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Mission Work, YOUTH

Youth-Led Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Wednesday, November 22 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 on Sunday, December 3.

Worship via Livestream
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Bulletin
Advent

Dinner, Devotions, and Holden Evening Prayer

Wednesdays in Advent: Dec. 6, 13, 20
Dinner and Advent Devotions: 6 pm
Holden Evening Prayer: 7 pm

Join us for each week for dinner, devotions, and a brief midweek Holden Evening Prayer worship service to fill your heart with the sights and sounds of hope this Advent season!

Come at 6 pm to enjoy a soup dinner and community Advent devotional time studying “The Dawn Chorus” Advent devotional book. Then attend the Holden Evening Prayer Service at 7 pm. 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: December 6, December 13 & December 20
6 pm Advent devotions in the Narthex
7 pm prayer service in the Sanctuary or via Livestream

Worship via Livestream

Advent, Mission Work

Angel Tree 2023

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, blanket, and/or a child to sponsor. 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 $175.
  4. The deadline to complete your Angel Tree gift is Sunday, December 17th.

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

Advent

The Dawn Chorus: An Advent Devotional on the Wonders of Birds

Free Advent Devotional Available to Gethsemane Members

Pick up a copy in the Narthex beginning November 19 or check G-News for a downloadable version.

Songbirds know a thing or two about singing into darkness: in the wee hours of the morning, before the sun appears over the horizon, they begin a great symphony that scientists call the “dawn chorus.”

Advent is the church’s dawn chorus. In this devotional designed for families of all shapes and sizes, we walk with scripture through the season’s four weeks of hope, peace, joy, and love, singing into shadows and looking to the light.

Sign Up for G-News to receive a free digital copy
YOUTH

Affirmation of Baptism & Reformation Sunday

Sunday, October 29h
Reformation Sunday – Remember to WEAR RED this Sunday!
Affirmation of Baptism – Reception during Sunday School at 9:30 am to honor the confirmands. All are welcome!

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.

Gethsemane youth, having completed study/participation in Gethsemane Lutheran confirmation ministry will affirm their baptism Sunday, October 30th. Family members present a candle, symbolic of the confirmand’s baptismal candle.  Continuing a Gethsemane tradition of four-plus decades, the confirmands introduce family members during the 9:30 am Sunday School 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 2023 Confirmation Class to live their baptismal birthright.

Uncategorized

All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday, November 5 at 10:30 am

Remember to “Fall Back” one hour this Sunday!

The names of persons having received the final commendation of the baptized community since All Saints Sunday 2022 will be read during the 10:30 am festival liturgy. 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

Events

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your pets to worship on Sunday, October 1st at 10:30 am for a blessing!

  • All friendly pets welcome
  • Please keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier
  • Consider bringing pet food or toy donations for the Austin Humane Society

Can’t bring your pet(s) to worship with you?
Post a photo of your pet on our Facebook page to receive a virtual blessing!

Pastor Gronberg will also continue the annual Blessing of the Animals tradition at the Austin Humane Society (AHS) on St. Francis Day. AHS donors are invited to join with Pastor Gronberg and Dar Krenek in this traditional blessing. Thanks to Erin Jolly and Gethsemane neighbors at the Austin Humane Society for sharing their commitment to dogs, cats and humans in the Austin community. Everyone needs a “furever home”.

Learn more about St. Francis of Assisi.

Uncategorized

Annual Gethsemane and San Lucas Encuentro/Encounter Weekend

January 12-14, 2024
Eagle Pass, TX

Join this 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 36-year history and Gethsemane has been a part of that ministry for over 27 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.

Events, Giving Opportunitites, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

God’s Work Our Hands & Rally Sunday

Sunday, September 10

Don’t miss this exciting day at Gethsemane! Wear or plan to purchase a “God’s Work Our Hands” shirt to wear for this day of service together.

Sign up to volunteer

Gather for Rally Sunday in the multipurpose room at 9:30 am to celebrate the beginning of a new year of growing in faith together. After the opening, children and youth will meet with their teachers. Parents are asked to go with them to get them registered.

Following the 10:30 am worship, enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch prepared by Gethsemane members Greg & Debbie Pitts (aka Rusted Shut BBQ) in the multipurpose room.

After lunch, participate in the annual “God’s Work Our Hands” multi-generational opportunity for service work restoring/reconciling communities.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Make pet toys for the Austin Humane Society
  • Donate food and clothes for the Food Pantry & Clothes Closet
  • Give blood at the “We Are Blood” blood mobile in the Gethsemane parking lot
  • Contribute birthday party supplies for single mother families at The Jeremiah Project
  • Work on GLCM outdoor playground beautification
  • Clean up around the church campus, including the kitchen pantry and MPR tables
  • Sign greeting cards to Gethsemane members in need of love and prayers
  • Bring baked goods to deliver to local emergency responders and to enjoy as a community after lunch
  • Donate costumes, dress-up, pajamas, and accessories (ALL MUST BE NEW) and/or monetary donations for Katrina’s Cocoon Crew to bring smiles to children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses
  • Make a Blanket of Love
  • Help serve the BBQ lunch

Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or sign up online.

See you there!