Because Lutherans sow seeds of all types. “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) Much gratitude to those preparing, sowing, tending, and harvesting. Read more about the remarkable things happening at the Garden of Eat'n below. We are in this together. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER. We may be apart, but we are not alone.
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Sunday Worship in-person is suspended at this time for the safety of our congregation and community as COVID-19 numbers rise.
Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING RESCHEDULED: The annual meeting looks a little different this year. Members were sent an email or a letter with more explanation.
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DISCUSSIONS took place Sundays, January 10th and 17th at 9:15am in the Women’s Ministry Room. Each session was recorded for those who want to listen and learn later. Budget and Ministry Conversation #2 from January 17th may be viewed below. Both are linked on our website, as are the supporting documents.
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VOTING will take place Sunday, January 24th from 12-1:00pm and will be done as a drive thru in the parking lot on Mountain Street. Paper ballots will be provided.
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Seeds of Knowledge
Students get alternative education in Garden of Eat'n
Dalondo Moultire The Seguin Gazette, January 17, 2021
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Seguin Alternative School Administrator Allison Gillentine (from left) and Patrice Turner, social emotional learning teacher, look on as Wayne Stalsworth pics out vegetables at the Garden of Eat'n community garden started by the church Stalsworth attends, Emanuel's Lutheran Church, on Thursday, Jan. 14. 2021, in Seguin.
Thanks to a community garden in town, some of Seguin ISD's students can clean up their records if they're willing to get their hands dirty.
Since this school year began, students from Seguin Alternative School have pitched in planting and weeding at the Garden of Eat'n community garden on property owned by Emanuel's Lutheran Church. Some students participate for enjoyment while others receive credit for court-mandated community service hours under certified teacher supervision, Principal Erma Freeman said.
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One Seguin Alternative School student passes a plant to another through a fence as they prepare to embed the soon-to-be produce Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 at the Garden of Eat'n community garden in Seguin. Photos by Dalondo Moultrie- The Seguin Gazette. |
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CONGREGATION COUNCIL UPDATES
Emanuel's Congregation Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Details of the meeting are available by clicking the button below for the draft of the Council Minutes. They will be approved at the next meeting in February 2021.
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MUSIC MINISTRY SHENANIGANS
The Music Ministry Team is proud of their own Wayne S. for the recognition of his work in the Garden of Eat'n and partnership with SISD. They took time this week to honor him and capture a snapshot of their "Lutheran Gothic."
Emanuel's Music Ministry is always up for a good chuckle. If you need someone to laugh with, consider joining this invaluable ministry. Contact Director Thomas Engler at his new email address: thomas@elcseguin.org.
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Emanuel's Director of Congregational Care Donna Simmons is always searching for innovative, yet practical ways to cope with, and move through, these trying times. This week she shares an article provided by Pastor Darwin.
Spiritual Lessons From COVID-19
To Build a More Meaningful Life
Real spiritual growth begins with carefully naming what is true and what isn’t. Use these life lessons, prompted by COVID-19, to deepen your spiritual ideas, beliefs and habits.
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We’re not in control. Instead, COVID-19 seems to be. Realizing that we aren’t in control is an important first step in spiritual growth. While we’d like to imagine otherwise, we first need to realize we never were in control. Absolute control is an illusion.
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We can’t fix it. Nobody can. Instead, we muddle on.That’s real life. Fixing everything to perfection isn’t real. If we’re honest, life is always messy. Perfection is an illusion.
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We need to trust. As we wait for the virus to pass, we are like children waiting for permission to resume our lives. We are being forced to trust that life will return to something more normal, though we have no certainty of when or how. This reminds us that certainty is an illusion.
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We aren’t our emotions and thoughts. Feelings and thoughts such as emptiness and fear can feel real, but they will always pass by, leaving behind what is real. Many people first learn this through meditation. Exploring our true inner being is a helpful step toward a dependable spiritual connection.
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Silence isn’t scary. We can fear silence, but there is nothing unnatural about it. Much of nature is silent. Maybe start with just 10 minutes a day? Learning to become comfortable with silence is a helpful step toward a dependable connection anytime and especially during COVID-19.
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We need each other. The virus has shown us that the best way to survive is by cooperating with each other. Recognizing our interdependence is a helpful step toward a dependable spiritual connection.
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People and relationships matter. Most of us now understand the importance of social contact and the pain of social isolation. No individual can survive for long on an island. Seeing that people and relationships matter is a helpful step toward a dependable spiritual connection.
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The planet matters. Our old way of living was harming the planet. We have been cutting off our own life supply. Now with the slowdown, there are signs that the planet is slowly recovering. This restores hope and is a spiritual breakthrough. Seeing that the planet matters is a helpful step toward a dependable spiritual connection.
*Adapted from an article in the 2020 special edition of Leader magazine about ministry in the age of COVID-19 by Fred Longenecker, a mental health recovery coach for Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in South Bend, IN.
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SMALL GROUP UPDATES
Small groups at Emanuel's are patiently pivoting as new restrictions are implemented following our “We Are Better Together” COVID Safety and Gathering Policy. Rising COVID-19 numbers necessitate such action.
Please contact individual groups or the church office to see how each is creatively managing to proceed with the ministry and life of the church. Groups may be meeting online, in clusters of 2-5 people, or by other flexible means. Call first to see how best to participate.
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- Jubilation Singers Choir
- Heavenly Ringers Handbell Choir
- Ladies Aid
- Joy Circle
- Faith Circle
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- Heritage Bible Class
- Youth Ministry
- LWR Quick Quilters
- Property Stewards
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Online and other social distancing opportunities are also available.
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DEVOTIONAL PODCAST every Tuesday @10am on Facebook and Soundcloud. Join our pastors and their colleagues each week for the Faces of Our Faith devotional podcast. Devotional Booklets are available here.
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WWJB (What Would Jesus Brew?) meets on First Fridays at 7pm on Zoom. WWJB is our once-a-month young adult fellowship where we talk about life, faith, movies ... anything and everything. Contact Pastor Kelsie for Zoom link.
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CONFIRMATION CLASS meets monthly online and in-person with students and leaders from Emanuel's. Spirit of Joy and St. John Marion.
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Face masks and other Emanuel's merch is available at our Teespring ELCSD ONLINE STORE. Order at teespring.com/stores/emanuels-lutheran-church.
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Tuesdays at the GARDEN OF EATIN' from 9-11. Come see what the winter garden looks like and how you can dig in with us!
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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. Monetary donations are especially welcomed
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CARE CLOSET in the church office meets small, immediate needs of those coming to our door seeking assistance. We are always in need of small snack bars, toiletries, new socks, and other items.
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Emanuel's Office Staff is working both at the office and at home. 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.
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NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES
Church Office email addresses have a brand new look!
From now on, please use [church staff member’s first name]@elcseguin.org when you’re reaching out via email. For a complete list of the new addresses, please see the “Staff” page on our website or in this week's worship bulletin.
We are very grateful to Jonathan Zitelman, SimpleMan Productions, for helping us navigate this change!
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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 1-20. 2020
Offering: $43,549.99
Expenses: $22,224.12
January 1-20, 2021
Offering: $49,642.50
Expenses: $14,870.22
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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