Because Lutherans love welcoming our neighbors. Emanuel's 3C (Community-Connection-Conversation) Tuesday gathering is still going strong on the church lawn at the street from 7:30-8:30am each week. It has become a marvelous way to share in fellowship with each other, invite new faces to sit and say hello, and welcome visitors who pass us on the street. The group now has great stories about people who have stopped by to see what is going on. Want to know more? Pull up a chair and join 3C on a beautiful fall morning. They would love to talk with you. We are better together. | | |
17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.
| | 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. | | |
IT'S COFFEE CAKE SEASON!
The whole church is fixin' to smell amazing! Emanuel's Ladies Aid is baking their FAMOUS coffee cakes on Tuesdays, October 7, 14, and 21 as they celebrate their 126th Anniversary. Contact a Ladies Aid Member or the Church Office at 830-379-5046 for more information. Pre-orders most welcome.
Coffee Cakes can be picked up on the baking day between noon and 2pm. The price is $8.00 each -- Apple, Peach, and Streusel.
The hundreds of coffee cakes sold each year enables the Ladies Aid to provide sustainable support to the Christian Cupboard, Lutheran World Relief, and area nursing homes. Substantial financial assistance is also given to facility needs. Emanuel's newest renovations enable greater access and engagement by both church members and the greater community.
Thanks to everyone for supporting this treasured ministry, and all they do for others, through the purchase of coffee cakes!
| | 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. | SCHOOLYARD SOCIAL meets next on Thursday, October 2. The Gather & Grow Team invites you, family, friends, and neighbors for a relaxed evening at the Seguin Schoolyard. Food trucks will be open, the playground ready, tables set, and a court for pickleball enthusiasts. We’ll gather around 6pm. Stay for a few hours, pop in and out, or drive by and honk - 225 N Saunders St, Ste A, Seguin, TX 78155. | 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! | |
REFORMATION SUNDAY AND
SAUSAGE LUNCH ON THE LAWN
OCTOBER 26, 2025
Mark your calendars for Reformation Sunday's Homecoming worship service followed by our annual sausage lunch on the lawn!
The 10:30 am traditional worship service will celebrate our Reformed heritage featuring musical selections on the organ and special music from Emanuel’s Chamber Chorus, Emanuel’s Ringers handbell choir, and Emanuel’s Lutheran Day School students.
Randall Springs is smoking delicious sausage links and Mike and the Middletones German Band returns to entertain during the meal. First responders are invited to lunch as a small token of appreciation for their service. There will be additional fun and games for all ages on the lawn, including games and bouncy houses.
Sign-up sheets will soon be in the Narthex for what to bring as well as volunteers for set up on Saturday and Sunday, serving food and beverages, and clean up following.
This is truly a Homecoming Sunday - invite your family and friends to the celebration!
| SENIOR SOCIAL CHRISTMAS BUS TRIP signups are open! Join the Senior Social Club for their December 2 bus trip to New Braunfels and the Brauntex Theater. Our fabulous seniors will enjoy a meal out at the Golden Corral before heading to the theater for the award-winning musical, "The Grand Ol' Christmas Show." Please contact Donna Simmons for sign-up information and details. | | | | Emanuel’s Troop 12 needs additional female leaders who can gather with them 1-2 times per month during their meetings on Sunday afternoon from 2-3:30pm. These leaders would not be responsible for campouts or offsite gatherings, unless they truly wished to do those things, but instead would be supportive of the Sunday gatherings. If you are interested, please reach out to Tim Kent or Jonathan Zitelman for more information. | | | | |
First bites of something new at ELDS! 🍎✨
Our new food program in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank kicked off this week, and as you can see ... our little ones are LOVING it! From meatball subs to sesame chicken with rice and veggies, every tray is packed with nutritious, balanced meals. 🥦🍗
No more packing lunches — just happy, healthy kids enjoying meals together.
📅 Menus are available each month, and every day includes breakfast, lunch, and snack.
🥛 Fresh milk is served daily.
😊 Less stress for parents, more smiles for kids!
Because at ELDS, nourishing bodies and minds goes hand in hand.
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🍂✨ Our Fall ButterBraid® Fundraiser is LIVE! ✨🍂
We’re raising funds for classroom improvements at Emanuel’s Lutheran Day School, and we need YOUR help to make it happen! Last year, with your incredible support, we raised nearly $2,000. This year, we’re aiming even higher! These pastries make the perfect holiday treat or gift 🎁—delicious for family gatherings, or a thoughtful surprise for a neighbor or coworker.
Fundraiser runs Oct. 1 – Oct. 20 Orders delivered frozen on Nov. 4 to Emanuel’s Lutheran Church. Orders may be placed in the church office or via the link below. Thank you for supporting Emanuel’s Lutheran Day School. Together, we can bless our students and classrooms in a big way! ❤️
| | 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 | | |
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.
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. Charis or Pastor Marcus have more details.
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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
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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. 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 29, 2025:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 310,097.19
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 298,666.77
Actual Other Receipts: $ 60,073.09
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 358,739.86
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 364,571.62 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
Jan 1 - Sept 29, 2024:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 310,097.19
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 293,584.28
Actual Other Receipts: $91,275.66
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 384,859.94
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 363,676.13 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
| | Because Lutherans love milestones. In October we celebrate the second anniversary of Emanuel's Office Angels! A HUGE thanks goes out to all of our office, pew, and special project volunteers this year. They have put in another 500+ hours of service to assist the church staff and ministries. Their extra zeal, attention to detail, and warm smiles are immeasurable. (2026 goal: Photos of our special project folk!) We are better together. | | 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. | | | | | |
