You can view all of our previous worship services, conversations with Pastor Gronberg and virtual workshops anytime from our Gethsemane Austin Facebook page:
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Gethsemane Lutheran Worship Changes Due to COVID-19
Dear Gethsemane members and friends,
Due to the spread of COVID-19 in the city of Austin, our worship services are modified. Following the guidelines of local health officials and the Southwestern-Texas Synod, we have established new ways of worshiping together as a community of faith. These are subject to change as the situation evolves, so please check back regularly for updates.
Online and In-Person Worship Schedule
Online Worship Options:
- Attend our live Zoom Worship Service every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. You may also stream this worship service through Facebook Live (details below).
- Watch the recording of the live Zoom worship service on your own time from our Gethsemane Facebook page.
- Watch the recording of the in-person worship service on your own time once it is posted to our Gethsemane Facebook page.
In-Person Worship Options:
- RSVP to attend in-person our taping of the recorded worship service every Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. (social distancing instructions below).
- RSVP to attend our in-person Wednesday Noon worship service
(social distancing instructions below).
Online and In-Person Worship Instructions
Online Worship Service Details:
Join us on Sundays at 10:30am for our online worship services. If you’re able, create an at-home altar with communion elements as well as flowers and/or a candle.
Download our Zoom-friendly worship bulletin for this Sunday.
Download the traditional worship bulletin for this Sunday.
Download music lyrics for this Sunday.
Download the children’s bulletins for ages 3-6 or ages 7-12 for this Sunday.
To participate in the online service, you will need to download the Zoom app or program on you phone or computer. Here is the link to access the worship service: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6996794165?pwd=WnVETVBQZHEzNTJRdnhCeWU2ODBQdz09
If you’re on a phone, you may not be able to access that link directly. In that case, you will need to go to www.zoom.com, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following:
Meeting number: 6996794165
Password: 234133
If you do not use Zoom, you may view the Facebook live stream of the online service through our Gethsemane Facebook page.
In-Person Worship Service Details:
Join us for our taping of the recorded worship service on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and/or for our Wednesday Noon worship services.
***REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON SERVICES***
- Please wear a mask
- Enter through the narthex only
- Please use the hand sanitizer available at the door
- You MUST call the church office and leave a message with your phone number to RSVP to attend
- Maximum attendance is 75
- If you are sick, have been around someone who has been sick or have any symptoms, PLEASE stay home
Other Ways to Stay Connected With Our Community
This is a difficult time for all of us. However, we can feel good knowing that we are part of the community-wide effort to slow down the spread of the virus as much as possible. By doing so, we are helping keep people healthy and alive.
You can do your part in helping to keep our community well-connected by caring for one another. Call someone you know and check in on them, especially if they are elderly or have health issues that put them at risk. Offer to get groceries or prescriptions if they are trying to minimize contact with others in the community. Encourage those who are feeling anxious or depressed during this time of increased isolation. Reach out to your neighbors in the same way. Keep a prayer vigil going for our community and our church. Make an online offering to ensure we have the financial resources we need to keep operating well in this unique and difficult time. You can mail a gift or use our online giving page:
http://gethsemaneaustin.org/give/
Community Connection Initiative
As part of our ELCA Mental Health Ministry Grant, Gethsemane’s Community Connection Initiative is designed to help each of us work proactively to look after the mental well-being of ourselves and others. Make plans to get involved with projects that center around supporting mental health within our community. Also, acts of service support your own mental health as well!
“You Are Loved” Signs
We are excited to have Gethsemane Lutheran Church yard signs, posters and magnets to help us let people know we are thinking of them and they are loved! If you would like to help deliver/mail signs or if you know of someone who simply needs to know they are loved by the Gethsemane community, please contact Pastor Susie at info@gethsemaneaustin.org.
Gethsemane’s Friend-to-Friend Program
Join this fun Friend-to-Friend program by visiting with a Gethsemane friend every two weeks from October to March. This structured program will help keep us connected during the winter months. The program runs from October 2020 to March 2021. Whether you are 100 years old or a senior high school student, there is a place for you! Friend Calls will occur about every 2 weeks for 15 minutes each. You can sign up to be a Friend that calls or receive a call from a Friend. A short Zoom training will help Friends that call. Let’s stay connected! Sign up via email: info@gethsemaneaustin.org.
