Category Archives: Events

Events

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your pets to worship on Sunday, October 1st 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 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. 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.

Events, Giving Opportunitites, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

God’s Work Our Hands & Rally Sunday

Sunday, September 10

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.

Sign up to volunteer

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 playground 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
  • Make a Blanket of Love
  • Help serve the BBQ lunch

Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or sign up online.

See you there!

Events

Pastor Susie’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pastor Susie’s Ordination and Ministry at Gethsemane

Sunday, June 11 at 9:30 am

Gethsemane Lutheran Church Multipurpose Room

Join us to congratulate and celebrate Rev. Dr. Susan Schnelle’s 20 years of ordination and ministry at Gethsemane!

Events, Learning, VBS, YOUTH

“Baobab Blast” Vacation Bible School

Join Gethsemane Lutheran’s “Baobab Blast” VBS Week:
June 19-23, 2023 from 8:45 am to 12 pm

Register Your Child for VBS Week
Volunteer and/or Order VBS T-Shirts

Register Your Child to Attend VBS Week

Gethsemane invites all children age 3 by June 19, 2023, 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 8:15 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 into 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 2023 T-Shirts are available for $12 or $15 each. Your shirts will be delivered during VBS. Order and pay by Monday, June 5th 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.

Easter, Events

Holy Week & Easter

Join us for Holy Week & Easter Activities at Gethsemane!

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 2
9:30 am: Sunday School for all ages
*10:30 am: Eucharist, palm branches, blessing of the quilts
12 pm: First Communion instruction

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3-5
12 noon & 7 pm: Reading of Passion Narrative, Holy Communion

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 6
*7 pm: Eucharist, foot washing, First Communion

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

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 9
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

Dedicate an Easter Lily
Use the brown Special Gifts envelope to give a lily for the Easter Chancel Lily Garden. Provide desired wording and enclose $12.

THE LORD IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

Events, Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Youth Dinner Theater Fundraiser

Dinner * Silent Auction * Live Auction * Great Show!

Saturday, April 22

4:30 pm Silent Auction
5:00 pm Dinner
5:45 pm Live Auction
6:00 pm Show

Tickets: $15 (dinner and a show!)
Children 3 & younger are free
Purchase tickets in the Narthex on Sundays

Auction Items Needed!
Help raise money for the youth trip by donating to the silent auction by April 16:

  • WINE for the wine pull
  • Themed gift baskets (gardening, movie night, board games, etc.)
  • Gift cards
  • Baked goods and artwork
  • Gifts of service (host a dinner, babysitting, lawn services, etc.)

Email the church office with a description of the items to be donated.

Playbill Ads
$25/Half-Page, $50/Full-Page
You are invited to place an ad in the playbill. 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.

Events, Lent, Ministry

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Tuesday, February 21

Yummy Pancakes on Tuesday, February 21 from 5:30-7 pm

Gethsemane Men in Mission host the traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 21, from 5:30 – 7 pm in the Gethsemane Multipurpose Room. Join members, friends, and the community for a dinner of pancakes, sausage, and more. Enjoy lots of good food and fellowship!

Tickets are on sale in the narthex on Sundays: February 12 & 19

$8.00 for adults, $2.00 for children under 10

Come and enjoy the food and fellowship in preparation for the Lenten season.

Events, Learning, Lent

Lenten Wednesday Gatherings

Join Lenten Wednesday Multigenerational Gatherings:
March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

LENTEN WEDNESDAY 12 PM SERVICE

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

“INTO THE WILD” 6 PM DINNER & DEVOTIONS FOR ALL AGES IN THE PARLOR

Journey “Into the Wild” together beginning with a simple supper in the Parlor followed by multigenerational devotion time and a simple craft that ties in with the “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional. The craft will be added to the Lenten Narthex display that will change and grow throughout Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday.

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 to be ‘Rooted Together’ in faith during this Lenten season. These services are livestreamed.

