December 2nd is “Giving Tuesday.” The good people of Gethsemane do this everyday. This Tuesday, Gethsemane is giving to the community through its food pantry and clothes closet. God’s abundant gifts are shared through this congregation in so many ways…consider giving to one of the many ministries that Gethsemane supports today, this #GivingTuesday.
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Borderland Trip
Gethsemane and San Lucas
“ENCUENTRO”
Borderland Encounter
January 15-18, 2015
San Lucas is celebrating their 27 year history and Gethsemane has been a part of that ministry for about 21 of those years.
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.
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.”
This mission trip includes the installation of a 2800 gallon rainwater capture system, construction of raised garden beds for a community garden, a remodel of the current food pantry to a new client-served pantry, a modified Bible School and Spanish worship Sunday morning. We are in need of volunteers to coordinate and prepare meals including the San Lucas/Gethsemane community dinner. Brochures are available in the narthex. 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 Intern Sharolyn
will not be crossing the border as a group!For any questions, speak to:
Pastor Susie or Intern Sharolyn
November 6th Newsletter
The Gethsemane Lutheran Church Newsletter for November 6, 2014 is available.
Family Retreat
February 28 – March 1 is the 33rd annual retreat at Camp Chrysalis (near Kerrville, Texas) for the Family of Gethsemane. Please consider being part of the fun!
This is a very special opportunity for friends and all members of the congregational family: singles, couples, those with and without children, from the very young to the not so young in years, but all young in spirit.
All are “Called by Grace” to come enjoy a relaxed, informal time, to share thoughts, histories, dreams, conversations, laughter, songs, the bread and wine of communion, the fresh air of the hill country, and good food.
“Led by Faith”, you may climb to the cross on the mountain, read your Bibles, play, eat, visit, and rock on the porch.
“Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”, we will meet new friends and have time to relax and be with those we may not know so well. This is a great event to invite friends to share in the family life of Gethsemane.
Please print the 2015 Family of Gethsemane Retreat Brochure and return to Pastor Susie or Intern Sharolyn by February 22nd.
Advent/Christmas Children’s Program
Waiting is just so hard, isn’t it? And yet every child knows the wonder-filled delight of waiting through Advent for the baby born in Bethlehem. Children, of every age, are invited to the Children’s Advent Festival on December 14th at 9:30am in the Multi-Purpose Room. Children will hear the story of the Prophets, the Holy Family, the Shepherds, the Angels, and the Magi told by St. Nicholas and St. Lucia. It will be a festive morning for all ages, with refreshments, goodies, song and story! Don’t miss it.
Children preparing to help tell the story through play acting and song, are invited to special rehearsals during the Sunday School hour on November 30th and December 7th in the Multi-Purpose Room.
Advent Midweek Connections
The Advent Season is a time of preparation for the 12 day Festival of the Nativity of our Lord. Advent Midweek Connections invite the Gethsemane faithful to prepare for Christmas on December 3, 10, & 17. We will worship, with song, Word and Communion, through the Holden Evening Prayer vespers at 7pm.
Viola Hall & Beverly Helsel continue the Advent tradition of soup, sandwiches and cookies beginning at 5:30pm. There will be activities for the children, table discussion for adults and confirmation classes, worship and mentoring.
Thanks to all who have participated throughout the Fall Midweek Connections. This has been a time of Christian community on Wednesday evenings with delicious meals, catered by Mark & Alice Mueller; excellent learning opportunities with Intern Sharolyn Browning, Dar Krenek, Jim Riley, Lee Schnelle, Pastor Susan Schnelle, music with Joann Gerbig; meaningful worship and mentor time. Mid-week Connections classes will resume again on January 14, 2015. “Adult Confirmation” will continue in the Steffans Parlor, 11 a.m.
Come and prepare for the Christmas Festival.
Angel Tree
Beginning at Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Gethsemane youth have led the annual Thanksgiving Eve Worship for over forty years. Thanksgiving is a national time of gratitude in the United States of America to express gratitude for generous blessings. Gethsemane Confirmands and Senior High youth will create and lead the service.
Please bring non-perishable food donations to place on the altar for the Gethsemane Food Pantry.
The Angel Giving Tree to benefit T.A. Brown Elementary families will be placed in the narthex. Plan to fill your Advent/Christmas Season with the spirit of giving by being a Gethsemane Angel and giving a gift to the Angel Giving Tree.
“Warm the Heart” Ministry Fair / Chili Cook Off
Christ the King Sunday concludes the church year. This is the time for the Gethsemane community to look to the past giving thanks for faithful stewards and look to the future encouraging every person within the Gethsemane Lutheran community to make a pledge commitment for 2015 ministries.
Following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, everyone is invited to the Ministry Fair / Chili Cook Off:
- over 30 pots of chili to sample
- over 30 ministries featured
- kick-off of the new Gethsemane website
- $5 for lunch, keepsake mug & bag
- Fair Trade holiday shopping
- Live music
- 1st Annual Viola’s Bake-Off for children (children are invited to bring their own baked goods: cookies, cakes, pies or cupcakes!)
- PRIZES!
Everyone is needed! Everyone has talents, time and treasure for ministry.
Reserve the date: Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 23
October 16th Newsletter
The Gethsemane Lutheran Church Newsletter for October 16, 2014 is available.
Our mission statement: “We are called by grace, led by faith, welcoming all to share God’s love.”
Thank you for your faithful giving to Gethsemane. Even if you are on the road, you may contribute on the Gethsemane secure website; it is fast and easy to use your credit card or bank account to make your regular giving or a one time special gift. Thank you for your generous support of the ministries of Gethsemane.
Daily Devotion, new each day, are posted on our Readings for Today page. The “Christ in Our Home” Devotionals are also in the narthex for the current quarter. Great place to get your day started right.
TheVistaOnline.org is the online source for news of mission and ministry in the Southwestern Texas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Registered subscribers receive an occasional message (no more than once per week) alerting them to new articles and information posted on the site. Use the sign-up feature at http://www.thevistaonline.org/
See your Gethsemane friends and view Gethsemane Easter photos on Facebook at Gethsemane Austin. There are ordination photos on the Gethsemane Facebook page.
Send the church office updates on your home and email addresses, phone or other family items for the church records. Email us if you would like to be taken off the snail mail paper newsletter or should you wish to be removed from the Gethsemane email list.