Because Lutherans believe in hope. "God of hope, we light the first candle of Advent as we prepare for the coming of your Son. Awaken our hearts to you this Advent season, so that when Christ arrives, we are ready to receive him with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength. Amen." Join us every Sunday in December at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary as the candles are lit and we anticipate the birth of Christ. We are better together. | |
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ADVENT NOONDAY SERVICE AND LUNCH
Wednesdays at Noon
December 6, 13 & 20
Women's Ministry Room
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The Light of Grace: Welcoming God's Amazing Gift of Christ devotions for Advent by Michael Hoy will be used as a point of reflection during each service. Please join us for a time of prayers, song, and food as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
Sign up in the Narthex if you can bring a soup or bread to share.
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Monday, December 4
Bell Ringers are needed for the Kettle Campaign. Emanuel’s will participate in this year’s Salvation Army Kettle Campaign on Monday, December 4, from 9am-5pm at the Walmart Home and Pharmacy entrance. If you are willing and able to ring for one or two hours, please call Frances Vinyard at 830-379-5041. Thank you!
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We are excited to host The Seguin Police Department 2023 Blue Santa gift wrapping in our Fellowship Hall every Tuesday and Thursday between December 5 – December 21 from 4-8pm. Toys and gifts are collected throughout the city in November/December and will be wrapped by volunteers before being distributed to children in need by Christmas morning. Look for opportunities to be a Blue Santa Host. Sign up sheets are in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Want to show off your gift wrapping skills? Pop in any time from 4-8. Novices also welcome!
Questions? Contact Sarah Kennedy at 281-734-3845.
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2023 TIME & TALENT SURVEY | |
The 2023 Stewardship Time and Talent Survey is now live! Emanuel's Ministry Teams have created descriptions of current programs and service opportunities to assist in your selections. Electronic surveys were emailed on November 19, 2023. You may also access the survey at the link below. Paper copies of the survey are available in the narthex and office. Please share with the Stewardship Team your interests and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you and finding out where God is calling us to be. | |
Emanuel's 2023 Annual Meeting is Sunday, December 10 immediately following the celebration of Holy Communion. This meeting will take into consideration with potential action the 2024 proposed budget, church council nominees and synod delegates. | |
IGNITE YOUTH WREATH FUNDRAISER | |
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Order your Mickman Brothers fresh wreaths and greenery for the holidays. Proceeds will go towards Emanuel’s youth trips, conferences, and events in 2024. All sales are completely online.
Visit www.GiftItForward.com and use our fundraising code:
EMANUETX001 to support Emanuel’s youth.
Forward this info to your friends! Send Aunt Suzie a wreath on the West Coast, Grandma Jo a centerpiece on the East Coast, and Uncle Bert some fragrant garland right here in Seguin. Teachers love them, too.
The last day to purchase items is December 7th. Vicar Jordana and Vicar Aalyiah can answer your questions every Sunday in the Narthex.
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VESPERS PERFORMANCES AT TLU | | |
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This year's highly-anticipated Texas Lutheran University Vespers performances will be in Jackson Auditorium on Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. An additional performance will be held on Dec. 10, at 4 p.m. at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Austin. Tickets are free, but required to attend all performances on campus. Learn more. | |
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Friday, December 8 at 6:15
in the Little White Church
Country Christmas is a family affair with food, music, lights, and Santa! Admission: $25 family rate, $10 single adult, $5 single child. Cash or check preferred. Join us at 390 Cordova Road to support our amazing musicians and have a jolly time!
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Poinsettias will grace the sanctuary of Emanuel’s this Christmas with your donations. You may honor or remember a loved one with a creamy white poinsettia ($15 each). Forms and payments may be put in an envelope and placed in the offering basket or delivered to the church office. Pay online or with a check payable to Emanuel’s Lutheran Church. Deadline to ensure poinsettias for Christmas is Monday, December 18. | |
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEAN UP DAY | | |
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Join the Outreach and Service Team on Saturday, December 9 at the Chili's Grill & Bar parking lot off I10 at 8am. Wear long pants, boots or closed-toe shoes, hat, and gloves. We are going to make our little stretch of highway look awesome and welcoming for our Seguin neighbors. Lindsay May (830-557-3116) can answer any questions. | |
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Thursday, December 21st
7:00 in the evening
Emanuel's Lutheran Church and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church are hosting a Longest Night worship service at Emanuel's. This service is a time of reflection, prayer, and music, drawing attention to the reality that while Christmas is a joyful time we also know it can and does bring many griefs. We invite you to share a time of worship and reflection acknowledging our griefs and losses, taking seriously those feelings and hurts, while also hearing words of hope shared in community.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION | |
CHILDREN'S CHURCH 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: Our weekly gathering on Sundays at 6pm for 6th to 12th grade students is 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 will eat together, worship together, play games, and just enjoy each other's company. All are truly welcome so please, come join us! | |
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 from December 3 to 31. | | |
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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.
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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 | |
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Year to Date Giving comparison:
Jan 1- Nov 28, 2023
Church Offering Receipts: $ 370,717.39 3
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 364,444.41
Operating Expenses: $ 389,837.10 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
Jan 1- Nov 28, 2022
Church Offering Receipts: $ 348,020.21
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 410,000.00
Operating Expenses: $ $ 430,767.50 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
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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 also accessible via email. | | |
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Let's hear it for the dynamic duo Linda S. and Denise H.! In the blink of an eye these dazzling Office Angels cleaned out a neglected corner of the workroom and organized the 2nd floor Ministry Closet. They come in as needed, but we don't have the heart to tell them we need them ALL THE TIME. | |
You can be an Office Angel! This dedicated crew answers phones, monitors the door, and assists with other tasks. Our busy season here! Having extra hands and smiling faces around is a huge help. If you are interested, then please contact Sherry at sherry@elcseguin.org to find out more.
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Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event below or to info@elcseguin.org by 5pm on Mondays 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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