Because Lutherans know serving together is better. What an amazing day of service for this year’s annual TLU “Hot Dog Days!” On Saturday these incredible students, led by Wayne S. and Jim D., made beautiful things happen in the Garden of Eatn’ as we prepare for the fall. What a gift! They even paved the way for Day School potato seedlings! We are better together.

📷 Barbara M. @TLU

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

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

The TLU orchestra will be present to lead worship on Sunday, October 6. Dr. Doug Boyer and Dr. Eliza Jeffords of Texas Lutheran University have written and created a beautiful liturgy, using the hymn "Cantad al Señor," that will lead and guide our service. Featuring voices from TLU's choirs, this service will certainly stand out as a highlight of our year. Please help us spread the word and invite friends, neighbors, and family to worship with us.

Stewardship comes in a variety of shapes and forms. Sometimes it is a financial response. Other times it is a service response. While still other times it is about our response to God’s call to love and serve our neighbors. Emanuel’s Stewardship Team invites you to join us in worship for a 5-week sermon series centering on Nehemiah 2:18. Reflections on “Stewardship & Mission” will be presented from five distinctive voices: Garry Miller, Paul Sims, Pastor Gerry Harrison, Deacon John Dellis, and Bishop Sue Briner. 

C3 (Community-Connection-Conversation) is a time of gathering out under the Oak Tree starting in October from 7:30 - 8:30 in the mornings. Bring a chair and join us as we share in fellowship, invite new faces to sit and share their stories, and welcome visitors who pass us on the street. Our format is to be open, very fluid, and provide a place to share, visit, and grow together as a community of faith.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Sunday, October 6 at 3pm

You are invited! Our Compass Cooperative youth will celebrate St. Francis Sunday at Friedens Church with a pet/animal blessing and stuffed animal drive. Live animals must be on a leash, lead or in a carrier, etc. Lightly used an new stuffed animal companions will find loving homes with the children at Plaza de Paz, San Antonio. 

Mark your calendars for Reformation Sunday worship service followed by our annual sausage lunch on the lawn. This year we are also celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Emanuel’s Lutheran Day School, the 125th Anniversary of Emanuel’s Ladies Aid, and the 155th year of Deutsche Evangelish Lutherische Emanuels Kirche, now fondly known as Emanuel’s.

The traditional worship service in the sanctuary honoring our Reformed heritage will feature organ, choral, handbell, and Day School children musical selections. Randall Springs will smoke delicious sausage links and Mike and the Middletones German Band return to entertain during the meal. First responders are invited to lunch as a small token of appreciation for their service. Canned goods donations will be collected for the Christian Cupboard.

Sign-up sheets will soon be in the Narthex for what to bring as well as volunteers for set up on Saturday and Sunday, serving food and beverages, and clean up following.

This is truly a Homecoming Sunday- invite your family and friends to the celebration!

Cub Scout Lions and Wolves are collecting pet supplies for the Guadalupe County Humane Society. A Collection box will be in the narthex Sunday, September 22 – October 6. Needed: contractor strength trash bags, Clorox bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, Purina Kitten Chow Dry Food, Purina Dry Dog Food, hand sanitizer and cat litter. Thank you for supporting your local Pack and Humane Society!

Because Lutherans value friendships. Ripped from Facebook: "A glorious time tearing up the lanes and then out for dinner for our Couples Night Out! Thank you to everyone who came and we wish the best for those that had hoped to come but couldn’t. See you next month on October 19! More details to come!" We are better together.

MY HEART SHALL SING! CONCERT

Sunday, October 20 at 4pm

All are invited to a casual concert celebrating the gift of music at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 416 Dolle Ave., Seguin.

Musicians in Collaboration: Pastor Kara Hairell-Speed, Leah Matocha, & Keith Robinson. Guest Artists: Madison Clark, dancer, and Debbie Ealy, flute.

EMANUEL'S TRUNK OR TREAT

Friday, October 25 from 6-8pm

Mountain Street Parking Lot

Emanuel's annual community-wide Trunk-or-Treat is a great way to welcome cooler temps, all things pumpkin, and a wee bit of mischief. Let Jordana know if you will be hosting a trunk and hand out treats to little goblins.

Candy donations are also welcome in the narthex and church office. Start thinking about your costumes and invite your friends. We are going to have a delightfully spooky time!

Because Lutherans love correspondences. On GWOH Sunday many letters of encouragement were mailed to our service men and women. PV2 Jordan Scott wrote back! Your kind words and actions made an impact. Never underestimate the act of doing small things with great love. Please keep Jordan and all of our troops in your prayers. We are better together.

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

During worship Children’s Ministry Coordinator Jordana leads our PK 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 return as we "Share the Peace."  

The Compass Cooperative is a weekly gathering for youth, 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. Our new rotations start Sunday, August 18 with:

• 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

"Godly Play" for children ages 4 years old through 5th grade also meets at Spirit of Joy from 4-5pm. Friends welcome as we learn and wonder together.

Confirmation Classes for our 6th to 8th graders meet this year on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room on Level 1. Lunch is at 11:45 followed by gathering activities and breakout sessions ending at 1:45pm. Participants are also invited to attend a weekend retreat at Camp Chrysalis with our Compass Cooperative friends for the Synod’s Middle School Youth Gathering in November. Pastor Marcus is available to answer any questions about our new schedule and curriculum focus. 

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES

WHERE WELCOME MEETS COMMUNITY

September 15 – October 6

Gathering in the Family Life Center on Level 3 at 9:00 am on Sundays. This follow-up to our summer Innovating Welcome series will focus on the theology and practice of being a welcoming presence in the community. Come learn with us!

HYMNS & HYMNOLOGY II

Sunday, October 13 at 9am

Tom Engler invites you to join him in the Family Life Center for the last of the three sessions on hymns of the church. This session will be entirely devoted to Advent and Christmas hymns. "Some of what we do will be familiar, and some will not. But I want to introduce you to a selection of wonderful hymns contained in ELW, and I hope that we will get to sing them at one point. Then, to bring the whole thing to a close, I have a presentation on the 12 Days of Christmas that I would like to share with you. It is fun and it is light, and I trust you will enjoy it. See you then. Bring friends!"

THE HERITAGE CLASS meets at 9:00 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. 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. Upcoming dates are Sept. 8, Oct. 20, Nov. 10, and Dec. 8 at 9:00 am in the Women's Ministry Room.

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 - Oct 1, 2024

 Church Offering Receipts: $ 301,121.28

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 312,365.56

Operating Expenses: $ 377,076.62 *

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

Jan 1 - Oct 1, 2023

Church Offering Receipts: $ 314,085.56

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 301,075.24

Operating Expenses: $  331,471.94 *

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

Because Lutherans love milestones. In October we celebrate the first anniversary of Emanuel's Office Angels! A HUGE thanks goes out to all of our office, pew, and special project volunteers this year. They have put in nearly 500 hours of service to assist the church staff and ministries. Their extra zeal, attention to detail, and warm smiles are immeasurable. We are better together.

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.