April Garden Notes 2023

 

Gethsemane Lutheran Church, ELCA

13200 W Greenfield Ave

Brookfield, WI 53005

Worship Opportunities

Please join us for Sunday Worship at 9:15am

in Person and also Live Streaming on YouTube.

Log on to www.Gethsemane-ELCA.org 

> One Click Link on the Home Page. Look for Live Streaming button. <

 

From the Pastor’s Desk

 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. – John 13:34

 

Inclusion… it’s a big buzz word these days.  Inclusive spaces, inclusive living, Inclusive ministry, 

 

I remember when Doug and I were preparing for the arrival of our first and only child.  Our family was made through adoption and Isko was born in the Philippines, so we were trying our best to prepare a space of cultural inclusion. 

 

We asked ourselves questions like; what would it feel like to have parents that didn’t look like you?  What foods would this little 2-year-old like?  What might it feel like to be spoken to in a language you didn’t understand?  How might we convey love to this new little person in our lives?  

 

I remember well-meaning people saying things like; “Don’t worry, your child is little and will adapt quickly,” and “In a few weeks, your child won’t even remember the Philippines.”

 

I believe these things were said to make us feel better.  But it all seemed kind of short sighted to us – and we wondered how to be LOVE to our little Isko. 

 

Today in the ELCA, we are working toward a more inclusive church - a church that looks like the family of God. A church that is love. This work can encompass all kinds of things that make us uncomfortable – things we don’t understand and things that because we don’t understand, bring fear as their counterpart. 

 

Take for example, the work of understanding sexuality, gender identity and how people of color might feel when they walk into a church of mostly white people. 

 

This is not work that says – you are right, or you are wrong, this is work that at its best says “YOU ARE LOVE.” 

 

What would Love do?

 

 Love, God’s self, was born in Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago to spread the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Time and again, Jesus could be found sharing confounding messages of LOVE.  When the Pharisees and scholars called Jesus a heretic and a blasphemer, when they criticized Jesus for living among and eating with those who were seen as “different”, Jesus met them with love so deep and so wide, even the highest of priests was left speechless. 

 

Today, how might we practice Love?

 

When we approach the things we do not understand with an openness to learn, we practice love.

 

 When we listen more than we talk, we practice love.

 

When we quell the angry and fearful words of people toward entire groups of people, we practice love.

 

The greater church has done things that over the decades has caused trauma to our siblings in Christ who identify as gay or transgender and to those who identify as people of color.  Today we are challenged to be better.  We are challenged to act more like Jesus and less like the leaders in the ancient world who in trying to be “good keepers of the law” missed the message of Love completely. 

 

One of the things we are known for at Gethsemane is radical welcome!  I hear it all the time from our visitors.  And that is Love in action. 

 

But practicing Love for the long haul goes past the welcome in the Narthex.  Practicing Love for the long haul is grounded in relationships.  Practicing Love for the long haul is grounded in our model, Jesus, and how he walked the earth is surprising inclusion and grace.  Practicing Love takes practice. 

 

Sending love and light in this season of Hope and Love,

 

Pastor Perrie   

Women Alone is now called the Lunch Bunch. This group is open to all Gethsemane women. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors. The next lunch will be April 4th, 11:30 at Open Flame in Hales Corners. Please contact Joy Clark 414-690-3522 with any questions

Gethsemane Easter Egg Hunt!

Gethsemane Lutheran’s Easter egg hunt, April 8th at 1 pm enjoy a safe environment for the kids to hunt Easter eggs, take pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny and to enjoy some fun games!

 

We hope to see you all there!

 

Please make sure to bring your own baskets to find eggs and you are able to take your own pictures with our bunny friends the day of the event!

Join us for

Easter Breakfast

 

Easter Breakfast is on April 9th after worship. It will be catered by Bev’s Catering. The menu includes: Scrambled Eggs, Cheesy Au Gratin Potato’s, Bacon & Sausage, Pancakes, French Toast, Butter and Warm Syrup, Fresh Fruit, Muffins, Scones and Cinnamon Rolls. Beverages will include Coffee, Milk, White Grape Juice, Orange Juice and Water. We will be accepting payment for Breakfast Sunday 19th, 26th, and April 2nd.

 

Prices are: Age infant to 5 free, Ages 6-12 $5.00, Ages 13 and older $15.50 please pay by check.

 

If you have any questions please contact Conni Henning at 262-533-3020

Thank you!

Holy Week is the perfect week to practice our personal evangelism by inviting friends and family to join you at services. Here is a run-down of what to expect from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

 

Services

April 2nd Palm Sunday Service 9:15am

We will begin our services outside in the parking lot and process into the sanctuary with our palms this Sunday using both the accessible door on the North side and the main doors on the west side of our building. (In the case of rain, we will adjust plans)

April 6th Maundy Thursday: Join us at 12pm for a Healing Service. Our service at 7:00pm will be our Maundy Thursday Liturgy.           

Good Friday Service 12pm

At Noon, we will honor the remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross in a contemplative service of prayer around the cross.

Easter Service 9:15am

A joyous service of Christ’s resurrection of HOPE! Come and celebrate this foundation of our faith. Immediately following will be our Easter Breakfast sponsored by our Faith Connections team.

