Because Lutherans are inspired by creative worship: Kudos to Pastor Kelsie for crafting this intricate banner that embodies the theme of Lent and our Again & Again series. Moving clockwise from bottom left, the images represent heart, body, mind and soul. The reflective journey is represented by diverse animal tracks inside the heart in the lower left. Imagine the footsteps of us all reflecting over a horizontal midline of the heart. A pattern of various breads completes the body quadrant. The bread motif speaks to our Communion ritual wherein the body of Christ is illustrated by bread. Creating a mid-tone in the mind quadrant, a gear pattern fills the space. It represents the continual processing of our thoughts. Lastly, the soul permeates all the other quadrants by appearing in the corners, just as God's light within us glows in all aspects of our lives. We are in this together. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. We may be apart, but we are not alone.
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Sunday Worship in-person is suspended at this time for the safety of our congregation and community as COVID-19 numbers remain high.
Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Each service will center on the “Holden Evening Prayer” liturgy with a reflection, based on our Lenten Devotional series, provided by one of our pastors. We invite you to follow along, as you are able, and in preparation for Easter.
Due to Covid-19 safety restrictions, our Midweek Services will be on
Facebook and YouTube,
Wednesdays at 12:05pm & 6pm
February 24 - March 24
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Palm Sunday, March 28: 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 1: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2: 6: 30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4
Worship with Communion at 10:30 a.m.
Egg Hunt at 11:45 a.m.
Services will be both online and in-person. Council will review Covid-19 numbers in March to determine if we can worship safely on the lawn or in the sanctuary.
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ASH WEDNESDAY RESCHEDULED |
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Ashes-to-Go
Noon - 1pm
201 N. Travis at the street.
Worship on the Lawn
6:30 p.m.
Imposition of Ashes using safety protocols.
Bring your chair and mask.
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We join together in study around the A Sanctified Art’s series, “Again & Again.” The Creative Team writes, “With exacerbation we exclaim, ‘Again?! How long, O God?’ And yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: ‘I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair.’ Again and again, God breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward.”
Taking on a new rhythm, you are invited to ponder poems, scriptural reflections, and selected pieces of art as we dive deeper and deeper into the refrain of God’s never ending, never yielding, love for us and all that God has made. Print copies will be mailed to those without internet. Print copies will also be available in the church office.
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EASTER GIVING WITH WATER TO THRIVE
Build Wells - Change Lives
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Emanuel's Easter giving campaign is now underway with Water To Thrive. Donations my be given as you rejoice the season, as a gift to someone special, or given in memory or honor of loved ones. Our 2020 water well campaign was wildly successful, and we are excited to provide a second community across the globe with access to clean water.
You can donate online at https://tinyurl.com/emanuelsgiving or complete the Water To Thrive giving form below. Printed forms are also in the church office. Learn more about Water to Thrive and the amazing work they do here.
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Emanuel's will welcome Easter with beautiful lilies at our 10:30 a.m. 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 4, 2021. Return order forms to the office with payment made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church by Wednesday, March 24. Each plant is $13.
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CONGREGATION COUNCIL UPDATES
Emanuel's Congregation Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Details of the meeting are available by clicking the button below for the draft of the Council Minutes. They will be approved at the next meeting on March 9, 2021.
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At the March meeting the Council will review, revise, and approve updates to Emanuel's Covid-19 safety and gathering policy, "We are Better Together: A Plan to Safely and Purposefully Join Together." Any changes will be shared with the congregation following the meeting. |
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TLU News & Updates: February 2021 |
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Greetings from TLU! We are grateful to have made it through the recent weather and utilities issues with minimal damage on campus—an extra challenge amidst the pandemic, but another opportunity to respond with resiliency and strength.
And, we are busy looking forward—to our upcoming Board of Regents meeting, to planning for next year, and to living each day into our mission as a community of faith and learning, committed to academic excellence, servant leadership, and career development.
The search committee for our campus pastor is now in place, and they will begin reviewing applicants on April 6. We look forward to welcoming our new pastor in July. Thank you again for your ongoing support and for joining with us to strengthen the presence of Lutheran higher education in Texas.
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HOSPITAL PASTORAL VISITATION CHANGES |
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Hospitals no longer share with us directly if a church member has been admitted. If you or a loved one are in the hospital, or scheduled for a procedure, and would like a visit from the Emanuel's Pastoral Care Team, please contact the church directly. There is no other way for us to know you are there. We do want to pray with you and listen to your concerns during trying times. Call the church at 830-379-5046.
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LIFE AFTER LOSS
Emanuel’s Congregational Care Ministries invites you to a Life After Loss Virtual Class sponsored by Porter-Loring Family Care Services and University Presbyterian Church SOL Center. The Rev. Darwin Huartson is facilitating.
