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

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray”

- Matthew 26:36

I am reading a great book given to me by one of my mentors when I became your pastor.  The book is called “The Book of Mysteries” written by Jonathan Cahn.  It is a fictional book that chronicles the journey of a ‘seeker’ and the teacher who opens the scriptures to him on a journey they take together.  It is where the story of Gatshmanim or Gethsemane is taken. 

Here is it in reprinted format with all credits given to the author.

“In one of the gardens was a large circular object of stone with a ridge around its top.  He motioned for me to sit down beside him next to the object.

“on the night before His suffering, Messiah went to the Garden of Gethsemane.  There He surrendered His will in the face of His approaching sufferings and death.  It was there, in Gethsemane, that the Temple guards came to arrest Him.  So Gethsemane is the place His sufferings begin.”

It was then that the teacher turned his attention to the stone-like object.  “This is an oil press,” he said.  “The olives would be placed here on the top and a large wheel-like stone would roll over them, crushing them.  The crushing of the olives would release their oil.  In Hebrew, the word for olive oil is shemen.  And the word for press is gat.  An oil press is a gatshemen or gatshmanim.  What does gatshamanim sould like?”

I don’t know, (I replied).

“Think.”

GETHSEMANE!

“yes, Gethsemane is the oil press.  And why is it the place where Messiah’s sufferings began?  The word Messiah is linked to oil, olive oil, shemen.  But for oil to be released, there must be a crushing.  Gethsemane, Gatshmanim, is the olive press, the place where the crushing begins…

first the crushing of His will, then the crushing of His life.”

And what does oil represent? (I asked).

In the Scriptures, oil is linked to healing and joy, and, in its most sacred application, to anointing.  Oil would be poured out to anoint kings and prophets. So oil, in its highest symbolism, signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”

So then if the crushing of olives in the olive press releases oil, (I said), then the crushing of Messiah in Gethsemane, the oil press, would be linked to healing, joy and the pouring of the Holy Spirit.

“Yes,” said the teacher, “It is in the crushing of Messiah in His death that brings healing, joy…. And the pouring of the Spirit.  It all begins in the oil press, Gatshmanim… Gethsemane. 

This story of the history of the name of our church means more to me today than when I read it almost 3 years ago.  The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has blessed us abundantly.  God bless you as you continue to walk your Lenten journey… all the way to Maundy Thursday and the garden of Gatshmanim. 

Shalom, 

Pastor Perrie

The Book of Mysteries, by Jonathan Cahn, Frontline Publishing, Lake Mary, FL, 2016, Day 53.

Lunch Bunch will meet Tuesday March 5th at 11:30am at Applebee’s Grill & Bar 2865 S. 108th St, West Allis WI 53214

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 414-412-9410 with any questions

Gary Dennison - 3/06

Dave Piper - 3/08

Doug Dralle - 3/13

Noah Ebben - 3/16 

Harper Ebben - 3/16

  Ruth Piper - 3/20

Join us for

Easter Breakfast

Easter Breakfast is on March 31st after worship. It will be catered by Bev’s Catering. The menu includes: Scrambled Eggs, Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes’, 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 February 25th, March 3rd, 10th and 17th. Please pay by check if possible. Make out checks to Gethsemane, memo Easter Breakfast.

An anonymous donor will cover the cost for all children under the age of 13. When you sign up for breakfast please tell Conni or Deb how many children will be joining so we have the information for the caterer and the donor. We also need the correct number of chairs and highchairs.

Bev has kept the adult prices the same as last year. Ages 13 and older: $15.50. We hope you can join us for Breakfast after the worship service.

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

Thank you!

A huge THANK YOU to all of our January Volunteers who braved the cold to come help our friends in the park. 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 date is: Saturday March 16th

Let’s get to know Terry Kittson

How long have you been a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church?  I have been a member since Patti and I were married at Gethsemane in September 2016, unofficially I started Sunday school here in 1963

What is your current occupation or volunteer position? I am a retired Civil Engineer. Now my “part-time” occupation is being “Papa” to for my three grandsons, Bryce 8, Easton 4 and Chance a very spunky 2 year old. I have been on at Gethsemane’s Council for a number of years, plus Mission Team, Evangelism Committee and Endowment Committee.

