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Posted 07/05/10

A Message from Pastor Johnson:

            During this month, a number of you have shared your thoughts and feelings on what has transpired over the past months.  I have been in contact with the synod as well.  In a couple of weeks, I will share, for what it’s worth, a letter reflecting on some of the agreements and disagreements among you. My purpose here is to invite you to think about God’s Family, the Church.        

            Before that, some things have surfaced for me.
1.  Three things in life once gone never come back:  Time, Words, Opportunity.
2.  Three things in life that can destroy a person:  Anger, Pride, Unforgiveness.
3. Three things in life we should never lose:  Hope, Peace, Honesty. 

     Ephesians 4:4-6 says:
           “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.” 
            What I share is from a book by the person who ordained me, the late Dr. Gerhard Frost.  The book is entitled Journey of the Heart, and speaks of reflections on life’s way.  He writes about God’s Family, the Church.  Just a few of his thoughts to reflect on.           
            When God justifies us in Christ, we are given an identity and need no longer to struggle for a name.  We belong.        
            What is the Church? Is it a great company of debaters and explainers?  No the church is a place of embrace, of presence, of voice, of touch.           Lifestyles vary in the Christian community, patterns of service differ widely, but these variations do not signify disunity where Christ is King.  We can rejoice in this Christian hope in many ways.  Congregations do not have to be divided because of sharp differences of opinion, if they will recognize that deep unity that exists is when people share the same hope.      
           There is ample room for disagreement within the Christian community.  God does not intend for all to think alike.  Where everyone thinks alike, no one thinks too much.         
            When God’s people differ, they can never the less respect each other and be mutually enriched as they share their talents.  When differences are not cherished and respected, the entire community is impoverished and God’s purpose is hindered.   
           The phrase “one body and one Spirit” is heavy with divine possibilities.  It invites us enter into our true humanity and share the joy of believing.  We see one another through our Lord, we can rejoice in each other’s gifts and share our common life.  Then we can also feel each other’s hurts and respond to each other’s loneliness and anguish.        
            Neither you nor I can read the secret thoughts and hopes of our brothers and sisters in the faith, but one thing we know, and that is we look up to the same cross and name the same Christ.  We are “called to the on hope”.        Journey of the Heart – Dr. Gerhard Frost:  page 78-79

                              *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

I recently shared some thoughts which were sent to me in an email.  I think the following is also worth sharing:
 
There are three things in life you should never lose: hope, peace and honesty.
The three things most valuable in live are: love, family & friends & kindness.
Three things in life that are never certain: fortune, success and dreams.
Three things in life that make a person: commitment, sincerity and hard work.
There are three things in life that are truly constant: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
God's love is always with you.  God's promises are true.  Give God all your cares and He will see you through.

Posted 07/24/10

Report from the Church Council

Galatians 6:9 – “Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessings at the appropriate time.” 

Council members met with a representative from the Synod office at the July 13 Council meeting.  The meeting was about the possibilities of calling a pastor for a term call or being assigned an interim pastor. 

Posted 07/05/10

Constitution Evaluation Committee 

The first completed draft copy of Gethsemane’s Constitution was distributed to church members at the quarterly meeting on Sunday, July 25.  Any ideas, comments, and suggestions for revisions to the Constitution can be shared with the committee before the final copy is presented for approval.  When approved, the new Constitution will be sent to the Synod office for their approval. If approved by them, it will be voted on by our congregation at the quarterly meeting on October 24, 2010. It will be adopted at the Annual Meeting in January 2011.

Posted 07/11/10

    Care in the Congregation

D    We had our "CARD MAKING DAY" on Saturday, July 10.  There were
      about  20 of us coming and going throughout the day and we made over
      100 beautiful cards.  There was a wonderful lunch and a good time was
      had by all.  Supplies were furnished for free and people brought things
      to share.  It was so much fun that we plan on doing it twice more this
      year -- Saturday, September 18 and Saturday, October 16, from 9:00 -
      4:00, so we can make more cards for the home bounds, hospitalized,
      the lonely, the people who need uplifting and for the holidays.
      Everyone is welcome, friends, big kids, little kids, Sunday school
      children. scout troops, the more the merrier. You don't have to be an
      artist.  There are many ideas and plenty of people to help.  We will
      have a great lunch served between 12:00 and 1:00 pm. Come when you
      can, leave when you must. Even an hour or two of your time will be
 be appreciated.  We know you will want to stay later.

