Category Archives: Mission Work

Giving Opportunitites, Mission Work

GIVING OPTIONS

GIVING MADE EASY—Did you know we offer electronic giving? You can contribute anywhere, anytime right from your computer, smartphone or tablet!

*Give online at www.gethsemaneaustin.org by clicking on the ‘DONATE’ button on the left side bar.

*Download our NEW free mobile app by searching for “GivePlus” in the App Store or Google Play. Below is a link to a document to explain how the app works:

GivePlus mobile app infohttps://gethsemaneaustin.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GivePlus_Mobile_How_It_Works_2019.pdf

*OR…..Mail in your offering using your personalized and self-addressed white envelopes or a regular envelope.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Events, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

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.

Events, Giving Opportunitites, Ministry, Mission Work

God’s Work Our Hands – September 12-13, 2020

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.

Service Opportunities

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’!

Birthday Boxes for Jeremiah Program

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.

Yard Sign Deliveries

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.

Dog Toy Kits for the Austin Humane Society

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.

Annual Gethsemane Blood Drive

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.

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.

Food Pantry Items Donation

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!

Events, Ministry, Mission Work

Holy Cross Lutheran Rockport Rededication

Through the leadership of Gethsemane member Mary Lou Newman, chair of the Poverty & Justice Task Force Southwestern Texas Synod, in kind assistance and financial support has been given to Holy Cross Lutheran of Rockport. The congregation sustained over $1,000,000 in damage from Hurricane Harvey. Mary Lou and husband Terry along with others from the synod have worked numerous times to help the congregation. On Sunday, September 30th, Holy Cross will have a rededication service at 10:30 am in their refurbished church. Terry & Mary Lou will represent Gethsemane Lutheran expressing the privilege to share with the Holy Cross community as they rededicate their sanctuary and ministry.   At 3 pm, there will be an Open House  to see all of the finished work and to celebrate. For more information speak with Mary Lou or Pastor Karl  Gronberg.

 

Learning, Mission Work

ESL/SSL Classes

English as a Second Language (ESL) & Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) classes
Ingles como segundo lenguaje y Español como segundo lenguaje clases

Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Iglesia Luterana Getsemaní

8 week courses
Cursos de 8 semanas

Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm
Jueves 6:30-7:30 pm

CLASSES ARE FREE
CLASES GRATIS

Children’s Programming & Tutoring Available
Programación y tutoría para niños disponibles

Call 512-836-8560 for details.
Llame al 512-836-8560 para más detalles.

Ministry, Mission Work

COSTA RICA SPANISH IMMERSION TRIP

JULY 28-AUGUST 11, 2018

Gethsemane members and friends Elizabeth Kite, Mackenzie Kite, Madison Kite, Dar Joy Krenek Mark McConaughy, Marsha McConaughy, Mary Lou Newman, Julie Rowe, Lee Schnelle and Pastor Susie Schnelle travel  July 28-August 11 to  Monteverde and Heredia, Costa Rica where they will participate in Spanish classes and immerse themselves in the culture of Costa Rica.  In preparation for this experience they have taken Spanish classes at Gethsemane with Jose Moreira and Navy Browning.  Gethsemane has a long history of outreach to people in our community whose primary language is Spanish. This opportunity will  benefit Gethsemane ministry by closing the language barrier.

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
MONTEVERDE
Cloud Forest Hike
Café Monteverde Coffee Tour
Life Monte Verde Volunteership
Sky Trek (hanging bridges or
canopy zip-line)

HEREDIA
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Worship at the Lutheran church in San Jose
Heredia walking tour
Volunteership with the Lutheran church in San Jose
Tarcoles River nature tour
Farewell lunch

Events, Ministry, Mission Work

UT Austin/Gethsemane Serve Thailand 2018

Another group of intelligent and caring students from the University of Texas-Austin are preparing themselves for the trip of a lifetime: serving the people of Thailand. Gethsemane Lutheran will partner again with Projects for Underserved Communities in making a difference for the people in Thailand. Through the leadership of Gethsemane members Mary Lou Newman and Khem Saythongkham along with faculty members from the university, these students have designed the 2018 project to be completed this summer. The students will be sharing personal stories and the project with Gethsemane members during the Easter Wednesday Connections April 11th and 25th. Do you want to know more about this ministry? The history is a story of Gethsemane and the Saythongkham family coming to Austin and Laos/Thailand. You will learn about the students and this ministry on Wednesdays April 11th and 25th.

Events, Giving Opportunitites, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

ELCA National Youth Gathering 2018

The ECLA National Youth Gathering will kickoff in Houston, Texas on June 27th, and will last until July 1st. This is a fantastic event that we would love all of our youth to be a part of!

http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering

For more information, Contact Dar Krenek

Ministry, Mission Work

Thailand Ministry Commences

Gethsemane members Khem & Pim Saythongkham await the arrival of the University of Texas-Austin students, their advisor David Powell and Pastor Susan & Lee Schnelle.

The water filtration system has been paid for by Gethsemane members with installation to begin upon the arrival of the students.

Khem took with him financial gifts to enable the completion of the the church building named “Blessing Church.” This is the 7th ministry started by Gethsemane congregation.

Thanks Gethsemane Lutheran for your prayers, words of encouragement, financial support for cooperative ministry with UT-Austin Projects with Underserved Communities.

Events, Mission Work

Mission Trip

Gethsemane annual Borderland Trip to Eagle Pass is January 8-10, 2016.

Youth 18 and under must have a parent or guardian with them. Annual mission trips include: community garden, painting, cleaning, carpentry, modified Bible School, Spanish worship Sunday morning.

Brochures in the narthex.