You're Invited!

Saturday, December 14, 7:00 p.m.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

The Festival of St. Lucia begins the Christmas season in Scandinavian countries. Please join us for this traditional gathering, presented in conjunction with the Scandinavian Heritage Society. There will be songs and stories, and tales of how the Christmas holiday is celebrated in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. Following the program there will be a meal of Scandinavian dishes and treats!

Sunday, December 15, 7:00 p.m.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

In a joint effort with Hope Lutheran, Gethsemane will host an Advent service of Holden Evening Prayer on Sunday, December 15, 7 p.m. at Gethsemane. Originally written in 1985-86 by Marty Haugen during a musical residency at Holden Village, Holden Evening Prayer is a simple Lutheran vespers service that follows traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language. Together, we seek to support and draw strength from one another, reaffirming our values as people who have been called, equipped, and sent, and supporting each other’s work in evangelism, stewardship and justice for all people.

Other area churches like Faith Lutheran and Grace United churches are enthusiastically invited to come! A cookie & coffee fellowship time will take place immediately following the service.

Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, ELCA  

For eight horrific months war has raged in Gaza. Thousands of people have died, and thousands more are suffering. In recent days we have seen unspeakable images of violence in Rafah and escalating violence in the West Bank. Like the prophet Isaiah, we lament, "How long, O Lord?" (Isaiah 6:11).
 

At times a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis doesn't seem possible, yet as Christians we believe that it is. The psalmist assures us that God "makes wars cease to the end of the earth" (Psalm 46:9). At times it seems that there is nothing we can do, yet through baptism God calls us to be peacemakers. We live out this calling in many ways, including through prayer, advocacy and accompaniment.

As a church, we continue to:

• Pray for all people who are suffering and grieving, and for this war to end diplomatically in a lasting peace, rooted in justice and human rights for Palestinians and Israelis.  
• Advocate for an immediate, bilateral cease-fire and a halt in U.S. arms transfers to Israel, to prevent further loss of life; the release of all hostages and uncharged prisoners; and unimpeded humanitarian aid for all in need. We will continue to advocate for these priorities with the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress. 
• Walk with all who long for a just peace, including especially our Palestinian siblings in the ELCA, as well as Christian, Muslim and Jewish partners here in the U.S. and in the Holy Land.

As Christ taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Let us continue to hope and to live our faith.

Lutheran Disaster Response shares God's hope, healing and renewal with people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. Learn more.

• Eastern Europe Crisis Response
• Horn of Africa Drought
• Middle East Crisis
• Middle East & Europe Refugee Crisis
• South Sudan Relief
• AMMPARO: Protecting Migrants

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companions in Ukraine,  Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Lithuania and the Czech  Republic, as well as such ecumenical partners as this Lutheran World  Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to  the crisis created by Russia’s war against Ukraine. These partners  provide refugees with immediate and long-term support. Presiding Bishop  Elizabeth Eaton has joined other religious leaders from Europe and  around the globe in issuing an interfaith call for peace in the region.
Please  pray for those in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries that have  been affected by the war in Ukraine. May God's healing presence give  them peace and hope in their time of need.
Your gifts designated for “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used entirely (100%) to provide support for people impacted by conflict in the region.