A Joyful Word for May 14, 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

Christian Cupboard Volunteer Appreciation: May 15

Godly Play & Compass

5th Sunday Benevolence: Reconciling in Christ

Ball ECC End of School Year Breakfast

Spirit of Joy Summer Bingo

SOJ Financial Update

Thriving Hearts Crisis Center Fundraiser

and much more!

CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION:

May 15, 2026

9:00am to 11:30am

Spirit of Joy (in La Casita)

We'll honor all the wonderful work our volunteers have done over the years!

Refreshments will be served!

COMPASS COOPERATIVE:

End of School Year Pool Party!

Open to ALL Compass Youth

Sunday, May 17 (4:00 to 6:30pm)

Nancy & Arlynn Hartfiel's home:

314 Montwood in Seguin

Questions? Contact Hannah Hansen

GODLY PLAY:

Godly Play concludes on Sunday, May 17, and will return in August.

Making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Experience It!

Questions? Contact Diana Ball

5TH SUNDAY BENEVOLENCE:

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is our next 5th Sunday Benevolence of 2026, which will be observed on

May 31st.

Make checks payable to: Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church with memo line reading: for 5th Sunday Benevolence.

Remember that 5th Sunday benevolences are above and beyond giving!

END OF SCHOOL YEAR BREAKFAST:

May 29 at 8:00am

Hosted by Spirit of Joy

Ball ECC Cafeteria

Want to bring a dish? (by 7:45am)

A sign-up sheet will be on the resource table in the worship center.

SPIRIT OF JOY SUMMER BINGO:

This summer, complete the activities across the board to grow in faith and build community!

Mark off each square as you go; don't forget the free space in the center! Once you've got a BINGO, bring your card to church on any Sunday to receive a small prize and be entered into the grand prize drawing. You can work as an individual or household. Multiple entries accepted; one prize and entry per row/column/diagonal; one card per individual/household. Bingo cards and dot stickers are on the resource table.

BINGO's can be claimed until Sunday, August 30. The Grand Prize will be drawn and awarded then!

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 to access the Summer Registration Form.

CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD: PASTA SAUCE NEEDED

The Christian Cupboard has reached out with a special request for support. Several local churches help by consistently donating a specific hard-to-source item, such as potatoes or cereal. Spirit of Joy has been invited to become the church that provides pasta sauce, not tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce.

Pasta sauce is one of the most difficult and expensive items for the Cupboard to obtain, even through bulk suppliers. By helping keep this item on the shelves, we can make a meaningful difference for families in need.

The Cupboard is asking us to become the “Church of the Pasta Sauce.” If each of us picked up one or two cans whenever we shop (you can find them on aisle 6 at HEB) and brought them to church, together we could help keep this important staple available.

Thank you, Pasta Sauce People!

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

Bob Cantu

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), Judy and John Semmler (Sister & Brother-in-Law of Chris Frels), Donald Olson (Grandfather of Pastor Megan), Jennifer Bulgerin (Niece of Bobbie Maddox)

FRIENDS OF MEMBERS:

Mike Burris (Friend of Marvel and Bobbie Maddox), Ardis Maxwell (Friend of Claire Ongstad), Sherry Moltz (Friend of Martha Rinn), Gail Damerau (Friend of Sharon Frels), 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:

May 17:

Assisting Minister: Helen Mycue

Lay Reader: Heidi Franzen

In-Person Greeter: Mark Shellard

Online Greeter: Sharon Frels

Ushers: Dave Legore, Craig Wagner

PrayGround: Patti Buckley, Liz Greinke

Altar Setup: Grace Mueller, Rick Ehlers

Communion Assistants: Hoch and Christa Strauss, Becky Geinzer

Worship Slide Technician: Sharon Frels

Flowers: Connie and Stan Meyer

Refreshments: Lois Hartzog

Kitchen Manager: Nancy Doerr

Council Member Lock-Up: Xander Khalil

Council Member Count Money: Bruce Clark

May 24:

Assisting Minister: Barney Matocha

Lay Reader: Jim Germann

In-Person Greeter: Sandra Moline

Online Greeter: Patti Buckley

Ushers: Mike Peters, Marvel Maddox

PrayGround: Jennifer Terry, Cathy Cordes

Altar Setup: Grace Mueller, Helen Mycue

Communion Assistants: Karen Wallock, Emily and Xander Khalil

Worship Slide Technician: Diane Lippe

Flowers: Need Someone

Refreshments: Eliza and Ryan Jeffords

Kitchen Manager: Nancy Doerr

Council Member Lock-Up: Lois Hartzog

Council Member Count Money: Lorne Davis

YARD MAINTENANCE:

*Friday, May 15, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)

*Saturday, May 16, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)

*Friday, May 22, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 3)

*Saturday, May 23, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 3)

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)