Posted 07/18/10

                Hot Meal at Salvation Army

We are disappointed to say that the Hot Meal Program for August and September are cancelled due to renovations being done at Salvation Army.  As soon as Gethsemane is on the schedule again, we will notify church members.

Posted 04/27/10

    INTRODUCING YOUR COUNCIL FOR 2010

As of the April 13 Council meeting, the Church Council consists
 of the following members:

       Officers and Executive Board:

            President:             Bill Kroll
            Vice President:      Debbie Anderson
            Secretary:             Trudy Rozzoni
            Treasurer:             Open

       General Council Members:

            Lisa Fletcher
            Glenn Honert
            Debbie Peterik
            Carolyn Pietsch
            JoEll Thomas
            Janet Winter
            Rosy Fay

There is a treasurer's position and was a general council position open because of the resignation of Rich and Jody Wagner.  Rich has been working very long hours and feels he cannot give the treasurer's job his full attention.  No one has come forward to fill the general council position, so at the July council meeting it was voted that Rosy Fay replace Jody until her term is over.  Anyone interested in applying for the the treasurer's position should contact the church office or Bill Kroll, council president.

Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm.  We will continue to have an “open council.” Anyone is welcome to come to a council meeting and listen to the meeting. If you have an issue you can send a note including the subject and your signature to the council secretary, Trudy Rozzoni, no later than the Wednesday before a council meeting, or you can call her at (262) 637-6312 so it can be put on the agenda.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns, please feel free to contact any member of the Council.  If you don't feel comfortable talking to any of the Council members, we invite you to put your written and signed comments in the suggestion box in the entryway.  The suggestions will be picked up on a regular basis and answered within a reasonable amount of time.  (We are sorry we will only answer suggestions or comments that are signed by the individual.) 

Posted 05/17/2010
 

Council Highlights 

The Communications Committee is working on ways to build better communications between the church council and the congregation. Important issues discussed at the council will appear in the bulletin on the first Sunday after a council meeting. This is being done so you will have information sooner and not have to wait until you see it in the Tidings three weeks later. 

Following are highlights from the May & June Council meeting:

May Highlights

The stewardship program will begin in June.

Watch for more information on the special "Card Making Day."

A church picnic is being planned for August.

Starting Sunday, May 23, the communion inserts will no longer be used.  We will be using the old communion cards and prayer request cards which will be located on the back of the pews.

June 1 and June 5 are being set for yard cleanup and planting.

Starting June - August, the West Racine Business Association will be doing "West Racine Wednesdays" on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. These are good opportunities for fundraising.

The youth are planning a yearend activity.

June Highlights

Tonya Tatro, our church secretary, has a new job.  She will help us out as often as she can.  Volunteers will be needed to cover the phones from noon to 4:00 until we can secure a new secretary.  If you can help out, please call the office at 634-2331 and leave a message.

Bishop Barrows attended the June 8 Council meeting and discussed the options of getting an interim pastor.

July Highlights

The meeting this month was with a representative from the Synod.  There are plans in the works for us to get an interim pastor.  As soon as there is more information, the congregation will be advised

Posted 07/05/10

                  Stewardship Ministry Team Report 
                 by Sandy Menarek, Stewardship Chairman       

      In Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, Paul uses the body as an analogy to explain spiritual gifts/talents when he tells us that just as our body has many parts (hands, feet, head) working together as a whole, the body of Christ has many parts all working together for the common good. Each part is important to the whole.

     All of us have talents.  We have all been given gifts to use in furthering God’s work in our corner of the world.   Some of us have been given obvious gifts, such as being an artist, a builder, excelling in sports, etc.; other gifts, such as, care giving, cooking, speaking in public, and willingness are not so obvious.  Often times we do not recognize these gifts. 

