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.
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.
Saturday, November 5 at 2 pm
Come enjoy the Gethsemane Garden with the beauty of the harvest season! We have our Praise Pumpkin Patch set up again this year in the Gethsemane Garden. All are welcome to take photos in the patch!
GLCM classes will use the space for photos as well, and it will be open to the community at GLCM’s Fall Fest on Saturday, October 29 from 10 am to 1 pm.
Everyone is welcome! Join the fun!
We need your help to make this event a success! Volunteer to help with game booths, food, cookies, cupcakes, etc. There is also a signup sheet in the narthex and a sign-up genius going out very soon.
Questions? Email Angelica Lundquist.
Sunday, October 30th
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 2022 Confirmation Class to live their baptismal birthright.
All Saints Sunday, November 6 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 2021 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
Sunday, November 6
12 pm (following 10:30 am worship)
Phil’s Ice House (Hwy 183)
“The Bridge” is a ministry designed for young professionals, singles, and families with and without children – all people who share in this busy stage of life. Contact Alice Bassett or Stephanie Scheffel for more information.
Bring your pets to worship on Sunday, October 2nd at 10:30 am for a blessing!
Can’t bring your pet(s) to worship with you?
Post a photo of your pet on our Facebook page starting Saturday morning, October 1 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, Monday October 3rd. 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”.
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.
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:
Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or email info@gethsemaneaustin.org to sign up.
See you there!
