August 28, 2017 

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 3, 2017

Worship 11:00 a.m.

"Out of the Water"
Matt Gaventa preaching

Sermon text: Exodus 1:8-2:10

Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Fellowship Hall
Music This Sunday
UPC Chancel Choir returns to the chancel Sunday, September 3, with "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise," a traditional Welsh tune arranged by Eric Thiman. Eric Wall, Assistant Professor of Sacred Music and Dean of the APTS Chapel, will be at the organ.


Laudate Children's Choir
meets Sunday in Room 210 at 9:15 a.m. All school-age children through 7th grade are welcome to join Children's Choir Director Austin Bradley for rehearsal. Then, the Laudate Choir heads over to the Youth Room at 10:00 a.m. for The BIG Hello. Children's small groups meet at 10:15 a.m. Come Shine Your Light this Sunday!
Welcome (Back), Students!
The UPC UKirk Committee welcomes our new students (and their families if they are still in town) and welcomes BACK our returning students, with a brunch in the Fellowship Hall after morning worship, August 27! See you at noon on Sunday!
UKirk Dinner, Evening Worship Begin September 3
All college students are invited to share a meal each Sunday during the academic meal. Join us in the UPC Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. this Sunday. Following the meal, you are invited to evening worship at 7:00 p.m. See you Sunday!
Considering joining the Chancel Choir? You'll be most welcome !
Join choir members at the first rehearsal of the fall, this Wednesday, August 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. Parking is free in the UT Co-Op Garage; enter the building through the portico doors at the north end of the central courtyard. 
Preaching through Exodus Sermon Series
This summer at UPC, we’ve been reading and preaching from Bible stories about church — stories about being God’s people together, finding Jesus together, hearing God’s word from unexpected places, and building a community of God’s love together. I’ve been delighted by the stories we’ve had a chance to hear, but, of course, all good things come to an end, and as summer wanes, we’re turning our attention to another section of scripture: Exodus.

In fact, the normal lectionary cycle for this fall asks us to follow along with the journey
of the Israelites as God brings them out of captivity and into the wilderness. It’s a story of desperation and liberation, a story of scarcity and abundance, and, most of all, a story about the covenant between God and God’s people. It’s also a story largely told from the perspective of one man, Moses, whose origin story we will hear when begin this series on Sunday, September 3.


I think these stories will have enormous resonance for us here at UPC as we settle
into the oft-repeated routines of the program year, albeit with new faces in our midst. After all, the Exodus story is very much a story of homecoming — even though that Promised Land never quite looks like it’s supposed to look. And as we experience familiar rhythms while also looking at our own new frontiers, my hope is that the Exodus stories will speak powerfully to us, with words of comfort, of challenge, and of courage.

As always, I look forward to listening for God’s word alongside each of you!
Harvey-Inspired (Virtual) Worship at UPC
Hurricane Harvey brought significant rain and high winds to Austin Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27. Because of concerns about the safety of UPC members and friends, all activities, including worship, were canceled.

Instead, Reverend Matt Gaventa, Reverend Krystal Leedy, Reverend John Leedy, and Eric and Mary Wall broadcast the first ever UPC worship service via Facebook Live. Despite a few transmission issues, it was a truly meaningful service, with more than 70 people viewing the live broadcast for its entirety. To date, more than 1,400 people have viewed the broadcast.

The sermon itself was not successfully recorded. Full text of the scripture reading and sermon are below the video on the sermon page on our website. We are grateful for everyone who tuned in, who worshiped and prayed with us, and we pray continually for all those affected by the this catastrophic storm.
Click the image above to watch the video and read the full text of the sermon, "Voice Lessons."
Welcome, Adrielle!
My name is Adrielle Chew, and I am thrilled to be serving as the Children's Ministry Advisor here at UPC! I am from Sugar Land, texas, outside of Houston, where I attended church at First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Land.

I first came to UPC as a member of UKirk and instantly felt right at home! Currently, I am a sophomore at UT, where I study Elementary Education. I love to teach, sing, bake, and most of all, I love Christ! Please feel free to come up to me at any time, I cannot wait to get to know you all!
You'll find Adrielle Sunday mornings on the upper level during the Christian Formation program hours. Adrielle will also be leading Bridge to Worship most Sundays for 3 to 6 year olds in Room 202. Stop by and say hi!
Ushers Needed
Please consider volunteering to serve on one of UPC's teams of ushers. There are four teams that serve three months each every year.

We have one opening for the team that serves in October, February, and June, but are always looking for anyone interested in any of the other teams.

If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Rey Legett at 512-848-5548 or [email protected].
New Adult Christian Formation Class
This fall UPC will offer a new Adult Christian Education course-- The Way -- which is what some early Christians called Christianity before it became Christianity. The class will meet every Sunday from September 3 to December 10, and from January 14 to May 27, 2018. Classes will be held in Fellowship Hall and run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Jonathan Eddison will lead the class.

"Anchored in Hope"
Faith & Life Class
  Hebrews 6:19:  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

The anchor is one of the oldest symbols of the Christian faith, suggesting steadfastness , and stability in times of turbulence and change. Through the centuries the anchor became the symbol associated with Hope.