     I didn’t know what some of my talents were.  In fact, there was one particular thing I stood as far away from as I could.  It was Stewardship.  I wanted no part of it.  I could sew, I could work in the garden, I could clean up after an event, but working on Stewardship was way out of my league.  I wasn’t good with math, and never was good at asking for something.  I’m still not. Then, years back, I accepted the position of Vice President of Council and along with it came the chairmanship of the Stewardship program.  I was not at all thrilled, but accepted the responsibility.  When I actually started to study the subject, I realized that Stewardship is more about making us aware of all the God-given gifts we have and how to use them wisely in our daily lives to do God’s work.  This was a complete turnabout for me.  Stewardship has become a very important part of my faith life.  Not only have I discovered new talents that I have, but I am more willing to venture into new territories and my life is richer.

Attention adults, youth and children:  The stewardship challenge this month is to become aware of what talents/gifts we have been given and how we can use them to further God’s work.

What are your talents?  Make a list of all your talents.  Begin by taking an inventory of what you like to do and what you are good at doing.  Maybe it’s baking, or riding a bike, playing baseball, telling stories, reading, sewing, quilting, working with wood, fixing cars, etc.

Notice someone else’s talents and tell them.    You might be surprised to find out that person didn’t know it was a gift he/she had been given.  We all need to be acknowledged for what we can do. When someone tells you that you have a talent, add that to your list.

How can your talents be used to further God’s work at church, at work, in the community? Make a list of ways you think you can use your talents this month.  When each of us puts our talents to work, much gets done.  When there is a dinner at church, someone has to organize it, plan it, do publicity, and find workers.  Someone has to set up the tables, shop for the food, prepare the food, do the dishes and clean up the dining room.  One person cannot do it all.  It takes many hands, each doing something they do well. 

How much do we use our talents to further God’s work?  For each of the talents you have on your list, mark down how you have used that talent this month.  Think about all the things you do for others whether you are at work, at home, at church or in the community.             

      ·              

 Posted 7/26/10                

      Some ideas are forming around having a "church picnic - neighborhood
      block party" by the side of the church.  We can block off Blaine Avenue
      from Washington  to the alley.  We have brats, burgers, hot
      dogs, condiments, etc. donated by Sandy Skovsted.  These were for the
      hot meal in August, but that was cancelled due to remodeling at
      Salvation Army.  The date has not been set yet, but it could be the
      end of August or early in September.  Watch for more information.
      This would be a great neighborhood outreach and invitation to our
      church and Sunday School.

Posted 06/02/2010

    Outreach Ministry Team

The Outreach Ministry Team received a check for $1200 from Thrivent for Lutherans.  This was from a request sent into their Care in Community Program.  Thrivent pays the expenses for a fundraiser up to $800, if approved. We asked for this money in January of 2009 to help with the Jerusalem City Fundraiser; however, there were no expenses for the fundraiser except the cost of building the city in the first place, and receiving the funds was questionable.  There was a lot of publicity, including a full page article in the Racine Journal.  Apparently Thrivent reconsidered the request and probably at the end of the year needed to disburse extra money.  We received $1200 from them which matched the amount we raised from the Jerusalem City Tours.  Now we have money to put toward the expenses of our Summer Vacation Bible School program.  GOD IS GOOD!!

Posted 07/15/2010

Altar Care -- Judy Masko needs help for altar care, mostly dusting.  Please call Judy at 632-3913 if you are interested in helping. 

Save Your Stamps-and your Ink Cartridges, old Cell Phones, McDonald's and Campbell's Soup Labels.  We will still collect cancelled stamps.   The Sunday School is still collecting inkjet cartridges, old cell phones, McDonald’s receipts, and Campbell’s soup labels.  Please help us with these projects.

Worship Team Members -- We need more members for the Worship Leadership Team.  Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Please call Debbie Peterik at 632-3317 and let her know if you can participate.  At this time of transition we are in need of many people to help plan our worship services.

Birthday Cards -- Our beloved Gerri Trick was faithful in sending out birthday cards to  our senior members.  Marsha Poulsen has volunteered to take over this project.  As soon as we get all the information to her, the birthday cards will start coming again.  Thank you, Marsha, for volunteering your time.

