January
Wednesday 6th, 6:30 -7:30 - Splash Together
Friday 8th, 9:30 -11:30 – Open Play
Sunday 10th, 12:00 – 12:30 – 2009 Baptismal Reunion
Wednesday, 13th, 6:30 – 7:30 – Sunday school Teacher meeting
Sunday 17th, 9:40 -10:40 – 4 year-old Stepping Stone Event
Friday 22rd – Sunday 24th – Family Ministry Retreat
Sunday 24th – 31st – Please bring in Art Work for Kid’s Art Show (2 items per child)
Sunday 31st – 3rd graders share Bible Verse at 10:45 service.
February
Wednesday 3rd, 6:30 -7:30 - Splash Together
Friday 5th, 9:30 -11:30 – Open Play
Sunday 7th, Kids Art show begins
Sunday 14th, 6th graders participate in 10:45 worship.
Monday 15th, 8:30 -4:00 – Arts Alive
Sunday 21st, 9:40 – 10:40 – 1st Grade Stepping Stone Event
Friday, 26th, 7:00 – Family Ministry Movie Night
Sunday 28th, Sunday school kids sing at 10:45 service, 2nd graders share 10 commandments at 10:45 service. Kid’s Art Show reception
March
Wednesday 3rd, 6:00 -7:00 - Splash Together (Note time change for this month)
Sunday 7th, 9:40 -10:40 – Kindergarten Stepping Stone Event. 1st graders share Lord’s Prayer at 10:45 service,
Friday 12th, 9:30 -11:30 – Open Play
Saturday 13th, 11:30- 1:30- Feed My Starving Children
Sunday 14th, 6th graders participate in 10:45 worship.
Friday 19th, 6:00 – 9:00 – 5th grade First communion Retreat
Saturday 20th, 9:00 – 4:00 – 5th grade First Communion Retreat
Sunday 21st, 10:45 – 5th grade First Communion
Sunday 28th – 9:30 – 11:30 –Palm Sunday Family Event. 9:00 – 11:00 – Youth Palm Sunday Breakfast
April
Friday 2nd, 9:30 -11:30 – Open Play
Sunday 4th – Easter – no Sunday school
Wednesday 7th, 6:30 -7:30 - Splash Together
Sunday 11th, 9:40 – 10:40 – 2nd Grade Stepping Stone Event. 3:00 Tea Party Chapel View.
Sunday 18th, Memory work due. 1:00 - Family Ministry Bowling
Friday 23rd, 6:00 – Girls Retreat drop off
Saturday 24th, 11am – Girls Retreat pick up
May
Sunday 2nd, 9:40 – 10:40 – 4th grade Stepping Stone event
Wednesday 5th, 6:30 -7:30 - Splash Together
Friday 7th, 9:30 -11:30 – Open Play
Sunday 9th, 6th graders participate in 10:45 worship.
Sunday 16th, Sunday school kids sing at 10:45 service. Last day of Sunday school. 6th grade Stepping Stone Event 9:40 – 10:40. 1:00 - Family Ministry Bingo at Chapel View
Sunday 23rd, 9:30 – 1:00 Camp Fundraiser Car Wash
June
Friday 4th – Sunday 6th – Family Ministry Summer Retreat
Sunday 20th – Friday 25th – Green Lake Bible Camp
July
Sunday 25th – Thursday 29th, 6:00 – 8:30 – Vacation Bible School
The coming of winter brings special problems to those living on the streets. Clean white socks can provide some measure of comfort.
In response, our Need of the Month is new white crew socks. The socks are distributed through an inner city mission project of Central Lutheran Church.
Socks may be left in the yellow barrel at either entrance during January.
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (our partner congreation) has invited us to attend Julebord Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6.
5:30 p.m. Appetizers and Fellowship
6:00-7:00 p.m. Buffet
7:00 p.m. Dessert and Musical Program
Tickets are $20/adults 12 and older, $12/children under 12. For reservations or information contact Lowell Hanson at 651-459-7277.
Please invite family and friends to join you at this year’s Julebord. We will again offer the option of reserved tables for larger parties who wish to make reservations as a group.
Click here to visit the Saint Paul's website
To foster a conversation on immigration, Gethsemane’s Latino Outreach Team is showing two significant films that portray the experience of those newly arrived in the U.S.
Join us for Under the Same Moon at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20 in the youth room.