What do you love most about your industry? I loved solving complex engineering problems, working with numbers and math and being on a team of top-notch, intelligent professionals designing and building complex freeways, state, county and municipal roads for WisDOT, and landfills, airports, sewer and water systems as as Vice President of a 45 employee civil engineering firm in Wausau. I liked getting to go outside and seeing projects being built.

Who inspires you in your life? Pastor Perrie greatly inspires me and brings her knowledge,  insight and  uncommon “relatability “through her sermons, music, teaching, bible studies, and counseling to  transform us into better Christians and really make Gethsemane an exciting place to be. My loving wife Patti who keeps me on the “straight and narrow path (like that is possible), my former teachers, good friends, coworker and my grandkids who make me a better “papa”, lastly my fellow members (family) of Gethsemane. 

What is one piece of advice you can give someone? Be kind and compassionate in life and tell the people you love how much you love them often. I don’t do that enough. It’s sometimes hard to say out loud but do it! 

What are your gifts or hobbies? Building, woodworking, remodeling, airplanes/air shows, private piloting, music-all types (even some country music now), bike riding, exploring and playing Master Mind.

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be? The dinner special at the Lake Park Bistro with Patti at a window table overlooking Lake Michigan with wine and dessert. (It happened last spring).

Tell us about your family or loved ones. My first and forever love Suzi, was a very kind, compassionate, and devoted Christian, brilliant and very caring speech pathologist working with her beloved elementary school kid’s one on one improving their lives by helping them communicate. Suzi passed away from a horrific, rare disease in early 2013 from multisystem atrophy , very similar to ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease losing the ability to speak the last few months of her life.  I regret not being more kind and understanding to her but will always love her.  My second and forever love is my wife Patti. She is very loving wife , a devote Christian, an awesome mom and super grandma “Gigi”. Patti keeps me in line and focused (a 24 hour a day job). Best of all she keeps me laughing and on my toes.

What are your hopes and dreams you would like to see in the future? I want to see ,the boys, my 3 grandkids graduate from college, with lots of good friends, find significant others, have jobs they love , enjoy life and be good Christians. Oh and have lasting peace in our world!! (Plus the Bucks with another NBA Championship, the Packers with another Super Bowl and the Brewers keep on trying for the World Series victory.)

Tell us a special story or memory about you! I love all kinds of music and have fond memories of mom and I singing out loud listening to WISN radio to 50’s and 60’s songs like Zippity Do Dah, and secondly staying overnight and Grandma and Grandpa Kittson house in New Berlin and going on short trips to Jones Island to see the freighter ships, learning photography and lastly building things in Grandpa’s workshop.

(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

SUDS and SONGS

On Friday February 23rd, a group of fun-loving Gethsemane-ites gathered to cheer on members of the Praise Band as they helped lead an evening of “Song and Suds”.  All proceeds went to support our friends at Lutheran Campus Ministry – The Corner House… rumor has it that the Praise Band was so good, the event raised $13,000!  (Actually, there were other song leaders too… but… just sayin!)  Thanks to Deb and Jon Stolz, Travis and Beth Kraft, Leigh Anne, Devan and Phoenix Spears, Joe, Clare and Amanda Levenhagen, and Doug Dralle who sang their hearts out!  And to our band and singers Mati Ardis, Scott Ebben, Mitchell Levenhagen, Gary Dennison and Pastor P!  We sure had fun!

Happy Baptism to our Carolyn Weber! Gethsemane was able to witness this precious little girl’s baptism on February 18th We are so happy to have you with us as members of our church family!

Sunday school news!

The Sunday school students would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated on Noisy can Sunday! Thanks to your generosity, the children raised $464.26!! The money will go towards the purchasing of animals, clean water & schooling for those who need it.

Thank you again for your continued support of the Heifer program!!!

CRAFTS AND FELLOWSHIP

Join us April 6th from 11am – 2pm for a craft day!

Bring your own project and a dish to pass around if you would like!

Enjoy some fun and fellowship with your fellow craft friends.

Who’s ready to Hunt?!?!?!

Join us for Gethsemane Lutheran’s annual Easter egg hunt

on March 23rd at 1pm

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny will also be joining us for pictures so bring your sweet smiles and hunting baskets to find all the hidden eggs!

Games Prizes and more!

