We want to help you grow in Christ, and we have many different ministries in order to help foster that growth. Please explore our different ministry areas:
Christian Education
Sunday School is offered each Sunday for children as young as 3 through adult. Sunday School is scheduled from 10:30-11:15.
Women’s Ministries
Spirit of Joy has two women’s bible study groups, one meeting on the second Tuesday of the month in the evening while the other meets on the third Wednesday at 2 pm. We use the gather magazine (gather.org) as our study guide. Both groups meet in members’ homes and take turns being hostesses and study leaders (not a requirement to attend!)
We also sponsor a project called Women in Need (WIN) collecting and filling gently used purses to deliver to various community agencies who in turn share with their clients. See the Facebook page for more information. We also support various causes of the ELCA Women, such as providing health kits to people in need.
Men’s Ministries
The Men’s Bible Study group meets every Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. at El Olvido Hacienda Restaurant, 632 E. Kingsbury Street, Seguin, TX.
Youth/Confirmation
Programs for the Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church youth encompass the three “S’s” – Study, Service, and Social.
Study:
Sunday School is held after the church service at 10:30. It releases at 11:30. Classes are available to different grade groupings, K-3rd grade, 4th -6th grade, confirmation, and high school. The study includes Biblical stories and teachings along with hands on activities as well as music in song. High school will focus on current events and Biblical implications. Classes start in September and run through May.
Confirmation classes are available to children in the 7th and 8th grade. It is a two year program with the Pastor Megan Elliot as the primary facilitator/instructor. Currently classes are on Sunday starting at 11:00 and ending at 12:30. Lunch, provided by parents, is included. Instruction focuses on the Old and New Testament of the Bible as well as Lutheran History and Catechism. The whole curriculum takes two years. On completion, the rite of Confirmation is earned and celebrated.
Service:
Many opportunities are available for service for all age groups. Youth are asked to join in helping the Christian Cupboard on first and third Saturdays of each month. Youth are also asked to volunteer to help as church service assistants. An annual project is the Tanzanian Goat Project. Money is raised through group projects which is then sent to buy goats for orphaned children. Children are also included in helping during God’s Work, Our Hands work days. Throughout the year children suggest and participate in many local service events.
Social:
Throughout the year social events are scheduled for the youth to enjoy. It could be a movie night, bowling night, supper and bonfire, plus many more events. During the summer camps are available through Cross Trails Ministry and Luther Hill ministries. A week of Vacation Bible School occurs usually in July and is cohosted with Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church.
Missions
Spirit of Joy members are involved with many mission outreach projects. Each year in September we participate in “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday. This is a day where ELCA congregations nationwide go out and help with service projects in their communities.
SOJ also provides support to our sister congregation, Cristo Rey Lutheran Church located in Pharr, Texas and to the South Texas Refugee Center/Shelter in McAllen, Texas. We make two trips a year to the Valley to volunteer and offer supplies.
We also volunteer at our local Food Pantry, The Christian Cupboard, two Saturday mornings a month.
The Men’s Group has organized a “Lutheran Build Day” at our local Habitat for Humanity build site.