This year’s Under the Same Moon received a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival. It tells the story of Rosario, working illegally in Los Angeles so she can send money home to her aged mother and 9-year-old son, Carlitos, and hoping she can afford to send for him soon. When his grandmother dies suddenly, though, Carlitos embarks on a colorful and arduous journey across the border in search of his mother. The film touches on timely and pressing issues concerning immigration and discrimination, but it works on a simpler level as well by focusing primarily on the sweet relationship between a mother and her son.
The film will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Pr. Laurie. So, make a movie date with us!
Sweet Land was shown on November 13, so if you haven’t already seen it, we recommend renting it soon so we can do some comparisons.
Indicate your interest by contacting Pastor Laurie or calling the church office or registering through Access Gethsemane.
We are now offering communion instruction for all children who are ready to begin receiving the sacrament. The instructional workshops are intended to be taken by families together. Each begins with a community meal and then proceeds through a series of active learning exercises to teach the basic concepts of communion. Each family will be sent home with a parent and child workbook to review on their own. If your child has further follow-up questions, we invite you to visit with one of the pastors again; otherwise your child would be invited to then begin receiving communion at any time. You can sign up for the workshops in the Sunday Friendship Folder or by calling the church office.
Upcoming Dates: November 16, 12:30 p.m.
Families are not required to participate in the workshops and might feel it is best to wait until the 5th grade when we will continue to offer the Communion Retreat for all children, regardless of whether they have been taking communion already or not.
Click here to Register Now
You can now give to Gethsemane instantly online! You can also check your pledge balance to be sure you are staying current with your support.
Click here to make your secure donation through Access ACS.
Thank you for supporting our ministries.
Adult Forum, Fireside Gallery
March 14: Men's Ministry New Life Home
Men’s Ministry is reaching into the community with an outreach for men seeking transformation in their lives, away from years of darkness due to incarceration, addiction and homelessness. Come for a presentation and discussion of the Gethsemane New Life Home proposal and hear how you can be involved in this new outreach ministry.
March 21: Legislative Update
Come and hear from Brian Rusche, Executive Director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) about what is happening in this legislative session and what it means for our communities as people of faith.
Bible Study, Fellowship Hall
On Sundays in Lent Pastor Sarah will guide us in a shortened Bible experience followed by small group conversations. The Bible study each week will connect with topics and discoveries that have come from the book Surprise Me: A 30 Day Faith Experiment.
Thanks to everyone who supported our two days of work at a Thrivent Builds with Habitat home in Chaska. The 31 crew members painted, built steps, installed flooring, trim, doors and much more. The food provided by 15 generous people was greatly appreciated.
Click here to view a slide show of the crew in action. One photo shows the future homeowner family when they stopped by during our workday.
In September we helped prepare the foundation at 146 Harrison Ave. South. Click here to see the photos. On December 3, 4 and 5 our crew will be doing a variety of finishing tasks . We’ll have 15 volunteers working each day, with another 24 people supporting their work by providing food.
This is truly a time to celebrate our combined efforts on this initiative. First, we raised funds to be a Contributing Sponsor (remember Elvis Live!?) This allowed us to provide work crew for five days during the build, and for GLC to be recognized on the sign in front of the home. In addition, our quilters and VBS participants made quilts for the new homeowner family. These will be presented at the dedication ceremony. Before that time comes, we’ll display the quilts so everyone can see them.
The Social Ministry Team sends a huge Thank You to everybody who supported this Habitat in Hopkins project in any way. And all of us still have the opportunity for prayer support. Please keep our Crew in your prayers on December 3, 4 and 5 and continue to lift up the wonderful faith-based mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity: To eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience.
After School for Kids begins on October 22 and runs through March 11 on Thursdays when school is in session. The program is free and open to all 3rd through 6th graders.
A.S.K. begins at 4:10 and includes a snack, group activities, homework time and a 5:30 family dinner. Alice Smith students should be bringing the registration form home very soon. However, GLC children from other schools are also very welcome to attend. For more information, get in touch with the contact people listed below.
Click here to view a slide show of the 2008-09 ASK program.
Volunteers Welcomed
This program’s success is entirely due to a wonderful volunteer team. Adults and teens who would enjoy interacting with kids and welcoming their families to GLC are invited to join the A.S.K. Team. There are opportunities for every schedule and interest. Volunteers can help with homework, with activities, with dinner and with clean-up. You can come one time to lead a craft or game; or you can come on a regular basis to assist with homework or meals. A special perk for volunteers is the opportunity to eat the delicious dinner and meet the participants’ families.
For more information about volunteer opportunities or
student registration, contact Donna at 952-933-0453 or Carol at 952-938-5105.
