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Sunday, February 5
Preaching: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Firing the God of Success
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You know the drill. The new year brings resolutions, which, at their best, are a chance to reorient our lives toward the most important things. The reality is that they are often an excuse for culture to inundate us with invitations to put our trust in certainty, safety, power. We're tempted to bow to these gods again and again, believing they are the key to finally getting everything we want. But Jesus invites us to fire them all and instead lean into the embrace of the God of love. Join us as we explore this reorientation of the heart in this new year. | | |
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Worship each week in the Sanctuary at 9:00AM and 11:00AM. Worship is also livestreamed on Sunday mornings 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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Tour the George Washington Carver Museum
Saturday, February 4
10:00AM
1165 Angelina Street
Some pilgrimages, like the Civil Rights Pilgrimage, take us far from home, but you don’t have to travel far to go on a spiritual journey where the gifts of Black people to history, culture, and justice are honored. We will visit the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center. Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, this museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated. We will meet at the entrance to the museum and plan to spend a couple of hours there. When finished, we will find somewhere nearby for an optional lunch and conversation. Entrance is free and masks are strongly encouraged. Contact Cindy Walter with any questions.
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Conversation with Just Texas
Sunday, February 5
10:00AM
SAN Murchison Chapel
A project of the Texas Freedom Network, Just Texas organizes people of faith to shape public policy around reproductive health issues. First Church continues our discernment process about becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation with Just Texas. As we move toward a churchwide vote March 5 and 12, this is an opportunity to bring your questions and learn more about the goals and commitments of a Reproductive Freedom Congregation directly from Shan Schaffer, Faith Organizer of Just Texas.
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Leadership Kickoff and Charge Conference
Sunday, February 5
12:15-3:00PM
FLC Great Hall
All leaders are asked to kick off a new year of FUMC ministries at this exciting event! We will share lunch, learn and grow together as church leaders, and divide into ministry teams to plan and set goals for the coming year. This meeting also includes approval of our 2023 budget, clergy compensation, and a vote to proceed with a Capital Campaign to restore and renovate the roof and worship space of our Sanctuary Building. Childcare is available with reservation here.
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Film Series: Live. Laugh. Learn. Love.
Sunday, February 5
5:00-6:30PM
Stotts Dining Hall, Austin Seminary, 100 East 27th St., 78705
Because movies can help capture our imaginations, pique our curiosity, and start conversations about injustice, we continue our spring film series with a chance to explore the themes of racial justice in the 2022 film, Till. In this emotional true story, Mamie Till-Mobley relentlessly pursues justice for her 14-year-old son who was lynched while in Mississippi in 1955. We will use clips to guide our conversations so participants are invited to watch the full film before we meet. 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. Register at fumcaustin.org/social-justice.
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Deepen Your Spirituality with New Women's Book Group
Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27
6:30-8:00PM | Zoom
Calling all women who wish to deepen their spirituality and faith, and share with other seekers of God! Join members Cheryl Bias and Kristin Robertson on Zoom weekly for four weeks to read, discuss, and meditate on the book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence by Diana Butler Bass. We will start each meeting with a reading or prayer followed by a few moments of silence and then discuss one or two chapters of the book. Please read the introduction and first chapter for the first meeting. Zoom link sent with registration. For more information, contact Emily Buchanan.
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Book Study: Killing the Black Body
Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30-8:00PM | Zoom
In a media landscape dominated by racially biased images of welfare queens and crack babies, Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts exposed America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies when it was originally published in 1997. Join Pastor Cathy as we read and discuss this groundbreaking book by Dorothy Roberts. Killing the Black Body remains a rallying cry for education, awareness, and action on extending reproductive justice to all women and is as crucial as ever, even two decades after its original publication. Zoom link sent with registration.
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Usher Training:
Join the Ministry of Welcome at FUMC
Sunday, February 26
10:00AM
Sanctuary
Current ushers and those interested in joining our awesome welcome team are invited for a brief time of training on February 26. This is a chance to review the various tasks ushers perform during a worship service, updated safety information and procedures, and how to best welcome the people God sends through the Sanctuary doors each week. While that may sound like an imposing list of tasks, ushering is a fun and easy way to meet new people and serve the church. Questions? Contact Rachel Wright.
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Baptism Preparation Class
Sunday, February 26
12:15-2:00PM
SAN Library
Are you thinking about having your child Baptized? Pastor Taylor Fuerst and Lara Greene, Director of Children’s Ministries, host this class for parents to discuss our beliefs about Baptism, logistical information about scheduling and service preparation, and ways to help your child live the Baptized life. This class is required for those preparing for Baptism, and is only offered twice each year. Lunch is provided and childcare is available upon request.
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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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FEBRUARY MISSION EMPHASIS | |
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Our February mission emphasis is Huston-Tillotson University. As Austin’s oldest institution of higher education and its only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), the university is a sacred space. HBCUs play a vital role in dismantling racial inequity, developing community, and educating future world leaders.
Join our continuing investment in the students and the work of Huston-Tillotson University through their Annual Fund.
Gifts, marked “Huston-Tillotson” may be brought to worship, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online during the month of February.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Russell Deason, Pat Freeman, Madison Gove, Sally Keeler, Earle Lewis, Kathy Morales, Connie Payne, Mimi Raper, Ken and Marlene Santos, Jessica Wisko, Dan Wood.
Condolences to the family and friends of Willie Wisko on his death.
Beyond Our Congregation
Jo Rene Altenberg, sister of Fay Brown; Bianca, our At the Well neighbor; the Calley family, friends of Erin Scarth; Cody, beloved pet of Rick Ortiz and Ben Patterson; Rosemarie DiSarle, mother of Danielle Thoma; Mackey Greene, father of Bert Greene; Johnnie Houston, mother of Marcia Houston; Dan Kostura, brother of Judy Kostura; Michael Mann, brother-in-law of Colleen Lantzy; Fred Lester, brother of Dixie Houston; Elissa Marek, friend of Curt Ashmos; Patty McCormick and Mitzi Moore, friends of Jan Ashmos; Gus Mutscher, friend of Curtis Fuelberg; Vickye Patrick, friend of Jan Ashmos; Poppy, grandfather of Patrick Thoma; Sue Price, grandmother of Sarah Lancaster; Jacob Ramirez, friend of Mary Higgs; Buddy Rector, brother of Marijo Hartman; Art Richardson, uncle of Molly Drazic; Betty Lee Rightmer, mother-in-law of Merry Rightmer; Mateo Bennett Ruiz, grandchild of Ann Venno; Lauren Stafford, niece of Cheryl Bias; Tonya Basler Stout, sister of Grady Basler; Margery Thoma, mother of Ben Thoma.
Condolences to the family and friends of Bobby Utley on his death.
Condolences to the family and friends of Moises Robinson on his death.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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