Because Lutherans love (current) group photos: we present the Emanuel's 2021 Confirmation Class. There is a lot to absorb in this image: glowing, smiling faces emerging from a year of being masked; proud pastors flanking their engaging students; the Holy Spirit swirling about in a sea of red. What you can't see is also beautiful: loving families, mature faith statements, a promise that the future of the church is in good hands. See more photos of the day here. We are better together.
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Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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Following the new CDC guidelines, Emanuel’s Congregational Council approved the following beginning Sunday, May 23, 2021. Detailed gathering guidelines may be found on our website.
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Fully vaccinated persons may choose to not wear masks on the church campus and may gather closer than 6 feet from non-household members.
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Unvaccinated persons are to wear masks at all times on the church campus and maintain social distancing of more than 6 feet from non-household members.
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Our currently modified worship practices will remain in place. These include sitting in every other pew, the taking of Holy Communion while in our pews, refraining from moving while sharing the peace, and not passing the offering plates but providing baskets at each entrance door. Council will reevaluate these practices during the summer months.
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REFRESHER TRAINING FOR WORSHIP LEADERS
Sundays, May 16, 23, 30
9:15 a.m.
If it has been a while since you served in worship, or you are interested in trying something new, please join Pastor Kelsie in the Sanctuary to review these practices at Emanuel’s. Everyone welcome!
May 16th: Communion Assistants and Altar Guild May 23rd: Assisting Ministers
May 30th: Ushers, Greeters, and Readers
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Jesus introduced the Spirit of Truth to his disciples with the word parakletos, meaning Advocate. On Pentecost that Spirit was manifested in the disciples in a spectacular way, and they became Advocates. Advocacy is not always spectacular; in fact, it is usually low-key, behind-the-scenes work. We as Christians are also called to be Advocates, both in our personal lives and as part of the larger church. The ELCA is a “public church,” making our views public and in places where they can make a difference. Our benevolences and prayers support Advocacy.
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DAY CAMP & VBS REGISTRATION |
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JULY 19-23, 2021
With our friends from Spirit of Joy and First Presbyterian Churches!
CROSS TRAILS DAY CAMP is for students who have completed Kinder through 5th grade. Cross Trails Ministry will be sending their staff to us for the week. Day Camp will run from 1 pm - 6 pm each day, including a snack and dinner for the family. This year's theme is "From the Ground Up!", so come and grow your faith with us! Space is limited to forty students. You can register below.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is for children three years old to those who have not started kindergarten. VBS will run from 8:30am - Noon with a snack and lunch provided. Registration forms will be available soon on the church website. Turn forms into Pastor Kelsie. Our enrolled Emanuel's Day School students will return to their regular school day after lunch.
Have questions or want to volunteer? Pastor Kelsie would love to hear from you! |
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FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP
Sunday, June 6 @Noon
We are excited to be gathering again and look forward to seeing your shining faces. So excited that lunch is on us this time! If you are widowed, divorced, single, or just don't get out very much then please join us. It has been a long and lonely year for a lot of people. We've missed you and cannot wait to reconnect!
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SACRED REST:
Seven Types of Rest We All Require
a word from Pastor Darwin
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Embossed on a coffee mug and engraved on a touch stone on my desk is the Bible verse, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I am not alone in claiming that verse as one of solace and strength. In the well-known hymn A Might Fortress is Our God, Martin Luther reminds us that we can rest in God’s care in our time of trouble.
This past year in the midst of all of its uncertainties and anxiety, I discovered the book A Sacred Rest written by an internal medicine doctor, Dr. Dalton-Smith. In her research for this work, she discovered that most people have a rest deficit.
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Ecumenical Build Days
1st Saturday's of each month from 8am - Noon
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GVHFH is building its 32nd house in Guadalupe County! The next ecumenical workday is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2021. The house is at 521 Newton. Start time will be 8:00am and we’ll work until about 12:00. We will be hanging siding that day and could use a few extra hands. It’s been over a year since Habitat has actively pursued additional volunteer groups and we are looking forward to getting more community involvement with this house. We will be combining our efforts with other local churches on the 1st Saturday of every month for an “Ecumenical Workday”. If you can help out that morning, please contact Garry Miller at 830-534-3290 or email at garry.miller@satx.rr.com. We also build every Thursday and welcome new volunteers to join our Core Team!
GVHFH Ministry Overview:
Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity (GVHFH)
- 1 John 3:18 says “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”
- At GVHFH, we take this charge very seriously and we strive to be a true ministry and practice the “Theology of the Hammer”.
Christian Common Sense tells us we HAVE to build so:
- People CAN have a healthy, stable place to live on terms they can afford to pay.
- Children CAN have decent, stable housing and not have to worry about moving from place to place and school to school.
- People CAN be helped in a way that does not foster dependency but instead is empowering and builds dignity and self-respect.
- We ARE welcoming to all who want to participate however they are able. And,
- People of faith CAN work together as an expression of God’s love in action through real and tangible ministry that is biblically based.
