah. Therefore, we exist. Moreover, we find and teach that the entire Bible, both the Hebrew Scriptures (“Old” Testament) and the Messianic Writings (“New” Testament), celebrate a Jewish Identity for Jews and non-Jews. Another part of our mission is to teach Christians about the Jewish background and context of their Faith. More and more Gentile followers of the Messiah desire to connect to their Jewish roots. We believe we are one in the Messiah, Jew and non-Jew, and are pleased to have non-Jews worship with us!