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Ministry

God’s Work Our Hands 2021

A pandemic will not stop Gethsemane Lutheran congregants from living out their baptism on “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday. There are plenty of opportunities to share God’s love!

UPDATE: “God’s Work Our Hands” Weekend a Success! A BIG THANK YOU to all who participated in Gethsemane’s “God’s Work Our Hands” weekend. We love all of the ways God worked through you.

Thanks to you:

  • 1 Gethsemane sign will be revamped to welcome all to our church
  • 4 children of single student mothers get to have incredible themed birthday parties
  • 10 homebound members are wrapped in homemade Blankets of Love
  • 18 donations of lifesaving blood will go to those who need it
  • Dozens of homeless dogs and cats get to play with new toys
  • Countless casseroles and sympathy cards are brightening up some very hard days

Service Activities:

  • Look What’s Cookin’…..The Casserole Ministry: Provide casseroles to Gethsemane friends to lift their spirit and just bring joy!
  • Birthday Boxes for Jeremiah Program: Collect birthday party items to help families celebrate their child’s birthday! Sign up today to bring items on Sunday, September 12.
  • Dog/Cat Toy Kits for the Austin Humane Society: Make dog and cat toys for our four-legged neighbors! Pick up a dog/cat toy making kit on Sunday, Sept. 5th from 9:30 am-Noon and return it on Sunday, Sept. 12th.
  • Blankets of Love Kits: Assemble a blanket for people who are not able to participate in person as a reminder that they are loved and remembered by our community. Pick up a blanket making kit on Sunday, Sept. 5th from 9:30 am-Noon and return it on Sunday, Sept. 12th.
  • Annual Gethsemane Blood Drive on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 (by appointment only): Eat well, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and then give the gift of life on Saturday, September 11th from 9 am-1 pm following COVID-19 protocols. Please call the Gethsemane office, 512-836-8560, for an appointment. Leave your name, phone number and time available. No walk-ins accepted.
  • The Gethsemane Sign Committee needs your input immediately after worship on Sunday, September 12 in the Steffans Parlor to discuss refurbishing the large sign on the back of the church property.
  • Bereavement Sympathy Cards: Write a sympathy card to send to families who have lost a loved one during this difficult time.
  • Gethsemane Food Pantry: Donate items for the food pantry…especially toilet paper and laundry soap.
VBS, YOUTH

Gethsemane “Rainforest Adventure” Virtual VBS: June 21-25, 2021

All are welcome to join us for our Virtual VBS, Rain Forest Adventure, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. each morning, June 21-25. If you have pre-registered, you may pick-up your VBS packet this Saturday, June 18th between
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drive up the northside driveway and someone will bring your packet to your car from the narthex!

VBS Virtual Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652?pwd=VStTczFDTVp3bHBqVllsNjkreFNvUT09

“Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord!” -1st Chronicles 16:33

Uncategorized

BRIDGES TO HOPE: Free Virtual Mental Health Training for Clergy & Faith Leaders

Join us for “Bridges to Hope: Free Virtual Mental Health Training for Clergy and Faith Leaders” led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Thursday, April 22nd from 9 a.m. to noon. All faiths welcome!

Because religion and spirituality often play a vital role in healing, it’s not uncommon for families and individuals experiencing mental health issues to turn to a faith leader first for help. Yet faith leaders, staff and key outreach volunteers are often lacking the information, education, and resources to be the “bridge to hope” needed as people navigate serious, sometimes life-threatening, mental health issues.

Workshop Details:

  • An informative overview of prevalent mental health myths and common symptoms of mental health disorders
  • Simple ideas for building “bridges to hope” for your faith community
  • A tool kit of community mental health resources
  • A tool for developing an action plan to address the needs in your community and optional post-training support
Easter

Easter Services

Online and In-Person Easter Worship Schedule

Online Zoom Easter Service on Sunday, April 4th
(See details below to access)
10:00am

In-Person Easter Service in Gethsemane Sanctuary on Sunday, April 4th
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
11:00am

In-Person Worship Service Details:

PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, 512-836-8560 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO info@gethsemaneaustin.org TO RSVP FOR THE IN-PERSON SERVICE. WE WILL END RESERVATIONS ONCE WE REACH CAPACITY. THANK YOU!

***REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON SERVICES***

  • Please wear a mask
  • Enter through the narthex only
  • Please use the hand sanitizer available at the door
  • You MUST call the church office and leave a message with your phone number to RSVP to attend
  • Maximum attendance is 125
  • If you are sick, have been around someone who has been sick or have any symptoms, PLEASE stay home

Online Easter Worship Service Details:

Download our Zoom-friendly worship bulletin for Easter Sunday.

Download the traditional worship bulletin for Easter Sunday.

Download music lyrics for Easter Sunday.

Download the children’s bulletins for ages 3-6 or ages 7-12 for Easter Sunday.

To participate in the online service, you will need to download the Zoom app or program on you phone or computer. Here is the link to access the worship service: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6996794165?pwd=WnVETVBQZHEzNTJRdnhCeWU2ODBQdz09

If you’re on a phone, you may not be able to access that link directly. In that case, you will need to go to www.zoom.com, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following:

Meeting number: 6996794165

Password: 234133

If you do not use Zoom, you may view the Facebook live stream of the online service through our Gethsemane Facebook page.

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITY PACK FOR GETHSEMANE CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Gethsemane families with children may pick up a packet with ideas and materials to do together during Holy Week. The packets will be available in the narthex on Sat. March 27th between 11 am and 1 pm or contact Dar Joy at 512-913-1616 for other pick up times.

