Category: Uncategorized

Mandy Thursday

April 1st at 6:30pm

This will be a time of home blessing and prayer.

Live-streamed only.

Good Friday

April 2nd at 6:30pm

Tenebrae

In-person and live-streamed.

Easter Sunday, April 4th

6:30am

Drive-in Sunrise Service in the south parking lot.

9:00 and 11:00am

Holy Communion**

In-person and live-streamed.

**Reservations required for 9:00 and 11:00am Easter Sunday services due to social distancing precautions. Please call the church office to reserve your seat(s) at 218-741-4961.

The ministry of live-streaming our worship online has been fruitful and helpful to many members and friends of Gethsemane throughout the past year. Because of this, the church council has determined that we should continue live-streaming even after we return to “normal” worship patterns and that using individual personal devices is not sustainable. Therefore, we are asking for special donations to buy a high-quality video camera and accessories for live-streaming and other recordings. We hope to raise $2500 to be matched by our Mission Endowment Fund. Please use the designated “Live-Stream Dream” envelopes to give to this specific fund. Gifts received over and above the $2500 needed will be designated to the worship budget for future audio/visual funding needs. If you have questions about the specifics of the equipment proposed, please contact Bill Bauman.

April 4: Resurrection of Our Lord

Isaiah 25: 6-9

Mark 16: 1-8

April 11: Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 4: 32-35

John 20: 19-31

April 18: Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3: 12-19

Luke 24: 36b-48

April 25: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 4: 5-12

John 10: 11-18

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.

Facebook Livestream

We will continue to livestream our worship on our Facebook page at 9am on Sundays. The video will be available throughout the rest of the week as well.

Worship through YouTube

Search for “Gethsemane Lutheran Church Worship” playlist which is available throughout the week.

Local Public Access TV

Worship is still available on TV on Channel 5 (Mediacom).

The schedule is: Mondays @ 6:30pm

Tuesdays @ 4:00pm

Wednesdays @ 10:00am

Fridays @ 7:00pm

Sundays @ 8:00am (one week behind)

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.

What is it and how do I use it?

Give Plus is an App that you will be able to access and donate to Gethsemane through a quick, simple, and Secure digital payment channel. If you would like a quick no-hassle method to donate, then this method is for you! With just a few simple steps to set up and in the time it takes for the collection plate to go around, you have made your donation.     

First things first -Go to the App Store and download the Give+ app. Once downloaded and opened up, provide your email address, Organization Name (which would be Gethsemane Lutheran Virginia MN), name, etc. You then will provide a password that you will want to remember. You can provide several ways of giving (no account, credit card, debit, etc.)     

Once you are set up, it literally takes under a minute to donate. *Password or Fingerprint *Select the frequency you would like and then select the amount. Select “Next” and method of donation. The next window will ask for verification and then ask you to select “Complete Donation”. The next window will thank you and provide a confirmation number.     

That’s all there is to it! Ask me questions. Sheila V.

On the 4th Wednesday of each month, anyone in the community can take advantage of Ruby’s Pantry, located at the Clinton Community Center, 8907 Hwy 37 in Iron.    

If you’d like to purchase a share, it’s $20 cash donation per share. Distribution begins around 4:30pm and goes until 6:00pm.    

You will receive an abundance of grocery items. There is no income or residency requirements – everyone that eats is welcome! This is a drive-thru distribution. Please make sure your trunk or back of vehicle is cleaned out as shares will be directly loaded into your trunk.

For more information: rubyspantry.org

Thank you for your continued support of the Ask & Receive program in our church! Some of the requests we have completed are: purchasing some gift cards, a monthly Dial A Ride bus pass and donation of a twin bed.

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.     

Our “Ask & Receive” board is located 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.” 

Do you know a college-aged young adult pondering their summer plans? Do you live near Camp Hiawatha or Camp Vermilion and have an interest in kitchen work, maintenance or life guarding? We are hiring and we need your help to connect with the right people. If you or someone you know would make a great summer staff member, now is the time to learn more. Be part of making camp happen this summer!

Check out our website for more information on how to apply:

www.VLMcamps.org/summer-employment

April 16-18, 2021 @ Camp Vermilion

Build your own paddle in one weekend at Camp Vermilion! The weekend includes 4-5 session and the materials to craft your paddle, 4 meals in the dining hall and a room in Voyageurs Lodge. The cost is $250 for one participant to build one paddle. Additional participants working on the same paddle can join for $50 each. Bring your kids, your friends or your whole family and make some memories. The retreat starts at 6pm on Friday and runs through noon on Sunday.

Space is limited to 6 paddles and up to 10 people. Covid-19 protocols will be in place.

www.VLMcamps.org/paddle-building

Camp Hiawatha—May 1, 2021

Camp Vermilion—May 15, 2021

Join other camp supporters for a day of fun and fellowship while we get camps ready for the summer. Registration happens between 8-9:30am and then we jump into projects and cleaning tasks until lunch time at 12:30pm. Projects continue into the afternoon as long as people have the energy.

Lunch and morning snacks are provided. Bring your work gloves and a smile. Visit www.VLMcamps.org/work-days for more information and for site specific projects.

Want to come earlier? Individuals, families and youth groups are welcome to join us Friday night before work day happens. Starting at 6:30pm on Friday, we will gather for a light supper, campfire and enjoy a evening at camp. There is no cost provided you and your group stay and work on Saturday. Housing is limited so be sure to contact us if you are interested in this option.