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 the YouTube button. <

From the Pastor’s Desk

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

As we enter the final quarter of 2024, my heart is full of gratitude for what God has done through the ‘little church with the big heart’.  As a faith community, you continue to reach beyond the doors of Gethsemane to accompany folks at K-Park through Mr. Bob’s ministry every month.  Collections for food and clothing continue for ministries to help those experiencing homelessness and living under the poverty level in our city.  The outreach you offer through our “parking lot ministries” for kids and families like Trunk or Treat, Live Nativity and ‘the Fests’ have been an extension of the love of Christ to the community.  And you have given so very generously to our youth – so much so that 3 of our youth and 2 chaperones were fully funded to attend the Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. 

Because of a generous donation from a Gethsemane member, we have a new choir loft – and soon new sound equipment! 

You are generous, Gethsemane.  And I am so very grateful! 

On September 29th, JJ Sherman, a representative of the Leadership Council and Mission Team, shared with us a message of hope because of your generous spirits.  It was entitled “Closing the Gap”. 

A few years ago, as we were discerning where The Spirit was calling us as a congregation, a decision was made to enable the Leadership Council to draw a certain amount of dollars per year from our endowment fund.  For the last few years, we have been grateful for the foresight of a generous donor whose donation started our endowment fund years ago.  This fund, along with God’s grace and gifts from above, kept Gethsemane building and growing in The Spirit during the lean times. 

Because of your generous pledging AND your dedication to continue to honor your pledge, this year, 2024 is showing great promise as we close the gap!  The dream of a calendar year where we may not have to dip into our endowment may become a reality! 

Just imagine what kind of ministry we might do in the future – using the endowment interest responsibly for programs to reach the beloved community beyond our doors! 

Thank you, Gethsemane!  You are a most generous congregation – fiscally and with your love for all people. 

May God continue to bless you as you continue to be a blessing to others. 

In love and light,

Pastor Perrie

A huge THANK YOU to all of our September volunteers!! I am SO thankful to all of our volunteers who make this mission possible & continue to support Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge. 

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please see Ashley Jeske. 

Our upcoming volunteer dates are: Saturday October 19th, Saturday November 16th & Saturday December 21st, 2024.

A small group of us attended the Mr. Bobs Night of Kindness Gala on Saturday September 14th.

It was a beautiful night supporting & celebrating such a wonderful organization & all the amazing work they do for our friends at Kosciuszko Park! Thank you to all who attended the event!

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support for our Mr. Bobs community either by volunteering at the park on a Saturday morning or by donating clothing, blankets & other essential items. 

I’m so excited to share that starting on Sunday October 20th we will begin accepting donations for Mr. Bobs once again! 

We do ask that donations be made during the designated donation times listed below only. We will have collection bins out in the narthex during this time. If you would happen to miss a donation week, we just ask that you keep your donations at home until the following month. we appreciate your help in preventing items from pilling up in the church. 

Donation collection dates for the remainder of the year will be:  

Sunday October 20th – Thursday October 24th       

Sunday November 10th – Thursday November 14th  

Sunday December 15th – Thursday December 19th 

Please check the tables in the narthex for a current list of items being accepted for donation. 

If you have any questions, please see Ashley Jeske. 

Lunch Bunch will meet Tuesday, November 5th at 11:30am. Please watch announcements for location. If interested in joining, please sign up in the Narthex. This group is open to all Gethsemane women. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors. Please contact Joni Tombari 262-259-2793 with any questions.

The Parent/Tot Sunday School (ages 1-4/5 years with a parent) will be meeting the following dates:

October 6th - Noah

November 3rd - Jonah and the Whale

December 1st - Mary's Christmas Story

January 5th - Jesus' childhood

February 2nd - Feeding of 5,000

March 2nd - Jesus enters Jerusalem and Palm Sunday

April 6th - Jesus Rises

May 4th - The Holy Spirit

Bring your pets to the Pet Blessing outdoor service on Sunday, October 6th at 9:15am. We look forward to seeing your furry, feathered and scaly friends!

Calling all bakers! And those who eat!  Faith Connections will hold a bake sale on Sunday, October 13th.  Bakers are asked to bring treats in either Saturday the 12th or Sunday the 13th, pre-packaged and pre-priced.  Eaters are asked to bring their tummies and wallets!  All proceeds from this sale will go to help the Pre-Confirmation Youth fund their trip to the Quake in Wisconsin Dells in February.  

Are you 65+ and have questions about Medicare Advantage/Part C? If so, stop by the social room on Thursday, October 17th at 10am. Dawn Engler will share a lot of information regarding Medicare Part C and answer questions you may have.

Fellowship craft day is Oct 19th from 10am to 2pm. Bring a project to work on and join us. If you would like to bring a dish to pass that would be great. There is a sign up in the narthex. If you have any questions, please reach out to Laurie Thalacker. 

