All posts by GLC

Events, Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Youth Dinner Theater Fundraiser

Dinner * Silent Auction * Live Auction * Great Show!

Saturday, April 22

4:30 pm Silent Auction
5:00 pm Dinner
5:45 pm Live Auction
6:00 pm Show

Tickets: $15 (dinner and a show!)
Children 3 & younger are free
Purchase tickets in the Narthex on Sundays

Auction Items Needed!
Help raise money for the youth trip by donating to the silent auction by April 16:

  • WINE for the wine pull
  • Themed gift baskets (gardening, movie night, board games, etc.)
  • Gift cards
  • Baked goods and artwork
  • Gifts of service (host a dinner, babysitting, lawn services, etc.)

Email the church office with a description of the items to be donated.

Playbill Ads
$25/Half-Page, $50/Full-Page
You are invited to place an ad in the playbill. Email the church office with your order. Past supporters may use the same ad as before or send a new layout. New supporters please send a layout in Publisher format and/or a PDF.

Events, Lent, Ministry

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Tuesday, February 21

Yummy Pancakes on Tuesday, February 21 from 5:30-7 pm

Gethsemane Men in Mission host the traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 21, from 5:30 – 7 pm in the Gethsemane Multipurpose Room. Join members, friends, and the community for a dinner of pancakes, sausage, and more. Enjoy lots of good food and fellowship!

Tickets are on sale in the narthex on Sundays: February 12 & 19

$8.00 for adults, $2.00 for children under 10

Come and enjoy the food and fellowship in preparation for the Lenten season.

Learning, Lent, YOUTH

Ash Wednesday – February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday Services will be held on February 22 at Noon and 7 pm

The Season of Lent commences Ash Wednesday, February 22nd with the Christian faithful receiving ashes and meditating at the Gethsemane altar from 7-8 am, 11 am to noon and/or 5:30-7 pm.

Ashes will also be offered for pickup to-go. Call the church office to arrange a pickup.

Ash Wednesday In-Person Eucharist Services:

Livestream Ash Wednesday 7 pm Service

Lent is a traditional time of reflection, meditation, and preparation. Pick up an “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional in the Narthex or download a digital copy. The Season of Lent is a season of walking into the wild, a 40-day journey filled with wild beasts, wild love, beauties, challenges, gifts, and visions. A journey that begins with ashes, and ends with joy. Gethsemane Lutheran congregants and friends are invited to take this adventure with Henri Matisse, one of the more daring, influential, and beloved artists in modern history. He once said he “liked to pray with a pencil: at the moment I go every morning to say my prayers, pencil is in hand; I stand in front of a pomegranate tree covered in blossom, each flower at a different stage, and I watch their transformation..filled with admiration for the work of God. Is this not a way of praying”? People of the Lenten journey-young and old-grab a pencil ( or a crayon, or a paintbrush!) your favorite Bible, and a decent internet connection (all the paintings referenced in the devotional can be found online – see the Companion Link Sheet for guidance). Week by week, with the words of Scripture and the art of Henri Matisse as a guide, head into the wild-all the way to the beautiful, joyful love of the coming new day!

Download “Into the Wild” Digital Lenten Devotional

Events, Learning, Lent

Lenten Wednesday Gatherings

Join Lenten Wednesday Multigenerational Gatherings:
March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

LENTEN WEDNESDAY 12 PM SERVICE

We’ll have our regular Holy Communion noon service throughout the Lenten season. These services will be recorded.

“INTO THE WILD” 6 PM DINNER & DEVOTIONS FOR ALL AGES IN THE PARLOR

Journey “Into the Wild” together beginning with a simple supper in the Parlor followed by multigenerational devotion time and a simple craft that ties in with the “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional. The craft will be added to the Lenten Narthex display that will change and grow throughout Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday.

LENTEN “PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS” 7 PM SERVICE

“Bless Now, O God, The Journey” will be simple, quiet and reflective prayer around the cross through chants, readings, scriptures, prayers and lighting of candles. All are welcome to come for this brief prayer service to be ‘Rooted Together’ in faith during this Lenten season. These services are livestreamed.

Lent is a traditional time of reflection, meditation, and preparation. Pick up an “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional in the Narthex or download a digital copy. The Season of Lent is a season of walking into the wild, a 40-day journey filled with wild beasts, wild love, beauties, challenges, gifts, and visions. A journey that begins with ashes, and ends with joy. Gethsemane Lutheran congregants and friends are invited to take this adventure with Henri Matisse, one of the more daring, influential, and beloved artists in modern history. He once said he “liked to pray with a pencil: at the moment I go every morning to say my prayers, pencil is in hand; I stand in front of a pomegranate tree covered in blossom, each flower at a different stage, and I watch their transformation..filled with admiration for the work of God. Is this not a way of praying”? People of the Lenten journey-young and old-grab a pencil ( or a crayon, or a paintbrush!) your favorite Bible, and a decent internet connection (all the paintings referenced in the devotional can be found online – see the Companion Link Sheet for guidance). Week by week, with the words of Scripture and the art of Henri Matisse as a guide, head into the wild-all the way to the beautiful, joyful love of the coming new day!

