Because Lutherans love Jesus and craft projects. Sarah and Bryce K. led our youngest learners on Sunday. "The kiddos decorated crosses to 'lift high' and follow Jesus in the PK-2nd grade (plus helpers Rayleigh and Caroline) group last week and Bryce made sure they were secure with hot glue. It has been fun leading this group the last few weeks and there are still more weeks available to sign up to help." Children's Church is a happening place at Emanuel's on Sundays! 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. See Charis or Pastor Marcus for more details. We are better together.

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

15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human, . . . gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we are nothing. By God’s gracious favor we have everything we need.

A Special Called Congregation Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025. Immediately following the celebration of Holy Communion, we will meet for discussion and potential action on calling Vicar Rudy as the Associate Pastor of Congregational and Community Care. An email and mailings have been sent to all members of the congregation. All members are encouraged to be present for this important meeting.

WORSHIP LEADER TRAINING is Sunday, September 21 at 9am in the Sanctuary. Whether you are interested in serving as an usher, communion assistant, A/V tech, reader, or other role, OR if you have served in these capacities your entire life, please join Pastor Marcus for this quick overview and Q&A. 

ALTAR GUILD MEETING is Sunday, September 21 at 11:45am in the Chapel. Please join us for this brief meeting to discuss Altar Guild scheduling rotations, material maintenance, and other updates pertinent to this vital worship ministry. We encourage both those serving on Altar Guild and anyone wanting to learn more about preparing and presenting the elements of Holy Communion to attend.

ACOLYTE SIGN-UP available online and in the Narthex. Sign your youth up for a Sunday or three that best fit your schedule. Confirmation students, this is a big part of our service during our class years. Make every effort to sign-up or ask Pastor Marcus for more details to find a service that works for you.

IGNITE YOUTH AND FAMILY: Join us for our first Ignite Youth & Family event of the fall school semester! We will gather at "Main Event" on Loop 1604 for games, pizza, laser tag, and bowling! Sign-up by Sunday, September 21 in the Narthex or by emailing Pastor Marcus or Charis! We will be purchasing games and activity cards for our youth who want to come and we need a good head count. We hope you can make it!

Join us on October 2, 2025, from 9am to 12pm, at the Seguin Public Library, for our Living with Alzheimer's Symposium. This event is designed to provide valuable information and resources for individuals, families, and professional caregivers affected by Alzheimer's. Dr. Neela Patel, Chief, Division of Geriatrics and Supportive Care - Department of Family and Community Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, will be sharing research on Alzheimer's, healthy aging, and living with Alzheimer's. This event is completely free and co-sponsored by Emanuel's Lutheran Church and Guadalupe Regional Medical Center. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges and gain knowledge to navigate this journey. Register now to secure your spot!

CEREAL & OATMEAL FOOD DRIVE

SEPTEMBER CEREAL & OATMEAL FOOD DRIVE for the Christian Cupboard is sponsored by Emanuel’s Outreach and Service Team.

Donations of any kind of breakfast cereal and oatmeal are appreciated. Look for donation boxes in the Narthex and Mountain Street entrance the entire month of September.

MAKING YOUR GRIEF COUNT is a 3-week grief program for those who have experienced loss of any kind to work through their grief, learn about healthy coping tools, and discover a path to healing in a supportive environment.

Pastor Darwin Huartson facilitates this program at Emanuel’s in the Family Life Center on Sundays, September 7, 14, and 21 from 2-4pm. Donna Simmons can answer your questions at 830-379-5046 or donna@elcseguin.org.

Emanuel's is passionate about Cross Trails Ministry. We love their summer camps for youth, family programs, and Puerto Rico Mission Trip partnerships. You can help support this amazing organization at their Fall Festival on Saturday, September 20th from 9am - 3pm. Make plans to have a fun-filled day at the Marktplatz in Fredericksburg. There will be craft vendors, quilt auction, live music, food trucks, children’s games, and fun for the whole family! All funds raised at this event will go towards replacing the decks at Camp Chrysalis. Click on the link below for more information or to sign up to volunteer!

