Monthly Archives: November 2022

Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Thanksgiving Eve Youth-Led Worship

Wednesday, November 23 at 7 pm

Worship on Thanksgiving Eve either at the regular noon liturgy or at 7 pm for the annual Youth-Led Praise and Thanksgiving worship. The spirit of Thanksgiving is to give, so please bring food donations for the Gethsemane Food Pantry.

The annual Angel Giving Tree will be on display in the Narthex. Choose an ornament for holiday donations to T.A. Brown Elementary School families. A take-home Advent devotional will also be available in the Narthex. Advent begins Sunday, November 27.

Worship via Livestream
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Bulletin
Advent, Giving Opportunitites, Mission Work

Angel Tree 2022

1 Comment

It’s that time of year again! Gethsemane Lutheran members and families are invited to continue a neighborhood holiday tradition by sponsoring T.A. Brown Elementary School children and families. Once again, we’re asking individuals/families to donate gift cards that can be purchased through Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry (GLCM).

Choose an Angel Tree Ornament

Angel Tree Instructions

  1. Visit the Angel Tree Sign Up and select a family dinner and/or a child to sponsor (in the children’s slots, the M or F indicates gender). Provide your name, email, and phone number.
  2. Once you have signed up, purchase gift cards from either HEB (for family dinners) or Target/Walmart (for children’s gifts). For the blanket, give a check or $15 cash, do not buy a gift card. Please bring your gift card and/or money to Pastor Susie or Dar in an envelope labeled with the Angel number, the name of the family and/or child, and your name.
  3. Recommended amounts: children’s gifts $50 each and family dinners: families of 3 at least $75, families of 4-5 at least $100, and families of 6-8 at least $150.
  4. The deadline to complete your Angel Tree gift is Sunday, December 11th.

Thank you for your support of this ministry. Merry Christmas!

Advent, Events

“Love’s Pure Light” Drive-Thru or Walk-Thru Christmas Light Show

Saturday, December 10, 6-8 pm

Gethsemane youth and Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry invite you to join us for “Love’s Pure Light,” this year’s Drive-Thru or Walk-Thru Advent/Christmas Light Show! We’ll have Christmas carolers, greetings from Santa and a special surprise treat for you at the end. Don’t miss out on all of the fun!

Sign Up to Help With Set Up or Take Down
Advent

Advent Holden Evening Prayer

Join us for brief midweek Holden Evening Prayer worship services to fill your heart with the sights and sounds of hope this Advent season!

Written in 1985-1986 while Marty Haugen was the musician-in-residence at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in Washington State, this lovely setting of vespers follows the traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language.

Wednesdays: November 30, December 7 & December 14
7 pm in the Sanctuary or via Livestream

Worship via Livestream

Advent, Learning

Joyful Poetry of Advent Devotional

Joyful Poetry of Advent: A pilgrimage through Advent based on the poetry of E.E. Cummings

Free Advent Devotional Available to Gethsemane Members

Pick up a copy in the Narthex or check G-News for a downloadable version.

The son of a pastor and a thoughtful theologian in his own right, E. E. Cummings often explored spiritual terrain in his poetry – including a group of brilliant, inventive, provocative poems related to Advent and Christmas.

In this Advent devotional, biblical texts and Cummings’ poems call us to keep awake, watch, and wait for God to arrive on Christmas morning. All you’ll need is your favorite Bible and Cummings’ “Complete Poems” (all the poems referenced in the devotional can also be found online). Week by week, simple candlelight services and weekly practices will help us read, reflect, sing, and prepare – all for the sake of deepening the joys of the season.

Sign Up for G-News to receive a free digital copy
Events, Mission Work

Annual Gethsemane and San Lucas Encuentro/Encounter Weekend

January 13-15, 2023
Eagle Pass, TX

This is a special “encounter” or “encuentro” weekend for Gethsemane and San Lucas congregations to work side by side and expand our vision of ministry together. San Lucas is celebrating their 35-year history and Gethsemane has been a part of that ministry for over 26 years.

View the printed mission trip brochure.

  • All are “Called by Grace,” to participate: youth, singles, couples, those with and without children, from the very young to the not-so-young. There is something for all levels of ability. Youth under 18 are asked to have a parent or guardian along for the weekend experience.
  • “Led by Faith, Welcoming All to Share God’s Love” – This is a great opportunity to work, worship, eat, and share together with the community of San Lucas.
  • “God’s Work. Our Hands” – Saturday we will be working alongside members of San Lucas. Your special gifts will be to be put to use. Part of the group will do a modified Bible School experience in the afternoon with the children in the area. We will worship in Spanish Sunday morning. Be ready for some special fun this year!

Passports or birth certificates will NOT be needed as we will not be crossing the border as a group!

For any questions, speak to Pastor Susie or Dar Joy Krenek.

SCHEDULE

  • Friday arrival and check-in at hotel
  • Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided at San Lucas
  • Saturday work projects will begin after breakfast
  • Sunday breakfast provided, followed by worship

WHAT TO BRING

  • Snacks, games, and goodies for sharing
  • Musical instruments
  • Tools

ACCOMMODATIONS

We will be using the building and outdoor areas at Iglesia Luterana San Lucas for meals, VBS, and other activities BUT we will not be sleeping there. Please make your reservations at one of the motels close by. San Lucas is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Southwest Texas Synod, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

COST

The cost listed below for the weekend includes supplies for the work we do, and 4 meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast (travel meals are on your own).

Cash or Check Cost (add $5 per registration to pay online):
$50 per person, ages 13 and above;
$25 per person, ages 4-12 (3 & under are free!)
$125 suggested maximum per family.

*Please make checks payable to Gethsemane Lutheran.
Payment is due by Jan. 8th.

Register for the Gethsemane & San Lucas Encuentro/Encounter Weekend

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Special gifts may be given to help with project supplies and to support the ministries of San Lucas. All financial gifts are appreciated. Give online designating Border Missions.