Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24
Worship at 12:00PM, 3:00PM, 6:00PM, 8:00PM, and 11:00PM
Worship led by Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25
Worship at 11:00AM
Worship Led by Rev. Taylor Fuerst
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Worship will be livestreamed on Saturday, December 24, at 8:00PM and on Sunday, December 25, at 11:00AM and is available online through our YouTube Channel and Facebook page.
For more information about our current COVID recommendations, visit our website.
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Christmas Eve - Noon Service
Saturday, December 24
12:00PM | EDU Murchison Chapel
This traditional service features carols, Scripture reading, and Holy Communion, and is ideal for those who wish to celebrate early and for those whose plans make it impossible to participate in our later services.
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Christmas Eve - Family Service
Saturday, December 24
3:00PM | Sanctuary
Experience the traditions of Christmas carols, the Nativity story, Holy Communion, and a candlelit “Silent Night” in this 45-minute worship service especially designed for
families with young children.
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Christmas Eve
Candlelight and Communion Services
Saturday, December 24
*6:00, 8:00, and 11:00PM | Sanctuary
These traditional services feature carols, Scripture, Holy Communion, and candle lighting to celebrate Christ’s birth.
*Childcare is provided during the 6:00PM Service.
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Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, December 25
11:00AM | Sanctuary
Come as you are to celebrate the birth of Christ! On this most joyous of days, we will sing familiar carols as we reflect on God incarnate, God with us, Emmanuel. Children are welcome to come just as they are when they tumble out of bed! Appropriate
pajamas, bath robes, and slippers are welcome. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, all are welcome to relax and come casual to church.
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New Year's Day Worship
Sunday, January 1
11:00AM | Sanctuary
Start the year with a time of connection and reflection in prayer and worship, as you share your hopes and intentions for 2023 with God and create space in this busy season to hear what God is calling you to in this new year.
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12 Days of Christmas
Celebrate the whole season of Christmas—all 12 days of it—with First Church by following @fumcaustin on Instagram and Facebook, where we will be sharing fun facts and favorite stories about Christmastide and Epiphany along with information about Austin Diaper Bank, the recipient of our diaper donation at the Epiphany Party on January 8.
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Church Office Holiday Schedule
The church office will be closed Monday, December 26, through Monday, January 2, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, at 9:00AM. Our pastors are on call at 512-478-5684, press 213, and leave a message for a return call.
As the financial year also comes to a close, in order for any end-of-year financial gifts to be tax deductible and/or applied to the Ministry Plan for 2022, gifts must be made by December 31, 2022. Gifts made online must be time stamped no later than December 31 and all gifts made by mail must be postmarked no later than December 31. Staff will be onsite on Friday, December 30, from 9:00AM-Noon to accept in-person end-of-year gifts.
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Book Study: Jesus and John Wayne
Tuesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31
6:30-8:00PM | Zoom
Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last 75 years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism. Join Pastor Cathy Stone and FUMC member and seminarian Becca Edwards as we read and discuss this book by historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Zoom link sent with registration at fumcaustin.org/social-justice. We encourage you to purchase the book locally at Black Pearl Books or Book People. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy.
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Caregiver Support Group
Wednesday, January 4
8:00-9:00PM | Zoom
Henri Nouwen writes, “Caregiving feels solitary. We look out from our own lives and see so many people who seem not to experience what we feel. But we are not alone. Christ and caring friends are our companions.” Caring for a loved one in their season of need is a sacred trust and holy work. Pastor Cathy Stone and member Judy Breckbill are the hosts for this time that is open to those currently caring for a loved one or who have recently been in this role, whether in-home or miles apart. As we move into the new year, reflections from Henri Nouwen will guide this time for caregivers to renew their spirits, to just be themselves, and to connect with others in similar circumstances to receive support and encouragement. Whether you have attended before or are wondering if you may need this group, please join us. For questions or the Zoom link, email Judy.
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Epiphany Party! Celebrate Jesus' Birthday!
Sunday, January 8
10:00-10:45AM
FLC Great Hall
Crowns and camels and cupcakes, oh my! You are invited to a birthday party for Jesus! Decorate your own festive treat and participate in the Epiphany fun as we ring in the new year together. Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School classes, so bring the whole family. We will tell the story of the wise ones who brought Jesus his first gifts. Want to bring a birthday present for Jesus, too? We are collecting diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6 to donate to the Austin Diaper Bank. Bring yours to add to the party. You can also sign up to bring breakfast food items or bake Epiphany cupcakes.
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MLK Day Community March
Monday, January 16
The annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. Join FUMC member Cindy Walter at 9:00AM with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus and march from there or grab a breakfast taco in the Family Life Center at 9:30AM before joining the rally on the south steps of the State Capitol and then march on to Huston-Tillotson University for the Community Festival where exciting festivities are planned.
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Film Series: Listen. Learn. Laugh. Love.
