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Because Lutherans believe in joy. We pray, O God of our Joy, Come~
In gratitude we remember you as creator of all, yet still mindful of each of your children. Grant us the patience to live in joyful hope, to trust in your abiding presence. Open our eyes to see your healing at work in our lives that we might touch the world with tender, compassionate care. Give us the wisdom, courage and strength to bring the joy of your love to transform the earth and to light the way to a more just and peaceful world. We ask this through Christ, our Savior and our joy. Amen. We are better, waiting, together.
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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. | |
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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.
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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. | |
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COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES DELIVERED
Items were collected this past month from our varied ministry groups for our colleges students gearing up for finals and end of semester projects. These simple, fun, practical, and thoughtful packages transmit great love and care for our young adults. Vicar Jordana oversaw the project from the beginning, to artful packaging, to personal delivering and mailing, to her final sweet words to our donor groups.
I just wanted to thank you all for donating to the college care kits! All the students were grateful for all the donations that were collected to make this possible. I have attached some photos from when I delivered them to all of the students. Y’all are awesome and again I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.
Best
-Jordana
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Emanuel's Lutheran Church and Day School had a grand time last week being elves as we wrapped gifts for Blue Santa. We look forward to getting to work this evening by serving our community during this season of giving. Please contact Sarah Kennedy at (281) 734-3845 or sarah13kennedy@gmail.com to share your interest and receive updates as the time comes. | |
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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!
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CALLING ALL COOKIE BAKERS! | |
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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.
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COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLING | |
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You are invited to join congregations and church leaders from around Seguin at Central Park on Sunday, December 11 at 6pm. The evening will feature choral pieces from church choirs, opportunities to sing our favorite Christmas hymns, and the hearing of the Gospel story of Christ's birth. Bring a chair a blanket!
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EMANUEL'S DAY SCHOOL
RINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS
The ELDS Express was lit! The 2022 Holiday Parade last weekend was Seguin's the largest yet and we were blessed to have a float. Our Day School staff and faculty did an awesome, awesome job! A special thank you to Texas Pride Towing for carrying our float and people!
ALSO, last weekend was the Emanuel’s Church and Day School booth at Central Park for this year’s Sip-n-Stroll! They served an incredible hot chocolate, made by one of our very own day school families called, “Christmas in a Cup!” #wearebettertogether
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CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Saturday, December 10 at 10am
Family Life Center
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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. | |
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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.
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ELF-TASTIC JOY!
Our movie afternoon was a blast! We partnered with Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, our Education Team, and Vicars for a delightful Sunday afternoon of yummy snacks, festive ornament painting, great fellowship, and the classic Christmas movie "Elf". Our craft was led by the master artist Geraldine Jordan. Kids, parents, and even grandparents showed off their creative sides. (We're talking about you Mr. Jobe!)
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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.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION | |
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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.
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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:
Jan 1 - Dec 6, 2022
Church Offering Receipts: $ 361,692.71
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 419,758.06
Operating Expenses: $ 448,751.88 *
* These figures do not include Forward In Faith remodel expenses or In-Kind Gifts
Jan 1 - Dec 6, 2021
Church Offering Receipts: $ 397,610.58
Budgeted Church Offering Receipts: $ 401,102.12
Operating Expenses: $ 463,378.04
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the church either through email or phone.
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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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Submit a brief, yet detailed description of your event below or 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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