COUPLES NIGHT OUT: Dinner & The Ghosts of San Antonio on Saturday, October 4 at 6:30pm. We begin with dinner at the legendary, and strange!, Buckhorn Saloon, 318 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, at 6:30pm, followed by the #1 ghost tour in San Antonio, starting at The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. As their website says, “This isn't just a walking tour, it's a journey through time, as we explore San Antonio's most historic and haunted sites. We will learn a little about the people, battles, and events that shaped the city's haunted legacy.!” RSVP with Pastor Marcus and Kristen to be on the list and so we can properly carpool.

As you can see from the group's September night out, they are not too scary. BUT, they do have some mad axe throwing skills, so watch out!

YOGA AT EMANUEL’S - Join Gina Touchstone, Certified Yoga Instructor, RYT 200, for two classes here at Emanuel's. Beginning October 6, every Monday, Gina will lead a beginner Floor Yoga Class at 6pm in the Family Life Center. On Wednesdays she will lead a Chair Yoga Class at 9am in the Family Life Center. Classes are pay-as-you-can, $5+ suggested. Please bring a mat for floor classes.

TRUNK OR TREAT is a great way to welcome cooler temps, all things pumpkin, and a wee bit of mischief. Let Pastor Marcus know if you will be hosting a trunk and handing out treats to little goblins on Friday, October 24th from 6-8pm in Emanuel’s parking lot. Candy donations are also welcome in the narthex and church office. Start thinking about your costumes and invite your friends. We are going to have a delightfully spooky time!

2026 EMANUEL’S FAMILY BEACH TRIP REGISTRATION IS OPEN for our 4th annual congregation-wide trip next summer in Port Aransas on June 4-7, 2026. Come for the entire time, for just the weekend, or even just a single evening. Individuals, groups, and families who wish to stay in a room are all invited to call The Courtyard Condominiums, (361) 416-1089, or visit their website,

https://courtyardcondos.com/, to reserve one of their condos. For those needing an RV slot, you are invited to book at On the Beach RV Park, which is just across the street from The Courtyard, by calling (361) 749-4909 or visiting their website, https://onthebeachrvpark.com/. Once you have made your reservation, email or call Pastor Marcus so you can stay updated.

Emanuel's Ministry Teams gather next on Wednesday, September 24 at 5:30 in the Women's MInistry. After dinner we will roll up our sleeves and get to work on events and projects to wrap up 2025. Note that in September we will meet on the last Wednesday of the month. Come see what is going on and how you can help.

The Church Council has appointed Natalia Almquist to fill the vacancy on the Council left by Tonya Darnell. The Council is extremely grateful to Natalia for taking on this leadership role and to Tonya for her willingness to serve in Council and task force capacities.

Please find the Congregation Council minutes from the September meeting below. The next Congregation Council meeting is Sunday, October 12, 2025 at noon in the Family Life Center.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

CONFIRMATION CLASSES kick off Sunday, August 24 for our 6th to 8th graders. We meet this year on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room. Lunch will be at 11:45 followed by gathering activities and breakout sessions, ending at 1:45pm. Pastor Marcus can answer new schedule and curriculum focus questions.

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

The Compass Cooperative gathers on Sundays with our four church partners - Emanuel's, St. Andrew's, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church- at the Spirit of Joy campus, 416 Dolle Ave., Seguin, TX 78155. Contact: Compass Program Director Hannah Hansen.

Middle School Compass (6th to 8th grade) from 4-5pm

Dinner for everyone at 5pm

High School Compass (9th to 12th grade) from 5:30-6:30pm

SUNDAY 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. Fall Bible Study begins in September.

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.

THE DISCIPLES CLASS (Family Life Center): 9:00 am Sept 14 – Oct 19. “Sermon on the Mount: Living the Good Life of the Kingdom of God” led by Paul Sims. The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew is arguably the most influential sermon ever written. Even Gandhi found it life changing, and the Sermon on the Mount was the main idea behind his philosophy of nonviolence. Join us as we work through this literary work of art, grappling with the teachings of Jesus and how we can apply his sayings to our world today.

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 - Sept 16, 2025: 

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $  295,111.08

      Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 283,355.77

        Actual Other Receipts: $ 58,943.09

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 342,298.86

Operating Expenses YTD: $  355,525.42  *

* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts

Jan 1 - Sept 16, 2024:

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $  295,111.08

     Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 289,509.28

     Actual Other Receipts: $90,501.66

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $  380,010.94

Operating Expenses YTD:  $ 357,751.84  *

* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts

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.