September 25, 2017

Twenty-sixth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
October 1, 2017

Worship 11:00 a.m.

Matt Gaventa continues the Sermon Series, "Preaching through Exodus: A Homecoming Journey"

"Enough"
Sermon text: Exodus 16:2-15

Evening  Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Fellowship Hall
Music This Sunday
Paul Hooker is soloist with the Chancel Choir in an offering of avoonan dbishmayya, the Lord’s Prayer sung in Aramaic, the language believed to be most used by Jesus and which is still spoken by some Christian communities in Lebanon. Ilyas Iliya, the composer, is an American born to Lebanese parents.
“All who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.” (I Cor. 11:29)
The first Sunday in October is designated as World Communion Sunday, which celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. Paul tells us that we are to “discern the body” when we partake of Holy Communion, mindful that we note our relationship to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in the celebration. 

And the Cart Was Overflowing!
What an amazing response to Overflow the Cart Sunday! The folks at Micah 6 were overwhelmed by the generosity of UPC. They are especially grateful that the donation came this week, because the Food Bank of Central Texas is closed for inventory, so there will be no delivery on Thursday. Next week, we'll find out just how much food we gathered at the table.
Peace & Global Witness Offering October 1
Sunday, October 1, we will receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice across the world. Congregations designate 25 percent of this offering to connect with the global witness of Christ's peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25 percent for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50 percent is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.
This year, the Service Committee has designated the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Young Adult Volunteers as the Peace & Global Witness offering recipient.
A Persistent Dream of Peace
Please give generously!
Stewardship Kickoff Potluck October 8
The UPC 2018 Stewardship season kicks off October 8 with a potluck after worship. Sign UP in the courtyard after worship beginning this Sunday, September 17, to let the Stewardship Committee know what you'll be bringing to share.

Look for Suzanne Freeman after worship Sunday, October 1.
Session Meeting September 20, 2017
Highlights
  • Elected Debbie Russ and David Chao to the special called meeting of Mission Presbytery in Corpus Christi on September 24
  • Approved the baptism of Josiah Hsu on October 22
  • Approved a grant application, through Synod of the Sun, to support travel funding for the UKirk trip to the Montreat College Conference
  • Carl Floto, Financial Manager, gave a review of the August 2017 financial statements
  • Approved Investment Committee Charter
  • Amended UPC Endowment Policies
  • Approved Memorandum of Understanding for Micah 6 Garden
  • Aproved Session minutes for the stated meeting of August 16 and called meeting of September 3
  • Approved University Presbyterian Church Session Relational Covenant
  • Approved Christmas Eve service for 8:00 p.m. instead of the usual 11:00 p.m. service
  • Approved Paul Roberts to preach on Reformation Sunday, October 29
  • Reviewed timeline of events for UPC Stewardship Campaign for 2018
  • Approved building use revenue distribution
  • Approved having the December stated meeting on December 13
Commendations
  • Danny and Noah Dennis for installing the “new and improved” Wi-Fi- system and router
  • For their leadership during the first unit of the Christian Formation year: Suzanne Freemen – 4+ class leader, Suzanna Caballero – Greeter, Mary Dodd – Sweaty Sundays leader, Eddy Hays – ARK Class leader, Dave Jensen – Library Sermon Leader
  • Julie Miller for new insights to group dynamics of personality traits, contributing to improved committee and session work
  • Matt Gaventa for subject, delivery and length of time with the younger church, maintaining their attention throughout.
  • Matt for organizing the session retreat September 16
  • Staff for continuing to update the congregation on what is going on at UPC
- submitted by Helen Ingram,
Clerk of Session
All I want for Christmas is to make a difference!
Would you like to sell something for your favorite nonprofit charity?  The Alternative Gift Market provides an opportunity for life-changing, life enriching items to be purchased to benefit people who really need them and to support great causes around the world.  Great vendors make a great Market!  If you want to participate, contact Kathleen Turpin 
mailto:[email protected]  or 512-468-6389.
Save the Date: 
Alternative Gift Market
December 3, 2017 
Tuesday Evening Bible Study First Class Begins September 26
The first Tuesday Evening Bible Study on the Parables will begin Tuesday, September 26.

The class meets at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. See you then.
Jonathan Eddison
512-988-0333
UPC to Host A Deliberative Dialogue on Safety and Justice October 24
UPC, together with  Community Advancement Network and Interfaith Action Central Texas (iACT), will host a Deliberative Dialogue on the topic of Safety and Justice at UPC on October 24. The dialogue will focus on how we can increase trust and goodwill between citizens and law enforcement to ensure everyone feels safe in our community. The UPC dialogue is one of several that will happen in Austin. Others will take place at St. Edward's University and Huston Tilotson University. Please plan to join us!

Click here for a brief video:

Faith & Grief Meets October 12
The next gathering of the Austin Area Faith & Grief organization will be Thursday, October 12, 2017, at noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Interested in a Harvey Recovery
Mission Trip?
Because so many communities are still in the relief stage, is has been too soon for recovery volunteers to help rebuild. But soon enough, we'll have more details regarding dates, times, and locations. The Presbytery will let us know as soon as our help will be most productive. If you would like to be on a UPC list of potential volunteers for Harvey cleanup, please email Craig Deats at [email protected] .
Church Women United in Austin will meet Friday, October 6, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., Crestview United Methodist Church , 1300 Morrow Street. You are invited to help us “Kindle New Fires of Hope” and witness the presentation of our Human Rights Award recipient. We “HOPE” to see you there.
 
Johnnie M. Overton, President
CWU in Austin
Before we begin our month of “technology talk” in October, we will have a special gift via Sarah French. One of her friends will be in town this week and will to speak to our class about bible translation in Papua New Guinea. See what Sarah says below:
 
“Imagine living for years deep in the jungle; traveling by canoe; dodging dangerous animals, large insects, and disease; and working with native people to translate the Bible into a language that previously had no Bible. That's what my friend, Lindy Pate, does working as a Bible Translator for Pioneer Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. Come hear about Jesus the Good Pig Farmer and other surprises from the ongoing effort to unite our global church.”
 
Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our Parenting Social on Saturday, November 4, at the home of Sarah and Byron French. All are welcome!
Celebrations & Concerns
Please pray for

Babs Stokes and her husband Gene, friends of G.G. and Hector Saravia. Babs, who suffers from a neurological disease, fell yesterday and broke her arm on the steps of their church. She will be having surgery today. Prayers for her quick recovery and for Gene in this anxious time would be appreciated.

To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, email  [email protected].
To pray for those on our prayer list, download the Celebrations and Concerns folder for September 24, 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.
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