Because Lutherans care for God's beautiful world. The Garden of Eatin' was born in early 2013 when Mike Haug and "Lefty" Redix began discussing gardening. Seeds of love planted then are still growing today. All are invited to join The Outreach and Service Team in the Garden of Eatin’ (and grab a hot dog) on Saturday, August 10 starting at 8:30am. There are projects for everyone, so grab a hat, some gloves, and come celebrate creation with us. We are better together.

Read about the history of the Garden of Eatin' here, written by Garry Miller.

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

In-person, online on YouTube, and on radio KWED AM 1580.

“Jesus: the Bread of Life” is a wonderful five-week sermon series beginning Sunday, July 28, 2024. Five different voices from across our congregation will dive into the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. These "bread" texts appear every year our worship services read the Gospel of Mark.  

This pause in the rhythm of Mark's story gives us space and place to hear, read, and learn something new from very familiar stories. Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. What we have, what we bring to Jesus’ table, seems like it is not nearly enough to meet all the needs we see around us. But it is not the adequacy of our supplies or our skills that finally makes the difference: it is the power of Jesus working in the littlest and least to transform this world into the world God desires, a world where all the hungry are satisfied

Please join us in giving thanks for each distinctly powerful voice that will be leading us!

... AND briefcases, lunch boxes, dance bags, duffle bags, totes, etc.

Everyone is invited to bring their gear, whatever represents your vocation, for a special Sunday blessing on August 18. We will take a special moment to pray for our students, teachers, and school staff, as well as lifting up prayers for all the vocations to which God calls us.

The Education and Congregational Care Teams are hosting a breakfast meet and greet with new members and visitors on Sunday, August 18 at 9am in the Women's Ministry Room. Join us for a light breakfast and good conversation before church service. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other a little better, and to talk about all that is happening at Emanuel’s. 

“INNOVATING WELCOME”

SUMMER WORKSHOP

Hospitality is a huge piece of our ministry pie here at Emanuel's. How we welcome visitors or returning faces to worship, those seeking assistance from our church, or those encountering our church outreach ministries within the community is vital to our ongoing wellbeing. 

The Congregational Care Team, Education Team, along with Pastor Marcus and Donna Simmons, invite you to a multi-part, multi-week study that will take place on Sundays and Thursdays, June 13 to August 22.

We hope you will come for a part or all of this congregation-wide study! 

BOOK STUDY is on on select Thursdays at 8am in the Family Life Center. We will read Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future by Dwight Zscheile, Michael Binder, and Tessa Pinkstaff. (Available on Amazon in digital, audio, and print.) 

INNOVATING WELCOME DISCUSSION is on select Sundays at 9am in the Family Life center. We will engage scripture, seek to unpack three major themes of our hospitality: "The Act of Hospitality," "The Space of Hospitality," and "The Follow-up & Invitation," and build a new hospitality plan for Emanuel’s.

INNOVATING WELCOME EXPERIENCE was on July 19. Stay tuned for information about our tour of Community First! Village in Austin.

INNOVATING WELCOME CONVERSATIONS are held monthly in the Women's Ministry Room where we meet with one of our current Partners in Ministry. Come say "Hello!" and learn how organizations are caring for our neighbors in Seguin and the surrounding area.

ORGAN REPAIRS BEGAN JULY 22!

We have reached more than $24,000 in gifts toward the repair of the organ and have initiated the work with Curtis Bobsin, Bobsin Organ Builders. Starting Monday, July 22, and for two weeks, the organ will go through a maintenance and repair process. Pipes will be cleaned and restored. Mechanisms will be removed and repaired, and the deteriorated leatherwork completely replaced. The work won't hinder our Sunday morning worship services but will happen daily. 

We still have a ways to go to meet our $34,000 goal, and the Church Council invites you to prayerfully consider making a gift, of any amount, toward the goal. We are extremely excited to get this very needed work underway. Make sure to write "Organ Repairs" on the memo line of your online, check, or offering envelope gift. The repairs will extend the life of our organ for many decades.

Read more about our organ and the needed repairs here.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

CHILDREN'S CHURCH will not meet August 4 or 11.

We invite you to join us back for Children’s Church on August 18th for bible study, snack, and fun activities for the kiddos. During worship Children’s Ministry Coordinator Jordana leads our PK to 5th grade learners to the Children’s Church room, just down the hall from the sanctuary, as we begin the "Gathering Hymn" and then return as we "Share the Peace."  

THE COMPASS COOPERATIVE Summer programing has begun! We will be joining our 6-12th grade friends from Emanuel’s St. Andrew’s, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church for an array of activities. Learn more about this amazing collaboration here.

On first Sundays each month we will head over to Spirit of Joy for Family Movie Night. Looking forward to “Serve and Swim!” These will be a fun Saturdays for Compass aged youth to participate in a service project in the community in the morning, followed by lunch and a pool swim in the afternoon! Check out the entire summer calendar in the link. 

CONFIRMATION CLASSES will kick off in late August for our 6th to 8th graders. We will meet this year on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room on the first floor. Lunch will be first at 11:45 followed by gathering activities and breakout sessions, ending at 1:45pm. Participants are also invited to attend a weekend retreat at Camp Chrysalis with our Compass Cooperative friends for the Synod’s Middle School Youth Gathering in November. Pastor Marcus is available to answer any questions about our new schedule and curriculum focus. 

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES

THE HERITAGE CLASS meets at 9:15 am Sunday mornings on the 3rd floor in room 307. Participants explore the deeper meaning found in the Bible and seek to unlock its wisdom through fellowship and robust group discussion. The aim is to make the Bible relevant and applicable to daily life. 

THE JOY CLASS: Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities. This Summer the class will meet on June 16, July 14, and August 11 at 9:15am in the Women's Ministry Room.

"INNOVATING WELCOME" Summer Workshop Discussion meets at 9am on June 16, 23; July 14, 21; and August 11, 18 in the Family Life Center. We will engage scripture, seek to unpack three major themes of our hospitality: "The Act of Hospitality," "The Space of Hospitality," and "The Follow-up & Invitation," and build a new hospitality plan for Emanuel’s.

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 - July 30, 2024

 Church Offering Receipts: $ 250,345.07

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 240,967.72

Operating Expenses: $ 281,867.25 *

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

Jan 1- July 30, 2023

Church Offering Receipts: $ 242,612.64

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 232,258.04

Operating Expenses: $  241,172.27 *

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

Emanuel's regular 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.

We are looking for volunteers to join the Office Angels. This dedicated crew answers phones, monitors the door, and assists with small tasks. Our busy season seems far away, but the planning starts now. Having extra hands and smiling faces around is a huge help! If you are interested, then please contact Sherry.