AprilAprilAprilApril 2010201020102010

Volume Volume Volume Volume 43434343, Issue, Issue, Issue, Issues s s s 4444

The Leaf – a monthly

publication of GLC

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

The Leaf

35 East 35 East 35 East 35 East Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue Stanton Avenue ♦ Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 Columbus OH 43214 ♦ 614614614614----885885885885----4319431943194319

www.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.orgwww.gethsemane.org

Senior PastorSenior PastorSenior PastorSenior Pastor

Rev. Karen Asmus-Alsnauer pastorkaren@gethsemane.org

Music MinistriesMusic MinistriesMusic MinistriesMusic Ministries Lucas Weiss

lweiss@gethsemane.org

Learning & Family MinistriesLearning & Family MinistriesLearning & Family MinistriesLearning & Family Ministries Terri Siebert

tsiebert@gethsemane.org

Child Care CenterChild Care CenterChild Care CenterChild Care Center Brenda Weilbacher

bweilbacher@gethsemane.org

InternInternInternIntern Vicar Carl Bjork

cbjork@gethsemane.org

MinistryMinistryMinistryMinistry----InInInIn----ContextContextContextContext Seminarian Mandy Oleson

mandyoleson@gmail.com

MinistryMinistryMinistryMinistry----InInInIn----ContextContextContextContext Seminarian Alex Hoops

alexdhoops@gmail.com

Parish SecretaryParish SecretaryParish SecretaryParish Secretary Diane Gutgesell

glcoffice@gethsemane.org

CustodiansCustodiansCustodiansCustodians Bob & Cheryl Miller

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

New Members─P. 4

Swahili Easter Eucharist & Easter

Festival Meal─P. 6

Easter Breakfast─P. 8

Serve! 7:30 Maundy Thursday, April 1

Footwashing, Eucharist

To serve rather than be served is a concept made visible in this sense-engaging

worship. Hear our Lord’s command to be servants of one another and gather around

the table of grace.

Love! 7:30 Good Friday, April 2

Quiet contemplation, candles, prayers around the cross

This reflective service, empowered by candlelight throughout the space gathers the

community around the cross.

Celebrate! 7:30 pm Easter Vigil, April 3

Familial, creative, relaxed Worshipers gather informally around an open fire outside followed by a candlelight

procession, the telling of Old Testament stories, and the transformation of the

sanctuary into the Easter celebration.

Rejoice! 8:15 am Easter Breakfast

9:30 am Easter Sunday, April 4 Festive, Eucharist, music

Come and sing new songs and old as we give thanks for the life of Jesus and share in

the meal of our Resurrected Lord. Easter! What a glorious day to celebrate God’s

limitless love for us – for the world!

2

STAFF

The Sound of Easter By the Rev. Karen Asmus-Alsnauer

Some ideas are bigger than

our intellectual capacity to

deal with them. Some news

is richer than the words we

have to describe it. When

that happens, we turn

gratefully to art and music and works of the

imagination. That's why on Easter we put the

emphasis on beautiful hymns, stirring songs, beautiful

flowers, liturgical art, enhanced music on organ and

piano and trumpet. Words alone cannot convey the

message.

From his prison cell in Nazi Germany, Dietrich

Bonhoeffer wrote to his parents, "It's a year now since

I actually heard a hymn. But the music of the inner ear

can often surpass what we hear physically. I get on

particularly well with the Easter hymns."

I've always been comforted by the candor of the

biblical accounts of the resurrection: Jesus' closest

friends and followers had trouble understanding and

speaking about what happened. One of the accounts

ends abruptly, almost in mid-sentence: "So they went

out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement

had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for

they were afraid" (Mark 16:8). That ending is so blunt,

scholars tell us, that later writers felt that they needed

to add a more respectable and aesthetically satisfying

ending.

Another account tells us that the first people to arrive

at the empty tomb fell flat on their faces in terror.

Luke adds--and again I am strangely comforted by his

candor--"But these words seemed to them an idle

tale, and they did not believe them" (Luke 24:4, 11).