Tacos El Canon

Proceeds from Raffle Ticket Sales and a portion of the food sales from the craft fair will help the high school youth attend the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. Come enjoy some lunch and say hi to our youth that will be running the food for all our visitors! Take a look at all our raffle items we will have that will be donated from our wonderful vendors! Hope to see you there!

Join us for our Palm Sunday Service

March 24th at 9:15am Live Streaming available!

Maundy Thursday Service will be March 28th at 7pm we will not be live streaming this service.

Good Friday Service will be March 29th at 12pm & 7pm we will have live streaming at the 7pm service.

Our Easter Sunday Service will be at 9:15am with Live Streaming available. For overage in parking please feel free to park over at Balers Lounge across Greenfield Ave.

Hi everyone, this is the Sunday School Heifer coordinator, Erica. First of all, THANK YOU for all your support!! I appreciate it, the kids appreciate it & those we are helping appreciate it most of all.

I wanted to take a moment to explain what Heifer International is, and what they do.  Heifer International works to end world hunger in 19 countries across four continents. Those countries are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States of America and Zambia.

Their founder, a farmer named Dan West, started Heifer in 1944 as a response to what he’d seen as a volunteer feeding refugees in the Spanish Civil War. He knew first hand that giving people food was only a short-term solution. Giving them animals and the knowledge to take care of those animals would supply sustainable food and income for an entire family.

Over the years they’ve added things like access to clean water, stoves for entire villages, school access for girls, and education for adults to start their own businesses. The goal is to help communities develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty.

Stay tuned for a special Heifer fundraiser starting on March 3rd & running through March 24th!!

Office Talk with Autumn

Office updates!

Happy March Everyone!

I honestly cannot believe how fast time is going, February was a blur! We have some sun, and warmer weather coming our way which always makes me feel good. One of our favorite things to do as a family is walk when the sun is out. You may have even seen us around the neighborhood or in the parking lot here at church with the boys running around, they sure do sleep better after a nice sunny day outside!

I think we all do ;)

With a new month here at Gethsemane comes busier days ahead. We have some events coming up and more to do here at the church! With that said, please contact me with any schedule changes or updates. I am doing my best to keep everything updated and the calendar planned for the next few months.

Keep checking the Here at Gethsemane email every Monday for updates and schedule changes for the week!

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 … Chelsea

… 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.

March 2024 Calendar

March 1st - Friday

Hope Center 5:00pm

March 3rd – Sunday

Early Childhood Sunday school with Cathy Wolber – Heifer Fundraiser

March 4th – Monday

Community Chapel 10:30am at St. Cam’s

March 5th - Tuesday

Lunch Bunch 11:30 at Applebees Bar & Grill

March 6th - Wednesday

Bible Study 10am-11:30am – Confirmation 6-8pm

Lenten Dinner Church 6pm

March 7th – Thursday

Faith Connections meeting 1pm

March 8th - Friday

55+ Club 1-4pm

March 9th - Saturday

Property meeting 8:30am – Richard Robinson Memorial Visitation 1pm service 2:30pm

March 10th – Sunday

Heifer Fundraiser

March 11th – Monday

Worship and Music meeting 6:30-8pm

March 12th – Tuesday

Busy Bee’s 9:30-12pm

March 13th – Wednesday

Bible Study 10-11:30am – Lenten Dinner Church 6pm

March 14th - Thursday

Mission Team meeting 6:30pm

March 16th - Saturday

Mr. Bobs meet at park at 7:45am

March 17th - Sunday

Early Childhood Sunday school with Cathy Wolber – Heifer Fundraiser

March 18th - Monday

Community Chapel 10:30am at St. Cam’s

March 19th - Tuesday

Council meeting 6:30pm

March 20th - Wednesday

Bible Study 10am-1130am – Confirmation 6-8pm – Lenten Dinner Church 6pm

March 22nd - Friday

55+ Club 1-4pm

March 23rd - Saturday

College Care Packs 10am – Easter Egg Hunt 1pm

March 24th – Sunday

Palm Sunday – Heifer Fundraiser

March 26th - Tuesday

Busy Bee’s 9:30-12pm

March 27th - Wednesday

Bible Study 10am-11:30am

March 28th – Thursday

Maundy Thursday service 7pm

March 29th – Friday

Good Friday services 12pm & 7pm

March 31st – Sunday

Easter Sunday 9:15am – Easter Breakfast following service

Please note all events are as of 3/1/2024, 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 beautiful March!

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