Because Lutherans love hanging out in God's beautiful world. The 2nd Annual Emanuel’s All Church Beach Trip closed joyfully with worship and Holy Communion following an epic weekend full of activities! The group deep sea fished, BBQ’d, visited late into the night around a campfire, removed a fish hook from a neighboring beach-goer’s foot, and made memories to last a lifetime! See more photos here. Thank you to everyone that made the trip. If you would like to join us next year the dates are June 5th-8th, 2025! Hope to see you next year! We are better together.

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

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

LADIES AID BAKE SALE

We'd like to help folks celebrate Father's Day with desserts by providing homemade baked goods for purchase via a freewill offering (no set prices). Cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, and more will be available for purchase after church on Sunday, June 16.  

“INNOVATING WELCOME”

SUMMER WORKSHOP

Hospitality is a huge piece of our ministry pie here at Emanuel's. How we welcome visitors or returning faces to worship, those seeking assistance from our church, or those encountering our church outreach ministries within the community is vital to our ongoing wellbeing. 

The Congregational Care Team, Education Team, along with Pastor Marcus and Donna Simmons, invite you to a multi-part, multi-week study that will take place on Sundays and Thursdays, June 13 to August 22.

We hope you will come for a part or all of this congregation-wide study! 

BOOK STUDY will be on select Thursdays at 8am in the Family Life Center. We will read Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future by Dwight Zscheile, Michael Binder, and Tessa Pinkstaff. (Available on Amazon in digital, audio, and print.) 

INNOVATING WELCOME DISCUSSION will be on select Sundays at 9am in the Family Life center. We will engage scripture, seek to unpack three major themes of our hospitality: "The Act of Hospitality," "The Space of Hospitality," and "The Follow-up & Invitation," and build a new hospitality plan for Emanuel’s.

INNOVATING WELCOME EXPERIENCE will be on a select Thursday and Friday in July. Our plan is to tour Haven for Hope in San Antonio and Community First! Village in Austin, one on each respective day, and then have lunch together to debrief our experience, discuss what was seen and learned, and discern what could be brought "home" for our work in Seguin. The tour times are tentatively set for 9am and 10:30am, but dates will be finalized in June.

Because Lutherans love acknowledging love. This week Emanuel's Lutheran World Relief Quick Quilters honored their longtime leader, visionary, supreme taskmaster, and tireless encourager Elin Oelke with a quilt made just for her! The striking pattern and detail is full of love and appreciation in every stitch. We are better together.

You are invited to join our Heavenly Ringers and Jubilation Singers this summer as they prepare their musical repertoire for the fall festival Sundays. Sunday morning rehearsal schedules are printed in the Narthex. Whether you're a lifelong musician or someone who feels the calling to try something new, we hope you will join us. Director of Choirs Samuel Bigott can be reached at sbigott@ingramisd.net. For any questions about music and preparations and to get on our email reminder list, email Sharon K. at sharonkane1@gmail.com.

Our Sunday Morning Hospitality Team blesses us each week with treats following worship. It is a beloved tradition at Emanuel’s to spend time together catching up under the oak tree with a cookie or two. COOKIES ARE NEEDED. Please help us restock by bringing your cookies, homemade or store-bought, to the cart on Sunday morning. Beverly S. can answer your questions at 830-358-2351.

ORGAN REPAIRS ON THE HORIZON

We have begun a special campaign to repair parts and mechanical systems in our organ. Curtis Bobsin, Bobsin Organ Builders, has been contracted to facilitate this work along with ongoing maintenance and upkeep. The goal to be raised for these repairs is $34,000. 

The Church Council invites you to prayerfully consider making a gift, of any amount, toward the goal. You may do so by writing "Organ Repairs" on the memo line of your online gift or the check or on the memo line of the offering envelopes in the pew. The repairs, which will extend the life of our organ for many decades, will begin as soon as our goal has been met.

Read more about our organ and the needed repairs here.

SEGUIN SQUIRREL TRAIL AT EMANUEL'S!

