Because Lutherans believe in peace. We pray, O God of Peace, come~

Form us into your Peace-makers. Enable us to look within ourselves, to make straight our crooked hearts, to patiently and lovingly await changes in ourselves and others. As you gather us tenderly, and hold us close, may we also show that same compassion to the world. Fill our hearts with your peace, and our lives with your love, that these may flow from our lives and into our world. We ask this through Christ, our Savior and our peace, Amen. We are better, waiting, together.

WORSHIP AT EMANUEL'S

Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.


In-person, online on YouTube, and on radio KWED AM 1580.

Masks are welcomed but no longer required on the church campus.

Please refer to the updated 2022 Emanuel’s Covid-19 Policy here.

December 4, 2022 Worship Bulletin
BEING THE CHURCH

HOLIDAY PARADE AND STROLL

The Day School Board of Directors and staff invites you to come support our ministry at this year's Holiday Parade and the Downtown Sip-n-Stroll. Our Day School will be hosting a parade float entitled the "ELDS Express" on Thursday, December 1 and a booth at Central Park on Friday, December 2 as a part of this year's downtown festivities. Our booth will feature information on the church and Day School, crafts for kids, and delicious hot chocolate made by one of our students' parents. We hope you can stop by!

Vespers Tickets Available

Emanuel's friends will be joining the TLU School of Music for Christmas Vespers on December 2-4 in Jackson Auditorium as we welcome the holiday season. Tickets are available at the door if you have not already made reservations.

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SHARE THE GOOD MOOs!!!


With your donations, poinsettias will grace the sanctuary of Emanuel’s this Christmas and ELCA Good Gifts will make a difference throughout the world. 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 ($12 each). Check out the decorated trees in the narthex and by the chapel.


Forms and payments may be put in an envelope and placed in the offering basket, given to our advent tree attendants, or delivered to the church office.


Deadline to ensure poinsettias for Christmas is Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.

Print Good Gifts/Poinsettia Giving Forms Here

Are you new to ELCA Good Gifts? As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we believe that God is calling us into the world – together. And with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. ELCA Good Gifts is your opportunity to provide critical support to the ministries and programs that mean the most to you and the people you love. Your donation will be used where it is needed most within the wider category of each gift selected. For example, a gift of vaccinations may be used to support other health care initiatives. This allows our church to stay adaptive, flexible and effective in the work that we do. To learn more visit their website.

As Christmas and the season of giving nears, we are excited to have the opportunity to join with others in the community during Blue Santa Gift wrapping. Though you can select many dates to assist with wrapping presents, Emanuel's Lutheran Church and Day School would like to show up as a group on November 29 and December 8. 


Please contact Sarah Kennedy at (281) 734-3845 or sarah13kennedy@gmail.com to share your interest and receive

updates as the time comes.

MUSIC MINISTRY AT THE BIG RED BARN

Friday, December 9

in the Little White Church 

starting at 6:15pm 


Country Christmas is a family affair with food, music, lights, and Santa. Admission is $5/adult and $3/child. Join us at 390 Cordova Road to support our amazing musicians and have a merry time!

CALLING ALL

COOKIE BAKERS!!!


The Congregational Care Team is seeking home-baked treats for our homebound members to be delivered in December. We will repackage to make sure everyone gets a nice assortment.


Please bring your sweet treats to the church office by Monday, December 12.

ELF-Tastic!

A movie afternoon is almost upon us! Partnering with Spirit of Joy, our Education Team and Vicars invite you and your family to join us at Spirit of Joy on Sunday, December 4 at 1:30pm to eat, paint ornaments, enjoy some time of fellowship, and watch the movie "Elf" together. Our craft will be led by the master artist Geraldine Jordan so we hope you can attend.  

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Saturday, December 10 at 10am

Family Life Center

Emanuel’s hosts a community Support Group for Caregivers currently caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Dementia, and other aging issues. Facilitators are the Rev. John and Faye Van Deusen. You can reach Rev. John at (830) 305-5658 and Faye at (830) 305-8851.