In his helpful book, What Jesus Meant, Gary Wills

writes: "The first Christians were not expecting the

resurrection. They did not believe it when the women

first announced it to them. They had, remember, all

scattered and hidden when Jesus was condemned and

executed.... Yet this band of cowards was suddenly

changed into an energetic body of effective evangels,

spreading their faith, firmly offering the claim that

Jesus lives."

That old argument for the resurrection is still a

compelling one: some transformation occurred in the

lives of Jesus' followers such that those who were

cowering in fear became fearless witnesses and

martyrs. They became convinced that death did not

defeat Jesus, that he was alive and present in the

world, and that therefore there was nothing for them

to fear, not even their own death.

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" the

angel asks the women in Luke's Gospel. "He is not

here, but has risen." And so there is no reason to be

afraid or tentative. We can care passionately and love

without reservation. We can give our lives to justice,

to peace, to Christ's church, to his kingdom on earth.

Jesus went into death. But he is not there. He is risen.

May he touch the barren places in your life with his

resurrection newness!

See you in worship.

Thank You, Chris

Our heartfelt and grateful appreciation to Chris

Lutz, who started as a “temp” in her position of

Outreach & Integration and has served in that

capacity for nearly five years. She and her family

will continue to be an integral part of the GLC

community so we are not saying farewell -- but

we are saying “Thank you, Chris” for your faithful

and diligent service and witness to Christ and to

this community of faith!

3

STAFF

“It’s Easter!” By Vicar Carl Bjork

When I was younger, my entire extended

family (on my dad’s side) gathered at my grand-

parents’ house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter,

and the 4th of July. Some 30 people would share a

meal and a “holiday” or Sunday worship service

depending on the season or day. I have many fond

memories of these great times in my life, and I often

think about these special moments though it seems

like they happened so long ago.

Fortunately, many of these “reunions” were

captured on a VHS video-recorder and my younger

brother and I spent much of our childhood and

teenage years watching these memories on tape.

There are all sorts of great moments on the videos,

like when: my cousin swings a golf-club that

amazingly lands on the roof of my grandparents’

house; kids and adults alike take turns sliding down

“White Water Rapids” in the back yard; my uncle wins

a bet and forces my cousin to run through the snow in

nothing but shorts during Christmas Day brunch; the

majority of the family plays “See-food” with the lens

of the video camera at Thanksgiving, etc. Though it

has been a while since I’ve had a marathon viewing of

the videos, I know right where they are at my

grandparents’ house and I know exactly what I have to

do to preserve them on DVD. I hope to watch them

and edit them in the near future; they are great videos

and awesome records of my family’s life!

However, one clip always “sticks” out more

than the others for some reason. When my dad was

in the Marine Corp reserves, my mother, brother, and

I lived with my grandparents and their three youngest

for a few years (circa 1985-1990). My great-grand-

mother, who battled Alzheimer’s, also lived in the

house for a short period of time before moving to a

nursing center. By then her disease had turned her

into a strong and stubborn woman and everybody did

their best to keep her happy and comfortable. But my

dad has always been a little mischievous and a video

of one Christmas Eve gathering shows my great-grand-

mother stepping down the stairs, confusingly asking

why there are so many people in the house, my dad

responding, “Because it’s Easter grandma, it’s

Easter!”, and her nodding, smiling ,and walking away

from the camera. Eventually, my great-grandmother

was able to discern that it was not Easter, but at that

point in her life, I don’t think she was bothered by the

prank or even realized the mix-up. To this day, the

memory of this incident lives on – it is an odd joke that

has been re-told or re-enacted by many members of

my extended family for years and years.

But somehow, someway when the family

recalls this event, it is never with anger, judgment or

sadness; it is as if the great life of family past lives on

in this funny memory/video. My great-grandmother is

captured alive, my dad’s quirkiness is real, and my

now scattered extended family is together again.

Though the reunions are not held as often nor draw

the same number of people, the videos of the past

allow the love, the memories, and the family to live on

in powerful ways! And through these videos, I am

able to experience my life in an incredibly enlightening

fashion in which I can truly see myself and others!

