Because Lutherans grow no moss. If you have found yourself at home cleaning out drawers and tending to various projects you've put off for a while, know that the same chores are keeping folk busy on the church campus. Cabinets have been emptied, pews mended, fire codes checked, rooms arranged and rearranged. Thanks to Cliff M. for his AC ductwork knowledge and to Pastor Marcus for hauling trash, among other less than glamorous tasks. We are in this together. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. We may be apart, but we are not alone.
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No Gatherings AT the Church,
BUT the Church Still Gathers
Join us on Sundays at 10:30
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Meet Pastor Andy of First Presbyterian
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Have you seen some new faces during our Sunday Worship Services? Pastor Marcus and Pastor Kelsie have done a remarkable job reaching out to colleagues during this new time of being the church. Sharing resources, gifts, and time with denominations in full communal partnership with the ELCA gives our ministry renewed vitality and assists others as we navigate new paths together.
Andrew Lemlyn was raised in Marble Falls, TX and received his undergraduate degree from Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. Following three years of working for the State of Texas he chose to pursue a call into pastoral ministry. He graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2015, where he went on to serve congregations in Cuero and Yorktown, TX. He participated in a nine month unit of Clinical Pastoral Education through Baptist Health Systems, in which he worked as a chaplain in Adult intensive care, as well as pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. In 2019 Andy began pastoral ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Seguin, where he hopes to remain as a called Pastor. In his free time Andy enjoys reading, cooking, playing board games and going to coffee houses. Both of his parents continue to live in his childhood home of Marble Falls, along with his grandmother who just celebrated her 91st birthday.
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Dear Friends at Emanuel's Lutheran Church,
Your support of W2T’s work is greatly appreciated! This (letter) is to thank you for your sponsorship of a water project in Ethiopia in 2020 through Water to Thrive, and to provide your project assignment information.
Your passion and support will allow us to provide clean water to communities in the Oromia Region for up to 20 years. Your project is part of a group of 15 that we are implementing with our partner in this region known as the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission Central Gibe Synod (EECMY-DASSC-CGS). These 15 projects will provide daily access to clean, safe water for over 5,500 community members in 12 villages.
To keep you up-to-date on your well's progress, we will continue to provide updates as they become available from the field. These 15 should be in operation by the end of Q4 2020 and we should receive the completion report from EECMY-DASSC-CGS by the end of Q2 2020, but these dates are subject to change based on the weather and logistical challenges our partner may face. In addition, because of construction challenges, a few projects might need to be relocated.
Here is more information about your new project: Google Map link is here.
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*This represents the number of beneficiaries that live within a one kilometer radius of the project. More typically, 3-4 times that number of beneficiaries will be using the project regularly.
In addition to providing clean, safe water to hundreds of people, your well will significantly reduce the amount of time women and children spend collecting water. Women will gain the time they need to take better care of their families and engage in income-generating activities. Children will have more time to go to school and be absent less often as water-related diseases become a thing of the past.
Included in the cost of these projects is hygiene and sanitation training for the community. Training is also provided to a local water committee (half women) that will be responsible for keeping the water project in good working order, as well as establishing a maintenance fund for on-going sustainability.
As the well’s sponsor, you will also receive a final completion report. This report will include pictures of the well and images of some of the people whose lives you will have changed forever.
... Your continued support of our mission to bring clean water to those in need is greatly appreciated. We are grateful to have you as a partner as we commit to bring clean water to those who so desperately need it.
Dick Moeller
Water to Thrive
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"Hayden Kennedy lost his first tooth! It had been very loose for a few days and rather than wiggle it all the way out by hand, he decided he wanted to do something more exciting. Though dad (Bryce) and him tried to rig up a nerf gun to make the pull, ultimately the old slamming door trick is what got it out of there."
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! You have brightened our day.
