A Joyful Word for April 16, 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

Clothing Donations

Compass Summer 2026 Registration Form

College Care Packs: Cookies Needed

Water to Thrive Benefit: April 23

SOJ Financial Update

Spring Stream Cleanup Day

and much more!

COMMUNITY CLOSET CLOTHING DONATIONS:

Recently we managed to distribute the room of clothing that was collected, sorted and stored by Cynthia Points and her team of hard-working helpers.

Christa Strauss and Grace Mueller researched and found recipients that could use the clothing in keeping with the original mission. Over thirty large bags of clothing were packed up and given out to the following organizations. Seguin ISD received several bags for its McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Program and also the Clothing Closet located at Mercer- Blumberg Learning Center. Grace collected all of the clothing for ages three and four and took them to Ball ECC. She also took two boxes of baby clothing to the South Texas Pregnancy Center. Arlynn Hartfiel came by and took a bag of stuffed toys to the Children's Advocacy Center. Many bags of clothing were picked up by a large truck and donated to an organization called Arms of Hope, a Christian non-profit which runs facilities for disadvantaged children and single mothers.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, especially Chris Vogt who lugged all those heavy bags to the curb. And a huge thanks especially goes to Cynthia for the extraordinary effort to spearhead and maintain the collection of gently used clothing that will now be available to many people in need.

Submitted by Christa Strauss

The counselors and nurse at Ball Early Childhood Center were excited about getting a donation of 3T and 4T clothes.

The South Texas Pregnancy Care Center loved the donation of infant clothing.

COMPASS Summer 2026 Participant Registration is HERE!

This summer, we’re diving into our theme “Created to Care”—exploring God’s amazing creation and how we can be faithful stewards of it. You won’t want to miss everything we have planned!

Vacation Bible School (VBS) | June 8 to June 12 | 9am to 12:30pm | Kindergarten to 5th Graders
God's Explorers | June 29 to July 2 | 7:30am to 4pm | 3rd to 8th Graders
Music Camp | August 3 to August 5 | 9am to 1pm | 2nd to 5th Graders (at Spirit of Joy!)

Join us for an unforgettable summer—through fun, faith, music, and adventure!

Click Here for more information or to access the Summer Registration Form.

COOKIES NEEDED:

On April 27 cookies will be sent to our college

students.

We will need 10 baggies- containing 2 dozen cookies. You can bring them to church on the April 19 or April 26.

*One of the college students said that the homemade cookies were a big hit in the December boxes of goodies that we sent!

NEEDED: CO-LEADER FOR FAITH FORMATION

The co-leader will help with:

Confirmation
Calling volunteers for Compass meals
Graduating Seniors
Bible distribution for youth
Christmas program
Music Camp

Diana Ball will still oversee the prayground and Godly Play areas.

TLU's Water to Thrive 2026 Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction:

Are you interested in donating a Silent Auction item or basket this year?

Please bring it to the church office by Tuesday, April 21. Each auction item needs a list of items donated with the estimated value, the name of the donor, and a name for the basket.

Questions? Contact Nicole Bloodgood, TLU Water to Thrive President.

More information below...

Please join us for the 13th Annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Spring Cleanup event - this is your chance to get out and make a difference in your community by picking up litter and keeping it out of our waterways!

Volunteers will receive free breakfast tacos, coffee, and event t-shirts while supplies last. CLICK HERE to register today!

SEGUIN EVENTS:

Want to know what's going on Around Town? Be sure to add these Seguin websites to your "FAVORITES" list:

Seguin Community Calendar

Visit Seguin: www.visitseguin.com/events

Texas Lutheran University Events

Calendar & Events:: www.tlu.edu/events

Texas Lutheran University Athletics

TLU Official Athletics: www.tlubulldogs.com

The Texas Theater: www.thetexas.org

The Mid-Texas Symphony: www.mtsymphony.org/tickets

SCHEDULE TIME WITH PASTOR MEGAN:

You may now use the following link to schedule a meeting (personal or business) with Pastor Megan.

This links directly with her schedule, so no worries about duplication. Contact Chris with any questions.

CLICK HERE

SAFE CAMPUS

NOTICE:

Spirit of Joy is a welcoming and inclusive community. For everyone's safety, our campus is gun-free, smoke-free, and drug-free both inside and outside of all buildings.

The use of alcohol is restricted and permitted only with prior Council permission.

