A permanent public artwork will be created for Georgian Acres Neighborhood Park through Austin’s Art in Public Places Program. The project artist is Kemba Opio. Kemba uses community engagement and photography to design art.
The artist would like to hear from residents and park users—What is important to you? Your answers will help inspire the artwork design.
If you missed any of our virtual wellness sessions in November, you can now watch recordings of them! Links available below.
Virtual wellness sessions for all ages weekly throughout the month of November:
EXERCISE/YOGA – Free virtual yoga session led by Dana Huntsman on Sunday, November 1st at 3 p.m.
This yoga session is suitable for all ages and abilities. Wear comfortable clothes, grab a yoga mat/towel and water, and join us! Exercise involves engaging in physical activity and increasing the heart rate beyond resting levels. It is an important part of preserving physical and mental health. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise as it develops a relationship between your body, mind, and spirit through different body postures, meditation and breathing patterns. Maintaining a regular yoga practice provides numerous physical and mental health benefits.
WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/3432627210154027
MENTAL HEALTH – Free virtual “Families Together” Mental Health Workshop led by NAMI Central Texas on Saturday, November 7th from 1-3 p.m.
In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Hear compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Understand the reality of living with mental health conditions that are often invisible to others. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions, which allows for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions.
*No recording available for this session, but NAMI Central Texas offers this session frequently through their website: https://namicentraltx.org/families/online-family-class/
NUTRITION – Free virtual workshop on nutrition led by Gethsemane member Tracy Anderson on Sunday, November 15th at 3 p.m.
Eating a nutritious diet offers numerous health benefits that keep you mentally and physically well. Healthy food provides the energy you need to keep active throughout the day and the nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy.
WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/373334784088298
SLEEP – Free virtual workshop on sleep hygiene led by Gethsemane member Mary Lou Newman on Sunday, November 22nd at 3 p.m.
We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—not to mention finding time to relax. To fit everything in, we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep is vital to your well-being. Insufficient sleep is linked to a host of health problems, from depression to cardiovascular disease. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle.
WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/737540007111701
MEDITATION/MINDFULNESS – Free virtual workshop on meditation and mindfulness led by Pastor Susan Schnelle on Sunday, November 29th at 3 p.m.
Studies have shown mindfulness meditation to positively impact both mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing focus and improving relationships.
WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/377117903540834
Join us for Sunday morning virtual worship services, which will also be centered around wellness during the month of November.
Make plans to get involved with Gethsemane’s “God’s Work Our Hands” service projects September 12-13, 2020! We have eight wonderful service projects this year, with opportunities for everyone to get involved in various ways, big and small! Volunteer with something as simple as a phone call, sympathy card, yard sign delivery or food pantry donation. Or give of your time making dog toys, birthday kits or casseroles. Also, make plans to attend the annual blood drive – a vital service opportunity needed this year more than ever!
All service opportunities will be conducted with proper COVID-19 safety protocols. Please plan to wear a mask and maintain social distance.
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.
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’!
Unfortunately, the program, Sharing Happy Birthdays, for which we made birthday boxes the last few years has closed due to the COVID pandemic. So this year we will provide birthday boxes for Jeremiah Program.
Jeremiah Program offers one of the nation’s most successful strategies for transforming families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. Jeremiah prepares determined single mothers to excel in the workforce, readies their children to succeed in school, and reduces generational dependence on public assistance. Jeremiah’s proven, holistic approach begins with establishing a supportive community for determined single mothers to pursue a career-track, college education. Through a combination of quality early childhood education, a safe and affordable place to live, and empowerment and life skills training, families find stability and a path out of poverty.
We will provide all the goodies for an entire birthday party for three children who live at the Jeremiah Program facility. The themes will be mermaids/beach, minions/emojis, and animals.
The items needed for the three boxes are:
-cake mix & icing & candles
-themed cupcake liners, sprinkles or other items for decorating cake/cupcakes
-themed decorations (balloons, streamers or banner)
-themed blowers, party hats, etc or additional party supplies (for 16 kids)
-themed tablecloth, napkins, plates, & cups (for 16 kids)
-themed goodie bags (for 16 kids)
-themed goodie bag items to put in the goodie bags (for 16 kids)
-candy & snacks (Doritos or Cheetos) (non-perishable) (for 16 kids)
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BADA92DA20-gods
If you have any trouble with the sign-up, you can contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org. Please bring your items to Gethsemane either Saturday, September 12th from 10a.m-noon or on Sunday, September 13th from 10a.m.-3p.m. to be put into boxes/bags and delivered to the Jeremiah Program facility.
We are excited to have Gethsemane Lutheran Church yard signs to let people know we are thinking of them and they are loved! Pastor Susie is needing volunteers to deliver the signs in sets of about 10 (depending on the area). If you would like to help deliver the signs please contact Pastor Susie at info@gethsemaneaustin.org.
We are again making dog toys for our neighbor, the Austin Humane Society. It will be a little different this year. We will be distributing kits to make 10 dog toys. The kits will be available for pick up on Saturday, September 12th between 10am-Noon. The completed dog toys will need to be returned Sunday, September 13th between 10am-3pm. For more information, contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org.