This Easter season, I hope you experience

God’s gospel in new and exciting ways remembering

always that our Lord and Savior is with us for eternity.

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we live on

forever! Take the time to remember the past, to live

in the present, to celebrate the future, and to let your

eyes and ears be opened to the special moments of

life! May you and yours be blessed this Easter and

spring!

How do you capture your

family’s special moments?

How can you preserve your

family’s heritage?

How will you celebrate your

life with Christ this Easter?

4

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome, welcome to those who join us in mission!

Char Jessie

Char was raised a Lutheran. She has two children - son, Curtis and

daughter, Melanie and three grandchildren. She works in the

Controller's Office at The Ohio State University. Char loves to cook (not

bake!) and enjoys hosting most of the holiday dinners or picnics for

their family. She also enjoys bowling, playing Euchre, and spending

time with her grandkids. Congregation Friend: Anita Gardner

Tim, Andrea, and Joe Mayer

The Mayer’s are life-long Lutheran's and Tim and

Andrea are alumni of Capital, of which Joe is currently a

second year student. Tim and Andrea have three adult

children, enjoy hiking, exercising, anything outdoors, as

well as great music and the arts. Tim worked as an IT

manager for 24 years, and is now training to be a

commercial Pilot. Andrea has worked as a pediatric nurse for 24 years, currently at Children's Hospital. Joe is a

religion and history major, and serves as a summer counselor for Lutheran camps. Next December he will take

part in a three-week mission project in India. Congregation Friends: Heidi Hiller, Katlin and Leah

Tracy Moore

Tracy grew up in Zanesville, OH, and although she has lived all over

(Columbus, St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Buffalo) she considers

Columbus as her home. She works at the Red Cross in Health/Safety

Education. Tracy is the youngest of 7 children of a very close-knit

family spread out mostly in the south. Her mother is the youngest of 16

children - and she faithfully attends a 3-day family reunion every two

years so that the family can keep up with one another. Hobbies

include reading, walking, movies, travelling, card-making, sometimes

scrapbooking, writing, chatting with friends and family. Congregation

Friend: Sandy Evans

5

NEW MEMBERS

Sharon Williston

Sharon is a recent graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary

with a degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling, and a 1995

alum of The Ohio State University with a degree in

Psychology. She works at Beacon Counseling as a Licensed

Professional Counselor - Clinical Resident. She is single, born

and raised in North Central Ohio and the youngest of four

siblings. Sharon cherishes her relationship with the Lord and

feels blessed to have many close relationships with family

and friends as well as taking her call to the ministry of

counseling very seriously. Sharon enjoys life and laughter

and many recreational activities including sports, reading,

music and the arts. Congregation Friends: Pam, Mark, Payton

and Bryn Hagerdorn

Alex and Emily Hoops

Alex is a first year student at Trinity Lutheran

Seminary, and GLC’s MIC student. He is

married to Emily who is a Kindergarten

Teacher at the Imagine Academy (a charter

school on Sullivant Avenue). Emily and Alex

are both from Southwest Florida. Born and

raised – in a little town called Englewood --

they went to the same high school together

(high school sweet hearts). Hobbies include

cooking, going out to movies, and keeping

up with their dog Bella, who is a rescue pup

they got in Orlando while attending school

at the University of Central Florida.

“We are really excited to be up here in Columbus. We are far from home but we have felt very welcomed into the

community at the seminary and at Gethsemane. We are both excited to be witnesses to and participants in your

worship life at Gethsemane as we discern our vocations in this new environment.”

6

WORSHIP

Swahili Eucharist Service

for the Columbus Community

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, 3:30pm

Easter Festival Meal will follow.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church Pastor Karen Asmus-Alsnauer

mchungaji@gethsemane.org

(a joint ministry of Gethsemane and Ascension Lutheran Churches)

Haleluya! Yesu amefufuka!

Hallelujah! Jesus is risen!