Emanuel's Annual Congregation Meeting is Sunday, December 11, 2022, immediately following the celebration of Holy Communion. This meeting will take into consideration with potential action the 2023 proposed budget, church council nominees and synod delegates. 


COUNCIL LISTENING SESSIONS

In preparation for our Sunday, December 11th Annual Meeting three learning and discussion session are scheduled for Sunday, November 20, November 27, and December 4, at 9:15am in the Chapel, and Monday, November 21 at 6:30pm in the Women’s Ministry Room during the All-Ministry Team Meeting Night. Discussion topics include, but are not limited to, the proposed 2023 budget, nominations for church council, and ministry programs for 2023. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. 

SIGNING OFF


It’s time for sabbatical, and what better time to begin than with the new church year! Advent. A time of waiting for the fulfillment of the timeless promise.  


For the better part of the past two years I’ve enjoyed sharing with anyone who read(s) this column some of the stories from the wider church, especially what’s happening through World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Relief, and Lutheran Immigration and Naturalization Service. I’ve also focused occasionally on new insights into old stories written by a plethora of folks, both clergy and lay, and into meanings of different parts of the church year—Lent, Pentecost, Epiphany. It’s been an interesting journey for me. I hope that, at least in some small way, you, too, have been enlightened.


Peace! The Mission Interpreter

THE LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Wednesday, December 21

7:00 in the evening

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church


The Longest Night is a unique winter service of devotion hosted by Emanuel's and St. Andrew's Churches in St. Andrew's historic chapel. This introspective worship experience provides a place and time for comfort during the often chaotic days surrounding the celebration of Christmas. We come together seeking healing and room to share grief, sadness, loneliness, or confusion when these emotions often feel out of place during the holidays.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
SUNDAY ADULT CLASSES


THE HERITAGE CLASS: Augsburg Fortress Quarterly Adult Bible Study led by various class members meets on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in room 304. The winter study is From Darkness to Light: 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Joel, Luke, 1 Corinthians, 2 Timothy, James, 1 Peter. Class will not meet on December 25, 2022.


THE JOY CLASS: Bible stories and songs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Gathers at 9:15 on the First Sunday of the month in the Women's Ministry Room.


CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION

LEARNING MY BIBLE CLASS AND PRESENTATION is Sunday, December 11 at 9:15 in the Family Life Center. Our 3rd to 5th graders are invited to begin a life-long journey of reading their Bible and engaging God’s awesome stories of grace, hope, and love. We will gather for an overview of our Bibles, present some really cool "book" tabs that can be added to the pages of each biblical book to help find stories with ease, and learn an new prayer. At the beginning of worship students will be presented with their Bible.


CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL (1st Floor Green Room near elevator): Preschool to 5th graders are invited to join the Education Team for a brand new, rotation style Sunday morning education program starting at 9:15am. We start together for song, Bible story, and then head off to our group projects.  


Children's Sunday School (Preschool to 5th Grade):

11/27 - Angels Visits Mary and Joseph - Art - wreath and ornament making

12/4 - Name Him Jesus – Cooking

12/11 - Born in a Stable - Science

12/18 - Shepherds and Wise Men - Creative Drama

12/25 – No Sunday School


CONFIRMATION CLASS meets next on Sunday, December 11 at 1pm in Emanuel's Family Life Center. Instruction for the year take place monthly at either Emanuel’s or Spirit of Joy.

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

Access Online Giving Here

Year to Date Giving comparison:


Jan 1 - Nov 29, 2022

 Church Offering Receipts: $ 346,219.21

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 411,250.00

Operating Expenses: $  435,279.48   *

* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts


Jan 1 - Nov 29, 2021

Church Offering Receipts: $ 381,342.58

Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 392,972.19

Operating Expenses: $ 437,880.70


If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the church either through email or phone.

A WORD FROM THE OFFICE
Emanuel's regular office hours are Monday - Thursday from 8-5. However, if the office is understaffed, you may find the answering machine catching your call or a "Gone Fishing" sign on the door. Please know that we will get back with you as soon as possible. We encourage you to call before stopping by. Everyone is also accessible via email.
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