Because Lutherans love a challenge: "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" will keep us away from church sometimes. Thank you to Meredith Hernandez for braving the elements to quaintly capture idyllic wintry views of Emanuel's that we don't get to see everyday. 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 remain high.
Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
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MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES
Each service will center on the “Holden Evening Prayer” liturgy with a reflection, based on our Lenten Devotional series, provided by one of our pastors. We invite you to follow along, as you are able, and in preparation for Easter.
Due to Covid-19 safety restrictions, our Midweek Services will be on
Facebook and YouTube,
Wednesdays at 12:05pm & 6pm
February 24 - March 24
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Palm Sunday, March 28: 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 1: 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2: 6: 30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4
Worship with Communion at 10:30 a.m.
Egg Hunt at 11:45 a.m.
Services will be both online and in-person. Council will review Covid-19 numbers in March to determine if we can worship safely on the lawn or in the sanctuary.
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ASH WEDNESDAY
RESCHEDULED
Due to the inclement weather in February both Ashes-to-Go and our Ash Wednesday service on the lawn were canceled.
Don't worry if you missed the ancient practice of imposition of ashes this year. Each opportunity will be available on Wednesday, March 24.
Being marked in ash with the sign of the cross will be a way for us to prepare for Holy Week together. The reminder that we are dust turns our attention to the creative power of God, and God's ability to heal the brokenness in our lives when we offer that brokenness to God.
Ashes-to-Go
Noon - 1pm
201 N. Travis at the street.
Worship on the Lawn
6:30 p.m.
Imposition of Ashes using safety protocols.
Bring your chair and mask.
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We join together in study around the A Sanctified Art’s series, “Again & Again.” The Creative Team writes, “With exacerbation we exclaim, ‘Again?! How long, O God?’ And yet, in the midst of the motion blur chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: ‘I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair.’ Again and again, God breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward.”
Taking on a new rhythm, you are invited to ponder poems, scriptural reflections, and selected pieces of art as we dive deeper and deeper into the refrain of God’s never ending, never yielding, love for us and all that God has made. Print copies will be mailed to those without internet. Print copies will also be available in the church office.
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EASTER GIVING WITH WATER TO THRIVE
Build Wells - Change Lives
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Emanuel's Easter giving campaign is now underway with Water To Thrive. Donations my be given as you rejoice the season, as a gift to someone special, or given in memory or honor of loved ones. Our 2020 water well campaign was wildly successful, and we are excited to provide a second community across the globe with access to clean water.
You can donate online at https://tinyurl.com/emanuelsgiving or complete the Water To Thrive giving form below. Printed forms are also in the church office. Learn more about Water to Thrive and the amazing work they do here.
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EASTER LILIES
Emanuel's will welcome Easter with beautiful lilies at our 10:30 a.m. worship service. You may donate Easter lilies as you rejoice the season, or in memory or honor of loved ones. Plants may be taken home following the service on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Return order forms to the office with payment made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church by Wednesday, March 24. Each poinsettia is $13.
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THANK YOU PROPERTY STEWARDS!
In a one week period we went from the iced azaleas below to flipping on the air conditioner! Overall, Emanuel's facilities were not hit very hard by the winter weather. There was one break on the roof HVAC system, the errant sprinkler by the front doors, and some minor water damage at the Day school caused by ice forming near the edge of the building and blocking water flow. Again, pretty good results from 60+ year old buildings that are exceptionally well maintained.
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LIFE AFTER LOSS
Emanuel’s Congregational Care Ministries invites you to a Life After Loss Virtual Class sponsored by Porter-Loring Family Care Services and University Presbyterian Church SOL Center. The Rev. Darwin Huartson is facilitating.
Place: Virtual Group Via Zoom
(Call-in information will be provided after you register)
Dates: Tuesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 2021.
Time: 6:30pm-8:00-pm
Our gathering goals are to understand the process of grief, assess where you are in the process of grief, discover how loss can transform you into becoming a better person, and plan how you will continue to heal & live a good life.
For more information or to register please contact Emanuel's Director of Congregational Care Donna Simmons at donna@elcseguin.org or 830-556-3542.
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Everyone was happy to be warm and back in the groove to learn this week. Attendance on Monday was a whopping 61 students!
You may notice some differences in morning drop-off procedures. To alleviate congestion at the Day School, parents with students in classrooms in the church building are bringing them to The Mountain Street door. The Day School aides are doing a great job checking temps and greeting parents, but it is time consuming until State Covid-19 restrictions can relax.
Lutheran Schools Week is March 7-12. It will be an exciting time of Spirit Days and celebrating the Lutheran heritage of honoring education.
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What? More adorable snowy photos to enjoy? Yes! Winter tidings from the Dodgen doggy, a couple of cute Clardy kids, and the terrific Hernandez trio. We hope you are enjoying these as much as we are.
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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. Elevated 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. During Lent the Pastors will be discussing the Again & Again devotional. 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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HOLY YOGA meets online at 6:45 pm on Mondays. Contact Pastor Kelsie to join this dedicated group.
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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. Well, we were all at home this week! Next week staff will 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.
More Zoom humor today as Lent gets into full swing:
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CAMPUS SAFETY REMINDERS:
- Masks. Wear them in the church building at all times. Masks should cover both nose and mouth. Everyone is in a mask. It’s what all the cool kids are doing these days.
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Small groups who gather must maintain a minimum six-feet physical distance. Be bold- go for ten-feet. Or more!
- Do not come to the church if you are feeling poorly, have a fever, or have been around people who have tested positive for the Coronavirus. This is true even if you just think it is cedar fever. (Another reason to hate allergies.)
- Embrace hand sanitizer. Use it when you enter and leave the building. Wash your hands if you touch your mask or face. Handwashing is an act of love for your neighbor. Love ALL!
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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- February 24, 2020
Offerings: $76,433.79
Expenses: $83,836.26
January 1-February 24, 2021
Offerings: $85,676.50
Expenses: $61,248.91
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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