Please join us on Sunday, April 4, 2010, for an Easter Eucharist Service in Swahili. The service

begins at 3:30pm with African music. Salome Mashambo will preach the sermon. Holy

Communion will be served and all baptized and believing Christians are invited to the Lord’s

Table to share in this meal. There will be a meal and fellowship time after the service.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church is located at 35 E. Stanton Ave., ¼ mile off North High Street

behind Tim Horton’s. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call the

church at 614-885-4319 or email Pastor Karen at mchungaji@gethsemane.org.

7

LEARN

Adult Education Opportunities

Sunday Mornings 10:45am

Adult Forum meets in the multipurpose room on

the lower level below the church offices. The coffee

pot is on – come on down!

On April 11 the class will follow the theme of our

Wednesday evening Lent supper study “Giving to God’

led by Vicar Carl.

Adult Bible Study meets in the library on the

upper level, past the coffee area. They continue their

study of the Book of Ezekiel. Dick Lyndes is discussion

leader. For more information, contact Dick at 885-

6061 or Bob Davis at 885-9785.

Additional Learning Opportunities

Throughout the Week

Men’s Breakfast

This group of men meet at Tee Jay’s Restaurant every

second Saturday of the month at 8:00am for break-

fast, fellowship, and conversation. Contact Bob Davis

at 885-9785 for information.

Monday Bible Study -- First Reflections

First Reflections meets every Monday morning at

7:30am at La Chatelaine in downtown Worthington,

627 High St. The group uses Daily Discipleship, a

lectionary Bible study designed for small groups which

reflects on the coming Sunday’s text and explores how

to follow Christ daily. Contact the church office at 885-

4319 for more information.

Women’s Saturday Morning Bible Study

This group of women meets every third Saturday of

the month at 10:00am in the conference room on the

upper level. Contact Rosie Mohler at 740-965-1494 or

the church office 885-4319 for more information.

New Women’s Sunday Bible Study

Coming in April

"Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World -- Finding

Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life" written by

Joanna Weaver is the book that Doris Ing and Chris

Lutz will use to lead a 4-week Bible study for women

starting Sunday, April 11. The group will meet in Doris’

home at 853 Werner way, Worthington, OH. For more

information, please contact Doris Ing at 425-3763 or

dor_ing@yahoo.com.

Come to a class.

Open your Bible.

Read, study, reflect.

Be a part of the vision!

Gethsemane is a Book of Faith congregation. Our focus for the 2009-10 program year is to encourage, support, and expand our encounters with the Scripture. Conversation over the Word, study together, and personal reflections are all part of the vision to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture.

8

CONNECT

Small Group

Ministries

First Reflections

Monday Bible Study

glcoffice@gethsemane.org

Saturday Bible Study

glcoffice@gethsemane.org

Connections: Faith in

the Workplace

Judy Reuning

jreuning@lifecrossings.com

Men’s Breakfast

Bob Davis

rjdjr@wowway.com

Habitat for Humanity

Bill Darlage

Darlage_bill@hotmail.com

Mom’s Group

Doris Ing

dor_ing@yahoo.com

LWR Quilts

Ruth Fortis

ruthfortis@sbcglobal.net

Prayer Shawls

Kathleen Addlesperger

woodsiewoman@yahoo.com

OR

Call the

Church Office

614-885-4319

Easter Breakfast

Sunday, April 4

8:15-9:15am

The annual Easter Breakfast will be

served by the High School youth

from 8:15 until 9:15am Easter

morning. There is no charge for the

meal or the fellowship.

A free-will offering supporting the

Gethsemane Youth Ministries will

be accepted.

Health Ministry Team

Sponsoring:

TAI CHI – Gethsemane's Wayne

Melton continues leading a Tai Chi class

through April 29 with no class on April 1,

Maundy Thursday. The time of the class

is 6:00-7:15 pm.

BLOOD DRIVE – Saturday, April 10,

8:00am–2:00pm. in Gethsemane’s Great

Hall. Sign up in Atrium Way.

CPR/AED TRAINING – Saturday,

April 24, 9:00am in the library. Sign up in

Atrium Way.

