All posts by GLC

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your pets to worship on Sunday, October 2nd 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 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”.

Learn more about St. Francis of Assisi.

God’s Work Our Hands and Rally Sunday 2022

Sunday, September 11th

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:

  • 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 campus 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

Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or email info@gethsemaneaustin.org to sign up.

See you there!

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 14 during 10:30 am Worship

As a new school year begins, students of all ages are invited to receive a backpack blessing and backpack tag from Gethsemane during worship to remember that God is with you everywhere you go.

Remember to bring your backpack to worship!

Christmas in July

Candoli “Christmas in July” School Supply Drive
benefitting T.A. Brown Elementary School

In Memory of Dr. Carl Candoli…”Every Child Can Learn!”

Donate School Supplies through Sunday, August 7:

  • Rulers
  • Wide-Ruled Notebook Paper
  • Composition Books
  • Spiral Notebooks
  • 1″ Binders
  • #2 Pencils
  • Pencil Boxes
  • Erasers
  • Colored Markers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Plastic Folders with built-in brads (in primary colors)
  • Monetary Donations (Please make checks out to “GLC” and be sure to write “T.A. Brown” in the memo line.)

Thanks so much for helping “Every Child Learn” at T.A. Brown Elementary!

2022 Senior High Youth Trip

“Boundless Grace” Senior High Youth Trip: July 11-15 in Minnesota

Gethsemane senior high youth will enjoy six days of fun, fellowship and growing in faith in Minnesota. Plans include seeing a Minnesota Twins game, touring the Mall of America, visiting with Don & Anne Roefer, plus much more! Thanks to all the support given by Gethsemane Lutheran congregants supporting the youth of our community.

Please pray for our senior high youth and sponsors as they prepare for this great adventure.

Trip Schedule:

  • Monday, July 11: Youth fly from Austin to Minneapolis/St. Paul International. Take rented vans to the Embassy Suites Airport for room assignments. Monday afternoon and evening hosted by former Gethsemane youth Sheri LaValle Pottebaum, husband Todd, children Savannah, Jeager, Jax and her dad, Gethsemane member Art LaValle at their Lake Minnetonka home—picnic, swimming, boat excursion, jet skiing.
  • Tuesday, July 12: Morning tour of Augsburg University, alma mater of Sharon Gronberg and Rhia Spears, a university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hosted by Augsburg staff member Terry McGinley; visit Luther Seminary, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, having celebrated in June 2022 their 153rd commencement, the alma mater of Pastor Karl Gronberg and Bishop Erik Gronberg. Tuesday afternoon visit the famous Mall of America, dinner with Rhia Spears, husband George, children Oyate and Ayuya.
  • Wednesday, July 13: Drive in two vans to St. Peter, Minnesota home of Gustavus Adolphus College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, see Christ Chapel where Pastor Karl Gronberg was ordained. Afternoon private group tour of Petroglyphs learning of the indigenous people of southwestern Minnesota. Wednesday evening meal provided by Gethsemane members Don & Anne Roefer at their home in Jeffers, Minnesota. Gethsemane Council member Jill Roefer will assist her parents with the meal. The youth will spend the night at Shalom Hill Farm, a ministry of the ELCA.
  • Thursday, July 14: Gethsemane travelers bid farewell to the Jeffers, driving through the Minnesota countryside returning to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Due to the generosity of Gethsemane congregants and their commitment to youth ministry an Event Suite has been reserved for the youth and the adults with indoor and outdoor seating, catered meal and Target Field Jumbotron signage welcoming Gethsemane youth to the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.
  • Friday, July 15: Return home with memories and friendships!

“Discovery Canyon” Vacation Bible School

Join Gethsemane Lutheran’s “Discovery Canyon” VBS Week:
June 20-24, 2022 from 8:45 am to 12 pm

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.” – Psalm 9:1

Register Your Child to Attend VBS Week

Gethsemane invites all children age 3 by June 20, 2022 and including those completing 6th grade to register for our FREE in-person VBS Week! 6th graders may also choose to assist as a volunteer. 7th graders and older can sign up to assist with VBS as volunteers. You are encouraged to invite friends, relatives, and neighbors to participate in this fun outreach ministry!

Each day begins with opening songs and stories in the sanctuary at 8:45 am. You are welcome to come any time after 8 am; there will be supervision on the church grounds. The morning includes storytelling, music, craft time, recreation/games, and a light snack. Each day there will be an opportunity to bring an offering of money or canned goods to support the Gethsemane Food Pantry.

***Each day the person picking up their child(ren) after VBS must come in to the narthex to sign them out for the day with their group leader.***

All are invited to the closing program on Friday morning at 11:30 am in the sanctuary followed by a hotdog lunch in the Multi-Purpose Room with a freewill offering to help with VBS expenses.

