Because Lutherans celebrate creative ministries. Sunday kicked off a new year of the Compass Cooperative! Compass is a ministry with Seguin and Geronimo area youth in grades 6-12, combining the cooperative efforts of four area churches: Emanuel’s Lutheran Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, and Friedens United Church of Christ. They meet each Sunday evening from 6:00-7:00 at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Seguin with new Program Director Hannah Hanson! Learn more about Hannah below, check out the group's Facebook page here. We are better together.

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

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

Pastor Marcus is out of the office Thursday – Sunday, January 18-21 at the 2024 Extravaganza! ELCA Network for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry in New Orleans, LA. In case of pastoral emergency please reach out to Seminarian Rudy Salazar, 210-387-5677.

WELCOME TO THE PULPIT REV. HARRISON!

Rev. Gerry Harrison was born in Seguin and grew up here ; she went to college in Jacksonville, TX. and Nashville, Tennessee. Her first graduate degree was in Early Childhood Ed, from the Univ. of Wis.-Milwaukee. She also graduated from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, IL., and has been a United Methodist pastor for over 40 years. She moved back to Seguin and became active in Emanuel's Lutheran Church over a year ago. She is delighted to be invited to preach on this Sunday of the Week for Prayer for Christian Unity.

Welcome to Hannah Hansen, the new program director of Compass Cooperative! Hannah is a senior at Texas Lutheran University, graduating this May with a B.A. in Theology with a Youth Ministry concentration and a B.A. in Psychology. 

Hannah grew up in San Antonio, where her parents still reside. She was baptized and raised at Macarthur Park Lutheran Church, where she was very active in the youth group. She is now a member at her mother’s church, Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, and is incredibly grateful for the loving church community that she grew up within in the ELCA. 

In her free time, Hannah loves to cook, bake, craft, and play board games! She also loves being outdoors, loves to travel, and loves spending time with her close friends and family. 

Hannah is incredibly excited to start her work with the youth of the Compass Cooperative. Having worked with youth throughout her life, especially in her time working for Cross Trails Ministry with the middle school and high school ages, she is sincerely looking forward to building relationships with youth in the area and being there for them during this important time of their faith journey. 

We are incredibly excited to work with Hannah and sincerely look forward to supporting her journey!

SNAKE FARM FIELD TRIP!

Saturday, January 27 at 10 AM

Emanuel's is making their way to the Animal World and Snake Farm in New Braunfels and everyone is invited! (Everyone = children, youth, families, singles, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, etc.) Email us or sign up in the Narthex to RSVP before January 23 with Vicar Jordana, Vicar Aalyiah, Pastor Marcus.

Safety Team Meeting is Sunday, January 28 following worship in the Family Life Center. We have a growing group of engaged members addressing safety and security. If you are interested in learning more about safety policies and procedures on the Emanuel’s campus, then please join us. 

LET’S MARDI GRAS!

Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30pm

in the Fellowship Hall

It’s that time of year again! Next month is Mardi Gras, which refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of celebrations and eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season.

Our second annual Mardi Gras celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 5:30pm. This year we will hold it in the Fellowship Hall to accommodate the awesome, overflow crowd of over 80 celebrants we had last year. There will be a pancake supper, games, masks, beads, pancake eating contest and costume competition (with HEB gift cards as prizes), King Cake, photographs, and all sorts of merriment for all.

Brush off last year’s mask, create your own costume and come hungry. It’s time to party!

Greetings from Texas Lutheran University!

We are now busy preparing for the Spring 2024 semester, with classes getting underway on January 17. The months ahead promise to be a busy and meaningful time on our campus. As we work to serve our students well and ensure opportunities for their educational and spiritual growth, we look forward to a host of special events this spring. These include a campus -wide celebration of Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour”, featuring our campus and 10 of our outstanding students, on January 26; a special lecture by the Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu (daughter of the late Bishop Desmond Tutu) on February 8; and our annual spring choir tour taking place this year on March 21-23 and culminating with the home choir tour concert on April 2.

This newsletter again allows us to share more about the people and the work of TLU. I know you’ll enjoy the profile of recent TLU graduate Selah Flores, information on our latest “Faith and Reason” newsletter, and details on the Bob Chilcott Youth Choir Festival, which will be held at TLU on January 20.

Sunday, February 25 at 2:00pm

in the Sanctuary

You are invited to join us for an afternoon of music, sharing, and celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have passed. Led by David Kauffman's powerful witness and music, this time together is certain to be one of hope and healing.

Learn more about David's music ministry and Good for the Soul Music™ online here.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

CHILDREN'S CHURCH will return January 14 for our PK to 5th grade learners meets each Sunday. During worship the Vicars will lead students to designated classrooms, just down the hall from the sanctuary, as we begin the "Gathering Hymn" and then guide them back as we "Share the Peace." We hope you will make this a part of your family's weekly worship rhythm!

THE COMPASS COOPERATIVE is a weekly gathering on Sundays @6pm for 6th to 12th grade students, hosted by our four church partners - Emanuel's, St. Andrew's, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church- and held on Spirit of Joy's campus. We eat, worship, play games, and enjoy each other's company.

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES

Join Paul Sims and Pastor Marcus for an image and theme based study on one of the most unique yet beautiful books in the Bible. Its images and stories have captivated generations of theologians and worshippers alike and we invite you to jump into this wild adventure with us as we study the "Images in Revelation." Family Life Center, 9:15am. Extended through January 28.

THE HERITAGE CLASS meets at 9:15 am Sunday mornings on the 3rd floor in room 307. December, January, and February's study is Faith That Glorifies God. 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. Gathers at 9:15 on the First Sunday of the month in the Women's Ministry Room.

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- Jan 16, 2024

 Church Offering Receipts: $ 20,931.15

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 17,849.46

Operating Expenses: $ 14,346.38 *

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

Jan 1- Jan 16, 2023

Church Offering Receipts: $ 18,220.47

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 17,204.30

Operating Expenses: $ 13,897.13 *

* 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.