Sunday, March 27
Preacher: Rev. John McMullen
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40
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9:00 and 11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
Worship is livestreamed at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday and is available online 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.
At this time, FUMC Austin requires masks in worship through Easter on Sunday, April 17. For more information about masking after Easter, visit our website at www.fumcaustin.org.
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Get Fired Up! Register for Vacation Bible School Now
Registration Opens: Today, March 24
VBS: July 25-28,
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join Sparky and the Knights of North Castle for this summer's Vacation Bible School (VBS). Kids, parents, and volunteers, we are excited to finally be questing for the King's armor in person. FUMC Austin is calling all children who have turned four by July 15 (and are potty trained) through those who have completed fifth grade to get ready for fun and adventure as we learn what it means to put on the armor of God. Don't let this "drag-on." Sign up now to get the early bird price of $30 per child. And, remember, it takes a village to build this castle! Volunteer today to help make VBS a fun-filled, in-person chance for our brave knights (who have been particularly brave throughout the pandemic) to learn and grow in their knowledge of God's love. Visit the FUMC website to register and volunteer. Questions? Contact children@fumcaustin.org.
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Master Plan Community Forum
Saturday, March 26
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Reimagining the ways that we use our facilities for ministry is an act that we do together, listening for God's Spirit to lead us. In order to do that, we need the whole congregation to attend and contribute to the FUMC Community Forum! This is a time to evaluate uses of the church’s spaces in support of our ministry, both current and future.
We’ll start with an architects' update of the facilities conditions assessment and review of the major focus areas of our ministry. We’ll transition into small groups assigned to tour specific areas of the campus. These “walk and talk” tours will foster observations and discussions. At the end, each group will return to the main assembly and report on its conversations. Mark your calendar now and join us on March 26!
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Middle School Putt-Putt Night
Sunday, March 27, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
1209 Barton Springs Road
All middle school youth are invited to an evening of Peter Pan Mini-Golf and McDonald's. Please bring $20 for a round of mini-golf and dinner next door. Drop off is in the McDonald's parking lot on the corner of Barton Springs and South Lamar at 5:30 p.m. Pick up is at 7:00 p.m. in the same lot. Questions? Contact Leslie Ivey.
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Manna Bag Make and Take
Sunday, March 27, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Murchison Chapel
Stop by to assemble a few manna bags for our unhoused neighbors. These manna bags will be distributed by the Homeless Outreach Street Team, Downtown Austin Community Court, and the church office. Manna bags are also available to purchase for $5, so stop by to make one and take one! Contact Pastor Cathy for more information.
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Feast: Questioning Salvation
Sunday, March 27, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
All young adults and young professionals (mid-20s to mid-40s) are welcome to join Pastor Brad King and the Feast Community for our monthly event. We will take a
look at various conceptions of salvation in early Christianity, as well as some other, sometimes strange, groups that influenced Christian thought. As usual, we will dive deep into our topic as we share in the fellowship, food, and fun of the FEAST community.
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Music Under the Dome:
Free Lunchtime Concerts
Wednesdays, Now-April 6
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Sanctuary
Enjoy free admission to these 30-minute concerts, presented by First Church musicians and friends. March 30 features pianist Susanna Willms and violinist Evelyn Gullatt. A boxed lunch will be available by reservation for $10 and can be enjoyed in the FLC Great Hall or taken to go. Lunch reservations can be made by contacting Director of Events Ken Spivey at least two days in advance. (Deadline for requesting a boxed lunch is Monday at noon each week.) Free parking is available in the Texas Trial Lawyers' garage (third floor and above), which can be entered on 13th Street via Lavaca or Guadalupe Streets.
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Butterfly Helpers Needed During Holy Week
During Holy Week, the church needs helpers to assist with our beautiful butterfly display, which, once again, will transform our Lenten prayers into a colorful sign of resurrection on Easter morning. Help glue the butterfly displays by signing up during open times. This can be a meditative individual project or a great group project with the opportunity for conversation as you glue our paper prayer butterflies!
Instructions and supplies will be available in the Library. Please note that you can come and go as needed during those times. Every little bit helps, so even stopping by for 30 minutes will make a difference! If you'd like to come that is not listed, just let us know! We also need a team of people to help us Friday night to install the butterflies after worship. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone.
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Palm Sunday Party
Sunday, April 10, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
FLC Great Hall
Bring your family and join FUMC Children's Ministry for a time of fellowship and games in the FLC Great Hall. Because of COVID, we are not holding the annual Easter Egg Festival. Instead, we are holding this smaller celebration with our church family. Families of all ages and stages are welcome to join in on the fun! At 10:45 a.m, children will line up to prepare for the Palm Sunday Procession into 11:00 a.m. worship. More details coming soon! For more information, email children@fumcaustin.org.
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The Hymns We Sing
Sunday, April 3, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Hymns have been with us since the earliest days of the Christian faith. In fact, some might say that the Psalter is the hymnbook of the Hebrew people. In the 18th century, Charles Wesley, an Anglican priest and founder of Methodist Societies, set all Methodists on a course of vigorous and passionate hymn singing. We are one of the many heirs of his tradition. Join Director of Music Scott Davis and the retired Reverend Kathleen Jones to celebrate and examine these hymns, both theologically and musically. In the words printed in the front of The United Methodist Hymnal by Charles' brother John, "Sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing."