Volunteer at VBS

We need help in the craft area, preparing and serving snacks, the storytelling room, games, and being a guide to lead the children from one area to another. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and make a difference in the lives of children. You are invited to volunteer even if you can only assist one day. Gethsemane is grateful to all who lead Vacation Bible School! Adults of all ages as well as 6th graders and older can sign up to volunteer at VBS.

Order VBS T-Shirts

Gethsemane VBS 2022 T-Shirts are available for $12 or $15 each. Your shirts will be delivered during VBS. Order and pay by Monday, June 6th to be guaranteed a shirt. Deliver cash or check payable to Gethsemane to the church office. You may also pay online using the “OTHER (please specify)” section and adding an additional 3% processing fee.

VBS Daily Themes

Each day will include a different story from the Bible.
Prepare at home for the daily fun and excitement of VBS.

Monday: Liz says to REJOICE!
Parting of the Red Sea; Song of Miriam
Exodus 14:21-24; 15:19-21



Tuesday: Max says to PRAY!
Hannah prays for a child
I Samuel 1:9-27


Wednesday: Olivia says to ASK!
A storm
Matthew 8:23-27


Thursday: Blossom says to TELL!
A dying girl and a sick woman
Matthew 9:18-26


Friday: Felix says to SEEK!
Jesus heals a man who cannot walk
Luke 5:17-26

Holy Week & Easter

Join us for Holy Week & Easter Activities at Gethsemane!

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 10
9:30 am: Sunday School for all ages
*10:30 am: Eucharist, palm branches, blessing of the quilts
12 pm: First Communion instruction for 3rd graders

MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11-13
12 noon & 7 pm: Reading of Passion Narrative, Holy Communion

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 14
*7 pm: Eucharist, foot washing, First Communion

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 15
10 am: Eucharist/ Stripping of Altar
11 am: Outdoor Stations of the Cross
12 pm-12 am: Prayer Vigil
*7 pm: Tenebrae Service of Darkness

EASTER SATURDAY, APRIL 16
9:30 am: Youth Easter Breakfast Setup and Dinner Theatre Rehearsal

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 17
9 am: Easter Morning Celebration in the Gethsemane Garden/Narthex
9:30 am: Easter morning brunch in the multipurpose room
*10:30 am: Festive Easter Resurrection Celebration
12 pm: Easter Holy Communion at the Altar

*Indicates a livestreamed service (click the service link to view the livestream)

THE LORD IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

Lenten Wednesday Multigenerational Gatherings

Join us for Lenten Wednesday Multigenerational Gatherings:
March 9th through April 6th

LENTEN WEDNESDAY 12 PM SERVICE

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

“GETHSEMANE MINISTRIES IN FULL BLOOM” 6:30 PM GATHERING IN PARLOR

Join us for a multigenerational discussion and activity time centered around our Lenten Floriography devotional. We’ll highlight a different Gethsemane ministry each week and support them through a brief activity. The activities will help grow the new creation that began sprouting in the Narthex on Ash Wednesday. See below for details about each week’s ministry and activity.

“WHAT LUTHERANS BELIEVE TODAY” 6:30 PM CLASS IN GETHSEMANE GARDEN

Join Pastor Gronberg for a Lenten series on “What Lutherans Believe Today.”

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 and be ‘Rooted Together’ in faith during this Lenten season. These services will be Livestreamed.

WEEKLY “MINISTRIES IN FULL BLOOM” SCHEDULE

March 9 – GLCM Grateful Garden: GLCM Director Valerie Johnson speaks to us about Gethsemane’s vital daycare and preschool program. Create a “gratitude garden” for our wonderful GLCM staff and teachers who have faithfully served our preschool community throughout the long pandemic.

March 16 – GWELCA Quilts of Love: Arlene Smith, Gail Tigue and Martha Althaus tell us about the beautiful and important quilting projects that women of Gethsemane complete each month. Build a quilt-like creation together.

March 23 – Katrina’s Cocoon Crew: Ken and Belinda Malin speak to us about Katrina’s Cocoon Crew, a non-profit organization that aims to bring smiles to children battling cancer or other debilitating illnesses by providing costumes, dress up, pajamas, outfits, and accessories and to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Bring donations of costumes for hospitalized children. Create a butterfly craft.

March 30 – Thailand/San Lucas Global Footprints: Khem Saythongkham and Pastor Schnelle discuss Gethsemane’s global ministries. Trace a footprint and write a note to our global partners.

April 6 – Greeting Card Connections: Barbara Sylvester talks to us about Gethsemane’s greeting card ministry and the importance of community connection, especially to homebound and bereaved members. Write greeting cards for members needing extra community connection this month.

Lent is a traditional time of reflection, meditation, and preparation for the Lenten journey. Daily reflection cards centered around a “floriography” theme will be available for pickup in the Narthex or download a digital version below.