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You are invited to share your milestones, too! If something of note has happened while we've been apart, please let us know. Did you celebrate an anniversary? Retire? Witness a tot's first step or a kid loosing a tooth? Send your pics our way at info@emanuels-seguin.org. We've been missing hugs and handshakes, but it's been so long we need to see FACES!
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Emanuel's Congregational Care Ministry is coordinating a weekly letter writing campaign called CARE CARDS. It's been great to see your cards rolling in!
All cards will be forwarded on September 1. It's not too late to pen a note to one of the following groups:
- Emanuel's Day School Teachers
- First Responders
- Military Service Members
- Friends in Care Facilities
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Emanuel's Lutheran Church
Attn: ___(Group Here)_____
206 N. Travis Street
Seguin, TX 78155
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EMANUEL'S PRAYER TREE: "Leaf" a Prayer. Prayers are now sprinkled around Emanuel's Prayer Garden, protected by the sprawling branches of the ancient, and historic, Ranger Oak. Feel free to use the tags provided there for your prayers or bring your own. Tie the tags to the rail around the garden. Spend quiet time reading and praying for others if you wish. Not getting out so much? You can email us your prayer at info@emanuels-seguin.org and we will add your petition for you.
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Tuesdays at the GARDEN OF EATIN' from 9-11. In August we are harvesting and weeding. The garden is open to the community at all times, but Wayne will be there on Tuesdays to answer questions and get you started.
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CHRISTIAN CUPBOARD is taking donations. Oatmeal, canned soup, empty egg cartons (esp. 18 count) , and personal care products are needed now.
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE for students at Emanuel’s Day School, Seguin ISD and Lutheran World Relief. How will supplies be collected? Call the church to arrange a drop off time. School supply receptacles are now placed at the Mountain Street door. If you want to participate, but don’t want to shop, A check, with a school supply notation, can be donated to Emanuel’s. We've also got PayPal!
70-page spiral notebooks (greatest need) pink erasers ball point pens crayons
Blunt children’s scissors pencil sharpeners unsharpened pencils
rulers with both metric and US measurement boxes of facial tissue
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Letting go is also making room - Gather Magazine
by Kathryn Hauiesen One of my seminary professors kept a phrase written on the classroom chalkboard: "Every loss is a gain; every gain is a loss." Life seems to consist of an endless cycle of gains and losses.
Read more
www.gathermagazine.org
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August 6, 2020 UPDATE:
The question most asked now of our church leaders is, "When can we return to church?" The Emanuel's Church Council was in agreement at the August 4, 2020 Council Meeting that we will return to in-person worship on campus "when it is safe for us to be a community together."
This means that our return date is TBD. Emanuel's Council and Staff are closely monitoring Covid-19 statistics in Guadalupe County and the State of Texas daily. They are keeping up-to-date with mandates and recommendations from Gov. Abbott, Guadalupe County and Seguin public health advisories, and the Southwestern Texas Synod guidelines from the Office of the Bishop. Emanuel's member responses to the "Return to Church Survey" from June echo this need to have a monitored and thoughtful approach to a safe re-entry.
This also means that we are re-learning what it means to "be the church." Church leaders are reflecting on what God is asking of us in this time and place. Connectional ministries are taking new shape. Tech skills are being honed. Prayer is deeper and more contemplative. Old ways are being reimagined into new ways. We want to hear how the Spirit is speaking to you as well. Please share how you would like to participate in this process of discernment.
Keep in your prayers our leaders as they continue to be the church while navigating strange waters. It is with great care and compassion for all that we move forward.
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Emanuel's Office Staff is working remotely. Staff may be in the office as needed or by appointment Mondays through Thursdays from 8-5. Don't forget to wear a mask on the church campus. Everyone is still accessible via email and phone.
Another sign for the times:
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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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Giving comparison for 2019-2020:
August 1-10, 2020 $9,990.00
August 5-10, 2020 $4,178.00
August 1-10, 2019 $12,276.00
August 5-10, 2019 $1, 670.00
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@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.
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