Prayer Shawls -- We are running low on prayer shawls.  These have been well received by those who are ill or for those who have lost a loved one.  There are kits available in the office which contain directions and yarn.  They can be knitted or crocheted.  Or if you wish, donations toward yarn will be received.

Communion Servers and Greeters -- We are in need of people to serve communion and to be greeters on Sunday morning.  If you would like to volunteer, please call Carolyn Pietsch at 262-884-7712 and tell her you are available.  You can pair up with one of your friends if you would like.

Communion Set Up and Clean Up -- If you can help with setting up the sacraments or clean up for communion, please call Debbie Peterik, so you can get on the schedule.  It only takes a few minutes for each of the jobs and there are many openings.  Thank you for your help.

Posted 06/02/2010

    Worship

            Ministry

                             Team

Holy communion will be offered every Sunday.  This is a part of the Lutheran tradition and for some reason it has been lost at Gethsemane.  This will give all members of the congregation an opportunity to partake in communion any Sunday.  As it is now, those who work on every other weekend are not able to take communion when their work week falls on the first or the third Sunday of the month.  It is also difficult for young people of families who are in a shared custody situation to attend worship on the communion Sundays as they are now. 

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this issue, write them down and put them in the suggestion box in the entryway.  Feedback from the congregation is welcome.  Put a note in the suggestion box or contact Karen Schultz - team leader,  Anyone is welcome to become a part of the Worship Ministry Team. 

The Worship Ministry Team continues to work at filling open vacancies in all aspects of worship.  If you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to help in any way, talk to Debbie Peterik.  There are many positions and one right just for you.

We are returning to using the communion cards in the racks on the back of the pews.  There should also be cards for your prayer requests.

Posted 06/02/2010

The Care in the Congregation Ministry Team is working with the Communications Ministry Team to develop an Information and Welcome Center in the Library Alcove.  This will be the place to find out what is happening in the church, where you can sign up to help and who you need to contact.  All the donation baskets for stamps, soup labels, and McDonald receipts will still be in this area.  Food for the food panty and other mission project items can be dropped off there.  The suggestion box and other links in the church communication network will have a predominant place there, too.  Devotional books, periodicals, and other hand-outs will be on the book shelves along with some of the library books.

Plans are to have a Welcome Center volunteer available on Sunday mornings to greet guests, assist them in any way to make them feel comfortable and welcome.  They would also be there to help people find the information for which they are looking.

Posted 02/24/2009

                                   Visitation

Some of our members have been visiting our shut-ins on a regular basis for many years.  If you are one of them or if you are interested in being a part of the Visiting Ministry at Gethsemane, please let the office know.  We would like to have members from the congregation visit on a regular basis, so our shut-ins will have at least two visits each month.  If appropriate, there is a visitation card for you to bring with you, so you can leave it at the member's house or care center, so the family will know there has been a visit. 

We are again working on getting teams together to give communion to our homebound members.   If you are interested in helping with this very important mission, please call the office. 

Posted 02/242009

Hospitality, more than a Handshake"

We are looking for people who would like to be a part of a hospitality team.  This team would help guests feel comfortable and welcome to our church.  They would look at the best ways to open our doors and our hearts to guests and potential members.

Please call the office if you are interested (634-2331). 

Posted 02/242009

Care in the Congregation Ministry Team is looking for the names and addresses of anyone who is in the military or doing mission work outside of the church.  We would like to keep in contact with these individuals to let them know we are thinking of them and praying for them.  Call Peggy Pallesen or the church office. Thank you.

Posted 01/31/2009

     "Baptismal Quilts"
                                    A small group of women from the church are busy
                                                 making "Baptismal Quilts"

The Lutheran church has made quilts for Lutheran World Relief for decades. These quilts have become a symbol of warmth and comfort to those who have received them.  In the same manner we welcome those who are being baptized into the family of God. 

