Because Lutherans want everyone to have space to learn, grow, and play: we open our doors to an array of interesting groups. On Thursdays "The 42 Club" gathers on the third floor for an afternoon of dominos. Experienced players are welcome to pull up a chair anytime. (Hint: They start at 1:00, but you'd be late if you showed up then.) It does us all good to have the church campus bustling throughout the week. We are better together.
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Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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“Beneath the Cross of Jesus"
Wednesdays, March 9 - April 6
12:05pm and 7pm
in the Sanctuary
Please bring a brown bag lunch and join us at 12:40 p.m. in the Women’s Ministry Room for conversation about the study.
A simple meal will be served preceding the evening service at 6:15 p.m. in the Women’s Ministry Room.
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Judy Stollewerk shares this photo of Jeannie Hall, Ladies Aid President, serving
Walter and Beverly Seidenschwarz soup, sandwiches and desserts prepared by Ladies Aid for the Lenten evening meal on March 9. Thank you to the various church groups for sponsoring the evening meals during Lent and for renewing our tradition of communal gatherings.
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COVID-19 SAFETY UPDATE
Masks are encouraged but no longer required on the church campus.
The Congregation Council approved the following at their March meeting.
- Masks are strongly encouraged, regardless of vaccination status, but no longer required while participating in campus events, which would include those gathering for worship, Bible study, Sunday School, small groups, outside rentals, service groups, etc.
- Individuals, staff, teachers, volunteers, or visitors, who choose to continue to wear a mask will be supported in their choice. It is a great expression of our Christian faith to ask these individuals if they would like a mask worn while you are ministering to them, working alongside them, or sitting in their office. Please respect their preferences as we do not always know an individual’s personal health situation.
- Masks will continue to be made available in the Narthex and the Church Office for those who would like to use them or need them.
- Pews currently marked off will be opened to accommodate more seating in the sanctuary and those seated in classrooms or other gathering spaces are invited to sit closer than 6-feet part. Please be mindful of the needs of those around you and support the needs and choices of those who may wish to have more space around them.
- Worship practices such as “Sharing of the Peace,” collecting of the offering by passing the offering plates, and kneeling at the rails for Holy Communion, will continually be added back into our worship services leading up to Easter 2022.
- Fellowship gatherings and small group gatherings that include food and beverages may use self-serve lines as applicable. The pre-plating of food or pre-pouring of drinks is no longer required, but gloves must be worn by those handling any drink or food that is being served.
Please refer to the entire updated 2022 Emanuel’s Covid-19 Policy posted on our website by clicking on the link below.
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To take the next step in improving Emanuel’s facilities, the Congregation Council has authorized a $600,000 fundraising campaign entitled “Forward in Faith.”
Achieving the campaign goal will enable major renovation of the Fellowship Hall and Kitchen; refurbishing of restrooms and making them more accommodating for the disabled and families with young children; waterproofing the perimeter of the building and the basement floor; and installing two-way communication stations and a designated area of refuge to better prepare us for emergency situations.
Together, these critically-needed improvements will enhance our Accessibility, our Hospitality, and our Safety, which in turn will allow us to expand our ministry to our members, visitors, and the Seguin community. These projects also represent good stewardship of the facilities which were first provided to us by earlier generations.
Over the next six weeks you will learn more about this vision for Emanuel’s and the “Forward in Faith” campaign through bulletin inserts, temple talks, special events, and more. For now, please begin to hold the “Forward in Faith” campaign in prayer as together we seek to become the church that God is calling us to be.
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Attention busy parents, grandparents, and families!
ELYO has been contracted by the Easter Bunny again to help him out.
Order your prefilled Easter eggs today.
Eggs will be ready for pick up Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Please complete this form by Sunday, April 10th to submit your order.
All proceeds will benefit Emanuel's Lutheran Youth Organization activities.
Thank you for supporting the ELYO!
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EAGLE PASS FRONTERA MINISTRIES
at Iglesia Luterana San Lucas
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Emanuel's 2022 Lenten offerings and Easter giving are collected in two ways this year to support the work of Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries. This Southwestern Synod supported ministry serves alongside Mission Border Hope Center affiliated with the Methodist Church. Together they address the most essential needs of migrants such as food, water, and hygiene. Mission Border Hope provides rest space and organizes migrant’s trips to their final destination within the country, while they wait for their legal asylum process to continue. In a spirit of mercy and humanitarian solidarity, Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries serves people, especially men who are hungry and walk the streets thirsty and often barefoot.
"He comes in the form of the beggar, of the dissolute human child in ragged clothes, asking for help. He confronts you in every person that you meet. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor..." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Brand new items may be dropped off at the church in the narthex. All donated items will be boxed and shipped following Easter Sunday. Needed items include:
- backpacks
- shoes or sneakers
- toothpaste
- men's underwear of all sizes (SML)
- t-shirts of all sizes
Monetary donations are also welcome. You may honor or remember a loved one on the order forms available online or in the narthex. Gifts may be in any dollar amount.
Return forms to the offering basket or church office with payment made to Emanuel's Lutheran church and "Frontera Ministries" in the memo line by March 30, 2022 for inclusion in the Easter Sunday worship bulletins.