Calling all men! Come meet at Pallas Restaurant (1657 S. 108th Street in West Allis) for the Men’s Breakfast the last Saturday of every month. October’s breakfast will be on the 26th at 8am.

College Care box packaging will take place in the Social Room on Saturday October 26th at 9:00am.  We are always welcoming new faces to come help out!

The Crew and students still appreciate any and all donations for their care boxes. There are 17 students that we are sending love to this semester, and this month's theme is fall/Halloween if you want some ideas on what to help shop for.  Please give donations to either Beth Kraft or Heather Marek or place them in the bin for the College Care Packs in the social room.  As always, we are grateful to the congregation for stepping up and funding this ministry with all of these donations.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and will be here before we know it! On October 27, Faith Connections will once again be handing out brown paper bags with a list of Thanksgiving items on them.  Please consider buying even just a few items on this list on your next trip to the grocery store to help our friends at the New Berlin Food Pantry.  As in the past, these bags will be brought to the altar on Sunday, November 10. Thank you for your continued generosity in this ministry.

Thursday, October 31st 5-7:30pm

Come enjoy a fun and safe Trunk-or-Treat at Gethsemane Lutheran in the parking lot! Enjoy some decorated trunks, fun games, and yummy candy!

All are welcome! Dress up in a costume and join in on the fun!

For anyone who would like to donate candy for this event, there is a collection bin in the Narthex. If you would like to decorate your trunk, serve hot chocolate, or help with the fire pits, we have a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex as well!

Enjoy a hot cocoa and some fellowship with the lovely people here at Gethsemane and those from our community!

We hope to see you there!

The Sunday school & Pre-confirmation students would like to extend an enormous THANK YOU to all who gave on nosy can Sunday!! They raised $215!!!!! The children along with our Good Gifts coordinator Ms. Erica will decide how they would like to donate the money at a later date. Our next noisy can Sunday will be Sunday January 19th, 2025 

(Above are a couple pictures of the children counting out the donations they received!)

If you have been on the Honor Flight and would like to share stories, memories and/or pictures, please email them to office@gethsemane-elca.org

We look forward to hearing about the wonderful day you had on the Honor Flight!

Matheo is a big brother!

Congratulations to Pau and Taylor.

Marjorie “Mari” was born on August 19th.

We look forward to seeing you at church soon Mari!

Office updates with Jenny!

Hello!

I hope everyone had a wonderful September!

You may notice a couple changes to the Sunday bulletin. The Vanco QR code has moved from the beginning of the bulletin to the offering section. In its place, you will find a QR code that leads to a form for visitors to fill out.

I am in the process of going through mailboxes to check for name tags. Everyone should have a name tag in their mailbox by Name Tag Sunday on October 6th.

Happy Fall!!

Let’s get to know Skylar and Morgan!

How long have you been a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church?

One year.  We love our church and the entire congregation! 

What grade are you in?

Skylar- I am in 3rd grade and I am 8 years old. 

Morgan- I am 5 years old and I am in kindergarten.  

What do you love most about school?

Skylar- I love my teacher, art and gym.  

Morgan- I like doing arts and crafts at play time.

Who inspires you in your life?

Skylar- Kamala Harris and Taylor Swift

Morgan- My friend Dominic because he has a cat

What is one piece of advice you can give someone?

Skylar- Always be kind.

Morgan- Be helpful.

What are your gifts or hobbies?

Skylar- singing, dancing and drawing 

Morgan- doing arts and crafts

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Skylar- brats, watermelon and French fries 

Morgan- ice cream 

Tell us about your family or loved ones

Skylar- I live with my mama, daddy, sister and nana.  Nana takes us to church.  I love my older cousins too.  My Auntie Jenny works at the church office.  

Morgan- my loved ones are cats and Snoopy. Also everybody in my family.  

What are your hopes and dreams you would like to see in the future?

Skylar- I want to be an author and illustrator for kids and adult books.  

Morgan- I want to build robots to help people. 

Tell us a special story or memory about you!

Skylar- When Morgan was born and I became a big sister.  

Morgan- I have a lot of kitty stuffed animals and I like to sleep with them and play with them.

(If you are interested in participating in our member spotlight or nominating someone to be, please see the sign-up in the Narthex or you can always email the office)

office@gethsemane-elca.org

Let’s get to know Justin Hofstetter!

How long have you been a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church? All my life(39 years). I was baptized by Pastor Justin Silvius into GLC at St Joseph’s Hospital NICU, after I was born in 1985.  