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Social Justice Conversations
Sunday, April 3, 4:30–6:00 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
You are invited to a conversation with Just Texas, a project of the Texas Freedom Network, which organizes people of faith to shape public policy around reproductive health issues. This information session will cover the history of the Texas Freedom Network and Just Texas; the frameworks that make up reproductive freedom: reproductive health, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice; and what it means to be a Reproductive Congregation. Contact Pastor Cathy Stone for more information.
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Caregiver Support Group
Wednesday, April 6, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Zoom
Caring for a loved one in their season of need is a sacred trust and holy work. At the same time, it can be isolating and exhausting—no matter how much we love the recipient. Often, caregivers need a brief time away to renew their spirits, to just be themselves, and to connect with others in similar circumstances to receive support and encouragement. 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 were recently in this role, whether in-home or miles apart. Email Judy Breckbill with questions and for the Zoom link.
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Atonement, Salvation, and the Kingdom of God
Sunday, April 10, 12:15-1:45 p.m.
FLC Great Hall
Join Dr. Brad King for a lunch and learn discussion about what exactly Jesus' saving work accomplished. We will consider Christ's life, death, and teachings as well as a host of other evidences and ideas from Christ's lifetime and the history of Christianity to dig into this vital topic. In addition to some lecture, this event will include table discussions about our beliefs, experiences, and expectations about salvation and atonement. Sandwiches and salads, with a vegetarian option, will be available for $10 for participants who register by March 30.
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Help Us Reset and Prep
Sundays, 12:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Each week on Sundays after the 11:00 a.m. service concludes, we need a small team to help reset the Sanctuary so that it is ready for worship the next week. This reset and prep team helps to tidy the pews, refill any resources in the pew backs, and recycle any leftover bulletins so that the Sanctuary is ready to welcome worshippers for the next week. Can you stay after worship to help make this happen? Contact Rachel Wright for more details and to share your availability.
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Welcome Charlene and Coco Cheng, who joined FUMC Austin on Sunday, March 20. Charlene and Coco recently moved to Austin from New York City and transfer their membership from Park Avenue UMC. |
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We're Hiring Childcare Staff
FUMC is hiring new Childcare staff to work 4 hours per week, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. Opportunities to earn extra hours may be offered on occasion. Email Jen Seibel with any questions and/or to apply.
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Imagine you wake up one morning. A man-made or natural disaster has occurred. Lives in your community have turned upside down. It’s a citywide or statewide disaster. What do you do?
This is the plight of many people in the United States and around the world. Whether man-made or natural disasters, when disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) goes into action to help alleviate suffering and express the love of Christ to those involved. During the early stages of a disaster, UMCOR provides grants to partners such as annual conferences and other groups to support the immediate needs of those affected. For longer-term needs, UMCOR works with local partners in recovery and reconstruction work.
For example, right now UMCOR is already mobilizing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukraine and to Ukrainian people fleeing to neighboring countries.
This month’s gifts underwrite UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR keep the promise that 100% of any gift to a specific project will go toward that mission, not administrative costs. We invite you to join us with gifts providing help and hope during times of disaster, be it famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire, or other challenges. Your gifts, marked "UMCOR," may be placed in the Offering basket, made online, or sent to the church during the month of March. To donate online, select "UMCOR" from the drop-down menu.
You can learn more about UMCOR here.
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UPCOMING MEMORIAL SERVICES |
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A memorial service will be held for Sandra Green on Friday, March 25, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
A memorial service will be held for Miles Drazic on Sunday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
A memorial service will be held for Mack Adams on Saturday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
A memorial service will be held for Dick Raycraft on Friday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s UMC in Houston, Texas.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Dan and Liz Kilday; Kaitlyn Krejci-Mills, Sam Miller, Sallie Novinger, Andrew Pyle, Mary Faye Randolph, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to the family and friends of Miles Drazic on his death.
Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Robbie Ausley’s brother, Glen Holt; Teresa Baker’s cousin, Nate Barnes; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Ashton Brooks’ grandpa, Norman Bach; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Todd Canon’s brother, Jim Canon, and niece, Lindsey Pate; Shirley Derryberry’s cousin, David Bonzckowski; April Ferrino’s friend, Bill Parr; Brad Fuerst's mom, Bonnie; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Susan Griffith’s friend, Linda Winn and family; Ken and Susan Hensley’s cousin, Jill Gentry; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Jeff Jackson's father, Andy Jackson; Judy Kostura’s friends Glenn and Debbie Johnson; Judy Kostura’s friends, Anya Lucas, Grace, and Lauren; Cody Kyle’s grandfather, Bud Kyle; Kelly Mills’ mother, Sandra Mills; Ben Patterson’s friends, JQ Goetz and Texey; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly Faulkner and Colton Wimberly; Debbie Rippetoe’s friend, Cathy Ellison; Janet Roehl’s daughter, Jordan; Rick Russell’s cousin, Josh Nave; Debbie Shaw’s daughter-in-law, Stacy Shaw; Randy Teich’s friend, Glenn Johnson; Tom Ward’s friend, Esther Srifuengfung.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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