All posts by GLC

Events, Learning, YOUTH

November was Wellness Month at Gethsemane

If you missed any of our virtual wellness sessions in November, you can now watch recordings of them! Links available below.

WEEKLY VIRTUAL WELLNESS SESSIONS

Virtual wellness sessions for all ages weekly throughout the month of November:

Week 1:

EXERCISE/YOGA – Free virtual yoga session led by Dana Huntsman on Sunday, November 1st at 3 p.m.
This yoga session is suitable for all ages and abilities. Wear comfortable clothes, grab a yoga mat/towel and water, and join us! Exercise involves engaging in physical activity and increasing the heart rate beyond resting levels. It is an important part of preserving physical and mental health. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise as it develops a relationship between your body, mind, and spirit through different body postures, meditation and breathing patterns. Maintaining a regular yoga practice provides numerous physical and mental health benefits.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/3432627210154027

Week 2:

MENTAL HEALTH – Free virtual “Families Together” Mental Health Workshop led by NAMI Central Texas on Saturday, November 7th from 1-3 p.m.
In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Hear compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Understand the reality of living with mental health conditions that are often invisible to others. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions, which allows for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions.

*No recording available for this session, but NAMI Central Texas offers this session frequently through their website: https://namicentraltx.org/families/online-family-class/

Week 3:

NUTRITION – Free virtual workshop on nutrition led by Gethsemane member Tracy Anderson on Sunday, November 15th at 3 p.m.
Eating a nutritious diet offers numerous health benefits that keep you mentally and physically well. Healthy food provides the energy you need to keep active throughout the day and the nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/373334784088298

Week 4:

SLEEP – Free virtual workshop on sleep hygiene led by Gethsemane member Mary Lou Newman on Sunday, November 22nd at 3 p.m.
We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—not to mention finding time to relax. To fit everything in, we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep is vital to your well-being. Insufficient sleep is linked to a host of health problems, from depression to cardiovascular disease. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/737540007111701

Week 5:

MEDITATION/MINDFULNESS – Free virtual workshop on meditation and mindfulness led by Pastor Susan Schnelle on Sunday, November 29th at 3 p.m.
Studies have shown mindfulness meditation to positively impact both mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing focus and improving relationships.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/377117903540834

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us for Sunday morning virtual worship services, which will also be centered around wellness during the month of November.

Learning, YOUTH

Virtual Mental Health Workshops for Teens & Parents

Join us online on Sunday, October 18th from 3-4 p.m. for two simultaneous workshops – one for teens and one for parents – led by NAMI Central Texas.

This event is FREE, but you must register to receive the Zoom access link.
Parent registration form: https://forms.gle/MTMH4DHNLAgNzjhCA
Teen registration form: https://forms.gle/LxrDCfSMidxUaCqU7

ENDING THE SILENCE – PRESENTATION FOR TEENS

Geared to middle and high school students; presenters include a positive role model – a young adult living in recovery from a mental health condition

Understanding what it means to live with a mental health condition is critical for middle and high school students – especially given that 50% of all lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24. This presentation is geared to not only raise awareness of mental health conditions but to reduce the stigma so that individuals can seek help.

What students will learn:

  • Signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Statistics on mental illness and it’s affect on middle and high school students
  • How to seek help for themselves or a friend
  • Recovery and coping strategies
  • Understanding mental illness and ways to reduce the stigma

What students will keep:

  • Contact information for mental health agencies and youth support services
  • List of symptoms and warning signs of mental illness

LET’S TALK – PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS

More than 40% of teens are not receiving the care and treatment they need–often because they are too embarrassed to talk about mental health or don’t know how to ask for help. Parents don’t know how to bring up this difficult subject with their children either. This one-hour presentation empowers parents to talk to their teens about mental health by dispelling mental health myths and providing useful resources and healthy language to use.

What parents will learn:

  • How to talk to your teen about mental health
  • The difference between bad behavior and symptoms of mental illness
  • Early warning signs of a teen in crisis
Events, Giving Opportunitites, Ministry, Mission Work

God’s Work Our Hands – September 12-13, 2020

Make plans to get involved with Gethsemane’s “God’s Work Our Hands” service projects September 12-13, 2020! We have eight wonderful service projects this year, with opportunities for everyone to get involved in various ways, big and small! Volunteer with something as simple as a phone call, sympathy card, yard sign delivery or food pantry donation. Or give of your time making dog toys, birthday kits or casseroles. Also, make plans to attend the annual blood drive – a vital service opportunity needed this year more than ever!

All service opportunities will be conducted with proper COVID-19 safety protocols. Please plan to wear a mask and maintain social distance.

Service Opportunities

Gethsemane’s Friend-to-Friend Program

Join this fun Friend-to-Friend program by visiting with a Gethsemane friend every two weeks from October to March. This structured program will help keep us connected during the winter months. The program runs from October 2020 to March 2021. Whether you are 100 years old or a senior high school student, there is a place for you! Friend Calls will occur about every 2 weeks for 15 minutes each. You can sign up to be a Friend that calls or receive a call from a Friend. A short Zoom training will help Friends that call. Let’s stay connected! Sign up via email: info@gethsemaneaustin.org.