Joy Clark                           4/04

Sandra Buntrock               4/06

Luke Gonzalez                  4/15

Thomas Douglas               4/17

Holly Sherman                  4/17

Lisa Schalk                       4/17

Frank Gemignani              4/20

Ron Rebatzke                   4/21

Jim Kiel                             4/27

Gio Turney’s Basketball Team is going to State!!!

 

If you see Gio make sure to say good luck! He and his team are going to State! We are so proud of you!

Thank you SO MUCH to all of the volunteers that keep Mr. Bob’s ministry going!!! This ministry is so important & mean so much to our friends in the park. If you are interested in volunteering, our next volunteer dates are Saturday April 8th & Saturday May 20th. We would love to have you join us!! If you have any questions, please see Ashley Jeske.

Pictured is our March group of volunteers. Thank you to all of you!!!!

Summer Camp Scholarships

 

The Gethsemane Christian Education Committee is once again blessed and grateful to be able to provide scholarships to cover up to 75% of the cost of a Christian summer camp program for your child or children. We believe strongly in our core values and principles that we have worked so hard to live out in our church and instill in our youth. We will only provide scholarships to camps that align with our values. The Scholarship process will remain the same - requiring an application and for students to complete fundraising hours and service project hours. An email went out to all families of school-aged children at the end of March with more details.

 

Leigh Anne Spears will be serving as the Camp Scholarship Coordinator. Feel free to reach out to her for any questions or help along the way.

April Sunday School News

 

The Sunday school Children would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Gethsemane family for all of your generous donations on noisy can Sunday!! Thanks to all of you, they raised $250!!!!! 

 

Below are a few pictures of the children on Sunday March 12th, shopping at Walmart as part of a service project aiming to purchase food for the New Berlin food pantry. The children would like to thank everyone for the additional monetary donations given by members of the congregation that tripled their initial budget allowing them to purchase triple the amount of food to donate! This was such a fun project & the kids were able to donate 222 items of food, all while learning about service & giving back to others!

 

Office Talk with Autumn

 

Office updates!

 

Happy April Gethsemane Family!

 

We have so many wonderful things happening here at our church. One thing that will make this year easier for everyone is we are starting a 2023 calendar. If you have any future events please contact me so I can get them in the books for the upcoming year.

 

This way we can let everyone know what is to come and we will know if any scheduling conflicts that may arise before an event.

As always please contact me if you have any questions or concerns! office@gethsmeane-elca.org

 

April is a month of rebirth, regrowth, and renewal! New month for new intentions, new goals, new love, new light, and new beginnings!

 

Please keep our Gethsemane Family & Loved ones in your prayers!

 

… Dian Ferch … Paul Johnson … Aaron Kittson … Judy Piotrowski

… Pat Lambrecht … Anne Frost … Diane Petsch

… Melissa … Community of St. Camillus … Aimee … Leah … Jessica

… Dan Boyd … Zachary … Community of Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge

… Women of the Freedom House

 

If anyone is interested in sending our dear Dian Ferch a note of love and encouragement please send in Care of Craig Ferch 102 Sunrise Court Bonduel WI 54107

 

If you need prayer requests added or removed or

would like it sent to the Prayer Chain Group,

please contact the office at 262-782-8370 or

send an email to the church office.

Upcoming Events for Gethsemane

April 1st – Memorial service and visitation for John Klante being held at Gethsemane starting at 1pm

April 2nd - The Chosen with discussion 5-7pm

April 3rd - Community Chapel at St. Cam’s 10:30am

April 4th – Lunch Bunch (formally known as Women Alone) this group is open to all Gethsemane women. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors. The next lunch will be at 11:30 at Open Flame in Hales Corners.

April 5th – Confirmation 6pm-8pm

April 6th – Maundy Thursday Service at 12pm and 7pm

April 7th – Good Friday service at 12pm

April 8th – Mr. Bobs Under the Bridge, meet at church at 7:15am

April 8th – Property meeting at 8:30am

April 8th – Easter Egg Hunt at 1pm please bring your own baskets, pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny

April 9th – Easter Sunday! Easter breakfast to follow worship service

April 11th – Worship & Music meeting at 5:30pm

April 11th – Busy Bee’s 9:30-12pm

April 13th – Faith Connections meeting at 1pm

April 18th – Council Meeting at 6:30pm

April 20th – Mission Team meeting at 6:30pm

April 20th – Knit 1 Pray 2 meeting 7-830pm

April 22nd – Council Retreat

April 23rd – Mission Moment, Raise the Roof

April 24th - Community Chapel at St. Cam’s 10:30am

April 25th – Busy Bee’s 9:30-12pm

April 25th – Christian Education meeting at 7pm

April 29th - Men’s Breakfast at Pallas 8:30am

April 29th – 75th Anniversary Meeting 10am

May 6th – Craft Fair 10am-3pm

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Our Mission Statement

To Spread God's Life Changing Message,

We will

Keep God's Word

Reflect God's Love

Preserve God's World

Share God's Bounty

Do God's Work

Office@gethsemane-elca.org

Pastor@gethsemane-elca.org

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