Because Lutherans gather with open hearts. Emanuel's midweek Lenten meals with Holden Evening Prayer, the beloved Lutheran vespers service written by Marty Haugen in 1986, offered space for reflection, community, and prayer. Each week our numbers grew and grew! Thank you to all who participated, brought food, played music, tidied up, and shared a deeper connection to the life and love of Jesus. We are better together.

📷 Tim K.

Sunday Worship at 10:30am is in the sanctuary, online on YouTube, and on radio KWED AM 1580.

Palm Sunday, Year C

Today we follow Christ from triumphal entry to the cross, each waypoint of the journey marked by Jesus’ compassion for those who would betray, mock, accuse, or do violence to him. Though persecuted and beaten, Jesus the Son of God is not disgraced; instead, he asks forgiveness for those who put him to death. We have walked the Lenten pathway these forty days, each of us invited through baptism to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.

First Communion Classes are Sundays April 6 & 13 at 9am in the Church Office. All 5th grade and older youth who have not participated in the class are invited. We will gather for study, fellowship, and bake the bread used for Holy Communion at the Maundy Thursday service. It will be at this service, Thursday, April 17, that First Communion students and their families will celebrate the Meal together.

FLOWERING OF THE CROSS

We will be flowering the cross on Easter morning. Please bring some fresh-cut blooms from your garden, the flower shop, or even HEB! The cross will be on the steps outside the church entrance. Before the service, add you blossoms where there’s space. We look forward to transforming that old wooden cross into a sign of blossoming grace and hope. May it become a sign for us!

Have questions? Wondering where to park? What is there to do before the hunt? Are volunteers needed? How many eggs are there? Will the Easter Bunny show up? Click on the link below and follow the page for up-to-the-minute news about the best egg hunt ever!

EGGAPALOOZA is Saturday, April 12 and we are back at TLU Bulldog Stadium! The egg hunt is free and open to everyone, of all abilities, from ages 2 to 12 years old. And yes, of course the Easter Bunny will be there!

Share your Eggapalooza photos with sherry@elcseguin.org.

EASTER BRUNCH and EGG HUNT will be on the lawn following the 10:30am service. The Congregational Care Team invites you to enjoy some hot coffee and breakfast goodies on this festive, glorious morning. There are signup sheets in the Narthex and Chapel entrances if you would like to delight us with one of your breakfast specialties, bring juice, or help serve/clean-up. Thank you!

WE SEE YOU!

Patti Buckley (at left in picture with Ladies Aid officers), America Reads Volunteer Coordinator for RSVP of South Central Texas, was guest speaker at the Ladies Aid April meeting. The childhood literacy program in RSVP pairs senior (55 and older) volunteers on area school campuses with elementary school students that are reading below grade level.

📷 Judy S.

CAREGIVER CAFÉ is a support group for caregivers meeting next on April 27 (usually the 3rd Sunday of the month) from 2-4 pm at Emanuel's in the Family LIfe Center and 2nd Tuesdays of the month at Argent Court Assisted Living. Please contact Donna Simmons at donna@elcseguin.org for more information. 

Are you ready to have a ball? Everyone is invited to join our Ignite Youth & Family Team on Friday, May 2 at 7pm for a Missions Baseball game at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. We will meet in the Mountain Street parking lot at 5pm to carpool, leaving promptly at 5:30pm. If you would like to just meet us at the stadium, you can do that too. The tickets are $15 each and we have a total of 50 reserved. Please sign-up in the Narthex or by email jordana@elcseguin.org with the number of tickets you would like. Batter up!

WE SEE YOU!

The Lutheran Lunch Bunch feasted at Los Cucos in April. Make plans to join us on May 4th. Or don't make plans and join us at the last minute! This bunch is good like that as the smiling faces here can attest.

📷 Donna S.

SENIOR SOCIAL CLUB BUS & TRAIN TO BURNET on Saturday, May 3 has a few extra seats available on the bus and train. If you are interested in going, please let donna@elcseguin.org know so she can add your name. Once filled then a waitlist will be formed. The cost per person for the bus and train ride is $65. Lunch in Burnet will be on your own and there is also a concession car on the train. Make your check payable to Emanuel's Lutheran Church with May 3rd bus trip on the memo line.

GOD'S EXPLORERS: FAITH & SCIENCE COME ALIVE is open and ready for registration for all 3rd to 8th grade youth. Hosted June 30 to July 3, from 8am to 5pm, this incredible group of youth, chaperones, and pastors will traverse central Texas visiting the USS Lexington, the Alamo & Tower of the Americas, the Dinosaur Park, and the Safari at Natural Bridge Caverns. We will eat together, have Bible studies, and explore each of these fascinating locations. All participants must have turned in their registration form in order to participate. The only costs incurred by each youth will be any souvenirs they wish to purchase. 

UPCOMING DATES:

• May 3: Synod Assembly
• May 4: College Graduation Sunday
• May 18: High School Graduation Sunday
• June 1: Confirmation Sunday
• June 5-8: Emanuel's @ the Beach, Pioneer Beach RV Resort, Port Aransas. Fun for you and the whole family!
• June 15: Ladies Aid Father's Day Bake Sale
• June 24 & 25 VBS @ Friedens Church, 5:30-8:30pm, Open to all pre-K to 5th graders! Volunteers, too!
• June 30 to July 3: God's Explorers, 8:30am - 3:30pm, Open to all 3rd to 8th graders.
• July 12-19: Puerto Rico Mission Trip

Contact Pastor Marcus if you have questions about these events.

Catch up on camp news here. There is information about Summer Staff needs, Spring Women's Retreat registration, and Fall Retreat dates.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

During worship Children's Ministry Coordinator Jordana Gutierrez leads our Pre-K 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 returns as we "Share the Peace."

The Compass Cooperative gathers on Sundays with our four church partners - Emanuel's, St. Andrew's, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church- at the Spirit of Joy's campus. Contact: Compass Program Director Hannah Hansen.

• Middle School Compass (6th to 8th grade) from 4-5pm
• Dinner for everyone at 5pm
• High School Compass (9th to 12th grade) from 5:30-6:30pm

Confirmation Classes for our 6th to 8th graders meet on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room on Level 1. 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 Level 3 in room 307. Participants explore the deeper meaning found in the Bible and seek to unlock its wisdom through fellowship and robust group discussion, making the Bible relevant and applicable to daily life.

This spring, our Bible lessons follow the theme “Exclusion and Embrace,” a series in two units during Lent and the weeks following that encourage us to consider what we need to let go of and what we need to take on as followers of Jesus. 

THE JOY CLASS: Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities at 9am on the first Sunday of the month in the Women's Ministry Room.

HABAKKUK: FAITH IN TOUGH TIMES is Sundays, March 9 – April 13 at 9am. Join us for our Sunday morning Lenten study in the Family Life Center. We will read together the book of Habakkuk and other related Biblical texts as we ponder God’s work during challenging times and how we can respond faithfully.

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 - April 8, 2025: 

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 112,972.21

      Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 135,189.58

       Actual Other Receipts: $  6,783.00

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 141,972.58

Operating Expenses YTD: $ 118,383.01 *

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

Jan 1 - April 8, 2024:

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 112,972.21

     Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 120,397.03

     Actual Other Receipts: $ 4,006.80

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 124,403.83

Operating Expenses YTD: $  131,124.72 *

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

Emanuel's 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.