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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”

(Psalm 46:1).

In January of 2018, my family and I along with a number of Seminarians journeyed to The Holy Land for a 3-week study.  It was during that time that I was privileged to meet this man; Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb.  Pastor Mitri has sent the following letter earlier in October that I thought was of value for all of us as we try to understand.

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday we concluded our international conference “Land, People, and Culture”, only to wake up two days later to see that the situation has changed drastically. We are glad that most of our guests are back in their countries safe and sound. We have connected with the few who remained, and they informed us that they are doing well.

Many friends, concerned about our safety, have been sending us messages inquiring about our situation. Your prayers, advocacy, and support are much appreciated. We are fine; however, Bethlehem and all the Palestinian cities in the West Bank were sealed off by the Israeli military, and all streets leading out or into Bethlehem were blocked with cement blocks. This is preventing most students from reaching the University, which forced us to move to online teaching. But you can imagine how difficult it is for people here to concentrate while watching the horrendous news on TV.

As I write this late Monday afternoon, I hear the Israeli F-15 planes flying over our cities on the way to bomb Gaza. This last hour alone, over 130 Israeli air strikes were conducted in Gaza. Several of these strikes are in the area where our University's satellite center is located. Gaza is in flames. Our heart goes out to the civilians in Gaza who live in fear, without electricity, water, food, or medicine. Our thoughts are with Rana, the director of our training center in Gaza, our staff, and students there.

We are concerned about the high number of civilian casualties, irrespective of if they are Palestinians or Israelis. We call for the Geneva Convention and International Humanitarian Law to be guaranteed by the international community. However, the military and political, blind support that Israel is getting from Western countries is giving Israel a green light to level Gaza without any repercussions.

The mainline Western media is in full gear utilizing a settler colonial rhetoric, demonizing the Palestinians as savages and terrorists, without talking about the root causes. Even when we speak out by sharing our own narrative, colonial voices try to silence us- demanding that we repeat settler colonial propaganda.

So, let’s talk about the root causes: These young Palestinian fighters were born under siege in the largest open-air prison in the world. For decades, they waited for justice, for freedom, for a life in dignity, but all in vain. What they saw was a double standard treatment; those who stood with the occupied Ukrainians were standing with the Israeli occupiers. These young Gazans witnessed four wars that Israel led against their narrow strip that has been used as a real testing ground for the Israelis' latest technological weapons and artillery.

Worse, they were left with no hope whatsoever in an area 360 square kilometers where the air, the water, and the sea are polluted and where life became unlivable. Israel and the world left them to perish slowly but surely as if they were children of a lesser god, negating their right to defend themselves.

Allow me to reiterate: Occupation will keep triggering resistance. No one can relinquish people’s quest for freedom. Without justice there will be no peace. Keep us in your prayers. Raise your voice for justice. It is high time to decolonize Palestine so that our people can live in dignity and reach the potential that God has for them. Thank you for your support.

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

Come Holy Spirit, come.  I ask you, beloved people of Gethsemane, to continue to keep our siblings in The Holy Land in your hearts as we fervently pray for peace. 

God bless you,

Pastor Perrie

Lunch Bunch will meet November 7th at 11:30 at Fortune Restaurant

2945 S. 108th St, West Allis, WI 53227

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 414-412-9410 with any questions

Sunday School News

This past month our Sunday school students participated in our first community service project of the year. With the guidance of Lisa Schalk (Gethsemane’s Liaison for Exploit No More) students made over 20 welcome bags that will be filled with items to help make the women who come to stay at the Exploit No More home feel welcomed.

Jon Pearson - 11/03

Autumn Wendorf - 11/04

Jim Zarek - 11/04 

Jenny Rogers - 11/06

Brian Harrison - 11/07

Richard Robinson - 11/21

Conni Henning - 11/25 

Ashley Nelson - 11/25

Heidi Harrison - 11/26

Travis Kraft - 11/28 

Bernice Eskridge - 11/28 

Gail Robinson - 11/29

We are producing a new pictorial directory for the New Year ahead! Joshua Wendorf will be taking pictures November 12th and 19th in the fellowship hall following the worship services.

Please make sure to sign up in the Narthex for either day. We would love to have the whole community in this new directory!

If anyone has any gifts with putting together a directory after the pictures are taken and would like to help please contact the office!

Thank you to everyone who was able to help for the Craft fair on October 21st we had such a good turn out even if the weather didn’t cooperate! It was so much fun to see our previous vendors and some new faces! Thank you to the mission team that helped support the Raffle and Serve food to fundraise for Equipping the Saints!

On November 12th the Gethsemane mission team will be sponsoring a Ministry Fair to invite any members to participate in the many opportunities here at Gethsemane. Please plan to join us in the fellowship hall for coffee treats and lots of information.

A huge Thank You to our October 2023 Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge volunteers (pictured below)!! I’m so immensely grateful to everyone who continues to volunteer each month to support Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge & this ministry!!

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about volunteering, please see Ashley Jeske.

Our upcoming volunteer dates are Saturday November 18th & Saturday December 16th.

Gethsemane Lutheran Celebrated its 75th Anniversary on October 1st, what a beautiful celebration! All members were invited to celebrate together at the New Berlin Ale House! We want to thank the whole 75th Anniversary Committee for all the hard work and for all our members for making this occasion happen. We are so lucky to have such an amazing church family!!

