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

Second Sunday in Lent, Year A

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for all the world.

"By Faith: A Midweek Lenten Series," will center our time each Wednesday on this question, “What is faith?” The text from Hebrews 11:1 defines it in this way: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This series will focus on the book of Hebrews, especially the eleventh chapter. Our first four weeks provide a journey through the faith of the Old Testament figures, especially Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Israelites. Then, our fifth week, will bring us to Jesus, “the perfecter of our faith,” and his path to the cross. Our evening will begin with a meal at 6:00pm. There is always a place for you at the table. 

OH, LOVE, HOW DEEP

2026 LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

Everyone is invited to download a copy of the Luther Seminary 2026 Lenten devotional. Save to your phone, tablet, or computer to access with ease wherever you are. We are grateful for this complementary resource to use during the beautiful, prayerful, and meditative journey of Lent.

WE SEE YOU!

The Seguin Gazette featured images from Ashes to Go on the front page of Sunday's paper. Pictured here from top left are Pastor Megan Elliott of Spirit of Joy distributing ashes to educators who walked over from the Mercer-Blumberg Learning Center, Pastor Rudy and Compass Cooperative Program Director Hannah Hanson sharing information about Lent to a driver, Pastor Sonja Phillips of Friedens Church administering a cross of ashes to a pedestrian, and Pastor Marcus offering a prayer and blessing to a woman on her lunch break. We are better together.

📷 Felicia Frazar and Sherry Hardwick

The Mac & Cheese Food Drive for the Christian Cupboard wraps up this Sunday, March 1! Emanuel's Outreach & Service Team is still aiming to collect 500 pounds of shelf-stable Mac & Cheese dinners for our Guadalupe County neighbors in need. Collection boxes are in the Narthex and Mountain Street entrances.

If you are interested in joining the mission and ministry of Emanuel’s, then Welcoming Sunday on March 22 is for you. We have prayerfully received numerous new and returning faces to our congregation and this unique service will center on the liturgy of welcome and affirmation and will be the time we formally receive all of these new and renewed faces. Please email Pastor Marcus, Pastor Rudy, or fill out a blue card, if you would like to be a part of this “Welcoming Sunday!”

Dear Emanuel's Lutheran,

We are so thankful for your generous support. Your kindness is helping neighbors in need with rent and utilities, bringing stability and hope during difficult times. It truly makes a difference in the lives of local families.

Thank you and God Bless you,

The Salvation Army - Seguin TX Service Unit

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

Thursdays at 10am

in the Family Life Center

This special prayer time includes scripted prayers that we read for the world, the nation, our community, our church, and church members. We also lift up those on the prayer list and pray for each person and their family. Anyone is welcome to join us each week or just drop in on a Thursday that works for you. It is a good time to stop, relax, pray, and spend time with each other and with the Lord. Sweet Hour of Prayer participants are in the narthex today with copies of the scripted prayers for anyone who would like to pray in the privacy of their homes. Please reach out to Donna Simmons, donna@elcseguin.org, if you have any questions.

Emanuel's will welcome Easter with beautiful lilies at our 10:30 worship service. You may donate Easter lilies as you rejoice the season, or in memory or honor of loved ones. Plants may be taken home following the service on Sunday, April 5. Return forms (available in the narthex, church office, online, and at the link below) with payment by March 23. Each plant is $15. 

💛 Eggapalooza doesn’t happen without volunteers—and we need YOU!

From hiding eggs to welcoming families, helping booth hosts unload to helping during the hunt, volunteers are the heart of this event.

🐣 Great for individuals, families, youth groups, and service teams

🐣 Flexible roles with the ability to come and go

🐣 A meaningful way to serve our community

🐣 Ask a friend to join you!

👉 Sign up to volunteer here:

JOIN THE WAITLIST!
PAINTED CHURCHES BUS TOUR with the Senior Social Club and the Wandering Lutherans Travel Company is on Thursday, March 19. Pastor Marcus will be our tour guide! He has published a fabulous travel guide to four iconic churches of Fayette County. We will meet at Emanuel’s at 7:45am. Lunch will be at Oakridge Smokehouse in Schulenburg. $25/person paid to Emanuel’s by check, cash, or online. Note that payment is for Painted Bus trip. Lunch buffet is $13.95+ paid to the restaurant. The bus is now full, but let Donna know if you would like to be on the waitlist, donna@elcseguin.org.

EMANUEL’S NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK is Friday, April 10 at 7pm. The Gather & Grow team invites you to a Missions baseball game at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. Meet in the Mountain Street parking lot at 5pm to carpool, leaving promptly at 5:30pm. Or meet at the stadium. Tickets are $20 each at the link below. We have a total of 25 seats reserved so make sure to get yours quickly! Batter up!

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.

Please find the Council Meeting Minutes from February 2026 below. The next Congregation Council meeting is Sunday, March 8, 2026 following worship in the Family Life Center.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

All 5th grade and older youth who have not participated in the class are invited. We will gather for study, fellowship, and bake the bread used for Holy Communion at the Maundy Thursday service. At this service, Thursday, April 2 at 6:30pm, 1st Communion students and their families will celebrate the Meal together. Please reach out to Pastor Marcus to get your youth on the list for this year’s classes.

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 Middle School and High School Youth Ministry 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

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.

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. Spring 2026 explores Lament, Confession, and Rebirth.

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.

PovertyCure: Workshop and Discussion, Sunday, February 22 – March 29 at 9am in the Family Life Center. You don’t have to spend long in the Gospels before you realize Jesus held the poor in a special place, but today’s context seems like it just isn’t that straight forward. If you’ve ever wondered how to effectively help those in need, or have wondered how to measure generosity, or how we can think about our role as Emanuel’s Lutheran in Seguin, then join us for PovertyCure’s small group video and discussion series. We will learn and discuss the reality that, When we view people as made in the image of God with creative capacity, it changes absolutely everything about how we approach charity, missions, and development. www.povertycure.org 

2025 GIVING STATEMENTS have been emailed out to all those individuals who have an email address on file. If you require one be mailed or printed out for you, please email jeni@elcseguin.org or call the church office at 830-379-5046 ext 202 and we will happily honor your request.

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 - Feb 24, 2026: 

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 64,226.18

      Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 79,749.43

        Actual Other Receipts: $ 1,699.99

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 81,449.42

Operating Expenses YTD: $ 79,326.87  *

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

Jan 1 - Feb 24, 2025:

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 64,226.18

     Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 78,826.50

11,316.77

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $90,143.27

Operating Expenses YTD:  $ 61,445.07   *

* 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.