Look What’s Cookin’…The Casserole Ministry!

If you can provide a casserole (homemade or store-bought) to a Gethsemane friend to lift their spirits or just revive their joy in dining during these unprecedented times, contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org. Casseroles should be in a non-returnable container, they do not need to include any additional sides or items and they should be delivered via porch-dropoff when the recipient is home. We will provide you with name, address, contact info and any necessary dietary restrictions. Let’s Get Cookin’!

Birthday Boxes for Jeremiah Program

Unfortunately, the program, Sharing Happy Birthdays, for which we made birthday boxes the last few years has closed due to the COVID pandemic. So this year we will provide birthday boxes for Jeremiah Program.

Jeremiah Program offers one of the nation’s most successful strategies for transforming families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. Jeremiah prepares determined single mothers to excel in the workforce, readies their children to succeed in school, and reduces generational dependence on public assistance. Jeremiah’s proven, holistic approach begins with establishing a supportive community for determined single mothers to pursue a career-track, college education. Through a combination of quality early childhood education, a safe and affordable place to live, and empowerment and life skills training, families find stability and a path out of poverty.

We will provide all the goodies for an entire birthday party for three children who live at the Jeremiah Program facility. The themes will be mermaids/beach, minions/emojis, and animals.
The items needed for the three boxes are:
-cake mix & icing & candles
-themed cupcake liners, sprinkles or other items for decorating cake/cupcakes
-themed decorations (balloons, streamers or banner)
-themed blowers, party hats, etc or additional party supplies (for 16 kids)
-themed tablecloth, napkins, plates, & cups (for 16 kids)
-themed goodie bags (for 16 kids)
-themed goodie bag items to put in the goodie bags (for 16 kids)
-candy & snacks (Doritos or Cheetos) (non-perishable) (for 16 kids)

Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BADA92DA20-gods

If you have any trouble with the sign-up, you can contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org. Please bring your items to Gethsemane either Saturday, September 12th from 10a.m-noon or on Sunday, September 13th from 10a.m.-3p.m. to be put into boxes/bags and delivered to the Jeremiah Program facility.

Yard Sign Deliveries

We are excited to have Gethsemane Lutheran Church yard signs to let people know we are thinking of them and they are loved! Pastor Susie is needing volunteers to deliver the signs in sets of about 10 (depending on the area). If you would like to help deliver the signs please contact Pastor Susie at info@gethsemaneaustin.org.

Dog Toy Kits for the Austin Humane Society

We are again making dog toys for our neighbor, the Austin Humane Society. It will be a little different this year. We will be distributing kits to make 10 dog toys. The kits will be available for pick up on Saturday, September 12th between 10am-Noon. The completed dog toys will need to be returned Sunday, September 13th between 10am-3pm. For more information, contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org.

Annual Gethsemane Blood Drive

Sunday, September 13th, 10am-3pm
This year’s blood drive is by appointment ONLY. NO walk-ins accepted.
Please contact Pastor Gronberg at the church office, 512-836-8560, to schedule your appointment.

Bereavement Sympathy Cards

We’re beginning another new ministry of sending sympathy cards to families who have lost a loved one during this difficult time. If you would like to help with this ministry please contact info@gethsemaneaustin.org.

Food Pantry Items Donation

Along with the regular non-perishable items needed for the families who come to the Gethsemane Lutheran Food Pantry, we are in need of
TOILET PAPER AND LAUNDRY SOAP.
Please call Pastor Gronberg at the Church office, 512-836-8560 to schedule a time to drop off any pantry items.
Thank you for your support of this ministry!

Ministry

Gethsemane Lutheran Worship Changes Due to COVID-19

***NOTE: This page is outdated as of July 4, 2021. Updated worship information is available on the homepage.***

Dear Gethsemane members and friends,

Due to the spread of COVID-19 in the city of Austin, our worship services are modified. Following the guidelines of local health officials and the Southwestern-Texas Synod, we have established new ways of worshiping together as a community of faith. These are subject to change as the situation evolves, so please check back regularly for updates.

Online and In-Person Worship Schedule

Online Worship Options:

  • Attend our live Zoom Worship Service every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. You may also stream this worship service through Facebook Live (details below).
  • Watch the recording of the live Zoom worship service on your own time from our Gethsemane Facebook page.
  • Watch the live stream of the Sunday morning in-person worship service here.
  • Watch the recording of the in-person worship service on your own time once it is posted to our Gethsemane Facebook page.

In-Person Worship Options:

  • RSVP to attend in-person our Sunday morning worship service at 11:00 a.m. (social distancing instructions below).
  • RSVP to attend our in-person Wednesday Noon worship service
    (social distancing instructions below).

Online and In-Person Worship Instructions

Online Worship Service Details:

Join us on Sundays at 10:00am for our online worship services. If you’re able, create an at-home altar with communion elements as well as flowers and/or a candle.

