Category Archives: Advent

Advent, Events, Ministry

2nd Annual Ministry Fair / Chili Cook-Off

Christ The King Sunday concludes the church year. This is the time  for the Gethsemane community to look to the past giving thanks for faithful stewards and look to the future encouraging every person within the Gethsemane Lutheran community to make a pledge commitment for 2016 ministries.

Following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, everyone is invited to the Ministry Fair/Chili Cook Off:

  • over 30 pots of chili to sample;
  • over 30 ministries featured;
  • $5 a bowl for lunch (you can bring your chili mug from last year);
  • Fair Trade holiday shopping;
  • Live music PLUS
  • the 2nd Annual Viola’s Bake-Off for children (children are invited to bring their own baked goods: cookies, cakes, pies or cupcakes!)
  • PRIZES.

Please come and share in this time celebrating ministries of the congregation and renewing commitment to 2016 ministry. Everyone is needed! Everyone has talents, time and treasure for ministry.

Reserve the date: Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22

Advent, Events

Advent/Christmas Children’s Program

Waiting is just so hard, isn’t it? And yet every child knows the wonder-filled delight of waiting through Advent for the baby born in Bethlehem. Children, of every age, are invited to the Children’s Advent Festival on December 14th at 9:30am in the Multi-Purpose Room. Children will hear the story of the Prophets, the Holy Family, the Shepherds, the Angels, and the Magi told by St. Nicholas and St. Lucia. It will be a festive morning for all ages, with refreshments, goodies, song and story! Don’t miss it.

Children preparing to help tell the story through play acting and song, are invited to special rehearsals during the Sunday School hour on November 30th and December 7th in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Advent, Events

Advent Midweek Connections

The Advent Season is a time of preparation for the 12 day Festival of the Nativity of our Lord.  Advent Midweek Connections invite the Gethsemane faithful to prepare for Christmas on December 3, 10, & 17.  We will worship, with song, Word and Communion, through the Holden Evening Prayer vespers at 7pm.

Viola Hall & Beverly Helsel continue the Advent tradition of soup, sandwiches and cookies beginning at 5:30pm.  There will be activities for the children, table discussion for adults and confirmation classes, worship and mentoring.

Thanks to all who have participated throughout the Fall Midweek Connections.  This has been a time of Christian community on Wednesday evenings with delicious meals, catered by Mark & Alice Mueller; excellent learning opportunities with Intern Sharolyn Browning, Dar Krenek, Jim Riley, Lee Schnelle, Pastor Susan Schnelle, music with Joann Gerbig; meaningful worship and mentor time.  Mid-week Connections classes will resume again on January 14, 2015.  “Adult Confirmation” will continue in the Steffans Parlor, 11 a.m.

Come and prepare for the Christmas Festival.

Advent, Giving Opportunitites

Angel Tree

Beginning at Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Gethsemane youth have led the annual Thanksgiving Eve Worship for over forty years. Thanksgiving is a national time of gratitude in the United States of America to express gratitude for generous blessings. Gethsemane Confirmands and Senior High youth will create and lead the service.

Please bring non-perishable food donations to place on the altar for the Gethsemane Food Pantry.

The Angel Giving Tree to benefit T.A. Brown Elementary families will be placed in the narthex. Plan to fill your Advent/Christmas Season with the spirit of giving by being a Gethsemane Angel and giving a gift to the Angel Giving Tree.