Gethsemane Lutheran Church

The SMART Team has developed guidelines for returning to worship inside the sanctuary. The full Gethsemane Lutheran Church Preparedness Plan is available upon request by email (gelc@gelc.info) or at the church office. Meetings of small groups inside the church building may be scheduled through the church office. The church is a public building and masks and social distancing of 6 feet or more are required at all times.
For indoor worship to be as safe and successful as possible, we must follow these guidelines: 

• Members are asked to conduct a health self-assessment before coming to worship. If you have any symptoms of illness, please stay home and seek medical attention.
• Cloth face coverings are required for all in attendance, following state mask mandates for indoor public spaces. (Masks will be available if needed)
• All spaces other than sanctuary, narthex, and restroom will be closed during worship. Please keep all coats and belongings with you.
• There will be no nursery available. Children should remain with their families at all times.
• Bulletins and offering baskets will be available at the sanctuary entrance. 
• When entering worship, please sit as far forward in the sanctuary as possible. We will fill the sanctuary from front to back and will dismiss from back to front at the end of worship. (This means you may not be able to sit in your favorite spot)
• Speaking and singing will be limited and members are asked to keep voices as quiet as possible.
•  Hand sanitizer will be available in the pews for all attendees.
• Communion may be provided for those who are comfortable with receiving. Please follow the directions of the pastor and ushers for communion.
• There will be no coffee hour following worship. Please refrain from visiting inside the building and maintain social distancing while visiting outdoors before and after worship.

We will continue livestreaming worship on our Facebook page; YouTube; and on TV through Mediacom-Channel 5. Please call the church office if you need help finding our worship videos online.

If you attended worship or a meeting at church and you have reason to believe you may be infected with COVID-19, inform the pastor as soon as you can. Any personal health information provided to the pastor will be maintained confidentially. Those who were present will be informed that they have been put at risk of contracting COVID and that testing is advised.

Ash Wednesday Services will be on February 17th starting at 6:30 pm. We will not have a Soup-Supper Meal. Our Lenten services will continue each Wednesday at 6:30 pm through March 24th. Hope to see you there!

Come by the church anytime to pick up your 2021 offering envelopes. They will be in alphabetical order on tables in the entrance by the North (glass) door. If your name is not found and you would like the church envelopes, please contact the office and we will be sure to get you a set.

Feb. 7: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany                 

Isaiah 40:21-31                 

Mark 1:29-39

Feb. 14: Transfiguration of Our Lord                 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6                 

Mark 9:2-9

Feb. 21: First Sunday in Lent                 

Genesis 9:8-17                 

Mark 1:9-15

Feb. 28: Second Sunday in Lent                 

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16                 

Mark 8:31-38

New packets for Lent are in the works! In the meantime, videos will still be posted for the first two weeks of February. Videos are linked on our  Facebook page; on YouTube, search for the “Gethsemane Virtual Sunday School” playlist.

This week, confirmation returns to meeting in-person, at church on Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30-8:00 pm. Please be sure to wear your mask and bring your confirmation Bible! This week’s lesson is on God’s commandment to Honor your Parents. We will also have some small-group break-out time.

The Generosity Team will be starting a new program in our church! Do you need someone to fix your kitchen sink? Do you know of a neighbor that might need an extra $25 to help with their utility bill? Do you have the ability to fix someone’s kitchen sink, or provide $25 to an anonymous person in need? HERE IS A WAY.     

Starting in February, we will be creating an “Ask & Receive” board in our entry way. We ask that you take a tag from the board and fill in your request. On the other half of the tag, write your name and telephone number. This portion of the tag will be slipped into our locked box, where someone from our church office or Generosity Team will match your need with someone who has grabbed your tag from the board, and stated “Yes I can help!” It’s that easy!     

We want to make it easy to ask for and receive the help we all need from one another as neighbors. This is a way we can serve and love on another as Christ loves us. Maybe you have a need, or maybe you know of a neighbor or friend that could use some help! If you can’t make it to church, just call our church office at 741-4961. Let’s be creative! According to Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” 

We had so much fun at Family Rejuve last weekend that we want to offer it again on March 5th, 6th, and 7th. We want to invite you and your family to spend a day, a night, or the whole weekend playing in God’s Great Northwoods. Please contact us and let us know how you want to engage, we would love to make this a weekend that is perfect for your family. 

Check out our website for additional information and to register.

Cost: $100/adult, $75/youth (ages 4-17)

Retreat cost includes 5 meals (Fri-Sun), 2 nights lodging, snacks, and on-site outdoor activities. Note—this does not include equipment rental, ski passes, or activity fees off-site.

Summer Camp Registration is now open!

This coming summer we will be soaking in WILD GRACE as we gather together around the campfire at Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion. With new Covid protocols in place, all of our usual summer camp programs are scheduled but our capacity will be reduced which means space is limited—sign up today!

Information is available on our website. Learn more about our programs, and check out the summer calendar. Check out the website at: www.vlmcamps.org.

Helpful links for registration:

Online Registration and Summer Schedule

Download Summer Brochure

Covid safety plans