What is your current occupation or volunteer position? I Volunteer at Gethsemane in Choir, Bells and Home Visitation/Communion. I also enjoy greeting people, serving as an Acolyte, and helping out wherever I can. I worked at Elmbrook Schools’ Central Office 2008-2022. I was the Videographer for the School Board Meetings and also did some Office Work. 

What do you love most about your industry? I loved working as a Videographer at the Elmbrook School Board Meetings. I learned a lot about all the decision making that goes into running the schools.  I enjoyed working with the Superintendent and School Board members and meeting many members of the community. 

Who inspires you in your life? Throughout all my challenges, there are so many people who have inspired me!!! My family and friends, my teachers and co-workers at Elmbrook Schools, my Doctors and Nurses and other healthcare workers, Pastor Perrie, Gary Dennison, and all my other friends and family here at Gethsemane. 

What is one piece of advice you can give someone? Bring happiness to others whenever you can and always love your neighbor!! 

What are your gifts or hobbies? I LOVE Serving at Gethsemane!!!! I love the Music Ministry and Social Hour, and meeting new people that walk into our Church.  Outside of church, I like going to Lake Poygan during the summer, visiting relatives and friends, hiking, mall walking, going to coffee shops, listening to Oldies music and attending musical concerts. 

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be? Since I don’t eat by mouth, I have to say my Kate Farms Tube Feedings are very important to me.  After that….Coffee!!!!

Tell us about your family or loved ones: At home, there is just me and my Mother.  I lost my Dad in March 2020 and I miss him a lot!!! I also miss my Grandparents who passed away many years ago. My parents both have 1 brother each, who are my Godfathers and their families, who we try to see as much as possible. Also, I have Great Aunts and Uncles and many second Cousins. I really appreciate the family feel at Gethsemane!!!!!!!!!

What are your hopes and dreams you would like to see in the future? I hope to have many more special times spent with my family and friends. 

Tell us a special story or memory about you! My favorite memories are vacations to Walt Disney World in Florida with my parents and grandparents.  I always loved the entertainment, the parades and the rides. One time we took a helicopter ride over the Disney Parks, which was really cool! 

(If you are interested in participating in our member spotlight or nominating someone to be, please see the sign-up in the Narthex or you can always email the office)

office@gethsemane-elca.org

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

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

… Pat Lambrecht … Anne Frost  … Tracy … Mikey

… Melissa … Community of St. Camillus … John & Susie … Jessica

 … Peg & Vicki … Brian … Dave Wolber … Joshua … Emily … Jeff Hupfeld

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

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.

Save the date for Gethsemane Lutheran Events this year 2024!

October 6th Pet Blessing Outdoor Service

October 19th Craft Day Fellowship 10-2pm

October 27th New Berlin Food Pantry Bags for Thanksgiving

October 31st Trunk or Treat

November 14th ERAS Knitting Tree going up!

Harmony Club playing welcome to all 11:30am

November 27th Pie Fest

December 6th Live Nativity

December 15th Cookie Walk

October 2024 Calendar

October 1st – Tuesday

Lunch Bunch at Mama Mia’s on Greenfield 11:30am

October 2nd – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am

October 6th – Sunday

Pet Blessing Outdoor Service 9:15am

Tot Sunday School

Name Tag Sunday

October 7th – Monday

Worship & Music 6:30pm

Community Chapel at St Cam's 10:30am

October 8th – Tuesday

Busy Bees 9:30am-12pm

October 9th – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am

Champions of Grace Meeting 6:30pm

October 10th – Thursday

Faith Connections 1pm

October 11th - Friday

55+ Club 1-4pm

October 12th – Saturday

Property Meeting 8am

October 13th – Sunday

Faith Connections Bake Sale to benefit YouthQuake

October 14th-16th – Monday – Wednesday

Synod Leadership Event

October 16th – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am

October 17th - Thursday

Medicare Part C Information Meeting 10am

Mission Team Meeting 5:30pm

October 19th – Saturday

Mr. Bob’s 8am

Craft/Fellowship Day 10am-2pm

October 20th – Sunday

Reformation Sunday

October 20th-24th

Mr. Bob's Donation Collection

October 21st – Monday

Community Chapel 10:30am

October 22nd – Tuesday

Busy Bees 9:30am – 12pm

Council Meeting 6:30pm

October 23rd – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am

October 25th - Friday

55+ Club 1-4pm

October 26th – Saturday

Men’s Breakfast at Pallas 8am

October 27th – Sunday

New Berlin Food Pantry bags to fill for Thanksgiving

October 30th – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am

October 31st– Thursday

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat 5pm-7:30pm

Please note all events are up to date as of 10/1/2024. Please double check that your event/meeting has not changed or confirm with the Here at Gethsemane email weekly to make sure nothing has been rescheduled within the month.

Thank you! Have a fantastic October!

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

Musician@gethsemane-elca.org