KOOL Kids

KOOL Kids will meet on Sunday, April 11

at 11:45am for some 'springy' fun. Bring

a sandwich for lunch; drink and dessert

are provided. We'll lunch in the library

and then enjoy God's wonderful gift to

us in the awakenings of Spring. We'll be

finished by 12:45.

Sign up on the Youth board in the

picture hallway!

Save the Date for

Vacation Bible School

June 22, 23, 24

(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Contact Paula Sauer at 888-4625

or jpsauer@wowway.com

9

PEOPLE NEWS

April Birthdays

2 Kathleen

Addlesperger

3 Philip Carringer

Emilie Hagerdorn

Eric Jurgenson

7 Anna Miller

8 Paul Carringer

9 Denise Luksic

Rachel Murphy

10 Shirley Cochran

12 Pam Bair

Heidi Hiller

14 Ruth Thinguldstad

16 Ralph Portzline

Carolina Smith

17 Mark Michaels

Meaghan Reilly

22 Eliya Mashambo

Elisha Mashambo

Kathy Montgomery

24 Sheri Worrall

25 Barb Driver

Jenn Bogan

Kathy Goetsch

Darlene Norman

28 Jessica Lagergren

Our Prayers and Concern

Are With . . .

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every

prayer and supplication. To that end

keep alert and always persevere in

supplication for all the saints.”

Ephesians 6:18

Members we continue to pray for:

Ray Alsnauer (Village at Westerville) …

Donna Baer … Scott Bair … Marilyn

Bosen (Arlington Court … Clara Bunk …

Peg Croswell … Jean Fritchen … Ken

Gerken … Mary Manship (The Forum)

… Eleanor Nagy … Phyllis Nelson …

Rebecca Oldaker … Reva Woodruff

Family and friends:

Jennifer Bedner (friend of Don Huiner)

… Christen Coyle and Jason Holton

(friends of Kelly Fleming) … Corey

Grubb (nephew of Brian Lutz) … Nancy

Meloy (mother-in-law of Lucas Weiss …

Linda Mills (daughter of Rob and Marie

Needham) … John Struckhoff (cousin of

Lee Ann Perin) … Ruth Vollrath (cousin

of Jane Sieberth) … Wayne Weiss

(father of Lucas Weiss) … Amy

Williamson and Ronnie Lane (relatives

of Heidi Hiller and Ruth Fortis) … Kenny

Young (friend of Lee Ann Perin).

Hospitalized:

Scott Bair (Riverside)

Our love and compassion to:

Vera Baer and Dede Hunt (daughters of

Donna Baer who passed away on

March 7 and March 8 respectively.

Family and friends serving overseas:

Steve Bair (brother of Scott Bair) … David

Frashier (son of Mike and Denise Frashier)

… Ryan Oldaker (son of Becky Oldaker) …

T.J. Smith (friend of Morgan Melton) …

Colin Steffa (son of Meredith Dobyns) …

Nick Swenson (nephew of Barb Driver).

Would you like to add your

prayers?

For Prayers of the People:

Contact church secretary, Diane, at 885-

4319 or glcoffice@gethsemane.org by

Thursday. Family and friends stay on the

Gethsemane prayer list for one month.

Please contact the church office if

continued prayers are needed.

For prayers during the week:

Call Beryl Cumberland (471-0408) or

Barbara Nelson (888-6257).

Memorials Received for

the Remembrance Fund

Gifts to Gethsemane’s Remembrance

Fund in memory of Vera Baer and Dede

Hunt were received from the following:

The family of Vera and Dede, Dick and

Judy Reuning, and Bob and Shirley

Fissell.

10

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Congregation

Council

OFFICERS:

President

Don Dell

Vice President

Secretary

Heidi Hiller

Treasurer

Jeff Luedke

MEMBERS:

Janice Dunham

Paul Feldman

Harry Lyatuu

Don Seidelmann

Jim Siebert

Highlights of Council Meeting – March 11, 2010

A copy of the Council and Committee minutes and Financial Report is posted in

Atrium Way. PLEASE READ BUT LEAVE POSTED. Take home copies (minus

attachments) are available in the Welcome Center.