Lent is a traditional time of reflection, meditation, and preparation. Pick up an “Into the Wild” Lenten devotional in the Narthex or download a digital copy. The Season of Lent is a season of walking into the wild, a 40-day journey filled with wild beasts, wild love, beauties, challenges, gifts, and visions. A journey that begins with ashes, and ends with joy. Gethsemane Lutheran congregants and friends are invited to take this adventure with Henri Matisse, one of the more daring, influential, and beloved artists in modern history. He once said he “liked to pray with a pencil: at the moment I go every morning to say my prayers, pencil is in hand; I stand in front of a pomegranate tree covered in blossom, each flower at a different stage, and I watch their transformation..filled with admiration for the work of God. Is this not a way of praying”? People of the Lenten journey-young and old-grab a pencil ( or a crayon, or a paintbrush!) your favorite Bible, and a decent internet connection (all the paintings referenced in the devotional can be found online – see the Companion Link Sheet for guidance). Week by week, with the words of Scripture and the art of Henri Matisse as a guide, head into the wild-all the way to the beautiful, joyful love of the coming new day!

Download “Into the Wild” Digital Lenten Devotional

Advent, Events

Advent and Christmas at Gethsemane

COME AND FILL YOUR HEART WITH THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE SEASON!

November 27: Watch
December 4: Prepare
December 11: Rejoice
December 18: Behold
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day and First Sunday of Christmas
January 1: Second Sunday of Christmas
January 8: First Sunday of Epiphany

Lighting of the Advent Candles

NOVEMBER 27, DECEMBER 4, DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 18
Each week during worship, we light advent candles in anticipation of Christ’s birth. Join us during these weeks of expectation to prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Advent Activities

GIVE TO THE ANGEL TREE, NOVEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 12
Choose a virtual ornament and then donate gift cards for blankets, meals, and gifts for children and families in need.

PREPARE YOUR HEART THROUGH AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Download your free Advent devotional, “E.E. Cummings and the Joyful Poetry of Advent” – a perfect way to prepare for the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas day.

CALM YOUR SOUL AT HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER SERVICES, NOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 7 & 14 AT 7 PM
Join us for midweek Holden Evening Prayer worship services to fill your heart with the sights and sounds of hope this Advent season!

SHOP THE SWEDISH CHRISTMAS MARKET & ENJOY THE LUCIA CHOIR CONCERT, DECEMBER 4 FROM 3-6 PM
The Swedish Women’s Education Association (SWEA) invites you to their annual Swedish Christmas Market & Concert in the Gethsemane MPR and Sanctuary. $5/person, Children under 12 free. Enjoy the Swedish Café and Christmas Market with crafts, dancing, and Santa. Then hear the SWEA Lagom Singers.

BEHOLD “LOVE’S PURE LIGHT” AT THE DRIVE-THRU ADVENT/CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, DECEMBER 10 FROM 6-8 PM
Gethsemane youth and Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry invite you to join us for “Love’s Pure Light,” this year’s Drive-Thru Advent/Christmas Light Celebration.

Christmas Eve Services – Saturday, December 24 at 4 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm

FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE AT 4 PM
Join us for a Family Christmas Eve carol sing and Holy Communion service.

WORSHIP WITH CANDLELIGHT, LESSONS, AND CAROLS AT 7 PM AND 9 PM
A traditional service of candlelight, Santa Lucia, and Christmas apples. Listen to the familiar words of scripture that foretell and proclaim the birth of Jesus. Sing the carols that help us tell that story. All are welcome! View the Christmas Eve Livestream page.

Christmas Day Service – Sunday, December 25 at 9 am

CHRISTMAS DAY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AT 9 AM
Come join in the Eucharist, singing Christmas Carols, and hear the Christmas Story.

Advent, Events

“Love’s Pure Light” Drive-Thru or Walk-Thru Christmas Light Show

Saturday, December 10, 6-8 pm

Gethsemane youth and Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry invite you to join us for “Love’s Pure Light,” this year’s Drive-Thru or Walk-Thru Advent/Christmas Light Show! We’ll have Christmas carolers, greetings from Santa and a special surprise treat for you at the end. Don’t miss out on all of the fun!

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