In the Faith and Life Class this fall, our theme will be Anchored in Hope , as we are reminded by the writer of Hebrews that our hope in Christ is the anchor of our souls. We will be exploring how that hope may strengthen us in five dimensions of our contemporary world: memory, truth, community, suffering, and solidarity.

Join us on September 3 and 10 for an overview and discussion of the recent session of the Texas Legislature led by Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact, and Pastor Krystal Leedy. We’ll look how our faith has an impact on legislation, and how we speak truth to power. 

The Faith & Life class meets in Room 201, upper level. Join us for coffee and fellowship beginning at 9:00. a.m. Lecture and discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome!
Please join the Parenting & Faith class this Sunday as we gather to discuss our fall class schedule (almost completed!), discuss a date for our fall social hosted by Sarah and Byron French and catch up with each other after a fun filled summer! Hope to see you soon!
-Stephanie Morris, Parenting & Faith Coordinator
September Sundays in the Mosaic Room
Our community mosaic in the Great Hall, a modern depiction of The Feeding of the Five Thousand,
will be completed with a sixth and final panel.
Tile laying on panel six has begun, and you can help. The studio will be open each Sunday in September from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Space is limited, so you must sign up ahead of time.
Please contact Lynn Bridge at 512-970-9121 or email [email protected] .
The Present Word Study
"Covenant with God"
This quarter, The Present Word class offers studies on the theme "Covenant with God." It considers the major covenants that God makes with people on behalf of the earth and the human community. Beginning with Noah, God promises benevolence toward creation. Similar commitments are made with Abram, Phinehas, and Ezekiel. Ultimately, the covenant forms the foundation for the coming Messiah and salvation for the world. Unit I, "Signs of God's Covenants" Unit II, "Called into Covenant with God" Unit III, "An Everlasting Covenant."

The class is led by Roscoe Overton, and meets in Room 3, lower level, Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Stop the Merry Go Round
I Want to Get Off!
Austin Cluster Presbyterian Women Meeting September 9
Greetings from your Austin Cluster Co-leaders! We wanted to personally invite your church ladies to the  Austin Cluster of Presbyterian Women 2017 Fall Gathering. The gathering will be held on September 9, 2017 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1705 Gattis School Road, Round Rock, TX 78664 from 8:30 - 12:00 PM. Breakfast will be provided by Grace. 
Lori Black, Grace Presbyterian Church Round Rock
Linda Walicek, First Presbyterian Church Elgin

Church Women United September Meeting
Many Thanks!
Now that I have descended from cloud 9, I wish to express my grateful appreciation to the women of UPC for honoring me with a Life Membership in Presbyterian Women. The beautifully framed certificate and pin/pendant will always be a reminder of the love and support you have given. In the days ahead, I commit to continuing my service as we work together to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women; thus, making a difference in the lives of others.
Johnnie Overton
UPLift Needs Next Week
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
  • large bag of raisins
  • large jars of jelly or preserves 
  • large peanut butter (not organic)
  • breakfast/snack bars
  • travel sized toiletries
  • (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc)
Celebrations & Concerns
Prayers for Those Affected by Harvey
Click the prayer above to donate to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Harvey or text Text "PDA" to 20222 to give $10.
Prayers Submitted during Prayers of the People on Facebook Live
Prayers for all working for the safety and security of those in harms way, that we may be reminded that through the love of God, we are not strangers but friends and beloved siblings in Christ. Meg Vail

Please pray for our grandson, Jordan, serving with National Guard, helping with the flood situation in Rockport and Port Aransas. Mary Ann Parker

For clergy in all the affected areas. For Kai Ryan and all those affected by flooding. For Marla Huseman Grace and all affected by tornado warnings. Sarah Gaventa

My brother and sister-in-law are with me from Rockport waiting to see if their home is ok. Jan Brees

Prayers for the evacuees in Austin facilities Amy Toulouse

Prayers for all those who are in need of rescue today Krystal Leedy

Prayers for my family in La Marque and League City Amy Toulouse

For Presbyterian Disaster Assistance as they assess the damage Krystal Leedy

Prayers for Victoria & the Gulf Coast as well Kathy Anderson

For all worshipers of God in Houston + + +
Ara Carapetyan

For all affected by this storm. Patricia Combs
My friends and family in Corpus Christi and in Houston. Nicole Taylor

For family in Houston and Bastrop Ara Carapetyan

For Jordan Parker. 1st responder! Robin Parker Birdwell

My friends in Houston Patricia Combs

For those on the coast Krystal Leedy

For all students Krystal Leedy

For Kathy in Victoria Randal Whittington

Cousins in Houston Karen Miller

Prayers for my sister & brother-in-law & kids as their home has flooded in Houston. Kathy Anderson

For all situations surrounding Harvey hurricane. For healing in our country in the world. For Peace. Mallory Blair Randal

Prayers for all first responders - risking their lives for the lives of others. Mary Dodd

For family and friends in the Houston area Jennie Elliott

Deanna, who lost her Rockport house. Lynn Bridge

For Mission Presbytery Krystal Leedy

All those in Houston Mary Dodd
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, email  [email protected].

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 pray for those on our prayer list, download the Celebrations and Concerns folder for August 27, 2017, or pick up a copy in the narthex or outside the church office.
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