As an ELCA congregation, our worship is liturgical which means we follow a specific ancient pattern for worship: gathering, word, meal, and sending. 

Gathering. We gather with some singing and either remembrance of our baptism or a confession. 

Word. We read some biblical passages (or sometimes other prophetic readings) and usually there is a sermon or reflection offered by the pastor or a lay leader. 

Meal. We pray for the community and our world. We share communion together every week – everyone is welcome!

Sending. And finally we finish with some community announcements, more singing, and being sent out into the world to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). 

Within this general framework, we strive to make choices that reflect who we are as a diverse community rooted in social justice. For instance, we use Dr. Wilda Gafney’s Women’s Lectionary. And this summer we’ll be learning protest songs!

We are in the Cascade Neighborhood of South Lake Union – one block west of REI and in the neighborhood East of the Space Needle. We’re across the street from the local community garden, the Cascade People Center, and Cascade Playground and a block away from the local dog park.

We have a small parking lot with a few spaces for folks who need to park close to the building. Public transit is encouraged (we’re near the C Line, 8, 40, 70, 101, 102, 150, 545, 577, 578, 590 & 594). If you are driving, please allow extra time to find parking. There is some street parking (free on Sundays or after 6 p.m. M-Sa) and paid parking. Paid Parking Near ILC

Please enter from the parking lot. At the bottom of the ramp is the elevator – we’ll be on floor 2. Or you can get a bit of a workout and walk up a flight of stairs on the outside and a flight of stairs on the inside to get to the sanctuary!

Our sanctuary is on the second floor. We have an elevator that is located at the bottom of the ramp off the parking lot. 

We have two accessible all-gender restrooms in the area behind the altar (just follow the ramp to get behind the altar). One has a baby changing station. There’s also an accessible all-gender restroom in the parish hall (ground floor). 

Ask an usher if you need a hearing assistance device, sensory reduction headphones or fidget tools to help with anxiety or focus.

Be advised that all areas in front of the balcony are subject to being on camera. If you wish to remain off-camera, please sit in the available pews under the balcony or ask an usher for assistance.

There’s no specific dress code at Immanuel – people wear everything from jeans (shorts in the summer) and t-shirts to more “dressy” clothes. Please be comfortable.

We welcome infants and children as full participants in our worship, and encourage you to take advantage of our Pray-ground in the front of the sanctuary, equipped with books, toys that have been sanitized, as well as some extra space to move. Young children  accompanied by caregivers, or others in need of a quiet space apart, may also use the cry room at the back of the sanctuary. 

There’s a children’s time during worship and Sunday School is during the sermon. Also in worship, our younger children bring the communion up the aisle – and our older children can serve as acolyte, lector, cantor, or children’s education assistants. We end children’s church every Sunday with “God made you quirky and loves you a large amount!”.

We see communion as Christ’s invitation – everyone is welcome to participate. As a sacred celebration of God’s gift of grace, all who desire are welcome to receive communion regardless of age, identity, education or experience. We believe that Christ is fully present in all parts of the meal, so accommodations can be made for dietary and consumption needs.  

Communion elements always include alcohol-free and gluten-free options. Please let the server know if you have allergies or preferences that can be accommodated. Follow the direction of the ushers for distribution. Please let the usher know if you need communion brought to you at your seat.

If you are worshiping with us online, you may choose to create your sacred space, with a candle, bowl of water, staple food and festive drink

Sure! Check our calendar for events. Most Sundays there is either a lay-led text study or someone sharing a faith journey in the fireside room from 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. (behind the altar – follow the ramp to behind the altar). On the first and third Sundays there is a coffee hour behind the altar after church. And on the final Sunday of the month there is a community meal in our parish hall (ground floor).

An usher (greeter) can give you a prayer slip to complete and either put in the offering plate or return to the usher. Also, often during the community prayers there is an opportunity to vocalize prayers from the pews. Listen for when the assisting minister says “For what else does the community pray”.  

You can also email prayer requests or feedback for the worship team or staff by emailing [welcome2worship]. If you have specific prayers that you want added to our Prayer Chain, you can email those to [prayerchain] or private concerns to Pastor Priscilla at [pastor].

Pastor tries to say a brief hello to new folks during the peace (when we greet each other mid-service), and is available after service for brief conversations or to set up an appointment. You can also email Pastor Priscilla [pastor].