Place: Virtual Group Via Zoom
(Call-in information will be provided after you register)
Dates: Tuesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 2021.
Time: 6:30pm-8:00-pm
Our gathering goals are to understand the process of grief, assess where you are in the process of grief, discover how loss can transform you into becoming a better person, and plan how you will continue to heal & live a good life. For more information or to register please contact Emanuel's Director of Congregational Care Donna Simmons at donna@elcseguin.org or 830-556-3542.
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During the week of March 1-5 Emanuel's Day School celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with classic stories, educational activities, and different themes each day.
Monday: "Fox in Socks"
Everyone wore their favorite pair of socks!
Tuesday: "One Fish, Two Fish"
The campus was a sea of red and blue students!
Wednesday: "Cat in the Hat"
So many fun hats and hair accessories!
Thursday: "Green Eggs and Ham"
So much green to be seen!
Friday: "Hop on Pop"
The week ends with a day of reading, relaxing, and fun in pajamas with a side of POPcorn!
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Open enrolment for the 2021-22 school year began on March 1. If you know of someone looking for a vibrant and loving learning community, send them our way. |
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SMALL GROUP UPDATES
Small groups at Emanuel's are patiently pivoting as restrictions are implemented following our “We Are Better Together” COVID Safety and Gathering Policy.
Please contact individual groups or the church office to see how each is creatively managing to proceed with the ministry and life of the church. Groups may be meeting online, in clusters of 2-5 people, or by other flexible means. Call first to see how best to participate.
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- Jubilation Singers Choir
- Heavenly Ringers Handbell Choir
- Ladies Aid
- Joy Circle
- Faith Circle
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- Heritage Bible Class
- Youth Ministry
- LWR Quick Quilters
- Property Stewards
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Online and other social distancing opportunities are also available.
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DEVOTIONAL PODCAST every Tuesday @10am on Facebook and Soundcloud. During Lent the Pastors will be discussing the Again & Again devotional. Devotional Booklets are available here.
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WWJB (What Would Jesus Brew?) meets on First Fridays at 7pm on Zoom. WWJB is our once-a-month young adult fellowship where we talk about life, faith, movies ... anything and everything. Contact Pastor Kelsie for Zoom link.
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HOLY YOGA meets online at 6:45 pm on Mondays. Contact Pastor Kelsie to join this dedicated group.
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CONFIRMATION CLASS meets monthly online and in-person with students and leaders from Emanuel's. Spirit of Joy and St. John Marion.
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Face masks and other Emanuel's merch is available at our Teespring ELCSD ONLINE STORE. Order at teespring.com/stores/emanuels-lutheran-church.
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Tuesdays at the GARDEN OF EATIN' from 9-11. Come see what the winter garden looks like and how you can dig in with us!
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CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD is taking donations. Oatmeal, canned soup, empty egg cartons (esp. 18 count) , and personal care products are needed now. Monetary donations are especially welcomed
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CARE CLOSET in the church office meets small, immediate needs of those coming to our door seeking assistance. We are always in need of small snack bars, toiletries, new socks, and other items.
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Emanuel's Office Staff is working both at the office and at home. Our schedules are staggered so that someone is in the office Mondays through Thursdays from 8-5. It is best to make an appointment or call before coming in. Don't forget to wear a mask on the church campus. Everyone is still accessible via email and phone.
Oh, how they love us! Excellent reminder for the week:
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CAMPUS SAFETY REMINDERS:
- Masks. Wear them in the church building at all times. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. Everyone is in a mask. It’s what all the cool kids are doing these days.
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Small groups who gather must maintain a minimum six-feet physical distance. Be bold- go for ten-feet. Or more!
- Do not come to the church if you are feeling poorly, have a fever, or have been around people who have tested positive for the Coronavirus. This is true even if you just think it is cedar fever. (Another reason to hate allergies.)
- Embrace hand sanitizer. Use it when you enter and leave the building. Wash your hands if you touch your mask or face. Handwashing is an act of love for your neighbor. Love ALL!
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THANK YOU for your continued financial support of the ongoing ministries of Emanuel's Lutheran Church.
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Online giving is safe, simple, and quick to do through our Vanco 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
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Year to Date Giving comparison:
January 1- March 3, 2020
Offerings: $90,057.79
Expenses: $84,272.42
January 1- March 3, 2021
Offerings: $86,336.50
Expenses: $78,169.91
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the church either through email or phone.
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Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event to info@elcseguin.org before noon on Tuesdays for consideration for that week's email news. Late submissions will be considered for the following week's email and/or social media posts.
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