We will continue to use donated fabric for the Lutheran World Relief quilts, however, we are using special coordinated flannel fabrics for the baptismal quilts. These fabrics will be purchased with funds made available through donations.  The cost is about $20 - $25 per quilt depending on the size (infant, child or adult).

We need more ladies to help make baptismal quilts.  Our supply is running low and we have more baptisms coming up soon.  The ladies meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 8:30 - noon, and anyone who can sew or help cut fabric are welcome.

The Andersen twins in their baptismal quilts
held by Donna Hansen & Nancy Honert

Posted 11/21/2008

For the Hearing Impaired
Good News!!! The "Induction Loop System" for the hearing impaired has been installed!!!! Hearing aid wearers with a "T" (telecoil) setting or phone setting can hear the service broadcast directly through their hearing aids.  The Induction Loop System delivers sound directly to the hearing aid in a pure, undistorted form.  Since the sound is going straight from the source to the individual's hearing aid, each person gets the benefits of having the sound customized for their level of hearing loss and increases the intelligibility of speech.

The headsets we currently use will still be available for those who have a  slight hearing loss, but do not have a hearing aid.  The council feels that this will be of great benefit not only to the members of our congregation, but also will be an invitation to other people with hearing problems to join our church.

Thanks to the FROG committee for purchasing the microphones and the digital equalizer.  We have already seen the benefits of our new equipment in the quality of sound, not only during worship but also in the recording of worship.  We are no longer getting feedback from the microphone or dropped words from the speakers.

In the future, you will be looking at a new speaker system, but the cost of that is $5,000, so we may have to do some fundraising in order to make that a reality.  That would be the last step in bringing the best sound possible into the sanctuary.

Posted 03/29/2009

Food Pantry
We will continue to collect food and money for the Food Pantry throughout
the year. 

There are two collection baskets behind the Kiosk in which to place your food.  If you would like to help toward this worthy cause, please make checks payable to GELC Thrivent Fund and put in memo, Outreach Ministry, and put it in the offering plate.  This is just one more way that we can show our Christian love and share what we have with others.  

We will continue to prepare foods baskets at holiday times.  Collections will be taken when we are close to a holiday.  Lisa Zimmerman is in charge of the food pantry and the food baskets.  If you would like to help, please let Lisa know.

Posted 11/09/2008

Collection Baskets
On the east shelves in the library alcove, you will  find baskets for the collection of McDonald receipts, stamps, Campbell soup labels, and any of the other items we are collecting for fundraising.  Please put these things in the appropriate basket instead of on the benches in the entryway.  Thank you.

Posted 10/13/08

Prayer Chain
Prayer:  Communication with God
Intercessary Prayer:  Communicating with God on behalf of another.
Chain:  A series of "links" connected to one another.
Prayer Chain:  A group of people (or links) connected in prayer on behalf of others
How does it work:

The many "links" of the large group are placed in small groups or "chains" of four or five members.  Prayer requests for others, yourself, situations, praise and thanksgiving are called to contact persons.  At the present time there are two contact people.  They in turn call the first member of each small chain.  From that point the request is passed from first to second to third and so on, until that chain is complete.

If you are a "link," your ministry is to receive a request, call the next link to inform them, and then pray, pray, pray.

We are reforming our chains and would welcome any who wish to join our prayer ministry.  To join the chain or activate a prayer request, you may call Meta Larsen at 886-1767 or contact Lucille Windberg at
262-488-1220.  Another way to contact us is to fill out a blue prayer card located in the pews and place in the offering plates.

Posted 03/10/2007

Esther Circle
Esther Circle is held the first Wednesday of each month in the Lounge at 9:15 am.  All women are invited.

Posted 01/05/2009

Gethsemane Women's Guild meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1:00 in the Lounge. 

Posted 03/10/2007

Gethsemane Quilting Group meets the second Tuesday of the month, from 8:30 to noon, in Fellowship Hall.  All quilters are invited.

Posted 03/10/2007

Friendship Senior Center
We have added a new page for Gethsemane's Senior Center.  The page includes the schedule for the current month.  Friendship Center starts at 10:00 a.m. every Thursday.  Everyone is welcome.  The weekly schedule appears on the Senior Center link.