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THIS MONTH'S GUIDEPOST
Following our local ministries & activities at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church and other Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY.
DONATE
TITHE.LY: A safe and simple way to support our ministry and help promote faith and mental health during this Christmas season.
I-K SYNOD
Staying connected with the Lutheran ministries of our area, including the Lexington Lutheran Church, to foster community and support.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
FOR ONGOING ACTIVITIES, CHECK THE CALENDAR IN THE TOP MENU
JOIN US FOR CAROLING AT GETHSEMANE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH!
AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 21
Everyone is invited! If you enjoy singing Christmas carols, come along as we visit those who appreciate them! We will carol for shut-ins on the afternoon of December 21, organized by Jaci Williams. This event reflects the spirit of the season and aligns with our mission as one of the Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY, promoting faith, devotion, and mental health through community engagement.
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION
DECEMBER 24, 7:00 P.M.
The history of Christmas Eve candlelight worship is deeply rooted in the Moravian Church, which initiated these services in Germany in 1747. This beautiful tradition quickly spread to the Lutheran Church and other denominations, including Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church and various Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY. By 1756, it made its way to America through Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Inspired by the message of Jesus as the 'Light of the World,' this service commences in a darkened sanctuary. Each person's candle is lit from a single flame, symbolizing how the birth of Christ dispels our darkness. This powerful, reflective experience not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a devotional moment for mental health during the Christmas season.
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS WITH HOLY COMMUNION DECEMBER 28, 9:30 A.M. The Service of Lessons and Carols is a cherished tradition in many Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY, including the Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church. This service of Scripture and song, which dates back to the late 19th century, features eight Scripture lessons that recount the promise of a Messiah and His humble Incarnation. Originating from the profound grief and turmoil of the First World War, this service embodies a powerful narrative of resilience and hope, making it a meaningful Faith Devotional during the Christmas season, particularly for those focusing on mental health and spiritual reflection.
TORNADO RELIEF
Across the country, Lutheran Disaster Response supports communities recovering from devastating tornadoes, including areas such as Western Kentucky, Selma and Prattville, Ala., Amory and Wren, Miss., Rocky Mount and Battleboro, N.C., Pulaski County, Ark., and Central Tennessee. This support is vital for many, including members of faith communities like Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church and Lexington Lutheran Church, as they work through the aftermath of destruction.
Our response:
In the aftermath of tornadoes, Lutheran Disaster Response collaborates with ELCA synods, social ministry organizations, and community-based groups to support local responses. Together, we accompany impacted communities through disaster case management, construction management, providing relief supplies, and addressing other unmet needs in areas served by Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY, and beyond.
What you can do:
Pray:
Please pray for the people impacted by these destructive tornadoes. May God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need, reinforcing their faith through this challenging period.
Give:
Gifts designated for "U.S. tornadoes" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by tornadoes, ensuring that support reaches communities directly.
Connect:
To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:
- Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
- Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
- "Like" Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook, follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, and follow @ELCA_LDR on Instagram. Stay informed and join the conversation on how we can uplift those in need during this critical time.
JUSTICE AND PEACE IN PALESTINE
Sumud is the ELCA Churches' response to occupation and injustice in Palestine and Israel, reflecting the core values of faith and devotion that resonate within the community of Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY. In Jesus Christ, all of life—every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life—flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
Freed by the transformative life of Christ, the ELCA is committed to accompaniment, advocacy, and awareness-raising with our partners in the Holy Land and in the United States. For the past two decades, that work has been organized through the ELCA Peace Not Walls campaign. In October 2023, the ELCA announced that, following an in-depth review by ELCA staff and leadership from the Palestinian Lutheran church, Peace Not Walls would be renamed and reconfigured as a new initiative, Sumud: For Justice in Palestine and Israel.
Sumud, an Arabic word meaning 'steadfastness,' is a term widely used by Palestinian theologians and others to signify Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and people. This resistance takes the form of nonviolent advocacy for political change as well as 'resistance through existence,' embodied in education, social work, the arts, and one’s relationships with the land and community—principles that align with the mission of Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church and other Lutheran churches in Lexington, KY. Together, we can foster a culture of mental health and awareness, especially during the Christmas season, where the message of hope and steadfastness is vital.