Because Lutherans find joy everywhere: You can see the joy spelled out above, but if you could have only heard the joy as teachers placed their wiggly charges into this configuration! It's easy to imagine the chorus of giggles. More joy below in pictures celebrating Lutheran Schools Week. We are in this together. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. We may be apart, but we are not alone.
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Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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Beginning Wednesday, March 24, 2021 we will resume in-person services in the sanctuary. Covid-19 safety protocols will still apply. To best love and protect all our neighbors, masks and social distancing are required while in the church building. As small groups resume gathering it is best to call to confirm meeting places and times. More information is below under Congregation Council Updates.
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MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Each service will center on the “Holden Evening Prayer” liturgy with a reflection, based on our Lenten Devotional series, provided by one of our pastors. We invite you to follow along, as you are able, and in preparation for Easter.
Join us on
Facebook and YouTube
Wednesdays
12:05pm & 6pm
February 24 - March 24
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Palm Sunday, March 28: 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 1: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2: 6: 30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4
Worship with Communion at 10:30 a.m.
Egg Hunt at 11:45 a.m.
Services will be in-person in the sanctuary. Sunday services, including Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, will also be online and on the radio. To best love and protect all our neighbors, masks and social distancing are required while in the church building.
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ASH WEDNESDAY RESCHEDULED |
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Ashes-to-Go
Noon - 1pm
201 N. Travis at the street.
Worship in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m.
Imposition of Ashes using safety protocols.
Masks and social distancing practices apply.
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You are invited to participate in worship and the life of the church in new ways. Please let Sherry know if you are eager to serve as a worship leader. We need ushers, readers, assisting ministers, Altar Guild, communion assistants, hospitality, radio announcers, and other hands on deck. As you step back into the church think about stepping into a new role of service. We need you.
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We join together in study around the A Sanctified Art’s series, “Again & Again.” The Creative Team writes, “With exacerbation we exclaim, ‘Again?! How long, O God?’ And yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: ‘I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair.’ Again and again, God breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward.”
Taking on a new rhythm, you are invited to ponder poems, scriptural reflections, and selected pieces of art as we dive deeper and deeper into the refrain of God’s never ending, never yielding, love for us and all that God has made. Print copies will be mailed to those without internet. Print copies will also be available in the church office.
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EASTER GIVING WITH WATER TO THRIVE
Build Wells - Change Lives
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Emanuel's Easter giving campaign is now underway with Water To Thrive. Donations my be given as you rejoice the season, as a gift to someone special, or given in memory or honor of loved ones. Our 2020 water well campaign was wildly successful, and we are excited to provide a second community across the globe with access to clean water.
You can donate online at https://tinyurl.com/emanuelsgiving or complete the Water To Thrive giving form below. Printed forms are also in the church office. Learn more about Water to Thrive and the amazing work they do here.
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Emanuel's will welcome Easter with beautiful lilies at our 10:30 a.m. worship service. You may donate Easter lilies as you rejoice the season, or in memory or honor of loved ones. Plants may be taken home following the service on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Return order forms to the office with payment made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church by Wednesday, March 24. Each plant is $13.
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CONGREGATION COUNCIL UPDATES
Emanuel's Congregation Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Highlights of the meeting are listed here. Click the button below to read a draft of the Council Minutes. They will be approved at the next meeting, April 13, 2021.
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Return to Worship and Ministry Activities: Council has approved return to in-person worship starting Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Small groups, ministry groups, and outside groups are also able to return to in-person gatherings while following all COVID safety practices as outlined in the “We Are Better Together” policy. These practices include mandatory mask wearing on campus for all worship services, church gatherings, and the gatherings of outside organizations, and a minimum of 6-feet of distance between parties who do not live or travel together. Please connect with the Church Office to confirm ministry group schedules and room availability.
