Because Lutherans are peaceful: We light the second candle of Advent as we give thanks for the shepherds among us, back-breaking laborers on whom our economy stands, those we overlook or rarely see, yet rely on for our very survival, the ones who have much to teach us about watching for God in the darkness. We are better together.

Announcements

HOLIDAY TAMALE SALE Emanuel’s Youth are selling Delicious Tamales this year to help fund their summer activities. Place your order from any youth, in the Narthex, or in the office. Orders due by December 8 with pickup of frozen tamales on Sunday, December 15. Chicken, Bean & Jalapeno, Traditional Pork, and Jalapeno Pork Tamales only $12/dz. HEALING THROUGH CONVERSATIONS, a support group for those who have lost a loved one to death, will meet on Thursday, Dec 12th at 10 am in the Family Life Center. This month’s topic will be the Holidays and how to get through them without our loved ones. COME A-CAROLLING as Emanuel’s spreads cheer to area care facilities on Sunday, December 15 . Gather at the church by 1:30 to caravan, returning for refreshments in the WMR.   FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP meets on Sunday, December 15 at Noon in the Women’s Ministry Room. Everyone is to bring a favorite dish to share. After lunch we can join the Caroling group!

Advent is a season of waiting, but is idle waiting what God wants of us? In preparation for the coming Messiah, we wonder together- what things can't wait? What demands our immediate attention? What requires our work and preparation? What is it that God can't wait for? Is it our praise, reconciliation, and proclamation? Is it the end of suffering, isolation, and fear? We hope our Midweek Advent Prayers and the 2019 Daily Devotional might awaken you to the ways God can't wait to create hope, peace, joy, and love. We invite you to carve out time to listen for God speaking to you through art, poetry, music, silent reflection, and embodied prayer. As we are called to action during this season, may we also be mindful of what can wait- for we are also called to rest and receive the gifts of Sabbath. This Advent, join us in imagining, prioritizing, and preparing. As we wait, what can't? MIDWEEK ADVENT PRAYERS: WHAT CAN’T WAIT Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17 at 12:05 p.m. in the sanctuary. Join us for a time of prayers, song, and food as we prepare for Christmas. Luncheon to follow in the Women’s Ministry Room Copies of the 2019 Advent Devotional WHAT CAN'T WAIT are in the narthex and office. Pick up a booklet full of art, reflections, and prompts for the season of waiting. The booklet is printed in black and white. Pastor Kelsie has displayed the beautiful artwork in color for all to see on the second floor hallway near the chapel. Take time to come see these amazing pieces.

FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENT GATHERINGS are for everyone! December 6 at 7:00 p.m. AN EVENING OF PIANO AND ORGAN MUSIC Emanuel’s Director of Music Tom Engler will be joined by keyboardists Evelyn Dittmar and Johnana Clark in a program of congregational hymns as well as musical settings of seasonal music for organ and piano.  December 13 at 6:00 p.m. CHORAL MUSIC AT THE BIG RED BARN Emanuel’s Jubilation Singers, supported by a group of instrumentalists, will sing music of the season. This event will be held at the Texas Agricultural Heritage Museum as a part of their annual Country Christmas Celebration.  We will sing in the beautifully restored Lutheran Church located behind the Big Red Barn.  December 20 at 7:00 p.m. PUB THEOLOGY & HYMN SING Join us in the Fellowship Hall where we will sing favorite carols of the season as well share stories of the carols’ origins. You are encouraged to bring your favorite beverages and munchies. It sounds like a good time is brewing already! Childcare provided.

Get your ornament to share from Beverly and Elaine!

SHARE THE GOOD MOOs! Poinsettias will grace the sanctuary of Emanuel’s this Christmas and ELCA Good Gifts will make a difference throughout the world as your kind donations honor friends and loved ones.   With 50 giving options- from 10 little chicks to help a family escape poverty to a scholarship to help a young leader attend an ELCA seminary- there’s something for everyone on your list. You are invited to select an ornament from one of our advent trees near the sanctuary. These ornaments may be given as a gift or taken home as a reminder of your giving. General fund donations in any amount to use where needed the most are also welcome.   You may honor or remember a loved one by supporting the ELCA Good Gifts Project (any dollar amount or as indicated on the specific ornament) and/or with a poinsettia ($10.00 each). Forms and payments may be put in an envelope and placed in the offering plate, given to our advent tree attendants, or delivered to the church office. The deadline to ensure poinsettias for Christmas is Monday, Dec. 16, 2019.