Thanks to an incredible gift from one of our members, our squirrel has been purchased, but we need help with a design. We have so much that can be celebrated and highlighted including our church history, our historical location, our gorgeous Oak tree, our Lutheran witness, and even our outreach ministries, potlucks, and educational programs. Using the forms in the Narthex, please share with the Council your vision for our squirrel. We will take submissions until June 14th and return to the congregation later this summer for selections and voting. 

Thursday, June 20

11:30 - 1:30

Women's Ministry Room

Emanuel's Senior Social Club's June gathering will be the picnic of all picnics! Hamburgers, hotdogs, all the fixings, delicious sides, and wonderful fellowship will be the name of our social club game. We will gather down in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 am Thursday, June 20 and we hope you will invite your neighbors and friends. Please RSVP with Donna Simmons, 830-556-3542, by Monday, June 17 so that we can make our food purchases. If you would like to bring something, a dessert would be delightfully welcomed!

THE CAREGIVER CAFÉ is a support group for those providing care for loved ones, spouses, or friends. Our group meets next on Sunday, June 23 at Emanuel's at 2pm, in the Family Life Center. Please contact Donna Simmons with any questions or for further details. 

WELCOME BSA TROOP 12!

Boy Scouts of America Troop 12 reclaims one of the old Emanuel's unit numbers from decades ago! This all-girl troop (and leaders) are busy navigating the additional details that come with starting a new troop, and as a partner of Emanuel's, would love your help.

We are looking for additional youth (11-17) and adult volunteers to serve on the committee or serve as merit badge counselors. Fundraisers are planned, but until then, the unit is running on zero funds or supplies. If you would like to volunteer or donate, please reach out to Jonathan Zitelman, committee chair (210-643-8997).

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

CHILDREN'S CHURCH for our PK to 5th grade learners meets every Sunday. During worship Vicar Jordana leads students to the Children's Church classroom just down the hall from the sanctuary, as we begin the "Gathering Hymn" and then guides 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 Summer programing has begun! We will be joining our 6-12th grade friends from Emanuel’s St. Andrew’s, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church for an array of activities. Learn more about this amazing collaboration here.

On first Sundays each month we will head over to Spirit of Joy for Family Movie Night. Looking forward to “Serve and Swim!” These will be a fun Saturdays for Compass aged youth to participate in a service project in the community in the morning, followed by lunch and a pool swim in the afternoon! Check out the entire summer calendar in the link. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT FRIEDENS

“SCUBA: diving into friendship with God”

Emanuel’s is partnering again this year with Friedens Church, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal where kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about. Get it on your calendar now: June 17-20 from 6-8:30pm with a light dinner 5:30pm, Friedens Church, 2555 Friedens Church Rd, Seguin, TX 78155.

VBS VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME!

You can still join our group of volunteers! Let PM know if you are interested or sign up via the link below. Additional dates include: 

• Saturday, June 8: Volunteer Training Day at Friedens Church from 9-11am
• Saturday, June 15: Decorating Day at Friedens Church in the morning. 

GOD’S EXPLORERS

An upcoming, epic adventure for 3rd through 8th graders!

Our exploring takes place July 15-18 from 8:30 – 3:30 where we will head underground touring four of God’s most beautiful cave system creations in Texas. Each day will feature a Bible study, games, activities, food, and, of course, an awesome cave tour! Registration closes Sunday June 30.

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES

THE HERITAGE CLASS meets at 9:15 am Sunday mornings on the 3rd floor in room 307. 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. This Summer the class will meet on June 16 and July 14 at 9:15am in the Women's Ministry Room.

"INNOVATING WELCOME" Summer Workshop Discussion meets at 9am on June 16, 23; July 14, 21; and August 11, 18 in the Family Life Center. We will engage scripture, seek to unpack three major themes of our hospitality: "The Act of Hospitality," "The Space of Hospitality," and "The Follow-up & Invitation," and build a new hospitality plan for Emanuel’s.

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- June 11, 2024

 Church Offering Receipts: $ 194,855.88

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 185,597.20

Operating Expenses: $ 214,194.16 *

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

Jan 1- June 11, 2023

Church Offering Receipts: $ 197,985.64

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 178,888.87

Operating Expenses: $ 186,117.68 *

* 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.