Category Archives: Ministry

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, 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, Ministry

Blessing of the Animals

Bring your pets to worship on Sunday, October 2nd 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 starting Saturday morning, October 1 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, Monday October 3rd. 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.

Giving Opportunitites, Learning, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

God’s Work Our Hands and Rally Sunday 2022

Sunday, September 11th

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 Help

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 campus 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

Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or email info@gethsemaneaustin.org to sign up.

See you there!

Events, Lent, Ministry

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

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!

Events, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

Community Connection Initiative

As part of our ELCA Mental Health Ministry Grant, Gethsemane’s Community Connection Initiative is designed to help each of us work proactively to look after the mental well-being of ourselves and others. Make plans to get involved with projects that center around supporting mental health within our community. Also, acts of service support your own mental health as well!

“You Are Loved” Signs

We are excited to have Gethsemane Lutheran Church yard signs, posters and magnets to help us let people know we are thinking of them and they are loved! If you would like to help deliver/mail signs or if you know of someone who simply needs to know they are loved by the Gethsemane community, please contact Pastor Susie at info@gethsemaneaustin.org.

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’!

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.

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.