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Emanuel's will welcome Easter with beautiful lilies at our 10:30 worship service. You may donate Easter lilies as you rejoice in the season, or in memory or honor of loved ones. Plants may be taken home following the service on Sunday, April 17th.. Return the form here with payment to the church office by March 30. Each plant is $13. |
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Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month. Throughout history, in most cultures, women have been regarded as second-class citizens despite the fact that they are the vessels which carry new life and, for the greater part, are the nurturers of children. What has been the role of women in Christian tradition, and how has that played out in our own ELCA? Here’s a bit of history showing some real progress, but progress is never stagnant. There’s more to be done.
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Sundays, March 27-April 3
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Women's Ministry Room
Classes are open to all 5th grade youth and older, as well as parents, guardians, or the interested soul. First Communion will be celebrated at the Maundy Thursday service.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION at 10:30 a.m.
Ignite! KIDS (First Floor): Gather in the IGNITE! KIDS room in the 1st Floor Green Classroom at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday Mornings for song and Bible stories. Age groups will transition to different rooms following the gathering time then return to families in worship for Communion. Let PK know if you can be added to the teaching rotation.
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SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES
THE HERITAGE CLASS: Augsburg Fortress Quarterly Adult Bible Study led by various class members meets on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in room 304. The spring study is God Frees and Redeems: Deuteronomy, Ezra, Matthew, John, Romans, Galatians.
PASTOR MARCUS' CLASS: 9:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. "A Study of Martin Luther, the Reformation, and the Theology that Created Change." Please bring your Small Catechism.
WEEKDAY STUDIES
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Faith Circle (Women’s Ministry Room): Third Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m.
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Joy Circle (Women’s Ministry Room): Second Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
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Ladies Aid (Women’s Ministry Room): First Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
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Upcoming:
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Emanuel’s hosts a community Support Group for Caregivers currently caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Dementia, and other aging issues. Meeting next at 10am in the Family Life Center on Saturdays, Feb 19, Mar 19, & Apr 16. Facilitators are the Rev. John and Faye Van Deusen. You can reach Pastor John at (830) 305-5658 and Faye at (830) 305-8851.
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FIRST FRIDAY BENIFITTING
THE GUADALUPE COUNTY CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER
The First Friday event hosted by the Geronimo Lions Club at the Big Red Barn will benefit The Guadalupe Valley Christian Counseling Center (GVCCC) on Friday the 1st of April. Our Emanuel's member Doug Parker serves as President and our Senior Pastor Marcus serves as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of GVCCC. Come out an enjoy a delicious T-Bone Steak dinner or fried fish fillet with baked potato plus desert and support The GVCCC.
Serving time is 5:30 till 7:30 and plates are $17.00
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Continuing programs:
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NAMI GUADALUPE COUNTY provides education, advocacy and support to families and individuals affected by mental illness. Learn more at NAMIGuadalupeCounty.org.
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CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD provides food and other basic need items to those living in Guadalupe County. Emanuel's has collection sites in the Narthex and the Mountain St. entrance. Most needed items include: cans of tuna and other meats; cans of fruit, veggies, beans, soup; mac & cheese; dried beans and rice; pasta and sauces; PB&J; cereal; toilet tissue, soap
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THE GARDEN OF EATIN' is Emanuel's community garden on the corner of Walnut and Bowie Streets. The garden enjoys a partnership with Seguin ISD and provides produce for the Christian Cupboard as able. We'd love to have you dig in with us. Contact our resident gardener Wayne S.
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CHURCH WOMEN UNITED is a valuable ecumenical organization with women from different churches who worship and work together on various projects. Contact is Elaine G.
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY builds and improves homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live. The current house is at 503 E. Pine St If you can help out, please contact Garry Miller at 830-534-3290 or glmiller1948@gmail.com.
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Continuing Programs:
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MUSIC MINISTRY includes the Jubilation Singers Choir and Heavenly Ringers Handbell Choir. Heavenly Ringers meets at 6:30 on Wednesday evenings followed by Jubilation Singers at 7:30. 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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FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP gathers on the 1st Sunday of each month at Noon. This ministry is for widowed, divorced, separated, and simply lonely people. Donna Simmons is the contact.
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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 1st Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Facilitated by Donna Simmons.
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SENIOR SOCIAL CLUB gathers on the 3rd Thursday at 11:30am of each month for lunch, conversation, and other shenanigans. Donna Simmons is the coordinator for this lively group.
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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 contact Sherry H.
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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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DO YOU PLAY 42? A group of domino players play the game 42 at Emanuel’s on Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. Experienced players are invited to pull up a chair and join in the fun with “The 42 Crew.” Please contact Alton Mattke at 433-1193 and he can answer all your questions.
Please contact individual groups or the church office to see how each creatively proceeds with the ministry and life of the church
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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 still accessible via email. Thanks for understanding our need pace ourselves during these very trying times.
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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:
Jan 1 - March 15, 2022
Receipts: $ 108,982.25
Expenses: $ 105,924.51
Jan 1 - March 15, 2021
Receipts: $ 104,944.50
Expenses: $ 93,450.08
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 below or 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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