Because (little) Lutherans are thankful: This sweet reminder of the season graces the Pre K-4 classroom now on Emanuel's second floor hallway. Ms. Griggs' students are obviously learning important lessons: crafts are fun, the Lord is good, and always save room for pie. 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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COMMITMENT WEEK
November 23-30, 2020
“CELEBRATING GENEROUS GENERATIONS” is the theme of our 2021 stewardship appeal. Due to the sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Commitment Sunday, scheduled for November 22nd, is now commitment week! We will have a drop-off box located at the Mountain Street entrance beginning Monday, November 23rd through Wednesday, November 25th and again Monday, November 30th where can leave your Statement of Intent safely and securely at any time between 8am and 5pm each day. Statements of Intent can also be mailed to the church at 206 N. Travis St., Seguin, TX 78155. Our team will call all members from whom we have not heard from beginning Tuesday, December 1st .
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WATER BOTTLES FOR SEGUIN STUDENTS
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Seguin ISD reached out identifying a need for water bottle for students. With COVID going on, schools aren't able to use the water fountains. Students have to have a reusable water bottle and fill it up at the fountain just for water bottle filling. Some students aren't able to purchase their own. Working alongside Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, GVEC, and RBFCU, Emanuel’s donated 1,000 water bottles to the overall need district need, 3500 bottles, with a specific focus for use at Jefferson and Patlan Elementary Schools-the two schools we are the most connected to with our work for the holiday meal program. Jana Evans, Communities in Schools of Central Texas representative and Kirsten Legore, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, have been our partners in making sure this donation gets to the our students in need.
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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Order Forms due by Dec. 9th
The Emanuel's Sanctuary will be filled with beautiful poinsettias this Christmas. You may donate poinsettias as you rejoice the season, or in memory or honor of loved ones. Plants may be taken home following the final service. (If it is recorded then we will let you know when you can pick them up.) Return order forms to the office with payment made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church by December 9, 2020. Each poinsettia is $10.
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RECENT CANCELLATIONS:
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING participation is canceled for this year’s Red Kettle Campaign for safety concerns. COVID-19 has increased the urgency to raise funds for people in need. Please consider making a donation by check payable to The Salvation Army-Seguin Unit. Mark it Kettle Campaign and mail to The Salvation Army-Seguin Unit, PO Box 105, Seguin, TX 78155.
HOLIDAY MEAL DELIVERIES are canceled this season due to rising COVID-19 numbers. The safety of everyone is our greatest concern. Thanks to all who volunteered to assist with this annual Emanuel’s event.
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ADVENT DECORATING
During the next few weeks we will be assembling trees and spiffing up the sanctuary. Call the church office if you have some time to fluff garland or hang Chrismons. Many hands, at 6 feet apart and in small groups, can get this done!
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CALLING ALL LADIES AID!
Update for your calendars
We are praying at this time Ladies Aid will be able to meet for their monthly meetings stating on January 6, 2021. We are moving to the fellowship hall, so we have more room to social distancing. Everyone is welcome to come and join our wonderful group of ladies. Please call Jeannie Hall at (830) 379-4185, if you have any questions. Hope to see you in January.
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HOLIDAY MEAL KITS DELIVERED
Thanks to all for donating meal kits and to the volunteers who sorted and hauled 50+ kits to the schools in time for Thanksgiving break. We provided completed holiday meal kits to some of Seguin ISD’s neediest families. Gratitude abounds!
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HABITAT FUNDRAISER
Emanuel's confirmation class is sponsoring a stud, and you can too! For a $200 donation to Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity you will receive a 2x4 piece of wood to creatively decorate. (Talk about a great family activity during Thanksgiving!) Please share your photos if you participate. Information and donation form below.
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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
- 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 fall 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.
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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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COVIN-19 UPDATES FROM THE COUNCIL
November 10, 2020
As COVID-19 cases increase throughout Texas the Emanuel’s Council is monitoring numbers in our 5-County region to keep us on the forefront of changes and safety practices in our community. Council has updated our COVID Safety and Gathering Policy with the following timelines.
- Singing is to cease by all those in worship starting Sunday, November 15, 2020. Musical selections will be offered by the Music Ministry.
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If the 5-County positivity rate reaches 5% then the Church Council will convene an emergency Zoom meeting to determine a timeline for discontinuing in-person worship, small group gatherings, and other church events. The Day School will continue its safe campus protocol as outlined by State mandate and internal policies as an essential institution for our community and families.
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If the 5-County positivity rate jumps above 8% then an immediate discontinuing of all, on-campus activities will happen. This includes worship, small group ministries, and outside organizations. Church staff will resume modified work schedules, making their home offices their primary workplaces.
- Following a required discontinuation of on-campus activities, activities will begin again when the 5-County positivity rate reaches 1% or below. The Church Council will reconvene to modify these protocols and make a plan to return to on-campus activities to include worship, small group ministries, and outside organizations.
Please refer to the larger “We Are Better Together” COVID Safety and Gathering Policy linked below or contact Pastor Marcus with any questions. Keep in your prayers our leaders as they continue to be the church while navigating strange waters. It is with grace and space for all that we move forward.
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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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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:
November 1-11, 2019 $18,397.00
November 1-11, 2020 $19,939.96
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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