Sunday, January 15
4:30-7:00PM | Stotts Dining Hall, Austin Seminary, 100 East 27th
Movies can help capture our imaginations, pique our curiosity, and start conversations about injustice. In The Best of Enemies, civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C. P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, over the issue of school integration. Join us for this film, kicking off the first in our spring film series, Listen. Learn. Laugh. Love., and follow our viewing with a short conversation. This event is jointly sponsored by First UMC, St. Luke UMC, Westlake UMC, and in partnership with Education Beyond the Walls of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
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Disciple Bible Study:
New Testament
Wednesdays, January 18 - April 12
6:00-7:15PM | FLC Room 104
At the center of Christian faith is a library of twenty-seven books that we know as the New Testament. These texts preserve the foundational stories of our great faith and point the way to the lives that we can have together and with God. At the same time, they also expose human worries and imperfections and highlight the long history of our struggle to understand what it means to be a child of God. Whatever your stance on scripture, join Pastor Brad and FUMC member, Pete Meeker, for this 12-week study of the history, interpretation, and meaning of the New Testament in its original contexts as well as the ways that it continues to breathe life and hope into our communities today.
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Wonderfully Made: Preteen Human Sexuality Workshop
January 27-28, 2023
Family Life Center
Wonderfully Made is a weekend workshop that offers you and your young person opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate that we are all created by God, in all our many facets—including human sexuality—and God calls us good. God also calls us to responsible living as sexual beings. The weekend’s sessions include facilitated conversation for preteens (ages 10-12) and their parents about adolescent physical and spiritual growth. Preteens may invite friends, but all participants must commit to attend all sessions throughout the weekend and at least one parent/guardian is required to attend both sessions for caregiving adults. Spaces are limited, so register soon at fumcaustin.org/wonderfully-made. The deadline for registration is January 13 and the cost is $50/participant.
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Get Fired Up! High School Retreat Registration Now Open
February 17-19 | Mo Ranch
2229 FM 1340, Hunt, TX
All high school youth are invited to the hill country where we will hike, kayak, run wild, eat s’mores, and share time together. The cost is $150 per person. Sign up now, and don’t be afraid to rope your friends into the fun, too! In fact, want to make things interesting? The student who recruits the most new friends (other high schoolers who don’t currently attend youth) will have their trip fees refunded and can enjoy the fun for free!
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Vacation Bible School (VBS): Hero Hotline
June 12-15, 2022
Early Bird Registration Now Open
What’s that sound? It’s the Hero Hotline Headquarters and its leader, Super Meer the Meerkat, calling all kids to join the Hero Team at Vacation Bible School. Super Meer wants kids and their adults to spring into action to join this awesome time of arts and crafts, drama and storytelling, games, music, science, and snack. Together, we will learn from the amazing heroes in the ultimate Hero Handbook—the Bible!
Our youngest Heroes must be four by June 1 and fully potty trained to attend. Heroes who have completed 4th and 5th grade will participate in special mission activities with the Service Squad. Save $10/child by signing up today. Early Bird registration is open now and the cost is $35 through March 12.
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At First Church, we lead with generosity. It’s one of the most powerful, impactful ways that God is at work here. Your giving in 2022 has enabled these life changing
ministries beyond FUMC, just to name a few:
- Huston-Tillotson University Scholarships: $29,000+
- Justice For Our Neighbors: $22,000+
- Mobile Loaves & Fishes: $35,000+
- Pickle Elementary Support: $9,000+
- Refugee Support: $20,000+
- Youth Missions: $36,000+
As we approach year’s end, we remind you that the stronger our foundation, the further we are able to reach. We rely on your gifts all year long to provide the foundational ministries of welcome and worship, formation programs for all generations, and care for those in need.
While First Church is not experiencing a financial crisis, we recognize that these are economically uncertain times. Your end-of-year gift will provide sustainability and resiliency for the church in the coming year as we continue our ministry and move into a Capital Campaign to restore and renovate our Sanctuary building.
What we ask:
- Fulfill your 2022 pledge;
- Complete and turn in an Estimate of Giving card
- for 2023;
- Consider an additional Christmas gift to FUMC.
In this season, we remember that the gifts we give are echoes of the greatest gift God has given to us in Emmanuel, God-with-us, and we know that God is with us as we continue to be formed and transformed in 2023.
Your gift (marked “Christmas Offering”) may be placed in the offering plate, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online by using the button below.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Lynn Bunton, Frances Crockett, The Drazic Family, Pat Freeman, Chris Higgs, Mary Higgs, Mack Hicks, Melissa Jackson-Burns, Annemarie Potts, Mimi Raper, John Rippetoe, Sally Watkins, Dan Wood, and Cecily Wright.
Beyond Our Congregation
Jo Rene Altenberg, sister of Fay Brown; Ashton, friend of Molly Drazic; Bianca, our At the Well neighbor; the Calley family, friends of Erin Scarth; Debbie, sister of Ken Spivey; Walter Higgs, son of Mary Higgs; Johnnie Houston, mother of Marcia Houston; Jon Long, friend of Rick Russell; Elissa Marek, friend of Curt Ashmos; Russ Hummel-Lewis, husband of Earle Lewis; Patty McCormick, Mitzi Moore, and Vickye Patrick, friends of Jan Ashmos; Fred Lester, brother-in-law of Dixie Houston; Art Richardson, uncle of Molly Drazic; Lauren Stafford, niece of Cheryl Bias; Tonya Basler Stout, sister of Grady Basler; Mateo Bennett Ruiz, grandchild of Ann Venno; and Erika Kaback, cousin of Cindy Walter.
Condolences
Condolences to Randy Teich on the death of his friend, Don Nelson.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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