All posts by GLC

“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!

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

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.

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.

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.

Praise Pumpkin Patch Display

Take Photos in Gethsemane’s Praise Pumpkin Patch
Beginning Sunday, October 23!

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.

GLCM Fall Festival

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.

Affirmation of Baptism

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

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

“The Bridge” Lunch

All young families and young adults are invited to enjoy food, fun, and fellowship together!

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.