Download our Zoom-friendly worship bulletin for this Sunday.

Download the traditional worship bulletin for this Sunday.

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

In-Person Worship Service Details:

Join us for our Sunday morning in-person service at 11:00 a.m. and/or for our Wednesday Noon worship service.

***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

Other Ways to Stay Connected With Our Community

This is a difficult time for all of us. However, we can feel good knowing that we are part of the community-wide effort to slow down the spread of the virus as much as possible. By doing so, we are helping keep people healthy and alive.

You can do your part in helping to keep our community well-connected by caring for one another. Call someone you know and check in on them, especially if they are elderly or have health issues that put them at risk. Offer to get groceries or prescriptions if they are trying to minimize contact with others in the community. Encourage those who are feeling anxious or depressed during this time of increased isolation. Reach out to your neighbors in the same way. Keep a prayer vigil going for our community and our church. Make an online offering to ensure we have the financial resources we need to keep operating well in this unique and difficult time. You can mail a gift or use our online giving page:
https://gethsemaneaustin.org/give/

Lent

LENTEN MIDWEEK CONNECTIONS

Lenten theme this year:  “A Season of Personal/Corporate Transformation”–Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  (Wednesdays, March 4th-April 1st). 11:00 am Lenten Conversations with Pastor Gronberg; 12 Noon Lenten Eucharist (Sanctuary); 5:30 pm Soup & Sandwiches (MPR); 6:00 pm Conversations with Pastor Gronberg, Confirmation class with Pastor Susie, and Children/Youth activities (PreK-12th grade); 7:00 pm Lenten Eucharist (Sanctuary); 7:30 pm Mentors & Confirmands; 7:45 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (MR) 

Lent

ASH WEDNESDAY

The Season of Lent commences Ash Wednesday, February 26th with the Christian faithful receiving ashes and meditating at the Gethsemane altar 7-8am, 11:30am to noon and 5:30-7pm. Ash Wednesday Eucharist 12 noon and 7p.m.

Learning

Costa Rica Spanish and Cultural Immersion Trip

JULY 4-18, 2020

SCHEDULE
One week of classes at CPI Monteverde and one week of classes at CPI Heredia. Classes are 4 hours per day Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon.
Tours and activities are scheduled for weekday afternoons following classes and weekends and most include lunch.
Activities are not scheduled for evenings so that the student has time for homework and to visit with their host family.
Students will take an assessment test and have an interview to determine their Spanish proficiency for class placement. Group classes consist of 2-4 persons. Private classes for the two weeks are available for an additional $250.

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
MONTEVERDE
Cloud Forest Hike
Café Monteverde Coffee Tour
Life Monte Verde Volunteership
Sky Trek (hanging bridges or
canopy zip-line)

HEREDIA
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Worship at the Lutheran church & walking in San Jose
Heredia walking tour
Volunteership
Cooking Class & Dance Class

COST
The cost of the trip is $1862 and includes tuition for one week of group classes at CPI MONTEVERDE and one week of group classes at CPI HEREDIA, homes-stay, breakfast, dinner, laundry service each week, tours/activities, airport transfers, tips and one night stay at bed & breakfast.
MONTEVERDE AND HEREDIA ACTIVITIES include all activities, private transportation, entrance fees and professional guide or CPI chaperone.
Please note, costs not included are:
Airfare, some lunches, personal purchases, such as snacks souvenirs, etc., travel/health insurance. It is recommended that students bring about $200 emergency money or a credit card for emergencies.
To reserve your spot, a $200 deposit is due by March 1st. The full amount is due by May 31st. Cancellation Policy: Three weeks prior to the arrival of the group no refunds will be granted.

For additional information or questions please contact
Pastor Susan Schnelle at
512-836-8560 or email:
pastorschnelle@gethsemaneaustin.org

Please print the 2020 Costa Rica Immersion Trip Brochure and return to Pastor Susie or the church office by March 1st with your $200 deposit.

Lent, Ministry, Uncategorized

Family of Gethsemane Retreat

February 29 – March 1 is the 38th annual retreat at Camp Chrysalis (near Kerrville, Texas) for the Family of Gethsemane. Please consider being part of the fun!

The theme: “Leap into Lent” —1 Peter 5:6-8. Registration brochures available in the narthex.

This is a very special opportunity for friends and all members of the congregational family: singles, couples, those with and without children, from the very young to the not so young in years, but all young in spirit.

All are “Called by Grace” to come enjoy a relaxed, informal time, to share thoughts, histories, dreams, conversations, laughter, songs, the bread and wine of communion, the fresh air of the hill country, and good food.

“Led by Faith”, you may climb to the cross on the mountain, read your Bibles, play, eat, visit, and rock on the porch.

“Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”, we will meet new friends and have time to relax and be with those we may not know so well. This is a great event to invite friends to share in the family life of Gethsemane.

Please print the 2020 Family of Gethsemane Retreat Brochure and return to Dar, Belinda or Pastor Susie by February 16th.