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INTERFAITH WELCOME COLLECTION |
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Emanuel’s Lutheran Church is collecting needed items for the Immigration Hospitality Ministry at the San Antonio Mennonite Church. The ministry provides assistance to refugees and migrants coming through San Antonio. Items for this Interfaith Welcome include:
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Adult bathrobes- non-fluffy
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Large towels
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Small, new stuffed animals and TY Beanie Babies
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Coloring books & crayons
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Cash or check (memo section: Interfaith Welcome).
Collection bins are located at the church entrances. For more information contact Gloria H. at (713) 213-5752.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION UPDATES
Christian Education opportunities are in development for both Sunday mornings at 9:15 and midweek studies. Please stay tuned while we roll out programs for children and adults. It is a challenge as we return from our lengthy time apart to coordinate volunteers, physical space, and curriculum. Let Pastor Marcus or Pastor Kelsie know if you are interested in leading a group or sharing a special skill.
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SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES at 9:15 a.m.
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The Heritage Class (307): Augsburg Fortress Quarterly Adult Bible Study led by Steve Richardson and Walter Seidenschwarz. Current study is of the Old Testament, Faithful to God’s Covenant.
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A Look at the Gospels (Family Life Center): Beginning May 2 with Pastor Marcus for a deeper look at each Gospel, their authors, their faith community, and their differences.
WEEKDAY STUDIES
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Faith Circle (Women’s Ministry Room): Third Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
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Joy Circle (Women’s Ministry Room): Second Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
May meeting is a the home of Elaine G.
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Ladies Aid (Women’s Ministry Room): Beginning August 4 at 2:00 p.m.
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Couple's Night Out this month at Stumpy's Hatchet House was not only fun but also slightly dangerous! This group in their 20s-40s isn't afraid of much, and they would LOVE to meet you. More info below.
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SMALL GROUP UPDATES
Small groups have resumed meeting at Emanuel's. 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.
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MUSIC MINISTRY included the Jubilation Singers Choir and Heavenly Ringers Handbell Choir. They are currently meeting on Wednesday mornings to rehearse and record our online service, as well as Sunday mornings. Contact Thomas Engler, Emanuel's Director of Music.
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LWR QUICK QUILTERS gathers in their first floor sewing suite on Monday mornings to assemble quilts that are distributed globally to those in need. If you are interested in this productive group call or text Jeanne P. at (830) 624-6478.
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PROPERTY STEWARDS are a stalwart group of doers at Emanuel's who meet on Tuesday mornings. All skillsets are welcome. There are carpenters and gardeners and people good at changing light bulbs! Contact Garry Miller for more information.
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SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER meets in the chapel on Thursday mornings at 10am to lift in prayer our church, community, and the world. Contact is Donna Simmons.
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HEALING THROUGH CONVERSATION is a support group for those who have lost a loved on to death. The group meets on the third Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Facilitated by Donna Simmons,
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FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP gathers on the 1st Sundays at Noon in the Women's Ministry Room. This ministry is for widowed, divorced, and separated people. Donna Simmons is the contact.
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WORSHIP LEADERS are the backbone of our services on Sunday mornings. If you would like to be an usher, reader, assisting minister, Altar Guild, communion assistant, hospitality. or radio announcer please let Denise H. know.
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THE GAREDN OF EATIN' is our community garden on the corner of Walnut and Bowie Streets. The work is seasonal. We'd love to have you dig in with us. Contact our resident gardener Wayne S. .
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COUPLES NIGHT OUT is an opportunity for couples who are 20-40ish to try new adventures, hang out, and get to know one another. They meet once a month(ish) at various locations. Contact is Pastor Marcus.
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Please consider coming to one of Emanuel’s newly formed Ministry Team meetings to learn more about what is going on at Emanuel’s and how you can participate. The Team leaders are energetic and enthusiastic about “being the church God is calling us to be.”
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM meets on first Thursdays at 6pm in the Family Life Center. They are reworking and reorganizing numerous ministries for the church including our new member welcome, funeral reception hosting, 5th Sunday potlucks and fellowship gatherings, and looking for new ways to celebrate the many milestones across our church family.
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THE EDUCATION TEAM meets on fourth Mondays at 4:30pm in the Family Life Center. Their work this summer will be to revitalize and organize the fall education rotation, schedule, and age groups of our children and youth; support summer VBS programming; and create new educational gatherings, inside and outside the church, that are supported with childcare and activities.
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THE OUTREACH & SERVICE TEAM meets on first Mondays at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Their summer projects include Emanuel’s Hwy 123 Adopt-a-Spot Highway Clean-up, 2nd Fridays Sunset Cinema starting June 11, and “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday in September.
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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. Everyone is still accessible via email and phone.
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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- May 25, 2021
Receipts: $ 196,459.43
Expenses: $ 200,742.08
January 1- May 25, 2020
Receipts: $ 182,706.39
Expenses: $ 206,694.21
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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