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!
In Memory of Dr. Carl Candoli…”Every Child Can Learn!”
Donate School Supplies through Sunday, August 7:
Thanks so much for helping “Every Child Learn” at T.A. Brown Elementary!
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.” – Psalm 9:1
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.
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.
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.
Each day will include a different story from the Bible.
Prepare at home for the daily fun and excitement of VBS.
Memorial Service Livestream
Craig Randall Barnes claimed the promise of his baptism on August 25, 2021. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30 at 1 pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Austin. Please keep the Barnes family in your prayers. Blessed be the memory of Craig Randall Barnes.
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!
Memorial Service Livestream
David Wayne Melber claimed the promise of his baptism on Saturday, April 2nd. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 18 at 11 am at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Austin. Please keep the Melber family in your prayers. Blessed be the memory of David Wayne Melber. Read his obituary.
Join the Gethsemane community for the
Youth Dinner Theatre Fundraiser on Saturday, May 7th
“WONDERFUL”
By Lane Holmstrom
Saturday, May 7th
– Concessions & Silent Auction open at 5 pm
– Show begins at 6 pm
Tickets are $10 per person (plus bring cash for concessions)
Silent Auction * Live Auction
Delicious Food! Fun for the whole family!
Auction Items Needed
Please help us raise money for the youth by donating an item to the silent auction. Email the church office with a description of your items to be donated. We’re also accepting wine donations for a wine pull. Proceeds from the dinner theatre and auctions will benefit the summer youth activities.
Playbill Ads
You are invited to place an ad in the playbill: business ads or student “brag ads.” Full-page ads are $50 and half-page ads are $25. 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.
“Boundless Grace” Senior High Trip: July 11-15 in Minnesota
Plans are taking shape for the Gethsemane youth trip. Youth will visit the Mall of America, attend a Minnesota Twins baseball game (Carlos Correa, a former Astro is now a Twin), visit Shalom Hill Farm in rural Minnesota, and enjoy the hospitality of Don & Anne Roefer, Todd & Sheri Pottebaum, George & Rhia Spears. (Rhia grew up in Gethsemane youth ministry) plus visits to Luther Seminary and Augsburg University. A fun, informative, and exciting time for Gethsemane youth. Email Pastor Schnelle for more information.
The Season of Lent commences Ash Wednesday, March 2nd with the Christian faithful receiving ashes and meditating at the Gethsemane altar from 7-8 am, 11:30 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:
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.
Bring non-perishables and cash for the Gethsemane Food Pantry on Sunday, February 13
For 32 years, this event has transformed Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving/serving. Thousands of youth groups and passionate individuals unite to “Tackle Hunger Together”. Gethsemane youth will greet the community (they will not tackle you) following the 10:30 am liturgy inviting the Gethsemane faithful to give a gift benefiting the Gethsemane Food Pantry. Celebrate the 32nd anniversary of this ministry by giving a generous donation on “Souper Bowl Sunday.”
Yummy Pancakes are Back!
Tuesday, March 1 from 5:30-7 pm
The traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is on! The Gethsemane Men in Mission will serve delicious pancakes, sausage and applesauce in the Multipurpose Room. A take-out option will also be available.
Tickets on sale in the narthex on Sundays: February 20 & 27
$6.00 for adults, $2.00 for children under 10
Profits will go to Men in Mission benevolent projects. Come and enjoy the food and fellowship in preparation for the Lenten season. Please observe Gethsemane COVID protocols.
Annual Congregational Meeting
The annual Gethsemane Congregational meeting will be held during the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the Multipurpose Room. See you there!
