Because Lutherans roll with the punches: we can endure brownouts and shuffle our Ash Wednesday schedule with the best of them. We can also marvel at natural wonders like this stunning photo from Beverly J. Thanks to all for sharing your snowy pics with us on Facebook. They are sprinkled throughout this newsletter to warm your hearts a bit. We are in this together. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. We may be apart, but we are not alone.
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Sunday Worship in-person is suspended at this time for the safety of our congregation and community as COVID-19 numbers remain high.
Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Each service will center on the “Holden Evening Prayer” liturgy with a reflection, based on our Lenten Devotional series, provided by one of our pastors. We invite you to follow along, as you are able, and in preparation for Easter.
Due to Covid-19 safety restrictions, our Midweek Services will be on
Facebook and YouTube,
Wednesdays at 12:05pm & 6pm
February 24 - March 24
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We've got no pictures of boiling water. or fireplaces. or piles of blankets that kept us most occupied this week. But we can share a lot of smiles as our church folk marvel at the rare, glistening, new fallen snow. Here Hayley B. shows off her mini snowman while the Bentley clan snuggles in a selfie. Loving each other through these pictures is a great way of "being the church." |
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We join together in study around the A Sanctified Art’s series, “Again & Again.” The Creative Team writes, “With exacerbation we exclaim, ‘Again?! How long, O God?’ And yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: ‘I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair.’ Again and again, God breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward.”
Taking on a new rhythm, you are invited to ponder poems, scriptural reflections, and selected pieces of art as we dive deeper and deeper into the refrain of God’s never ending, never yielding, love for us and all that God has made. Print copies will be mailed to those without internet. Print copies will also be available in the church office.
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THANK YOU PROPERTY STEWARDS!
Joe Kane has kept the church staff and council updated this week as the Property Stewards continue to monitor and maintain the church facility. Heat was set at a reasonable 60°F and the system was behaving itself. This group of selfless servants really went above and beyond by tackling the icy roads to get to the church. Words cannot adequately express our appreciation.
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We've got homestead photos, too! This is what the view looked like from the Theiss porch. Hi Saraya! Check out the tiny foot prints going under the truck at the Hall home. |
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LIFE AFTER LOSS
Emanuel’s Congregational Care Ministries invites you to a Life After Loss Virtual Class sponsored by Porter-Loring Family Care Services and University Presbyterian Church SOL Center. The Rev. Darwin Huartson is facilitating.
Place: Virtual Group Via Zoom
(Call-in information will be provided after you register)
Dates: Tuesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 2021.
Time: 6:30pm-8:00-pm
Our gathering goals are to understand the process of grief, assess where you are in the process of grief, discover how loss can transform you into becoming a better person, and plan how you will continue to heal & live a good life.
For more information or to register please contact Emanuel's Director of Congregational Care Donna Simmons at donna@elcseguin.org or 830-556-3542.
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Let's not forget our four legged friends! The McKinney kitty seems less sure about the powdery snow than the Kennedy pup. Zeus Haug also seems to be taking the day in stride. |
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Emanuel's Day School was closed this week due to the inclement weather. However, there was still a ton of learning going on. Ms. Courtney missed her (warm!) Kinder Corral but enjoyed the wintry weather with her family. Caden learns that even with snow, chores have to be done. |
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Minutes from the February meeting will be available when everyone has reliable electricity. Sorry for the delay. But we DO have these fabulous pictures of Sarah K,'s family. She is one of our newest Council Members! |
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SMALL GROUP UPDATES
Small groups at Emanuel's are patiently pivoting as new restrictions are implemented following our “We Are Better Together” COVID Safety and Gathering Policy. Elevated COVID-19 numbers necessitate such action.
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. Groups may be meeting online, in clusters of 2-5 people, or by other flexible means. Call first to see how best to participate.
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- Jubilation Singers Choir
- Heavenly Ringers Handbell Choir
- Ladies Aid
- Joy Circle
- Faith Circle
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- Heritage Bible Class
- Youth Ministry
- LWR Quick Quilters
- Property Stewards
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Online and other social distancing opportunities are also available.
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DEVOTIONAL PODCAST every Tuesday @10am on Facebook and Soundcloud. During Lent the Pastors will be discussing the Again & Again devotional. Devotional Booklets are available here.
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WWJB (What Would Jesus Brew?) meets on First Fridays at 7pm on Zoom. WWJB is our once-a-month young adult fellowship where we talk about life, faith, movies ... anything and everything. Contact Pastor Kelsie for Zoom link.
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HOLY YOGA meets online at 6:45 pm on Mondays. Contact Pastor Kelsie to join this dedicated group.
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CONFIRMATION CLASS meets monthly online and in-person with students and leaders from Emanuel's. Spirit of Joy and St. John Marion.
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Face masks and other Emanuel's merch is available at our Teespring ELCSD ONLINE STORE. Order at teespring.com/stores/emanuels-lutheran-church.
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Tuesdays at the GARDEN OF EATIN' from 9-11. Come see what the winter garden looks like and how you can dig in with us!
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CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD is taking donations. Oatmeal, canned soup, empty egg cartons (esp. 18 count) , and personal care products are needed now. Monetary donations are especially welcomed
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CARE CLOSET in the church office meets small, immediate needs of those coming to our door seeking assistance. We are always in need of small snack bars, toiletries, new socks, and other items.
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These are some serious winter warriors. Say hello to Reagan from the PreK-4 class, Lily from the EP class, and the Ulrichs showing off some impressive snowman building skills. |
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Emanuel's Office Staff is working both at the office and at home. Well, we were all at home this week! Next week staff will be in the office as needed or by appointment Mondays through Thursdays from 8-5. Don't forget to wear a mask on the church campus. Everyone is still accessible via email and phone.
Hey ... check out the great snow angel action going on here! Who did it best, Noah B. or Pastor Marcus?
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CAMPUS SAFETY REMINDERS:
- Masks. Wear them in the church building at all times. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. Everyone is in a mask. It’s what all the cool kids are doing these days.
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Small groups who gather must maintain a minimum six-feet physical distance. Be bold- go for ten-feet. Or more!
- Do not come to the church if you are feeling poorly, have a fever, or have been around people who have tested positive for the Coronavirus. This is true even if you just think it is cedar fever. (Another reason to hate allergies.)
- Embrace hand sanitizer. Use it when you enter and leave the building. Wash your hands if you touch your mask or face. Handwashing is an act of love for your neighbor. Love ALL!
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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- February 16, 2020
Offerings: $70,116.79
Expenses: $59,046.75
January 1-February 16, 2021
Offerings: $79,253.50
Expenses: $49,743.35
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the church either through email or phone.
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Three cheers for Team Kent wrapping up our wintry tale today! This picture has it all: cute kids, snowman excellence, a pup in the corner. Bravo to all the parents who bundled and rebundled throughout the week. (In addition to all the cocoa making, water boiling, phone charging, etc., etc., etc.) We hope these photos brought everyone much warmth and joy. |
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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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