Lutherans in their happy place: Creating happy, healthy spaces for learning, growing, and exploration takes time, dedication, and grit. Cheers to our Day School staff, board members, and families for cleaning and brightening the campus last weekend to get ready for the new school year! Let’s give this wonderful a ministry a hand! Or at least a brush and a roller. All painters, tapers, cleaners, and other helpful folk are welcome on Saturday morning, August 8 to paint the Level 2 classrooms on the church campus.  We are better together.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11 

Sunday Worship at 10:30am is in the sanctuary, online on YouTube, and on radio KWED AM 1580.

8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A

The sixth sermon in our 10-week 2026 Summer sermon series Odd & Holy: God's Grace in Scripture's Strangest Scenes is titled "Elijah Mocks: When Confidence in God Sounds Like Holy Trash Talk." Scripture's sharp humor exposes powerless idols so that hearts return to the living God.

Please join us for a Chili & Cornbread Cook Off on Sunday, July 26, immediately following worship in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a delicious meal and great fellowship. Do you have a signature chili or cornbread recipe? Bring your best dish and compete for more than just bragging rights, you could take home the coveted Golden Ladle or the Iron Skillet. Volunteer sign-up sheets are in the Narthex. We invite everyone to participate, whether by cooking, serving, or simply enjoying the meal. For more information, please contact the Feast & Fellowship Team: (830) 832-1944.

Emanuel's Gather and Grow Ministry Team is excited to invite you to the upcoming All-Church Retreat at Lutheran Campy Chrysalis in Kerrville!

This two night experience includes:

Canoeing, Archery, Pool Swim, Arts & Crafts, S'mores,

Hiking, Sing-a-longs, Worship & Devotions

All meals and snacks are included.

Everyone is welcome - individuals, couples, and families!

Complete the online reservation below by July 20th.

LWR SCHOOL SUPPLY &

PERSONAL CARE KIT DONATIONS

We are now collecting supplies for Lutheran World Relief School Supply and Personal Care Kits to be assembled at “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday, September 13 and distributed across the globe to neighbors in need.

School supplies are starting to go on sale now. To complete 100 School kits we need:

LWR School Supply Kits

• 70 sheet spiral notebooks, wide or college rule (300)
• 30 cm rulers, or inches on one side and centimeters on the other (88)
• Unsharpened #2 pencils (430)
• Ball point pens, blue or black ink (470)
• Box of 16 or 24 crayons (91)
• Pink erasers 2.5" (71)
• Pencil sharpeners (77)
• Scissors, blunt (92)

LWR Personal Care Kits

• Sturdy wide-toothed combs
• Metal nail clippers
• Adult size toothbrushes in original packaging
• Bath size bar soaps, original wrap, 8-9 oz ea.
• Bath size towels, light weight, dark color (between 20"x40" and 27"x52")

Collection boxes for your generous donations are in the Narthex, Mountain Street Entrance, and Church Office

U.M. ARMY WORK WEEK

Emanuel's was presented with a certificate of appreciation and colorfully signed poster for hosting the U.M. Army July 5-11, 2026. More than 100 peopled called our campus home as they slept, ate, and worshiped here between off site projects. We contributed to their United Mission to provide Christ-centered mission that serves people in need and promotes spiritual growth and leadership development in youth and young adults. The group also fashioned two benches and a picnic table from leftover project lumber for our new community garden. ("What new community garden?" you ask? Oh, just wait ... announcements are coming soon!) Special thanks to our Property Stewards, church staff, event volunteers, and small groups for being welcoming and adaptable during our guests stay. Watch the video below to learn about the work completed and impact made on the youth and people they served.

All of Emanuel’s Ministry Teams gather on a single evening every other month to share a meal, collaborate, plan, and schedule upcoming events and ministry projects. Join us next on Wednesday, July 29 at 5:30pm in the Women's Ministry Room.

MUSIC MINISTRY MEETING will be on All Team Night, Wednesday, July 29. Dinner will be in the Women’s Ministry Room at 5:30 then at 6:00 we will head up to the music suite for vision sharing and planning. 

The next Council Meeting is Sunday, September 13 following worship in the Family Life Center.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

Children's Church is a weekly time for our younger learners to join in Bible study, crafts, and activities. During worship Children’s Ministry volunteers lead our PK to 5th graders to the Children’s Church room, just down the hall from the sanctuary, and return as we share the peace.

Our Education Team invites you to sign-up to help teach. Lessons are provided for each age group each week, encompassing Bible Study, games, crafts, and fellowship. Pastor Marcus has more details.

The Compass Cooperative will resume Sunday gatherings on August 30 with our church partners- Emanuel’s, St. Andrew’s, and Spirit of Joy - at Spirit of Joy campus. Let Hannah know if you aren’t on her email list to find out about Middle School and High School events this summer: Hannah@elcseguin.org 

ADULT CLASSES

THE HERITAGE CLASS meets at 9:15 am Sunday mornings on Level 3 in room 307. Participants explore the deeper meaning found in the Bible and seek to unlock its wisdom through fellowship and robust group discussion, making the Bible relevant and applicable to daily life. Summer 2026 explores Spirit, Boldness, Opportunities.

THE JOY CLASS: Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities at 9:00 am one Sunday a month in the Women's Ministry Room.

DISCIPLES CLASS: Seasonal topics that delve into the word and explore applications out in the world.

June 14 – July 19 | Led by: Pastor Marcus | 9:00am | Family Life Center

This comparative study, grounded in Lutheran theology, explores the deep connection between the Old and New Testaments as one continuous story of God’s saving work centered in Jesus Christ and sends us into the world as witnesses to that good news.

THE WIRED WORD: Group discussions about important matters of faith raised by news of the week. This 8:45am Tuesday morning study is on summer break! See you in the Family Life Center in September.

Online giving is safe, simple, and quick to do through our giving link. One time or recurring donations can be indicated. You can still mail in your offering to the Church by sending a check to: Emanuel's Lutheran Church, 206 N. Travis Street. Seguin, Texas 78155

Year to date giving comparison

Jan 1 - July 14, 2026: 

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 223,118.26

Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 221,500.76

        Actual Other Receipts: $ 66,768.58

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 288,269.34

Operating Expenses YTD: $ 292,852.39 *

* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or in-kind donations.

Jan 1 - July 14, 2025:

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 223,118.26   

Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 223,827.67

Actual Other Receipts: $ 48,978.00

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 272,805.67

Operating Expenses YTD:  $ 263,600.69 *

* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or in-kind donations

Emanuel's office hours are Monday - Thursday from 8-5. However, if the office is understaffed, you may find the answering machine catching your call or a "Gone Fishing" sign on the door. Please know that we will get back with you as soon as possible. We encourage you to call before stopping by. Everyone is also accessible via email.