Updates from congregations around the Church of the Lutheran Confession
As we pause to reflect and share with you “what’s new” at Gethsemane, we see God’s faithfulness and give Him our praise and thanks. As in every congregation, we have members who have faced and are still facing cancer and other disease. Individual times of grace have been brought to a close; we have wept together and have been comforted together. We have faced challenges, and we have rejoiced in God’s blessings. We rest in His grace and keeping.
“Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” (Psalm 33:2-3)
Music has long been a heritage of the Gethsemane congregation. This blessing continues with many musicians in the congregation who collectively add music to our worship via organ, piano, brass, woodwinds, and strings. The children of Gethsemane add their voices in song, as does the church choir and occasional soloists and ensembles. Two very special gifts have been added to our musical worship—a new Phoenix organ and a Schimmel grand piano.
“Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.” (Psalm 78:4)
Gethsemane Lutheran School is preparing for its ninth year since reopening in the fall of 2016. This year we are expecting an enrollment of sixteen. Our called servants, Principal/Teacher Jeffrey Karnitz and teacher Kendra Rodebaugh, are assisted by a number of volunteers. In some cases, these volunteers serve with expertise from their professional fields, in other cases they have interest in a particular area of learning, and in all cases they are serving out of love for the Lord and His lambs.
Throughout the year, the school hallways are richly decorated with school art projects. The school newspaper, The Olive Press, is produced by the seventh- and eighth-grade students. Each spring, Gethsemane Lutheran School joins with St. John’s Bible Academy (Clarkston, Washington) for a field day, and the Gethsemane school year ends with student performances in a “Family Fun Night.”
“Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:2)
Gethsemane’s worship services have been streamed online for many years. More recently, we have expanded our online presence to YouTube, Facebook, a blog, and a podcast (including Daily Rest devotions). We have begun producing a series of brief scriptural pamphlets on a variety of subjects. These “Truth Tracts” will be available for personal use and as a springboard for sharing the Gospel with others. An annual Vacation Bible School provides spiritual nourishment and summer fun for Gethsemane’s children, and as outreach in the community. Thirty-two students attended VBS this year.
“The work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God.” (1 Chronicles 29:1)
A long-desired, but also long-delayed, building project has made great strides in 2024. We are hopeful that, Lord-willing, some construction can be undertaken in the next twelve–eighteen months. The initial goals are to build a truss-roof over a flat roof (adding a second story to that portion of the building), to expand the fellowship hall including a new kitchen, and to redesign and expand the parking lot.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
We have added a periodic “Coffee with the President.” During this time, the congregation president updates the members on any news from the congregation and invites input and discussion.
A group of women desired midweek fellowship and time in the Word of God. “Ladies’ Check-ins” are being held at least once a month to provide exercise for the body and time in the Word for nourishing the soul.
“Men in Training” is a new opportunity for men, young men, and boys to gather together for time spent in discussion, Bible study, sharing interests, and learning and growing. Regardless of age, we are all “in training” as we seek to grow in strength and to faithfully serve God and one another.
The Gethsemane Lutheran Church Women (GLCW) facilitates a great deal of work around the congregation—food service for potlucks, festivals, and funerals; altar flowers, church library, a member calling list, prayer chain, and more. This fall, they hope to organize regular shut-in visits by the women.
For each of the past several years, students from the congregation have been able to join with peers from sister congregations in the Pacific Coast Conference to form a team (West Coast Warriors) for the CLC Grade School Basketball Tournament.
Each summer, as part of the congregational picnic, young and old compete in the annual Blongo Ball (aka ladder golf) tournament. This year the tournament was played in the rain—a delight since July rain is rare in the Inland Northwest.
“May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways. . . that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.” (1 Kings 8:57-58, 60) Amen.
is pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, Washington.