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Annual Meeting Continuing Resolutions: Council has approved two Continuing Resolutions that will help guide and shape our Annual Meetings going forward. The very high participation number at this year’s meeting, even though it was hindered by the pandemic, gave way to a new set of practices. The resolutions outline three scheduled Sundays for conversations around the proposed budget, ministry initiatives, ministry plans, etc., culminating in our Constitutionally set meeting date of the second Sunday in December. The resolutions in their entirety will be available soon in our weekly newsletter and can be printed upon request for anyone who would like to have a paper copy.
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HOSPITAL PASTORAL VISITATION CHANGES |
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Hospitals no longer share with us directly if a church member has been admitted. If you or a loved one are in the hospital, or scheduled for a procedure, and would like a visit from the Emanuel's Pastoral Care Team, please contact the church directly. There is no other way for us to know you are there. We do want to pray with you and listen to your concerns during trying times. Call the church at 830-379-5046.
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What is a choir to do when their fearless leader is recuperating and there are no Wednesday rehearsals? Why, they go sing at his home to cheer him up, of course!
Thanks to Melissa B. for sharing and to Wayne S. for getting this great pic.
Tom, everyone wishes you the speediest of recoveries and abundant blessings of comfort in all shapes and sizes.
And Jubilation Singers, y'all are just the best! The secret is out now. If anyone wants to join this fabulous crew, give Tom or the church a buzz. |
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Emanuel's Lutheran Day School celebrated ELCA Schools and Early Learning Centers during Lutheran Schools Week March 8-12, 2021. The ELEA serves 1,350 schools, 15,000 children, and 18,000 employees. The theme Hope & Joy resonated in a week's worth of engaging activities, including the debut of matching t-shirts and a school bus on the playground.
Clockwise from top left: the Infant classroom; Pastor Marcus and Pastor Kelsie; Toddler and Early Pre School classes; Kinder Corral, combined PreK 3; PreK 4, and Kinder classes; and the new bus in action.
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Open enrolment for the 2021-22 school year began on March 1. If you know of someone looking for a vibrant and loving learning community, send them our way. |
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SMALL GROUP UPDATES
Small groups at Emanuel's are now able to meet in-person, on campus. Safety protocols apply as we best love and protect all our neighbors. Masks covering nose and mouth, and 6 foot social distancing, regardless of vaccination status, are still required for everyone in the church building.
If you are a small group leader, please contact Sherry in the church office at 830-379-5046 or sherry@elcseguin.org to place (or re-place) your gatherings on the church calendar. We understand that everyone is re-entering social situations at their own pace. There will be some calendar shuffling and room reassignments until we get comfortable with the newness of being back on campus.
No group should assume that their schedule from previous years is the same this year. This includes Sunday School Classes, Circles ... everyone, really. Give Sherry a ring and we will work it out together.
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TLU @ THE GARDEN OF EAT'N |
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Students from TLU once again rolled up their sleeves and got to work in the Garden of Eat'n last weekend.
Wayne S. says, "These were hard working students who finished weeding, spread compost, repaired the drip lines, and planted the summer garden with no complaints. Good workers. GOOD JOB!"
Other volunteers also showed up for the day. Thanks to Aaron J. and friend, Mary C., and Cheryl S. for pitching in.
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Emanuel's Office Staff is working both at the office and at home. Our schedules are staggered so that someone is in the office Mondays through Thursdays from 8-5. It is best to make an appointment or call before coming in. Everyone is still accessible via email and phone.
Please be patient with everyone as we move forward this month. So many (exciting) details to tend to! The illustration below is funny, but pretty dang true, as well.
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THANK YOU for your continued financial support of the ongoing ministries of Emanuel's Lutheran Church.
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Online giving is safe, simple, and quick to do through our Vanco 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:
January 1- March 9, 2020
Offerings: $96,979.39
Expenses: $100,384.87
January 1- March 9, 2021
Offerings: $96,131.50
Expenses: $82,387.26
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the church either through email or phone.
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Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event to info@elcseguin.org before noon on Tuesdays 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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