Sunday, September 13th, 10am-3pm
This year’s blood drive is by appointment ONLY. NO walk-ins accepted.
Please contact Pastor Gronberg at the church office, 512-836-8560, to schedule your appointment.
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.
Along with the regular non-perishable items needed for the families who come to the Gethsemane Lutheran Food Pantry, we are in need of
TOILET PAPER AND LAUNDRY SOAP.
Please call Pastor Gronberg at the Church office, 512-836-8560 to schedule a time to drop off any pantry items.
Thank you for your support of this ministry!
MIDWEEK CONNECTIONS
2019 FALL SEASON
WEDNESDAYS, SEPT. 18-NOV. 20
11:00 a.m. Faith Conversations with Pastors Gronberg & Schnelle
12 Noon Holy Communion (Sanctuary)
5:30–6:30 Supper ($5 per person) (MPR)
6:15–7:10 Faith Conversations with Pastor Gronberg, Confirmation class with Pastor Susie, and Children/Youth activities (PreK-12th grade)
7:15–7:30 Holy Communion (Sanctuary)
7:30–7:45 Mentors & Confirmands
7:45–8:45 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (MR)
Men in Mission will tour custom handmade guitar maker, Collings Guitars on Thursday, October 17th. Tour is limited to 15 people so sign up today on the Bulletin board while space is still available. Lunch will follow tour. Fellowship time with coffee and donuts begin in the Music Room at 9:00 AM. Tour departs at 10:00 AM. Sign up Men in Mission Bulletin Board.
Join us and GLCM for their Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, May 5th, Star Ranch. We will need your help in making this tournament a success. We need players of any skill level, hole sponsors and prizes. You can sign up as a team or individual. It is the largest GLCM fundraiser and has always been lots of fun! Sponsorships are available! Please contact Angelica Lundquist at 512-339-6335 or angelicalundquist@glcmchildcare.org for sponsorships and more information.
Youth Dinner Theater Fundraiser
“AN UNATTRACTIVE MAN” By Lane Holmstrom
Saturday, MAY 4, 2019
Dinner at 5 pm; Show at 6 pm
Live & Silent Auctions
Tickets cost $15 and are on sale now!
Thank You for supporting the Gethsemane Youth
Gethsemane Lutheran Adults Dining Out for Food, Fun and Fellowship Tuesday, November 13th, 7 pm, Catfish Parlor, 10910 Research Blvd. Jim & Adelle Buehring are your hosts. There is always room at the table!
The names of persons having received the final commendation of the baptized community since All Saints ‘Sunday, 2017 will be read during 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. festival liturgies. Family members/friends are invited to light a candle in memory of their loved ones. The faith community is blessed by saints having lived their baptism as well as those with whom the Gospel is lived today. All Saints’ Sunday reminds the church community, that by the grace of God, the baptized live and die in God’s mercy and love:
“For all the saints who from their labors rest. All who by faith before the world confessed.”
WEAR RED!
Since 1973, Reformation Sunday has been designated the Sunday when Gethsemane youth are invited to Affirm their Baptism in the Rite of Confirmation. Reformation Sunday is celebrated by the Lutheran/Reformation community as the Sunday to focus “on the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ-the good news– that makes us free!” The Reformation community prays for the Holy Spirit to continue uniting the church catholic in proclamation and witness for all the world to hear of the grace of God. In the blessed sacrament of “Holy Baptism, the people of God are made one body;” giving thanks for Dr. Martin Luther and all the reformers past and present. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scripture, Solo Christo, Soli Deo Gloria. The Gethsemane Sanctuary Choir, directed by Michael Harrison assisted by pianist Patience Jones are preparing special music for the Reformation celebration. Bellissimo, directed by JoAnn Gerbig, join with invited instrumentalists, Gethsemane organist Margaret Manz, and vocalists Dar Joy Krenek, Lee Schnelle add their musical gifts to the Reformation celebration in honor of the 2018 confirmands and in gratitude to God for the Good News of the Lutheran Reformation of 1517. Gethsemane youth, having completed two years of study/participation in Gethsemane Lutheran confirmation ministry will affirm their baptism Sunday, October 28: Ryan Scott Bohls-January 4, 2004; Katherine Elaine Errett-January 30, 2005; Luke Davis Lundquist-January 18, 2004; Brendan Beckham Raymond-June 20, 2004. Confirmation mentors John Foster, Belinda Malin, Rodger Anderson and Gordon Feller present confirmands. Family members present a candle, symbolic of confirmands baptismal candle. Continuing a Gethsemane tradition of four plus decades, the confirmands introduce family members during the 9:30 a.m. SCS Hour. These baptized Christians claim their family faith heritage by affirming their gratitude for the nurturing they have received on their faith journey since baptism. Congratulations parents, grandparents, and extended family for encouraging the Gethsemane Lutheran 2018 Confirmation Class to live their baptismal birthright.
“To God Be The Glory!”