Let’s help our neighbors at the New Berlin Food Pantry have a Happy Thanksgiving this year! Please consider shopping for just a few ingredients on the list below:

Canned Pumpkin       Canned Sweet Potatoes       Stuffing          Jarred/canned Gravy

Instant Potatoes       Canned Cranberries              Brown Sugar

Evaporated Milk       Canned Soup Canned Vegetables

Box of Macaroni & Cheese

Items may be returned between November 5th and 19th in the bags that were provided for you from the Faith Connections Ministry.

Thank you for all you do!

Gethsemane Lutheran’s mission team will be sending out letters for the next years Mission Campaign! As we look ahead to 2024, we are all asked to consider how we will share our time, talents and treasures to continue the meaningful work we are doing inside and outside of Gethsemane. Enclosed in the envelope you will find a letter and a pledge card for your family. Our goal is to receive all 2024 pledge cards by Sunday, November 19th at the worship service or by mail. This will allow us to do proactive planning for 2024. Please contact J.J. Sherman or Terry Kittson with any questions you have about the 2024 pledge campaign.

We have a few services that we want to make sure our community is aware of we will have our Thanksgiving Worship Service on Wednesday evening

November 22nd beginning at 7pm.

On December 6th 13th and 20th we will be offering mid-week Advent service Holden Evening Prayer at 6:00pm. These services will last approximately 30 minutes and is a prayerfully reflective way to end your day and to be ready for the busyness/craziness of the upcoming holiday season!

Gethsemane Lutherans annual Pie Fest will be on November 22nd following worship service. We will have a sign-up in the Narthex starting November 5th if you are interested in donating some Pies!

Perfect treat to take home with you and share with your family and friends on Thanksgiving! If you have any questions please contact the Faith Connections Team or the office. Thank you for your generosity!

If you are interested in Knit 1 Pray 2 ministry they will be meeting on

November 12th at 11:15am.

Come together and create from the heart, the prayer shawls made from this wonderful group are given to those who need may need a little reminder that they are loved when they drape themselves with these handmade gifts. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry please see Laurie Thalacker with any questions you may have.

Gethsemane Lutheran will be serving dinner at Hope Center on Wednesday, November 8th. We are in need of people to help serve & clean up, bake, & donate a gallon of milk. Please see the Sign up in Narthex if you would like to donate or help! Bakery & milk can be dropped off in social room by 4 PM on November 8th. Any questions please contact Joy Clark

Office Talk with Autumn

Office updates!

Happy November! A month to remember all the things to be Thankful for!

I am thankful for my family and friends, my boys! Being able to work at a place where I get to see and help the Gethsemane members and our community, also to work with such an amazing Pastor!

This is the start of a very busy few months! I know we have a lot going on here and I am here to help! The “Here at Gethsemane” email sent out every Monday will help navigate weekly, everything we have scheduled. All announcements please have sent in by Wednesday before Sunday Service. I will do my best to make sure all things are up on the PowerPoint on Sundays and on the TV in the Narthex!

Please feel free to call or visit if you need anything I am here to help!

Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful church and community. As always please contact me if you have any questions or concerns! office@gethsmeane-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 … Warren Windau … Mikey

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

 … Rick VanWeelden … Rich Robinson … Chelsea … Rich

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

… Women of the Freedom House

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

November 1st – Bible Study 10-11:30 am

November 1st – Music Concert at 12:30pm

November 1st – Evening Bible Study and potluck 6-8pm

November 1st – Centering Prayer 6:30pm-7:45pm

November 2nd – Mission Team meeting 6:30pm

November 2nd – Young Adults serving at the Corner House 5:30pm

November 5th – Food Pantry & Pledge Drive

November 6th – Community Chapel Worship Service @ St Camillus 10:30am-11:30am

November 7th – Lunch Bunch at Fortune Restaurant

November 8th – Bible Study 10-11:30am

November 8th – Confirmation meet at 5pm at church

November 8th – Hope Center 5:30pm

November 8th – Centering Prayer 6:30pm-7:45pm

November 9th – Faith Connections Meeting 1pm

November 9th – Worship and Music meeting 6:30pm

November 10th – 55+ Club 1-4pm

November 11th – Property meeting 8:30am

November 11th – RIC We Love All Event 8:30-3:30pm Christ the Servant in Waukesha

November 12th – Food Pantry & Pledge Drive

November 12th – Knit 1 Pray 2 meeting 11:15am

November 12th – ERAS giving tree set up

November 12 – Ministry Fair following worship in fellowship hall

November 12th – Photo’s for Directory following worship in fellowship hall

November 12th – November 14th – Pastor Out of Office on First Call Retreat 

November 14th - Busy Bee’s 9:30am-12pm 

November 15th - Budget Request Due Date

November 15th - Bible Study 10-11:30am

November 15th - Confirmation 6pm-7:30pm

November 15th - Centering Prayer 6:30pm-7:45pm

November 18th -   Mr. Bobs Under the Bridge 7:15am

November 19th – New Berlin Food Pantry Final Day & Pledge Card Sunday

November 19th – Photo’s for Directory following worship in fellowship hall

November 20th – Community Chapel Worship Service @ St Camillus 10:30am-11:30am

November 21st – Council Meeting 6:30pm

November 22nd – Bible Study 10-1130am  

November 22nd – Thanksgiving Worship Service 7pm

November 22nd – Pie Fest following worship in the fellowship hall

November 23rd – Happy Thanksgiving – Out of Office

November 24th – 55+ Club 1-4pm 

November 25th – Men’s Breakfast 8am at Pallas

November 26th – Parent Group following worship in Garden Room

November 28th – Busy Bee’s 9:30am-12pm

November 29th – Bible Study 10-11:30am  

November 29th – Centering Prayer 6:30pm-7:45pm

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