Gethsemane

Weekly Newsletter

August 4th 2024

Welcome to the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Newsletter. We welcome all who are members of Gethsemane, as well as those who are discovering us for the first time, to join us in our mission journey. We hope to keep you up-to-date in these times of amazing change for our church community. Feel free to forward the newsletter to others and give us the emails of those you think my wish to connect with us and see what great things God is doing with our church each week!

Busy Weekend at the Clothing Shelf!

A busy Saturday at the clothing shelf! We are so grateful for our partnership with Lutheran Church Of the Good Shepherd, who have faithfully volunteered their time and energy to make our clothing shelf one of the best in the Twin Cities. Special thanks to Pat Sykes who organizes all the volunteers and coordinates the clothing collection, Cleaning, and distribution.

News and Announcements

New Bilingual Language Course

Gethsemane Lutheran Church is excited to announce the introduction of new English and Spanish as a second language courses! These classes are designed to foster a vibrant bilingual community within our church and beyond. Best of all, they are completely free of charge. All we ask is your commitment to starting and sticking with the course. Whether you're eager to enhance your English skills or improve your Spanish proficiency, these classes offer a supportive environment where learning and cultural exchange thrive. Join us as we embark on this journey towards deeper linguistic understanding and community connection.

Always Looking For Volunteers!

A special thank you goes out to señor Rene and Señora Ninfa who served our yummy lunch on Saturday made by our wonderful member Lisa. Thank you Rene and Ninfa for your service to God’s community!

Volunteering at the Food Shelf or Clothing Closet continues to be an impactful opportunity to directly improve the lives of those in need within our community. Your time and effort are essential in our mission to provide vital resources and support to individuals and families facing hardship. Each task, no matter how small, contributes to a greater cause of compassion and care. If you feel compelled to join us in this meaningful work, please don't hesitate to reach out to Pastor Jeff or respond to this newsletter indicating your interest. Your willingness to volunteer is immensely valued and greatly appreciated as we endeavor to build a more compassionate and supportive community for everyone.

We have received a box of the Lutheran prayer book for distribution to our community! Pastor Jeff has them and is excited to share them with you all. Just ask!

Here is a great picture of our congregational member and food ministry partner, chef Jimmie! Thank you, Jimmie for your ministry among God's people.

Thoughts and Prayers

Asking others to share their prayer requests is a gentle reminder of the power of community and empathy. In times of joy or hardship, prayer becomes a unifying force that transcends differences and connects us on a deeper level. It's through prayer that we express our hopes, fears, and gratitude, seeking comfort and guidance from a God and Christ Jesus. Encouraging one another to share these requests fosters a sense of solidarity and reminds us that we are not alone in our journey. In this exchange of prayers, we affirm our commitment to supporting each other with love and compassion, creating a bond that strengthens both our faith and our relationships.

If you as a reader or anyone at Gethsemane and beyond have any prayer requests that they would like to share, please contact Pastor Jeff or this newsletter directly, and we would be happy to include them here in a joint effort in using the power prayer.

Camden Clothing Closet Hours

Please come and try on what fits you! The Camden Clothing Shop is open every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at Gethsemane. We also accept donations from those looking to give clothes or valued goods to the community.

Weekly FoodShelf Schedule

The Camden Promise Food Shelf feeds boxes of food to community families every week!

Our hours are 11 to 2:30pm Monday through Saturday.

We also supply lunch after church on Sundays, so please come worship with us as well as enjoy a warm meal

Special Guest Appearance!

We had a special visit this past Saturday from Pastor Melkamu Itefa, the Bishop of the 300 congregations of the Ethiopian church in Africa! He is pictured here with Ginnie Polly, from Lutheran Church Of the Good Shepherd, and our own Pastor Jeff. Bishop Itefa toured our clothing and food shelves, and sat with the community during lunchtime to share our daily mail with all of God‘s people. We are one church together!

Interview with Vicky!

Introducing Vicky! Vicky is a local Camden area resident and someone who has benefited from the resources of the Camden Promise food shelf in Minneapolis. In our interview with Vicky, she opened up about her life journey, detailing the challenges she’s faced and the profound impact the food shelf has had on her well-being. Through her story, Vicky highlighted the vital support and sense of community that the food shelf has provided during difficult times. Check it out below!

Vicky's Story

Please Join Us for Weekly Worship!

We warmly invite you to join us at Gethsemane every Sunday for our in-person worship service. Whether you're a long-time member of our congregation or someone seeking spiritual connection, you'll find a welcoming community ready to embrace you. For those unable to attend in person, we offer the option to join us virtually via Zoom link, ensuring that everyone can participate in our worship experience regardless of their location. Our services, held every Sunday at 10:30 am, are conducted bilingually in Spanish and English, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity of our congregation. Come as you are and join us in lifting our voices in praise and worship. Below is the Zoom link for virtual attendance. We look forward to worshiping together with you.

Online Worship Service

Working Together So That All Experience Gracious Invitation Into Life-giving Christian Community

―Gethsemane Mission Statement

4656 Colfax Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN 55412

612-521-3575