Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 19
Preacher: Rev. Laura Merrill
Scripture: Luke 1: 46-55
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Worship
9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Virtual worship will still be available at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday through our Zoom worship time, YouTube Channel, and Facebook page. Our Interactive Worship on Zoom includes opportunities to connect with one another, share prayer concerns, and view our video worship service together.
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Holiday-Wear Sunday
9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary
Let’s spread the Christmas spirit! All are invited to wear fun and crazy holiday clothes with festive fabrics to church on this Sunday before Christmas.
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Advent Study: The Journey
10:00-10:45 a.m.
EDU Murchison Chapel
Join Dr. Brad King for an in-depth study of Adam Hamilton's The Journey, which forms the basis of our Advent sermon series. Through engagement with the historical data and archeological research at a deeper level, the most amazing moment in history will become more real and heart-felt for you this season. Attend in person or on Zoom. A limited number of books are available for purchase through registration. Register online.
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Social Justice Conversations
10:00-10:45 a.m.
EDU Garrison Chapel
We are committed to join God in the work of justice as we learn, name, and work to eradicate injustice in our church, our community, and around the world. Join Pastor Cathy as she builds on the conversation from the beginning of the month. This month's topic is Critical Race Theory.
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Sock Collection
We are collecting new, white, adult-sized tube socks to give to our unhoused neighbors at our annual Christmas Eve Breakfast. As you are out and about shopping, consider picking up a bag or two of socks. You may place donations in the collection bins located in the foyers of the Chapel, Sanctuary, and Family Life Center on December 12, and 19. You may also bring your donations to the church office Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cookie Collection
Cookie bakers are needed to provide guests at the Christmas Eve Breakfast with a treat. Our goal is 100 zipped bags! Make your chocolate chip cookies (NO NUTS) and package six per bag in zipped plastic baggies. Happy baking!
With a new kitchen comes new regulations and we’re unable to store the cookies in the kitchen before the Breakfast. Please deliver your cookies to the Sanctuary Foyer on Sunday, December 19 or to the church office, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., December 20-23. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org.
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Christmas Eve Breakfast for the Homeless
Friday, December 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Church Parking Lot
Our guests enjoy coffee and Christmas music beginning at 7:00 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. Many in our congregation have made this volunteer opportunity a significant part of their Christmas season. Spaces fill fast, so sign up now. For additional information, please contact Randy Teich at rteich@austin.rr.com or Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684 (ext. 215).
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We've expanded the number of services to help control crowding at our prime time services. Masks will be required at all services, and Holy Communion will be received in the pews with individual bread and juice. For those wishing to avoid larger crowds, we recommend attending services at 12:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., or 11:00 p.m.
Noon Service
12:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
For those who are ready to celebrate the birth of Christ early in the day, this traditional service features carols, Scripture reading, and Holy Communion. This service is for those who do not want to drive at night and for those whose plans make it difficult to participate in our later services.
Family Service
3:00 p.m.
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. Childcare provided.
Candlelight Services
5:00, 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
These traditional services feature carols, choral offerings, Scripture, Holy Communion, and candle lighting to celebrate Christ’s birth. A full choir will lead singing at the 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. services, with cantors leading at all other services. Childcare provided at the 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. services only.
Livestream Service
7:00 p.m. Online
Our 7:00 p.m. service will be livestreamed on the FUMC mobile app, YouTube channel, and on our Facebook page. Following the conclusion of the livestream (around 8:00 p.m.) the livestreamed service will be available for viewing at any time.
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Carols and Jammies
Sunday, December 26, 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary
With the season of Christmas in full swing, it’s time to celebrate! This service will be chock-full of Christmas carols. Children (and children-at-heart) are invited to wear their pajamas to church. There will be no 9:00 a.m. service or children's or youth Sunday School that morning.
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Feed My People Fourth Tuesday Breakfast
Tuesday, December 28, 5:15-7:00 a.m.
FLC Great Hall
We need more volunteers! Come help serve breakfast to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Preparing, cooking, and setting up begins at 5:15 a.m.; serving begins by 6:00 a.m.; and clean-up is finished by 7:00 a.m. Find more details and the required volunteer signup at foundationhomeless.org/volunteer-fmp.
