November 26, 2017
Worship 11:00 a.m.
Matt Gaventa Preaching
"Over and Out"
Taizé Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Sanctuary
|
The Chancel Choir sings "Antiphon," the final chorus from
Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, setting words by George Herbert.
|
|
Christ Pantocrator (“ruler of all”), a sixth century icon from Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Mount Sinai.
At the conclusion of the Christian year, the church gives thanks and praise for sovereignty of Christ, who is Lord of all creation and is coming again in glory to reign (see Revelation. 1:4-8).
This festival was established in 1925 by decree of Pope Pius XI. Originally it took place on the last Sunday in October, just prior to All Saints’ Day. Now it is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Christian year, a week before the season of Advent begins.
|
|
As is our tradition, UPC will celebrate the Hanging of the Green next Sunday, November 26, to prepare our sanctuary and church for Advent. All members and their families are invited to help us trim the tree, hang garland and lights, and celebrate the coming of a new season. A lunch will be provided for a $5 donation. The Hanging of the Green will begin after worship with lunch and will end around 1:30 p.m. Join us!
|
|
2018 Stewardship Committee Report:
Growing Toward
Our Next 125 years!
|
We had a wonderful celebration of our 2018 stewardship campaign on Stewardship Dedication Sunday, November 12. A joyous full house of happy guests at our luncheon in the Great Hall enjoyed pizza, serenaded by the music of David Chao’s Central Time Jazz Quartet. It was a truly memorable day at UPC. Thank you to everyone who made it all happen! And heartfelt thanks to all who have pledged.
As of November 14, UPC has received 139 pledges totaling
$647,721.00.
Our pledges received to date are well over the amount received at the same time last year.
This is good news! But, even more important news is that we still have some distance to go in achieving our generosity goal for 2018. Although our current pledge total this year is ahead of this time last year, our 2018 goal is to substantially exceed the amount of pledges received last year. UPC needs generous pledge support from our members now to enable us to continue and expand our ministry and mission.
|
|
You are a generous people. Remember that we give because God first gave to us.
May you give generously to UPC's ministry and mission this year. And as you give, may you know the joy of giving and the satisfaction of understanding what an
important presence UPC is in this community and the world.
-Max Werkenthin
Chair 2018 Stewardship Committee
|
How to pledge or increase
your current pledge.
Either way, please pledge as soon as possible so that our Session can have the complete picture of our pledged gifts as it continues to plan next year's budget. Thank you for your continued support. Questions? Contact the church office:
[email protected]
, or 512-476-5321.
|
|
UPC Hurricane Harvey Mission Trip to FPC-Taft
|
Six UPC members spent last weekend at First Presbyterian Church, Taft, Texas, helping to repair areas of the church damaged by Hurricane Harvey. There, we met Pastor Clayton Brockman and his wife, Cheryl, who explained the storm damage to the church, now almost 100 years old. We spent Saturday readying cedar beams on the courtyard walkway to be restored and re-painted; pulled out damaged and mildewed cushions so that pews can be removed to replace ruined carpet; and cleaned up areas such as those where rats nested after the hurricane blew out a large stained glass window that it took weeks to replace. There is much more to be done; the congregation (about 30 in number) currently is worshiping in the Fellowship Hall as repairs to the Sanctuary continue. In the meantime, they continue their efforts to help with a feeding program for those in need, and to work with PCUSA’s Disaster Relief effort (they hope to help house disaster relief teams this Spring when PDA begins sending teams).
UPC team members included John and Suzanna Caballero, David Chao, Wake Bowser, and Lydia and Craig Deats. After working on Saturday, we worshiped with the FPC-Taft congregation on Sunday. We were greatly inspired by their continued faith as they plan for their post-Harvey future. We hope to return in the spring to work on this and other projects through PDA. Thanks to those also who made financial contributions in support of the trip, and thanks to the Brockmans and all at FPC-Taft for their wonderful hospitality.
|
|
If you are interested in going on a spring trip, please call or email Craig Deats:
|
|
Last Sunday to
Order Poinsettias!!!
|
During November, you may purchase poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary during Advent and Christmas Eve.
Poinsettias will be available on
Sunday, December 3.
You may take your poinsettias home on that Sunday, or leave them in the Sanctuary to add to the festive decorations. These beautiful red poinsettias, wrapped with green foil, are
$15 each
. Your poinsettia may be purchased “In Honor” or
“In Memory” of someone special, to be acknowledged in the Christmas Eve bulletin. The poinsettias will be available for pick up after the Christmas Eve service. Any poinsettias left after Christmas will be taken to members under Covenant Care.
