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March 19, 2017
Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday School for All 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
The Reverend Matt Gaventa Preaching
Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Fellowship Hall
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For a few days there, our whole lives were in boxes. The movers arrived in our old farmhouse in Lovingston, Virginia, and before we could blink it was all cardboard and packing tape, and then it was on a truck and gone. And I had such a sense of peace. There is something profoundly appealing about putting your life into boxes. It makes the world feel so simple, so neatly arranged — not to mention that it made the house look so clean! And then of course we arrived in Austin, to another perfectly clean house, and the movers unloaded all of these neatly-arranged, neatly-stacked boxes. And now, four days later, it’s all a mess. Moving paper and packaging tape litter the floor. Every surface is covered with household miscellany that nobody knows where to file. At some point, it will become a real home again, but, for now, it looks like a state of emergency.
The boxes have been a reminder to me this past week that the real work of moving, unpacking, and settling is neither simple nor neatly-arranged.
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And so now, on the afternoon of my first day at UPC, I am sitting in my new office at the church, at a desk that was perfectly empty this morning when I walked in, staring at a pile of book boxes that I have not yet begun to open, and staring at the beautiful cards and gifts left for me all over the bookshelves. It feels pristine. It feels like we could just stay here, in the simplicity of the moment. But the real work of being pastor and of being church is a little less organized. It doesn’t stay in boxes very well at all. Pretty soon and the cards will be read and loved and set aside for a rainy day, and the books will be all over the shelves, and papers flung all over the desk. And it will be messier — which is, I think, I hope, a sign of being home.
Thank you all, dearly, for all the messages and cards and gifts of welcome. I am so sorry to take them off of the shelves. But I am so honored to file them near and dear to my heart. And I can’t wait to meet their authors in worship on Sunday, and for many Sundays to come! Thanks be to God!
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Border Mission Team Has Arrived in Reynosa
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Christian Formation Town Hall
We Want to Hear
from YOU!
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As the Christian Formation Committee begins to look at the future of Sunday School here at UPC, we want the congregation to be able to add their voice to the conversation. Join us at one or both of our upcoming Christian Formation Town Hall conversations scheduled for Sunday, March 19 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall Chapel and on Sunday, March 26 from 12:15 - 1:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall Chapel.
We especially welcome parents of children and youth to this Sunday's Town Hall during the Sunday school hour; all others are welcome, too!
- Tommy McReynolds, CF Chair
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As you may have heard, Sandie McGee, our financial manager for the past 10 years will be resigning in April. So, that means we are looking for a new person to fill that position. Our hope is to find someone who will work around 16 hours per week.
We’d like for them to be in the office Monday through Thursday maybe 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but timing is flexible. This schedule would accommodate someone taking children to school.
If you know anyone that would be a good fit for this role, please have them contact us at
jobs@upcaustin.org or talk to us about them.
Thanks for your help in finding the perfect candidate.
Bob Bridge and Julie Miller
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Volunteer at Micah 6
March 16, 5:30 p.m. at UPC
Micah 6 serves hundreds of Austinites every week and operates right out of our basement! They are especially in need of help during Spring Break, so come and get your service on!
Email Sarah French at sbradbur@alum.trinity.edu with questions.
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Parenting & Faith class
invites you to join the Christian Formation team for a town hall meeting Sunday, March 19,
9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall Chapel
For more information,
contact Stephanie Morris at
stephanietmorris@sbcglobal.net.
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The Faith & Life Class invites you to join us during Lent, March 5 through April 16, for six special classes.
“Art and Transformation: Lenten Reflections”
Led by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary personnel
March 5, 12, 19, & April 2, 9
Download the flyer for Sunday's class
And, please save the date for
“A Conversation with Matt Gaventa”
March 26: This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with our new senior pastor. Matt has indicated that he would like to hear from us - our hopes and dreams for the coming years - rather than just him speaking to the class. Madelyn assured him that the folks who attend the class have no difficulty talking and that we are not shy!
Faith & Life Class, Room 201
9:15 a.m. coffee & conversation
9:30 a.m. program begins
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The Ruth-Dorcus Circle meets Tuesday, March 14, at 2:30 p.m.. at the home of Dottie Penn. For more information, please contact the church office.
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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!!
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For this week's grocery cart:
A variety of needs:
- canned tomatoes (large can of diced, regular or Rotel)
- large jar of jelly or preserves
- dried beans (pinto, kidney, black, navy, lentils, …)
- brown sugar
- snack bars
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Please pray for
The UPC / UKirk Border Mission Team as work in Reynosa this week.
Felicitas Williams who is very ill from Scleroderma. She is at University of Washington Medical Center. Felicitas is the sister of Remie Martin.
Betsy Boyt, who had a heart procedure last week and is now at home.
S
uzanne Wofford, who had knee replacement surgery March 7.
Sharon and Jon Bayer. Sharon has been moved to Central Texas Rehabilitation hospital, where she continues to improve. Jon is continuing his chemotherapy treatments on an outpatient basis.
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If you'd like to be part of UPC's Prayer Chain, please email the church office.
You will receive emails asking you specifically to pray for people who have requested prayer support.
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Contact
University Presbyterian Church
2203 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas 78705
512-476-5321
Rooted in worship. . .
Growing through education & s
ervice. . .
Connecting to campus & community. . .
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