Poinsettia and ELCA Good Gifts Order Form

Stewardship 2020

During worship on Sunday, December 8, 2019, there will be a Stewardship Moment continuing the momentum of Emanuel's stewardship appeal, Generosity: Creating Generous Generations. Over the last several weeks we've been talking about responding to God's call, increasing the impact of our facilities, and creating generations of faith. Please pray about our congregation's mission and ministry together. Pray about your offering for the upcoming year. Pray about your response to the letter from the Stewardship Team. Please be ready to offer your completed Statement of Intent card this Sunday. You may also return your Statement of Intent by mail or to the church office. Together, we work to be the church God is calling us to be by declaring God's love, serving others, and embracing all. Thank you for being a part of this important ministry. CORINTHIANS 9:11 "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us..." (NRSV)

We See You!

Emanuel's Day School children spent their Thanksgiving week making Christmas cards. These cards will be attached to the Holiday Meals being delivered on Saturday morning to our church members who are homebound. Kindness counts. Thank you EDS!

Look who won the Ladies Aid Quilt Raffle!!! Congratulations to Barbara Lampmann! She said she won another quilt years ago and gave it to a niece. "I am keeping this one!" Barbara exclaimed with a smile.

Emanuel's Ladies Aid hosted a marvelous Christmas Lunch on December 4, 2019. The Day School PreK-4 class opened the event with darling voices, and after lunch everyone chimed in with Tom Engler and Evelyn Dittmar leading the way. Pictured here are Jeannie Hall (president), Debbie Almquist (vice president), Judy Campbell (treasurer), and Maxine Hollub.

Opportunities in the Community

SEGUIN SUNRISE LIONS CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Emanuel’s is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s event. Stop by the office for a 15% Off Purchase of Any Tree coupon before Dec. 8. All profits go to scholarships for students in Seguin. On the corner of Walnut and King St.

Council News

The meeting will immediately follow the celebration of Holy Communion. This meeting will take into consideration with potential action the 2020 budget, 2020 Council members, and updates and changes to the Constitution. Two working and information sessions, for budget and constitution, will take place December 8th and 15th during the 9:15 a.m. education hour in the Women’s Ministry Room.

Christian Education Opportunities

SUNDAYS AT 9:15 The Assembly Class (Family Life Center): DVD Series on the Beginnings of Judaism. The Heritage Class (307): Augsburg Fortress Quarterly Adult Bible Study. Intergenerational Study (Fellowship Hall): Lessons for young and old the last Sunday of every month. Explore God's word with song and play. The Joy Class (204): Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Preschool to High School Ministry Rotations This is the general schedule. Please check the calendar to confirm. 1st Sunday: Children’s Church, Preschool to 4 years old (during worship) 2nd Sunday: Sandbox Stories, Kindergarten to 4th Grade (during worship) ELYO, High School (9:15 - 10:15 a.m.) 3rd Sunday: Bible, Faith & Science 5th -8th Grade (during worship) 4th Sunday: Intergenerational Study (9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall) Confirmation: 6th-8th Grade (after worship, schedule varies each month) ELYO: High Schoolers meeting monthly at 9:15 on the 2nd Sunday in the Youth Room off the Fellowship Hall for breakfast, discussion, service, games and fellowship. We also gather once a month for a fun outing. Check out the calendar for fellowship events!

WEEKDAY STUDIES Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Family Life Center): on a break. Faith Circle (Women's Ministry Room): Third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Joy Circle (Women's Ministry Room): Second Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Ladies Aid (Women't Ministry Room): First Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. What Would Jesus Brew? (The Warehouse): Young Adults meeting First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Pub Theology meets on the Third Friday of the month.

Visit our website Visit our calendar Worship Leader Schedule (830) 379-5046  info@emanuels-seguin.org Follow Us ‌

Announcement to share? Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event to info@emanuels-seguin.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.