Please complete this order form and place in the offering plate, along with a check made payable to UPC. Designate “Poinsettia” in the memo line. To pay by credit or debit card, be sure to stop at the table in the courtyard following worship. Thank you!
|
|
Your purchase supports two great mission projects:
Down Home Ranch
in Elgin, TX, and the
UPC Youth Mission Fund
. All of the poinsettias are grown locally at Down Home Ranch, a residential ranch that supports, trains, and gives meaningful work to adults with Downs Syndrome. The UPC Youth will be caring for and watering the poinsettias twice a week throughout December to ensure that your plant is fresh when you take it home.
|
|
November 15, 2017 Session Meeting
|
Highlights
- Approved request of transfer of membership of Jeanne West to St. Philips Presbyterian Church, Houston
- Approved removal of Ruth R. Lorío, at her request, from membership rolls
- Approved $2,300 from the George Junkin Memorial Fund to the Administration, Communication & Technology (ACT) Committee, regarding UPC’s Website & Visual identity
- Approved Tommy McReynolds to the UPC Nominating Committee
- Approved request from the Austin Polish Society to serve alcohol at their Christmas Party
- Heard financial report by Bob Bridge, Treasurer
- Accepted, with regret, the letter of resignation from Clint Wenk as a member of the session
- Approved minutes of the October 18, 2017 stated meeting and the called meeting of November 5. 2017
|
|
Commendations
- Kay Priest and everyone who helped with the reception after the funeral for Linda Evans
- Suzanne Freeman, Carol Fowler and everyone who helped with the Stewardship luncheon
- Amy Toulouse, Vlad Glouchkov, Stephanie and Jon Holmsten, Amy Manning, Anthony Collins, Misha Glouchkova, Jasiel Hernandez, Kailey Gray, Meghan Swartz, Frank Adkins, John Leedy for the Reformation 500 Sunday
- Those who donated toward the Sweaty Sunday service project
- Unit 3 Leaders: Margaret Aymer-Oget, Kellie Martini, Julienne Thorp, Byron and Sarah French
|
|
By Their Fruits, Ye Shall Know Them
|
Once again, UPC, in cooperation with the Northwest Austin Rotary Club, will be selling oranges and grapefruit to benefit Micah 6 of Austin. Fred Morgan will be in the courtyard on Sundays after worship November 12, 15, 19 and 26 to take your orders. If you don’t want a personal box of fruit, you may order fruit boxes to be donated directly to the Micah 6 Food Pantry. Those who order can pick up your box of fruit on Sunday, December 10. Micah 6 receives $10 per fruit box ordered.
|
|
UPC / Northwest Austin Rotary Club
Fruit Sale To Benefit
Micah 6 of Austin
|
|
125
th
Anniversary Celebration
Courtyard Donor Pavers On Sale Now
|
As part of our 125
th
anniversary celebration, the Heritage Ministry Team invites you to add to the church’s history by placing in the UPC courtyard a paver in memory or honor of a person/family who has participated in the life of our church community.
Cost of the pavers is $125. Funds raised from courtyard paver sales will go toward UPC’s continued effort to preserve, archive, digitize and make accessible our stories for future generations.
Stop by the Heritage Ministry Team table in the courtyard after worship to submit your forms and make payment.
A list of each donor courtyard paver currently in place by name and location is available in the church office.
|
|
The mission of the Heritage Ministry is to honor and preserve the past, present and future history of UPC
. In early November, materials from each twenty-five year era, 1892-2017, will launch in a digital portal created by HISTORY IT. The portal page will be linked on the UPC website for easy access.
|
|
It's Almost Tamale Time!
brought to you by Manos de Cristo
|
Beginning in early November, you can order delicious Manos de Cristo tamales for the holidays. You may order tamales in one of two ways:
- If you prefer to order and pay on-line, go to manosdecristo.org/tamales
- Look for Karen Grice in the courtyard after worship Sundays through December 3.
To pick up online orders at the church, be sure to scroll down and choose University Presbyterian Church.
Tamales come in 5 flavors: pork, jalapeño pork, chicken, bean, and vegetarian. The cost is $15 per dozen and $8 of each dozen goes to Manos de Cristo to support their many programs.
|
|
Fresh tamales can be picked up at UPC after 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 8. The reset will be available cold or frozen on Sunday, December 10. Order lots, they are delicious and help raise money for Manos de Cristo!
Thank you!
|
|
How did the Presbyterian Coffee Project begin at UPC?
|
Thanks to Craig Deats, UPC began a relationship with the Presbyterian Coffee Project in 2001. Our denomination had just begun a working relationship with Equal Exchange, a fair trade cooperative. Now, UPC is one of the Coffee Project's largest supporters.
|
|
|
Look for the coffee cart in the courtyard after worship.
You can also get tea and chocolate. Makes great Christmas gifts!
|
|
Please join us this week as Sarah Gaventa leads a discussion on religious activities we can do with our kids.
The Parenting & Faith class meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in Room 1, lower level.
|
The Present Word
Room 3, Lower Level
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
|
The Present Word Class is a discussion-based class that meets from 9:30 to 10:45 every Sunday. Our background material is provided by the curriculum that gives the class its name. By using the provided scripture readings, we ensure that we are engaging with the whole Bible over time. However, this is not a Bible study class. The scriptures and weekly lessons are our starting point for lively discussions that include the week's events, current issues, and our own Christian journeys. During the fall quarter we have been exploring Covenants with God - historical, contemporary and in our own lives. The class is led by Roscoe Overton. We would love to have you come learn, share and pray with us.
|
|
Welcome to The Way!
The Way is a new Sunday School class that offers an introduction to the Bible and is open to all. T
he topic this Sunday is "Puritans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers and Methodists Come to America."
The Way meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in Fellowship Hall. For more information,
email Jon Eddison or call
512-988-0333.
|
Faith & Life Series:
Celebrate Thanksgiving!
|
Please join us at
Caffe Meidci, 2222 Guadalupe
, Sunday morning 9:30 a.m. - 10:40 a.m., as we give thanks thanks for the community we share in our class and throughout our UPC family.
Peace, grace, and Happy Thanksgiving to all,
The Faith & Life Class planning group:
Madelyn Mitchell, Bobbie Sanders, Randal Whittington, Suzanne Wofford, Melinda Wofford, Elaine Wagner, Dave Jensen
|
Every Tuesday morning, UPC volunteers provide some food and coffee, hygiene items, and occasional financial assistance for our clients. While all donations are welcome at any time, here are some items to consider bringing to worship this week.
Thank you for your incredible support of this UPC mission!!
|
For this week's grocery cart
- 10 lb. box of oatmeal (not instant)
- Large jars of jelly or preserves
- Breakfast bars
|
Tuesday Evening Bible Class
will not meet Tuesday, November 21. Class resumes Tuesday, November 28. For more information, contact Jon Eddision:
[email protected] or
512-988-0333.
|
|
Save the Date!
April 20-22, 2018
|
Fall is barely here, and winter has not yet arrived. Still, you’re invited to think "Emerging Spring" in the brilliance and beauty of the Texas Hill Country at Mo-Ranch. This view from the cross is a vivid visual reminder of the creator of this beauty.
As you work on your calendars for 2018, enter the dates of April 20-22 in INK.
And watch for announcement of open enrollment in January to assure your preferred space.
|
|
Congregations from University Presbyterian Church have worshiped
at this site at least since 1983.
Thirty-four years of annual All Church Retreats at Mo-Ranch!
|
|
Please pray for
Kaye Berry,
former member of UPC and director of the UPC Children's Education Center, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The family of Cloyd Oscar Dodd
Dodd
, the father of Michael Dodd and a veteran of World War II, passed away on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2017, several hours after a family visit. He was 95. Cloyd is survived by his two sons, Larry and Michael. His funeral will be held at First Baptist Church in Paris, Texas on Saturday, November 25, 2017.
The family of Linda Jacob Evans
, who died November 9. A service of committal will be held Saturday, December 9, at 2:00 p.m., at the Columbarium, Mo-Ranch.
|
To pray for those on our prayer list, download the
Celebrations and Concerns folder for November 19, 2017, or pick up a copy in the narthex or outside the church office.
|
|
If you'd like to be part of UPC's Prayer Chain, please
email the church office. You will receive emails asking that you pray specifically for people who have requested to be on the prayer list.
|
To have a deacon pray with you, look for the
Deacon of the Day
on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.
|
|
Contact
University Presbyterian Church
2203 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas 78705
512-476-5321
Rooted in worship
Growing through education & service
Connecting to campus & community
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