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Assemble Manna Bags at Home
We continue to collect assembled bags for our hungry neighbors experiencing homelessness. Manna bags include: bottle of water, Nutri Grain fruit bar, peanut butter or cheese cracker sandwiches, juice box, raisins, tuna or chicken lunch kit, socks, and an encouraging message such as “God loves you.” Completed bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Email Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org with questions and to coordinate drop-off.
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Church Office Closure and End-of-Year Giving
The church office will be closed Monday, December 27, through Monday, January 3, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, at
9:00 a.m. Our pastors are on call at 512-478-5684, press 213, and leave a message for a return call.
We will have a staff member in the office from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31 to accept in-person end of year gifts. IRS regulations require all contributions received by mail for 2021 to be postmarked no later than December 31, 2021.
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2022 Pledge Commitment
First Church thanks you for your commitment to live generous lives. Your pledges and contributions are a critical part of how we make a difference in our church, our community, and our world in 2022.
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Magi-cal Mystery Tour
January 9, 2022, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Church Parking Lot
Start your new year with joy by celebrating Christ’s light in the world with your church family. Join us on a “Magi-cal” Mystery Tour as we participate in a scavenger hunt around campus in search of the Magi! Start in the church parking lot to receive your clues to finding them and maybe a camel or two on the way. Think you are up for the quest!? Families, individuals, children, and adults all are welcome! Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School class that day. Sign up to bring muffins online.
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Engage Spring Kickoff & Parent Meeting
January 9, 2022, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel and Great Hall
Youth and their adults are invited to our Engage Spring Kickoff! We'll play games and take a look at the spring and summer ahead for the youth program.
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FEAST: TOAST Happy Hour
Sunday, January 9, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Join us to check in, share, and connect with Dr. Brad King and young adults ages 20-45! Bring a story. Bring a friend. Reach out to Dr. Brad King to get added to the FEAST mailing list at brad@fumcaustin.org or to register .
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High School Retreat
February 18-20, 2022
Mo-Ranch
All High School aged youth are invited to a weekend away in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. We'll play games, swim, kayak, eat s'mores, and have some quality fellowship. Registration is open now and spaces are limited. Cost $150 and includes food when we arrive, lodging, transportation, activities and an exclusive shirt for the weekend. Registration closes February 1, 2022.
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This summer and fall, the stone that so beautifully adorns our buildings developed unsafe cracks, and a few pieces even fell to the ground. While we are thankful that no one was injured, we had to quickly deploy professionals to remove any loose pieces in order to ensure the safety of everyone in and around our facilities.
Efforts are underway to determine the extent of repairs needed throughout our facilities, with a full report due in the spring. In the meantime, we expect to spend nearly three times our annual facilities maintenance budget this year just to ensure safety. While we are able to absorb some of this expense in other areas of the budget, we anticipate that our overall expenses will surpass revenue this year by $150,000. Our hope is to offset this loss as much as possible through this year’s Christmas Offering.
Our buildings are essential to the life-changing work we do together. The church is not a building; and yet, the church’s buildings create spaces where transformation happens. Let’s take care of this place, so it can continue to be a tool for God’s work in this world.
Gifts can be made by check or online, designated “Christmas Offering.”
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Mack Adams, Sandy Bowles, Shirley Derryberry, Sam Miller, Sallie Novinger, Rick Ortiz, Andrew Pyle, Dick Raycraft, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to David Nicastro on the death of his brother, Steve.
Condolences to Alan Stephens on the death of his father-in-law, Bob McBride.
Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Arthur Asika’s mother, Evelyn Asika; Robbie Ausley’s brother, Glen Holt; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Kathy Billiot’s brother, Bob Graff; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Davis Covin’s father, Ben Covin; Ryan Edwards’ parents, Mark and Marilyn Edwards; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Sue Kane’s friend, Ed Littlefield; Judy Kostura’s friend, Lisa Mellors; Casey Mills’ grandmother, Sandra Mills; Shannon Napier’s friend, Erica Conlon; Delia Peters’ mother, Ruby Ybarra; Terri Purdy’s friends, the Ledford family; Andrew Pyle’s father, James Pyle; Mary Faye Randolph’s friend, Ralph De La Cruz; Mary Faye Randolph’s friend, Katrina Townsend; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Donna Shand’s friend, Michael Morrisette; Lee Sloan’s friend, Gayle Bell; Alan Stephens’ mother-in-law, Betty McBride.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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