Because Lutherans feel the love. A big HUG to our Scouts for showering Emanuel's with support last weekend. Their service projects included work in the Garden of Eat'n and handmade cards of encouragement to our homebound church members.Thank you, cubs and parents! It is an incredible blessing to have these young leaders among us. We are better together.

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

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

WELCOME 2025 COUNCIL MEMBERS

Returning and new Council Members were installed during worship on Sunday. Emanuel's is grateful for their faithful dedication, experienced leadership, and servant hearts. The Congregation Council serves the church by leading it's ministry and mission and carrying out the business of the congregation. Council meetings are open to the congregation. They are held in the Family Life Center on the third floor generally on the second Sunday of each month following worship. Council Minutes are posted on the Level 2 hallway bulletin board near the office and will be published monthly in the newsletter.

GOD'S LOVE IN ACTION

Lutheran World Relief was born in 1945 out of a call for Lutherans to love your neighbors in Europe recovering from World War II. With each generation, this ministry has grown, reaching farther and staying longer to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.

Stitch by stitch, bundle by bundle, our quilts and kits are tangible gifts of love. In times of greatest need, we wrap that love around our neighbors' shoulders and provide comfort, dignity and hope. Among other needs, in 2024 LWR handmade gifts blessed earthquake affected families in Turkey, stranded crews in the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, and homeless veterans in a shelter flooded in Asheville, North Carolina following a hurricane. Already in 2025 LWR Quilts and Kits have been distributed to partners in and around Los Angeles so they can provide comfort for evacuees and families who have lost their homes.

Learn more about Lutheran World Relief's service to the world in the video below. Learn more about how Emanuel's participates in LWR by meeting with our Quick Quilters any Monday or Wednesday morning in the Level One Sewing Suites.

Emanuel's Young Couples are headed to Texas Axe and Ale, 7049 FM1044 Building 4A, Marion, TX 78124, on Saturday, January 18 at 6pm. Pastor Marcus will have two lanes reserved. Let him know if you are able to come so he can get another lane if needed. If you don't want to throw, just come and fellowship and laugh at those who are attempting but can't! (You know, all in good fun, right?!?) The group will head to dinner around 7:30pm at a place that is to be determined, depending on who and how many are present.

Legacy Chili Cook-Off

Sunday, February 2

11:45 am

Emanuel’s Fellowship Hall

Do you have an award-winning chili recipe, or maybe one you’ve been wanting to try for a while? The Congregational Care Team is hosting a church-wide Legacy Chili Cook-Off in conjunction with the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Legacy Generosity Seminar. Entrants will compete for the coveted golden ladle award among other prizes. All are invited to sample the chili. If you are not preparing chili, plan to bring one of the following: dessert, cornbread, cheese, Fritos, sour cream, or chopped onion. Sign up sheets are in the narthex. Volunteers needed to help with setup, judging, and clean up. Contact congregationalcare@elcseguin.org with any questions. 

LEGACY GENEROSITY SEMINAR

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Emanuel's Fellowship Hall

Everything that we have is a gift that God places in our care during our lifetimes. We each have the privilege, responsibility and joy of being a steward, of caring for loved ones, for God’s creation, and also creating gifts for Christian ministry.

As you plan your own legacy that will reflect your faith and values, the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest is here to assist you. We are here to help you care for your family and benefit Lutheran ministries, as well as your other favorite non-profit organizations.

Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest provides comprehensive gift planning, personalized to your goals and your unique family and financial situation. The gifts the foundation receives and stewards are on behalf of other ministries.

Emanuel’s Lutheran Church will host a Legacy Generosity Seminar on Sunday, February 2 following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Deacon John Dellis, director of legacy planning with the foundation, will be with us to talk about options and possibilities for the future for our congregation. Lunch will be provided during the seminar.

During the seminar, we’ll discuss:

• How to care and provide for family and other loved ones and provide legacy gifts for ministry and other non-profit organizations
• Review options for legacy gift sharing that will bless future generations forever
• That the foundation’s services to the members of our congregation are provided at no cost and no obligation.

NAMI FAMILY-TO-FAMILY

8 Week Program

NAMI Guadalupe County will offer a free Family-to-Family program. This eight-session education program is for family, friends, and significant others of adults with mental health conditions.

Classes begin January 21 and meet each Tuesday evening from 6:30-9:00pm. They will be held at the GVEC Community Room, 908 Curtiss Avenue, Schertz, TX 78154. To register call 512-585-8968 or mail@namiguadalupecounty.org. 

CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

During worship Children's Ministry Coordinator Jordana Gutierrez leads our Pre-K 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 returns as we "Share the Peace."

The Compass Cooperative gathers on Sundays with our four church partners - Emanuel's, St. Andrew's, Spirit of Joy, and Friedens Church- at the Spirit of Joy's campus. Contact: Compass Program Director Hannah Hansen.

• 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

Confirmation Classes for our 6th to 8th graders meet on the 4th Sunday of every month after worship in the Women’s Ministry Room on Level 1. Pastor Marcus is available to answer any questions about our new schedule and curriculum focus. 

SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES

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. 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 at 9am on the first Sunday of the month in the Women's Ministry Room.

“BOOK OF ACTS: A THEMATIC STUDY” new Adult Bible Study. The Book of Acts, deeply connected to Luke’s gospel, continues the story of God’s redemptive work through the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. The main themes of Acts include the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, the spread of the Gospel to all nation as part of the Great Commission, the establishment and growth of the early Church, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant people. Join us every Sunday, January 12 to February 16, as we unpack these themes and are challenged by the Holy Spirit’s continued call to form and reform the church. 

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 - Jan 14, 2024: 

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $  15,618.28

      Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 18,067.85

      Actual Other Receipts: $ 614.23

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 18,682.08

Operating Expenses YTD: $   3,578.63 *

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

Jan 1- Jan 14, 2023:

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $15,618.28

     Actual Church Offering Receipts: $ 17,141.15

     Actual Other Receipts: $ 766.00

Total Receipts From Offering and Other Receipts YTD: $ 17,907.15

Operating Expenses YTD: $  16,465.65 *

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

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.