Download “Into the Wild” Digital Lenten Devotional

Learning, Lent

“Into the Wild” Lent Devotional

Lent is a traditional time of reflection, meditation, and preparation. Pick up an “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional in the Narthex or download a digital copy. The Season of Lent is a season of walking into the wild, a 40-day journey filled with wild beasts, wild love, beauties, challenges, gifts, and visions. A journey that begins with ashes, and ends with joy. Gethsemane Lutheran congregants and friends are invited to take this adventure with Henri Matisse, one of the more daring, influential, and beloved artists in modern history. He once said he “liked to pray with a pencil: at the moment I go every morning to say my prayers, pencil is in hand; I stand in front of a pomegranate tree covered in blossom, each flower at a different stage, and I watch their transformation..filled with admiration for the work of God. Is this not a way of praying”? People of the Lenten journey-young and old-grab a pencil ( or a crayon, or a paintbrush!) your favorite Bible, and a decent internet connection (all the paintings referenced in the devotional can be found online – see the Companion Link Sheet for guidance). Week by week, with the words of Scripture and the art of Henri Matisse as a guide, head into the wild-all the way to the beautiful, joyful love of the coming new day!

Download “Into the Wild” Digital Lenten Devotional
Uncategorized

41st Annual Family of Gethsemane Retreat

February 25-26, 2023
Camp Chrysalis in Kerrville, TX

Register to join us for “Into the Wild: 41st Annual Family of Gethsemane Retreat” at Camp Chrysalis! 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.
View the printed retreat brochure.

  • All are “Called by Grace,” to come to 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 hike 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.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
10-12 noon Registration, fellowship, set up and move into your cabins
12:00 p.m. Lunch!
1:30 p.m. All ages gather together
3:00 p.m. FREE TIME! Hike to the cross, baseball, kite flying, resting, fishing, singing, soccer, canoeing, nap, R & R, rocking, visiting
5:30 p.m. Sing–A–Long and group photo at the dining hall!
6:00 p.m. Supper
7:00 p.m. Family of Gethsemane (FOG) Talent Show
8:00 p.m. Campfire Communion Service
9:00 p.m. S’mores, games, singing

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
7:00 a.m. Coffee available!
8:45 a.m. Morning Worship and memorial brick laying
9:30 a.m. Sunday Brunch & Free Time
3:00 p.m. Check Out
*Schedule subject to change

WHAT TO BRING

  • Sleeping bag, sheets, blankets, pillows
  • Quilt for grass sitting
  • Flashlight
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Hiking shoes or tennis shoes
  • Jacket or sweater for chilly nights
  • Sports equipment
  • Board games (Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Dominoes, Risk, cards, etc.)
  • Snacks, chip, dips, sweets, etc. for evening sharing
  • Musical instruments
  • Talent and props for the FOG Talent Show
  • Great attitude; leave troubles behind
  • ONLY COMFORTABLE CLOTHES
  • Sorry, no pets at the camp!

COST

Cabins With All Three Meals (prices are per person):
Adults (13 & up): $95
Ages 4-12: $55
3 & under: Free

Tent Camp or Book Your Own Motel – if you tent or stay in a motel, these costs apply as a camp usage fee and include meals (prices are per person):
Tent campers (13 & up): $35
Ages 4-12: $18
3 & under Free

Saturday Day Use ONLY:
$25 per person (includes 2 meals)

Add On Friday:
You may come in Friday evening after 7 p.m. for only $15 per person but must be reserved in advance. No meals included.

Register for the 41st Annual Family of Gethsemane Retreat

Extra offering gifts are welcomed to help cover any additional expenses and activities.

HELP PAVE THE WAY!
You can leave a lasting impression by purchasing a personalized brick, which will be installed in the pathways around Camp Chrysalis. For $75 you can inscribe 3 lines of text on a 4X4 brick.

Advent, Events

Advent and Christmas at Gethsemane

COME AND FILL YOUR HEART WITH THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE SEASON!

November 27: Watch
December 4: Prepare
December 11: Rejoice
December 18: Behold
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day and First Sunday of Christmas
January 1: Second Sunday of Christmas
January 8: First Sunday of Epiphany

Lighting of the Advent Candles

NOVEMBER 27, DECEMBER 4, DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 18
Each week during worship, we light advent candles in anticipation of Christ’s birth. Join us during these weeks of expectation to prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Advent Activities

GIVE TO THE ANGEL TREE, NOVEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 12
Choose a virtual ornament and then donate gift cards for blankets, meals, and gifts for children and families in need.

PREPARE YOUR HEART THROUGH AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Download your free Advent devotional, “E.E. Cummings and the Joyful Poetry of Advent” – a perfect way to prepare for the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas day.

CALM YOUR SOUL AT HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER SERVICES, NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 7 & 14 AT 7 PM
Join us for midweek Holden Evening Prayer worship services to fill your heart with the sights and sounds of hope this Advent season!

SHOP THE SWEDISH CHRISTMAS MARKET & ENJOY THE LUCIA CHOIR CONCERT, DECEMBER 4 FROM 3-6 PM
The Swedish Women’s Education Association (SWEA) invites you to their annual Swedish Christmas Market & Concert in the Gethsemane MPR and Sanctuary. $5/person, Children under 12 free. Enjoy the Swedish Café and Christmas Market with crafts, dancing, and Santa. Then hear the SWEA Lagom Singers.

BEHOLD “LOVE’S PURE LIGHT” AT THE DRIVE-THRU ADVENT/CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, DECEMBER 10 FROM 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 Advent/Christmas Light Celebration.

Christmas Eve Services – Saturday, December 24 at 4 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm

FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE AT 4 PM
Join us for a Family Christmas Eve carol sing and Holy Communion service.

WORSHIP WITH CANDLELIGHT, LESSONS, AND CAROLS AT 7 PM AND 9 PM
A traditional service of candlelight, Santa Lucia, and Christmas apples. Listen to the familiar words of scripture that foretell and proclaim the birth of Jesus. Sing the carols that help us tell that story. All are welcome! View the Christmas Eve Livestream page.

Christmas Day Service – Sunday, December 25 at 9 am

CHRISTMAS DAY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AT 9 AM
Come join in the Eucharist, singing Christmas Carols, and hear the Christmas Story.

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

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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!