View worship service recordings anytime on our Gethsemane Austin Facebook page.
When you worship at Gethsemane, there is no “dress code.” Come as you are! We encourage God’s children of all ages to worship, learn, and serve together. We are multigenerational and strive to be a community where faith and friendships are nurtured in a safe, accepting and affirming style of church life. All are welcome! All have a place at God’s table of grace and are welcome to fully participate in the ministry of Christ which we share. We open our doors to all who may have been excluded because of sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, race, economic status, ability, age, or station in life.
Sunday Schedule
| 9:30 AM | Sunday Church School for all ages |
| 10:30 AM | Worship Liturgy (Sanctuary) * |
Wednesday Schedule
| 12:00 Noon | Holy Communion (Sanctuary) * |
Christmas Eve Schedule
| 4 PM | Family Candlelight Worship, Children Sing, Carols, Santa Lucia, Christmas Apples (Sanctuary) |
| 7 & 10 PM | Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, Santa Lucia, Christmas Apples (Sanctuary) |
Christmas Day Schedule
9 AM Eucharist, Carols, Christmas Story Worship (Sanctuary)*
Holy Week Service Schedule* Holy Communion is offered during each of the Sunday morning worship services, at each Wednesday Eucharist at 12 noon, at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
| HOLY MONDAY | ||
| 11:45 a.m. | Meditation on the Cross and prayers for peace 12 noon Reading of Passion Story and Holy Communion PRAYER: O God, your Son chose the path which led to pain before glory. Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we may come at last to joy and glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Eucharist | |
| Scripture | Psalm 36:5-11; Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15; St. John 12:1-11 | |
| HOLY TUESDAY | ||
| 11:45 a.m. | Meditation on the Cross and prayers for peace 12 noon Reading of Passion Story and Holy Communion PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you. Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service, and that we may not fail or deny you in the hour of trial. Amen | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Eucharist | |
| Scripture | Psalm 71:1-14; Isaiah 49:1-7; I Corinthians 1:18-31; St. John 12:20-36 | |
| HOLY WEDNESDAY | ||
| 11:45 a.m. | Meditation on the Cross and prayers for peace 12 noon Reading of Passion Story and Holy Communion PRAYER: Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at the hands of humans and endured the shame of the cross. Grant that we may walk in the way of the cross and find it the way of life and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Eucharist | |
| Scripture | Psalm 70; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Hebrews 12:1-3; St. John 13:21-32 | |
| MAUNDY THURSDAY | ||
| 11:45 a.m. | Meditation on the Cross and prayers for peace 12 noon Reading of Passion Story and Holy Communion PRAYER: Lord God, in a wonderful Sacrament you have left us a memorial of your suffering and death. May this Sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the way we live will proclaim the redemption you have brought; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Maundy Thursday Eucharist, First Communion, Foot Washing | |
| Scripture | Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Exodus 12:1-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26; St. John 13:1-17, 31b-35 | |
| GOOD FRIDAY | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | Eucharist & Stripping of Altar | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Procession of Cross | |
| 12-3:00 p.m. | Seven Last Words, First English Lutheran | |
| 12 N-12 M | Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary/Home) PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you carried our sins in your own body on the tree so that we might have life. May we and all who remember this day find new life in you now and in the world to come, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Ancient Service of Tenebrae | |
| Scripture | Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25; St. John 18:1-19:42 | |
| HOLY SATURDAY, THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER | ||
| Scripture | Genesis 1:1–2:4a; Isaiah 55:1-11; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 114; Romans 6:3-11; St. Luke 24:1-12 | |
| 9:30 a.m. | Altar Guild | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Gethsemane Youth prepare for Easter breakfast |
Easter Sunday Festival
7:30 a.m. Easter Son-Rise worship, candle lighting, renewal of baptism promise
7:30—10 a.m. Easter breakfast (Multi-Purpose Room)
8:15 a.m. Easter Resurrection Worship/Holy Communion
9:30 a.m. Easter Songfest and Flowering of the Cross
10:00 a.m. Sacrament of Holy Baptism
10:30 a.m. Easter Resurrection Worship
12 noon Easter Holy Communion at the Altar
SACRAMENTS
All are invited to participate in the sacrament of bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus. We are united with God in Christ, with one another, and with the church’s mission in the world. Communion is shared privately with shut-ins and those hospitalized, and may be requested through the church office. Instruction is offered for those in third grade and above.
Gluten free is offered.
The Sunday worship services follow the liturgy of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), the cranberry hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, accompanied by the outstanding Gethsemane Memorial Pipe Organ. Gethsemane worship follows the church year, which includes the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. The Bible lessons read at each worship service are from the Revised Common Lectionary, which is shared with many denominations around the world. Gethsemane celebrates many special church holy days and the saints of the church. Children of all ages are invited to be part of the worship as there is a children’s sermon time for all the children to come forward with the pastor, and a special children’s bulletin given at that time. The second and fourth Sunday of the month is a contemporary worship with a lively comfortable feel. This liturgy is led with guitars, piano, and various other instruments. (Contemporary worship dates are subject to change.)