VISIT

US:

Monday through Thursday:

9:00AM to 4:00PM

Friday: by appointment only.

Worship is held Sundays at 9:30am in our Worship Center.

SOJ WEBSITE

Prayer Requests:

Government and Elected Officials

MEMBERS:

Lynna Kraus

Patsy Heckmann

MILITARY:

Jordan Kranda (Grandson-in-Law of Craig & Lorna Wagner)

FAMILY OF MEMBERS:

Randy Cushatt (Husband of Rhonda Cushatt), Sean Stevens (Son of Debbie and Ken Stevens), Jackie Ross (Cousin of Denise Crettenden), Judy and John Semmler (Sister & Brother-in-Law of Chris Frels), Donald Olson (Grandfather of Pastor Megan), Dan Clark (Brother of Stephen Clark), Bill Lester (Father of Rebecca Clark), Michele Buckley (Sister of Patti Buckley), Jennifer Bulgerin (Niece of Bobbie Maddox)

FRIENDS OF MEMBERS:

Sherry Moltz (Friend of Martha Rinn), Gail Damerau (Friend of Sharon Frels), Megan Neville (Friend of Denise Crettenden), Rose Mercado (Friend of Mary Ruby), Jeanna Black (Friend of Alfrieda Leiter)

If you would like to add any name, please send an email to chris@spiritofjoylc.com. We will include all individuals with health, emotional or family/work issues for a period of two weeks. At the end of that period, their name will be removed if a call/email has not been received regarding their continued inclusion.

SUNDAY WORSHIP LIVESTREAM LINK:

Can’t make it to Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church for worship?

THE 9:30AM Service streams LIVE every Sunday on YOUTUBE.

CLICK HERE

BREEZE:

Having issues accessing your BREEZE account? Stan Meyer is here to help!

Email Stan if you want to change something in your profile, or update your password.

SOJ

CALENDAR:

Want to know what’s going on at SOJ this month?

Click on the link below to access our PUBLIC calendar.

CLICK HERE

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE:

April 19:

Assisting Minister: Pat Hoppe

Lay Reader: Alfrieda Leiter

In-Person Greeter: Sharon Frels

Online Greeter: Mark Shellard

Ushers: Dave Legore, Mike Peters

PrayGround: Denise, Eleanor and Abigal Crettenden

Altar Setup: Patti Buckley, Milly Watson

Communion Assistants: Stan and Connie Meyer, Liz Greinke

Worship Slide Technician: Grace Mueller

Flowers: Mary Ruby

Refreshments: Bruce and Karen Clark

Kitchen Manager: Heidi Franzen

Council Member Lock-Up: Karen Jones

Council Member Count Money: Helen Mycue

April 26:

Assisting Minister: Jessica Cain

Lay Reader: Jim Dyess

In-Person Greeter: Bobbie Maddox

Online Greeter: Patti Buckley

Ushers: Marvel Maddox, Arlynn Hartfiel

PrayGround: Cathy Cordes, Xander Khalil, Natalie Ramirez

Altar Setup: Patti Buckley, Becky Geinzer

Communion Assistants: Kathy Yandell, Karen Wallock, Robin Shellard

Worship Slide Technician: Nancy Hartfiel

Flowers: Debbie and Ken Stevens

Refreshments: Need Someone

Kitchen Manager: Heidi Franzen

Council Member Lock-Up: Martha Rinn

Council Member Count Money: AJ Sjolander

YARD MAINTENANCE:

*Friday, April 17, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 1)

*Saturday, April 18, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 1)

*Friday, April 24, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)

*Saturday, April 25, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:

Caregiver Cafe: 2nd Tuesday of the month at Argent Court Assisted Living from 6pm-7pm and 3rd Sunday at Emanuel’s in the Family Life Center from 2pm-3:30pm.

SOJ Women’s Circle: Every 3rd Tuesday at 2:00pm.

Location: SOJ La Casita

Wednesday Morning Bible Study: 7:00am, Location: El Olvido Hacienda Restaurant, 623 E. Kingsbury Street

Pastor’s Bible Study on Zoom: Wed. afternoon at 3:00pm

(Contact Pastor Megan for link).

Choir Practice in the SOJ Worship Center: Wed. evening at 6:30pm

Yoga in La Casita: $5.00 per class—Bring your

mat. (See calendar for schedules)