ELECTED OFFICERS’ REPORT

President: Don Dell and Bill Darlage will conduct a review of Pastor Karen. An

invitation was made to Council to nominate people to be contacted regarding this

review.

Treasurer: Jeff Luedke gave a brief summary of how to read the financial

statements, and offered further tutorial upon request. Jeff Luedke is in the process

of filing the unrelated business income tax return (Tim Horton’s), and he will

coordinate with Pastor Karen in contacting legal counsel regarding obtaining a waiver

of property tax for the Play and Learn house.

PASTOR’S REPORT

The Pastor’s report was included in her comments made during the opening

devotions and orientation.

Vicar Carl’s site visit with Jane Jenkins (Trinity Seminary) and the Internship

Committee went well. He reports that he is still growing accustomed to

Gethsemane, and happy to do ministry here.

FINANCIAL REPORTS (Attached) – Jeff Luedke

Gethsemane’s cumulative shortfall has greatly restricted financial flexibility and has

forced GLC to delay benevolence payments for the last two quarters for 2009-a total

amount due of $11,916. After adjusting financial results by spreading accelerated

contributions (made in February) evenly over the twelve months beginning January

2010, working cash at March 1st totaled $7,810. This is less than half the budgeted

expense for March. GLC must rely on March income to pay March expenses. Action

has been taken by Council to reduce GLC’s operating expenses; however, it will be

April before the expense reductions are fully in effect.

For the month of February, after adjusting for accelerated contributions, expense

exceeded income by $3124, and the cumulative shortfall at the end of February was

$58,006.

Play and Learn

Play and Learn’s income for the month of February was close to budget. P&L

achieved its budgeted reserve set-aside for the month and was able to reduce the

cumulative reserve shortfall. February’s net income is $1,708, and after the

11

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

budgeted set-aside of operating reserves, the operating income is $308. P&L has sufficient cash to address

immediate needs, and is keeping close track of enrollment (the primary source of income) and expenditures.

OLD BUSINESS

Council would like to address how to follow-up with ministry teams in terms of communication and financial

understanding. A small group consisting of Jim Siebert, Don Dell and Heidi Hiller will meet to sort out these issues

and make recommendations to Council.

Jeff Luedke, Paul Feldman and Pastor Karen will focus on a plan for a special appeal to address the cumulative

deficit and report back to Council at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION: (Don Seidelmann, Jim Siebert) to appoint Char Jessie to the audit committee. Carried.

It is imperative that the Council Vice President position is filled. Don Dell has offered to run the stewardship

campaign (which is a role traditionally filled by the VP) if that will make the VP position more enticing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A CONCERT BY SYNCHRONICITY WILL BE HELD AT GETHSEMANE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 14 TO HELP RAISE MONEY

FOR FAITH MISSION.

THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 8, 2010 AT 7:30 PM.

Heidi Hiller, Secretary

Please note . . . New church office hours for the church secretary: 9-1:00 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays (and other times as needed). Of course you can always leave a voice mail

or email message at anytime to the office and we will get back with you as soon as possible.

Sponsor Flowers and Bulletins

Would you like to sign up to sponsor flowers or

bulletins for Sunday worship? Sign up across the hall

from the church office or call 885-4319 or e-mail

glcoffice@gethsemane.org. Check below for available

days. Cost $40.00 flowers; $20.00 bulletins.

NEWSLETTER GOES GREEN!

In our continuing effort to live out our

mission and take care of this ole’ mother

earth, the newsletter is going electronic (as

much as feasible). WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL

ADDRESS! Please send it to the office at

glcoffice@gethsemane.org. More informa-

tion will be shared in a congregational e-

mail, coming to your inbox soon!

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE—APRIL 11

Submit to newsletter@gethsemane.org

Date Flowers Bulletins

April 4 Easter Langner

April 11 Lyatuu Erwin

April 18 Tatz

April 25 Bunk Siddall

12

secretary Diane’s desk.