Because Lutherans gather no moss. Shout out to our Property Stewards for keeping the church campus in shipshape! Even in the dark days of winter (Is it really winter?) this dependable crew keeps us looking bright. From the freshly painted sign at the corner of Mountain and Travis to lamps in the parking lot our volunteers keep rolling along with projects. If you have a special skill to share, or simply want to lend a hand where needed, join the group on Tuesday mornings at 8:30am in the Women's Ministry Room. We are better together. | | |
Baptism of Our Lord, Year A
In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.
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Registration is closes this Sunday! Everyone is invited to Camp Chrysalis in the beautiful Hill Country on January 23-25! We will worship and eat together, hike and canoe, swing on the giant swing, enjoy a night under the stars with s’mores, share in fellowship and do some service projects.
Registration and health forms are completely online. Costs per person are $70 for preschool and under, $90 for kinder to 5th grade, and $110 for 6th grade to adult. Prices include all meals, snacks, activities, and housing! Payments can be made to Emanuel’s online or via check or cash. Note “Church Retreat” in the memo line. All registration documents must be submitted by Sunday, January 11.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Gather & Grow leaders Janelle or Natalia.
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Eucharistic & Care Facility Training:
Sunday, January 11 with Pastor Rudy
Pastor Rudy invites you to join him on Sunday, January 11 at 9am in the Women's Ministry Room for an informational session and training for anyone interested in joining our Eucharistic teams. Every month, volunteers from our congregation lead worship services in six of our resident care facilities. These services include singing, Holy Communion, and connection to our community. All current volunteers are invited to join the class as well. A special commissioning and blessing of volunteers will take place during the Sunday service in celebration of this new year of Eucharistic ministry. Please reach out to Pastor Rudy if you are unable to make this training and wish to join one of the teams.
Worship Leader Training
Sunday, January 18 with Pastor Marcus
Pastor Marcus and Worship Team invite you to join them for a training and refresher, for those currently serving or those interested in serving, on Sunday, January 18 in the chapel. We will have leads for every facet of service, including Readers, Altar Guild, Communion Assistants, Assisting Ministers, Audio Visual, and Ushers. We will break into training groups so that we can make sure everyone is familiar with practices, changes to storage systems and keys, sound system needs and hearing devices, updates to the worship space, and best practices for our vocal leaders. Please reach out to Pastor Marcus or one of our Worship Team members if you have any questions.
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Please find the 2025 Annual Meeting Notes from the December meeting below. The next Congregation Council meeting is Sunday, January 11, 2026 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.
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The Compass Cooperative gathers on Sundays with our church partners - Emanuel's, St. Andrew's, and Spirit of Joy- 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
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Confirmation Classes meet this year on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room. Lunch is at 11:45 followed by gathering activities and breakout sessions, ending at 1:45pm.
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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. Winter 2025-26 explores Light, Life, and Salvation.
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.
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DISCIPLES CLASS: Seasonal topics that delve into the word and explore applications out in the world.
"Lord of the Rings and the Parables of Jesus," Jan 11 - Feb 15 led by: Paul Sims & Pastor Marcus at 9:00am in the Family Life Center. The story in the Lord of the Rings is so fundamental and incarnational, it’s no wonder people see the Gospel in them. Join us as we compare the Gospel as we know it, how it appears in J. R. R. Tolkien’s works, and learn to understand the parables that Jesus tells all the more clearly. We’ll work through “The Good News of the Return of the King: The Gospel in Middle-earth” by Michael T. Jahosky while reading Isaiah 40-55, along with many of the parables Jesus mentioned throughout the gospels.
| | 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
December 31 to the present updates are pending the closing of 2025 books. Please look for current year to date giving comparisons next week.
Jan 1 - Dec 30, 2025:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $413,884.41
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 393,949.57
Actual Other Receipts: $ 112,430.88
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $506,380.45
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 496,941.08 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
Jan 1 - Dec 30, 2024:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts:$ 413,884.41
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 385,575.28
Actual Other Receipts: $ 105,515.86
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 491,091.14
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 481,199.49 *
* 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. | | Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event below or to info@elcseguin.org by 5pm on Mondays for consideration for that week's email news. Late submissions will be considered for the following week's email and/or social media posts. | | | | | |
