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Lutherans in their happy place: Gathering around the table, catching up with family and friends (or making new friends!), critiquing the Pastor's sermon (Was it too good?), heated debates about beans or no beans, indulging in one more cup of coffee - a meal after worship is a practiced place, a happy place, a necessary place. Read below to find out who took home the coveted Golden Ladle and the Iron Skillet. Stay tuned for more opportunities to linger at the table in August. We are better together.
But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:28
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10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A
The eighth sermon in our 10-week 2026 Summer sermon series Odd & Holy: God's Grace in Scripture's Strangest Scenes is titled "Face to Face: Glimpses of God's Glory." God's holiness is awe-inspiring, yet merciful, drawing us near and sustaining us even when we cannot see fully.
| | AND THE WINNERS ARE . . . | |
The Golden Ladle Award 2026 for Best Chili was given to
Mary Styblo for “WOW! Chilli.”
The Iron Skillet Award 2026 for Best Cornbread was given to
Deb Haug for her “Traditional Southern Cornbread.”
There were eleven pots of chili, from mild to spicy, beans and no beans, offered up for judging at Emanuel's cook-off last weekend. Fifteen dishes of cornbread from honey sweet to sourdough to jalapeno were submitted. Oodles and oodles of delicious desserts were spread out for our sixty-five attendees to enjoy. Special thanks to the judges, Marsha Schroeder, Rissa Springs, Natalia Almquist and Bryce Kennedy for “sacrificing” to taste each of the submissions! The Feast and Fellowship Committee thanks everyone for attending and especially those who helped with set-up and clean-up. We hope to have even more attendees and submissions next year. See you then.
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Hello Friends at ELC Seguin,
Water To Thrive is excited to announce that your well has been completed! Thank you for your generous donation and helping those in need of clean water. You have become a part of transforming, changing, and in some cases SAVING lives! We are so extremely grateful for your passion to give back. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Best Regards,
Jennifer Kondelis
Donor Relations/Programs Assistant
Water to Thrive
| | MAKING YOUR GRIEF COUNT is a three-week grief program for those who have experienced loss of any kind to work though their grief, learn about healthy coping tools, and discover a path to healing in a supportive environment. Pastor Darwin Huartson facilitates this program at Emanuel’s in the Family Life Center on Sundays, August 16, 23, and 30 from 2-4pm. | | |
Join us for a Rally Day morning like no other! Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. on the church lawn with a bounce house, water slide, snow cones, popcorn, carnival games and prizes, a cake walk, giant lawn games, a cornhole competition, and opportunities to visit with ministry leaders and discover ways to get involved.
After worship at 10:30 a.m., we will resume the outdoor activities while enjoying a delicious pulled pork lunch in the Fellowship Hall. We will also celebrate the achievements of our recent fundraiser with the highly anticipated “Pie the Pastor!” The festivities will conclude at 1:30 p.m.
Sign-up sheets for cake walk donations, lunch sides and desserts, small bottled sodas for the ring toss game, and cornhole teams will be available in the Narthex beginning Sunday, August 2.
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LWR SCHOOL SUPPLY &
PERSONAL CARE KIT DONATIONS
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We are wrapping up supply collection for Lutheran World Relief School Supply and Personal Care Kits to be assembled at “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday, September 13 and distributed across the globe to neighbors in need. Collection bins are in the Narthex, Mountain Street entrance, and church office. Thanks to everyone for the great response! To complete the kits we now only need:
- sturdy wide-toothed combs (80)
- metal nail clippers (64)
- bath size bar soaps, original wrap, 8-9 oz ea. (172)
- bath size towels, light weight, dark color between 20"x40" & 27"x52" (61)
Financial donations are also welcome, payable to Emanuel’s Lutheran Church with the memo “LWR Kits,” and will fund any remaining supply items.
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FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS are led by our own Bryce Kennedy, Council President and Disaster Response Coordinator for the Synod. To receive emails regarding volunteer sites and projects, email disaster@swtsynod.org or call 281-450-7654. To give financially toward the relief efforts, specifically in our Synod, follow this link for more information: www.swtsynod.org/disaster-team. Social media pages for our church and synod also contain information about volunteer opportunities and gathering locations.
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All of Emanuel’s Ministry Teams gather on a single evening every other month to share a meal, collaborate, plan, and schedule upcoming events and ministry projects. Join us next on Wednesday, September 30 at 5:30pm in the Women's Ministry Room.
The next Council Meeting is Sunday, September 13 following worship in the Family Life Center.
| | CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION | | |
Children's Church is a weekly time for our younger learners to join in Bible study, crafts, and activities. During worship Children’s Ministry volunteers lead our PK to 5th graders to the Children’s Church room, just down the hall from the sanctuary, and return as we share the peace.
Our Education Team invites you to sign-up to help teach. Lessons are provided for each age group each week, encompassing Bible Study, games, crafts, and fellowship. Pastor Marcus has more details.
| | The Compass Cooperative will resume Sunday gatherings on August 30 with our church partners- Emanuel’s, St. Andrew’s, and Spirit of Joy - at Spirit of Joy campus. Let Hannah know if you aren’t on her email list to find out about Middle School and High School events this summer: Hannah@elcseguin.org | | |
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. Summer 2026 explores Spirit, Boldness, Opportunities.
THE JOY CLASS: Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities at 9:00 am one Sunday a month in the Women's Ministry Room.
| | DISCIPLES CLASS: Seasonal topics that delve into the word and explore applications out in the world. | |
Aug 16 - Oct 18 | Led by: Paul Sims and Pastor Marcus | 9:00am | Family Life Center
The Theology of the Cross was Luther’s response to the Roman Catholic Church that set the trajectory of the Reformation. We will explore this pivotal essay by Luther just in time for Reformation Sunday.
| | THE WIRED WORD: Group discussions about important matters of faith raised by news of the week. This 8:45am Tuesday morning study is on summer break! See you in the Family Life Center in September. | | 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 - July 28, 2026:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 238,736.54
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 235,464.09
Actual Other Receipts: $ 66,974.09
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 302,438.18
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 314,066.97 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or in-kind donations.
Jan 1 - July 28, 2025:
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 238,736.54
Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 234,414.67
48,978.00
Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 283,392.67
Operating Expenses YTD: $ 280,382.54 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or in-kind donations
| | 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. | | 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. | | | | | |