We give thanks to Lori Althaus, who has continued sharing Godly Play stories during the pandemic on Sunday morning Zoom worships, since we have not been meeting in person for Sunday School. Gethsemane continues sharing the love of Jesus with our children.

Advent

Christmas Services

Online and In-Person Christmas Worship Schedule

Christmas Eve on December 24th:

In-person in Gethsemane Sanctuary
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm

Online Zoom Christmas Eve Service
(See details below to access)
6:00pm

Christmas Day on December 25th:

In-Person in Gethsemane Sanctuary
(RSVP to attend and follow all safety guidelines listed below)
9:00am

In-Person Worship Service Details:

PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE, 512-836-8560 OR SEND AN EMAIL TO info@gethsemaneaustin.org TO RSVP TO EITHER THE 5PM, 6:30PM, 8PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR THE 9AM CHRISTMAS MORNING
IN-PERSON SERVICES. THANK YOU!

***REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND IN-PERSON SERVICES***

  • Please wear a mask
  • Enter through the narthex only
  • Please use the hand sanitizer available at the door
  • You MUST call the church office and leave a message with your phone number to RSVP to attend
  • Maximum attendance is 75
  • If you are sick, have been around someone who has been sick or have any symptoms, PLEASE stay home

Online Christmas Eve Worship Service Details:

Download the Christmas Eve Zoom Worship Bulletin

To participate in the online service, you will need to download the Zoom app or program on you phone or computer. Here is the link to access the worship service: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6996794165?pwd=WnVETVBQZHEzNTJRdnhCeWU2ODBQdz09

If you’re on a phone, you may not be able to access that link directly. In that case, you will need to go to www.zoom.com, click “Join a Meeting” and enter the following:

Meeting number: 6996794165

Password: 234133

If you do not use Zoom, you may view the Facebook live stream of the online service through our Gethsemane Facebook page.

Advent

Baking Connections Virtual Event

Join us online for a special Gethsemane Baking Connections virtual event on Sunday, December 13th at 1 p.m.

Since we cannot feast and fellowship in-person this holiday season, we will be making beloved Gethsemane member Viola Hall’s famous Christmas Sugar Cookies together as a community from our own home kitchens! We will also visit together and discuss ways that baking can support our mental health, especially to battle loneliness and isolation during the holiday season in the midst of the pandemic.

Before the event, please read Viola’s recipe below, gather and pre-measure your ingredients (if possible). Then make plans to join us on Zoom!

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86907311600?pwd=UmtTYWFuR25QcmNhUGJTVUtIS0lEUT09

Meeting ID: 869 0731 1600
Passcode: 339144

You can also RSVP on Facebook to let everyone know you’re coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/675323860012801

Viola’s Sugar Cookies Recipe

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. Add baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and flour. Mix until well blended. You can scoop out balls and flatten them for circles or roll them out and use cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheet, silicone baking sheet, or parchment paper. Bake for 12-18 minutes.

Substitutions for ingredients and for dietary restrictions:
*If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute 1 tsp of lemon juice. Add to the wet ingredients instead of the dry mix.
*Use 1 cup coconut palm sugar or 3/4 cup maple syrup if avoiding refined sugar.
*For a healthier alternative to butter, try using 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or to avoid butter all together use 1 cup coconut oil.
*To make egg-free, mix 1 TBS ground flax or chia seeds to 3 TBS warm water; stir well and let it set for 5-10 minutes.
*For a gluten-free option, use King Arthur or Bob Redmill’s Gluten Free flour or make your own flour from old fashion oats. Pulse in food processor or blender until smooth.

Advent

Advent Midweek Holden Prayer Services

Please plan to join us on Wednesday, December 2, 9 and 16 as we continue our Advent Midweek tradition of education and Holden Evening Prayer worship. Adult and Confirmation classes will be from 6:15-6:45 followed by Holden Evening Prayer. Please use the following Zoom login, and sign in as early at 6pm for fellowship time prior to classes.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652?pwd=VStTczFDTVp3bHBqVllsNjkreFNvUT09

Advent, Giving Opportunitites

Angel Giving Tree 2020

Gethsemane Lutheran members and families are invited to continue a neighborhood holiday tradition by sponsoring T.A. Brown Elementary School children and families. Due to Covid-19, the school has asked us to do things a bit differently this year. We will not be collecting items, but will be asking individuals/families to donate gift cards which can be purchased through Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry Pre-School.

Go to our Signup Genius website using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FAAA622A2F5CE9-angel

Select a family dinner or a child, provide your contact information and follow the link provided to pay through the GLCM website using PayPal or a debit/credit card. You may also mail in a check to be received by December 12th to GLCM 200 W Anderson Lane Austin TX 78752. Deadline for gift cards purchased online is December 13th.

Thank you for your support of this ministry. Merry Christmas!

Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Virtual Thanksgiving Eve Youth Service

Youth and their families, will share with the Gethsemane family what they are thankful for along with songs of thanksgiving. Come, ye thankful people, come!

Join us online Wednesday evening, November 25th at 7:00 p.m. for our Virtual Thanksgiving Eve Youth Worship Service.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652…
Meeting ID: 891 9793 7652
Passcode: 946118

The spirit of Thanksgiving is to give and Gethsemane congregants are invited to donate to the Gethsemane Food Pantry:
Give through the Gethsemane website.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good.”