Because Lutherans are informed: we love to be in the know! Have you read the 2020 Annual Report? It is online here. And there are print copies available in the office. Got your Lenten Devotional? It is online here. There are also print copies available in the office. Participating in the life of the church by being informed is a valuable exercise right now. 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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ASH WEDNESDAY
Gather for song, Word, and prayer on the Lawn
Wednesday, February 17
5:30 p.m.
All mask and physical distancing policies will be observed. Our pastors have put in place measures to safely and prayerfully administer the ashen crosses at the close of the service. Please bring your lawn chair, a light blanket, your mask, and your singing voice.
If you are unable to join us in the evening, please stop by
Ashes-to-Go
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Front of Sanctuary at the street
The line begins on Mountain Street. Please remain in your car and wear a mask. Pastors will be following safety protocols as they pray with and administer crosses to any and all who want them. Ashes-to-Go is offered to the community by Emanuel's Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church.
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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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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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A WORD FROM PASTOR MARCUS
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Intentionality. The more I have thought about what the past year has taught me and the communities in which I work and live, this word continues to echo in my head. How can I be intentional about my time here, my experiences here, among the people I am, alongside the people I serve, or within the mission I am called to live out? What measures do I need to take, personally, to be more intentional in the decision I make, the practices I keep, and the voice I share?
The movement from personal attention to intentionality to that of the church is not a far step because we can ask ourselves the same questions. How can we as a community of faith, a missional, vibrant congregation in Seguin, be intentional about our biblical practices, our creeds and statements of faith, and our mission? To be intentional means to mean what we say and do what we mean. If we say we are a welcoming and open congregation, then we ought not just live in the words, but do what we say, be open and welcoming. If our mission statement emboldens us to “serve others and embrace all”, then we ought not just be a community of words but be a community of action; exemplifying such practices in our daily lives as well as a faith lives.
Starting February 1, and over the next 11 months, I invite you into a process of intentionality. I want us to dig deeper in what it means to be intentional in our faith, in our worship, with our voices, and in the living out of our mission. It is a process of recognizing faults and failures, of hearing from those different than ourselves with open ears and hearts, of celebrating learning new things and finding new ways to be Christ’s Body in the world, and, as Luther said, to be bold, not prideful, about who we are called to be. This journey will be difficult, and we will struggle. But most assuredly, we will be better for the prayerful work we will undertake.
Our journey begins with the celebration of Black History Month and the recognition of leaders, athletes, poets, entertainers, congressmen, and martyrs, along with many others, both present and historical, who challenged societal norms and broke barriers set in place because of race and ethnicity. We will then dive into book studies about leadership, empowering young people, transformative vulnerability, and listening to the marginalized edges of the church. We will study the ancient church, through the eyes of the Gospels and Paul’s letters, heeding the teachings of our foundational roots as ways to engage the world around us with God’s love. We will hold special worship services where we will be challenged by our history, empowered to live differently by a variant of voices and leaders, and be sent to be a part of our community in new and renewed ways. And this is all just the beginning.
To truly be “the church God is calling us to be,” as our mission statement tasks, is a bold and challenging statement. It requires many things of us personally and as a congregation. However, no matter the steepness of our climb or the density of our study, the Holy Spirit moves, equips, and shapes into who God is calling us to be. If we do this intentional work with open hearts and minds, we will become new creations, we will be changed, and our church, our ministries, and all of us who participate in them, will be changed for the better. So, siblings in Christ, let us begin.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Marcus
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DAY SCHOOL CELEBRATES
100 DAYS OF SCHOOL
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Monday, February 8th was the 100th day of school for our Day School students and faculty. Each class celebrated in unique ways.
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The PreK 3 class reports, "The kiddos were really excited to share their projects with the class and color fun hats! I loved seeing and hearing what they worked hard on! A picture to remember the day, hats, and a 100 Day Superhero certificate were sent home. Everyone shared what their favorite thing about school was so far- it was playing with their friends across the board!"
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"In the Kinder Corral we shared projects we each did at home, counted and colored to 100 on our 100th day pizza, read how things are when you are 100 years old, and wrote about what we would do if we were given $100."
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The Emanuel's 2021 Congregation Council met on Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. both in-person and via Zoom. Minutes of the meeting will be available next week. Council Executive Officers were elected. Please welcome our new church leaders.
President: Allan Bode
Vice President: Keith Vinyard
Treasurer: Susan Yeatts
Secretary: Emily Prochnow
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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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Notice: The Emanuel's Church Office will be closed on Monday, February 15th in observance of President's Day
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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.
Hope it's not too late to get on this bandwagon:
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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 9, 2020
Offerings: $67,990.29
Expenses: $55,824.63
January 1-February 9, 2021
Offerings: $77,103.50
Expenses: $37,285.71
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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