Look What’s Cookin’…The Casserole Ministry!
If you can provide a casserole (homemade or store-bought) to a Gethsemane friend to lift their spirits or just revive their joy in dining during these unprecedented times, contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org. Casseroles should be in a non-returnable container, they do not need to include any additional sides or items and they should be delivered via porch-dropoff when the recipient is home. We will provide you with name, address, contact info and any necessary dietary restrictions. Let’s Get Cookin’!
Bereavement Sympathy Cards
We’re beginning another new ministry of sending sympathy cards to families who have lost a loved one during this difficult time. If you would like to help with this ministry please contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org.
BRIDGES TO HOPE: Free Virtual Mental Health Training for Clergy & Faith Leaders
Join us for “Bridges to Hope: Free Virtual Mental Health Training for Clergy and Faith Leaders” led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Thursday, April 22nd from 9 a.m. to noon. All faiths welcome!
Because religion and spirituality often play a vital role in healing, it’s not uncommon for families and individuals experiencing mental health issues to turn to a faith leader first for help. Yet faith leaders, staff and key outreach volunteers are often lacking the information, education, and resources to be the “bridge to hope” needed as people navigate serious, sometimes life-threatening, mental health issues.
Workshop Details:
- An informative overview of prevalent mental health myths and common symptoms of mental health disorders
- Simple ideas for building “bridges to hope” for your faith community
- A tool kit of community mental health resources
- A tool for developing an action plan to address the needs in your community and optional post-training support
Easter Services
Online and In-Person Easter Worship Schedule
Online Zoom Easter Service on Sunday, April 4th
(See details below to access)
10:00am
In-Person Easter Service in Gethsemane Sanctuary on Sunday, April 4th
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
11:00am
In-Person Worship Service Details:
PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, 512-836-8560 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO info@gethsemaneaustin.org TO RSVP FOR THE IN-PERSON SERVICE. WE WILL END RESERVATIONS ONCE WE REACH CAPACITY. THANK YOU!
***REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON SERVICES***
- Please wear a mask
- Enter through the narthex only
- Please use the hand sanitizer available at the door
- You MUST call the church office and leave a message with your phone number to RSVP to attend
- Maximum attendance is 125
- If you are sick, have been around someone who has been sick or have any symptoms, PLEASE stay home
Online Easter Worship Service Details:
Download our Zoom-friendly worship bulletin for Easter Sunday.
Download the traditional worship bulletin for Easter Sunday.
Download music lyrics for Easter Sunday.
Download the children’s bulletins for ages 3-6 or ages 7-12 for Easter Sunday.
To participate in the online service, you will need to download the Zoom app or program on you phone or computer. Here is the link to access the worship service: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6996794165?pwd=WnVETVBQZHEzNTJRdnhCeWU2ODBQdz09
If you’re on a phone, you may not be able to access that link directly. In that case, you will need to go to www.zoom.com, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following:
Meeting number: 6996794165
Password: 234133
If you do not use Zoom, you may view the Facebook live stream of the online service through our Gethsemane Facebook page.
HOLY WEEK ACTIVITY PACK FOR GETHSEMANE CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Gethsemane families with children may pick up a packet with ideas and materials to do together during Holy Week. The packets will be available in the narthex on Sat. March 27th between 11 am and 1 pm or contact Dar Joy at 512-913-1616 for other pick up times.
We give thanks to Lori Althaus, who has continued sharing Godly Play stories during the pandemic on Sunday morning Zoom worships, since we have not been meeting in person for Sunday School. Gethsemane continues sharing the love of Jesus with our children.
Christmas Services
Online and In-Person Christmas Worship Schedule
Christmas Eve on December 24th:
In-person in Gethsemane Sanctuary
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm
Online Zoom Christmas Eve Service
(See details below to access)
6:00pm
Christmas Day on December 25th:
In-Person in Gethsemane Sanctuary
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
9:00am
In-Person Worship Service Details:
PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, 512-836-8560 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO info@gethsemaneaustin.org TO RSVP TO EITHER THE 5PM, 6:30PM, 8PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR THE 9AM CHRISTMAS MORNING
IN-PERSON SERVICES. THANK YOU!
***REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON SERVICES***
- Please wear a mask
- Enter through the narthex only
- Please use the hand sanitizer available at the door
- You MUST call the church office and leave a message with your phone number to RSVP to attend
- Maximum attendance is 75
- If you are sick, have been around someone who has been sick or have any symptoms, PLEASE stay home
Online Christmas Eve Worship Service Details:
Download the Christmas Eve Zoom Worship Bulletin
To participate in the online service, you will need to download the Zoom app or program on you phone or computer. Here is the link to access the worship service: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6996794165?pwd=WnVETVBQZHEzNTJRdnhCeWU2ODBQdz09
If you’re on a phone, you may not be able to access that link directly. In that case, you will need to go to www.zoom.com, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following:
Meeting number: 6996794165
Password: 234133
If you do not use Zoom, you may view the Facebook live stream of the online service through our Gethsemane Facebook page.
Baking Connections Virtual Event
Join us online for a special Gethsemane Baking Connections virtual event on Sunday, December 13th at 1 p.m.
Since we cannot feast and fellowship in-person this holiday season, we will be making beloved Gethsemane member Viola Hall’s famous Christmas Sugar Cookies together as a community from our own home kitchens! We will also visit together and discuss ways that baking can support our mental health, especially to battle loneliness and isolation during the holiday season in the midst of the pandemic.
Before the event, please read Viola’s recipe below, gather and pre-measure your ingredients (if possible). Then make plans to join us on Zoom!
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86907311600?pwd=UmtTYWFuR25QcmNhUGJTVUtIS0lEUT09
Meeting ID: 869 0731 1600
Passcode: 339144
You can also RSVP on Facebook to let everyone know you’re coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/675323860012801
Viola’s Sugar Cookies Recipe
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 cups flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. Add baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and flour. Mix until well blended. You can scoop out balls and flatten them for circles or roll them out and use cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheet, silicone baking sheet, or parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes.
Substitutions for ingredients and for dietary restrictions:
*If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute 1 tsp of lemon juice. Add to the wet ingredients instead of the dry mix.
*Use 1 cup coconut palm sugar or 3/4 cup maple syrup if avoiding refined sugar.
*For a healthier alternative to butter, try using 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or to avoid butter all together use 1 cup coconut oil.
*To make egg-free, mix 1 TBS ground flax or chia seeds to 3 TBS warm water; stir well and let it set for 5-10 minutes.
*For a gluten-free option, use King Arthur or Bob Redmill’s Gluten Free flour or make your own flour from old fashion oats. Pulse in food processor or blender until smooth.
Advent Midweek Holden Prayer Services
Please plan to join us on Wednesday, December 2, 9 and 16 as we continue our Advent Midweek tradition of education and Holden Evening Prayer worship. Adult and Confirmation classes will be from 6:15-6:45 followed by Holden Evening Prayer. Please use the following Zoom login, and sign in as early at 6pm for fellowship time prior to classes.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652?pwd=VStTczFDTVp3bHBqVllsNjkreFNvUT09
Angel Giving Tree 2020
Gethsemane Lutheran members and families are invited to continue a neighborhood holiday tradition by sponsoring T.A. Brown Elementary School children and families. Due to Covid-19, the school has asked us to do things a bit differently this year. We will not be collecting items, but will be asking individuals/families to donate gift cards which can be purchased through Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry Pre-School.
Go to our Signup Genius website using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FAAA622A2F5CE9-angel
Select a family dinner or a child, provide your contact information and follow the link provided to pay through the GLCM website using PayPal or a debit/credit card. You may also mail in a check to be received by December 12th to GLCM 200 W Anderson Lane Austin TX 78752. Deadline for gift cards purchased online is December 13th.
Thank you for your support of this ministry. Merry Christmas!
Love’s Pure Light 2020 Drive Thru Trail of Lights
Did you miss the Love’s Pure Light Drive Thru Trail of Lights? Or do you want a chance to relive it? Enjoy this video of the experience made by Dar Joy Krenek: