Next Monday is MLK Day. Celebrated on the third Monday of January, MLK Day is a time when the nation pauses to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and work, but also to honor his legacy by making the holiday a day of community service,  "a day on, not a day off." What will you do to help others on Monday?

Thanks to all who completed the E-News survey last week. It has provided some valuable feedback to use in improving First Church 

E-News. If you haven't yet taken the survey, it will be open a few more days.  Click here to take the short survey.

Dr. Will Cotton will preach at all three worship services. 

The Source, our weekly devotional guide, is available on the church website.

Please join us in worship this weekend...Sunday at 8:30 am (Sanctuary), 9:40 am (Family Life Center) or 11 am (Sanctuary).

Last October a group from our church joined others from the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church for a Mediterranean Cruise. The tour followed Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey in reverse, beginning in Rome, cruising down the Italian coast, then to Sicily, Malta, some of the Greek Islands, and ending in Athens. To complement the sightseeing, Conference Bishop Mike Lowry, Reverend John McKeller, senior pastor of White's Chapel UMC, and Reverend Todd Renner, Co-pastor at White's Chapel, provided lectures and sermons on Paul. It was an amazing experience.

On Sundays, January 21 and 28, the participants will share some of what they learned and experienced on the trip. You are invited to join them in Bldg. 5-127 at 12:15 pm for a light lunch followed by fun and entertaining presentations from the folks who participated last fall. Walk with them as they discuss the various sites, sights and experiences of Paul's last missionary journey. So that we will have enough food, please click to register. 

MIke Cox, an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters and author of 30 Texas-related, non-fiction books, will share tales and legends from his latest book, "Legends & Lore of the Texas Capitol." From its beginning as one of the most ambitious construction projects west of the Mississippi, the imposing red granite Lone Star statehouse loomed large in Texas lore. (Author books will be available for purchase.) $5 donation is requested for the luncheon. Click here to register by January 17.

Join us for Welcome Home on January 21, 2018! Welcome Home is an informal meal and conversation with First Church pastors about First Church's ministries, membership expectations, our church's story, and any questions you may have. It's also a great chance to meet others who are exploring.

The next Welcome Home will be on Sunday, January 21 at 12:15 pm in the Family Life Center. Near the end of the session, there will be an opportunity to join this congregation if you decide you'd like to become a member. An informal lunch is served, so please sign up on the website or in the foyers of the Sanctuary or Family Life Center. Questions? Contact Rev. Dr. Beverly Jones, beverly@fumc-rr.org. 

Click to register for Welcome Home

Have you considered joining our Mission Panama  team? 

We are returning to Panama in August on a medical mission. The trip is open to 20 people. Although we do need medical practitioners, you don't need to be one to come! Application deadline is February 4, 2018. We are having an Information session this Sunday, January 14 at 12:30 pm in Bldg. 5-127. Come and get all of your questions answered!  Click for more details...

Are you following the efforts of our Disaster Response Team?

Trisha Seguin of our Disaster Response Team has posted an update from the Central Texas Conference with information about all that is being done by our church and others in the conference to assist those devastated by the hurricanes last year. Click here to read the full article.

• Women's Mission Trip to Conroe: February 19 - 22. Contact Patti Ruth at pjruth1@gmail.com or 512.944.5339.
• Women's Mission Trip to Sager Brown: March 18 - 23, 2018. Contact Eleanor Johnson,  johnsoncglen@gmail.com.  
• The First Church Backpack Project needs volunteers. 

Congratulations to First Church member Edelmiro "Miro" Perez III on completion of his Eagle Project at the Texas Baptist Children's Home. Miro designed and over saw Scouts and volunteers in the construction of a 9x12 paverstone picnic table pad which took 135 hours. Miro is a Life Scout with Troop 157 and is working to complete his Eagle rank in the near future.

Congratulations to Miro! 

Saturday, January 20

• 7:00 pm - Bridge Club, Bldg. 5-127

There is always a lot going on at First Church. Visit the website, find us on Facebook or Twitter, and check the  Church Calendar so you don't miss out!