Sunday, November 21
Preacher: Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Psalm 100
Sermon: Grateful
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Worship
9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
As of November 1, registration is no longer required to attend in-person worship on Sundays. 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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Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
Youth Sunday School meets in the Great Hall of the Family Life Center. Adult Sunday School classes are meeting in person or in hybrid formats. Reach out to class contacts for more information. Children's Sunday School is back in hybrid format, with dropoff (9:45 a.m.) and pickup (10:45 a.m.) in Wesley Hall. Indoor and outdoor small group rotations continue and masks are still required.
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Social Justice Conversations
10:00-10:45 a.m.
EDU Murchison 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 for a discussion pulled from our longer monthly Social Justice Conversations on first Sundays. This month's topic is Indigenous Peoples.
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Training for Cold Weather Shelter
12:15-1:00 p.m.
EDU Murchison Chapel
FUMC is a Tuesday night host for Cold Weather Shelter for Women, coordinated by city emergency officials. Training includes a ministry overview, safety and logistics, ways to welcome and interact with guests, Q & A, and signup. Snacks provided.
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Deep Dive into Scripture
12:15-1:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Join us for our monthly churchwide Bible study! Every third Sunday of the month, Pastor Brad King (or a special guest) will lead an hour-long discussion of one or more of the passages read in church that month. If you are interested, stay in your pew after the 11:00 a.m. service or come back and join us.
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iACT’s Interfaith Day of Thanks Service and Celebration
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Zoom
Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) is excited to once again be coming together for this 37th annual celebration. This year’s theme is “What Love Looks Like.” The celebration will be virtually hosted by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. We are so blessed by the wonderful diversity of faiths we have in Central Texas and look forward to joining together to express our thanks for the many blessings we enjoy. Register online.
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Thank you to our families who have submitted a Commitment Card for
giving in 2022! Are we missing yours? We need your commitment in order
to accurately plan for our ministry in 2022. You can make your commitment
online below or by placing your Commitment Card in the offering plate or mailing it to the church office. Questions? Contact Kristen Thurman, Director of Finance, at kristen@fumcaustin.org.
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HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS |
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For a complete listing of opportunities during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness month,
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Food Drive for Caritas of Austin
Now-November 28
Help fight hunger by bringing canned goods to church! All contributions will be donated to Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit working toward preventing and ending homelessness in Austin. With your help, the Caritas Pantry provides take-home groceries to families as people are transitioning out of homelessness. Together with their other services, food assistance builds a strong foundation as people work toward their life goals. When you are struggling to make ends meet and must choose between putting food on the table and paying the electric bill, weekly groceries bring great relief.
We are collecting some of their most needed items throughout November. Thank you for taking action in the fight against hunger. Together we can ensure people have healthy food as they rebuild their lives. Donations may be left in the collection bins located in the foyers of the Chapel, Sanctuary, and Family Life Center.
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Cream of the CROP
Congratulations, First Church, for taking a big step forward fundraising for the 2021 Virtual Austin CROP Hunger Walk! FUMC was not only the top Methodist fundraising congregation, but also the #1 fundraising congregation in Austin. Kevin Murphy from Church World Service delivered a plaque that has been with one other church since 2017. It is ours this year, so let’s be sure to keep it for 2022. Mark your calendars now for next year’s CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, March 6, with virtual and in-person opportunities. Together, we are ending hunger one step at a time.
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Curtis Higgs Prodigals New Study:
Wholehearted Faith
Beginning Monday, November 22, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Zoom
The Prodigals will begin discussing Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans on Monday, November 22. At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Evans was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress has been woven together with her other unpublished writings into a rich collection of essays. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Evans wrestles with God’s grace and love, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. Men of all ages are welcome to join. For more information, contact Randy Teich at randy.teich53@gmail.com or call 512-426-7769.
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Caregiver Support Group
Wednesday, December 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
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 those recently in this role, whether in-home or miles apart. This will be an informal gathering where each person will have an opportunity to share what is on their hearts—what brings them joy, what challenges they are facing, how the group can pray for them, etc…. Email Judy Breckbill at judybreckbill25@gmail.com with questions or for Zoom link.
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Reach Beyond Mission 2022
Registration is now open!
Our Middle School Service week heads to Albuquerque, NM this summer Saturday, July 16-Saturday, July 23. A Reach Beyond Mission vision-focused week includes direct service, indirect service, relational ministry, and education. You will learn from community leaders & organizers, ministers & social workers, public policy makers & legislators, and professors & advocates. You will hear personal stories shared by guest speakers, and learn through fun but challenging simulations and activities. Everyone who has just completed grades 6-8 is invited to attend. Total cost is $350, with $100 due at registration.
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NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS |
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Christmas Breakfast for the Homeless
For over 20 years, FUMC has sponsored a Christmas Eve Breakfast in the Family Life Center. We provide a hot breakfast, served restaurant style with hosts and a smiling wait staff. After breakfast, guests receive a gift of hats, gloves, lip balm, socks, bus pass, and a few other items.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 for this Christmas celebration in the church parking lot with our unhoused neighbors. Your gifts, marked “Christmas Eve Breakfast,” may be left in the Offering basket as you leave the Sanctuary, made online, or mailed to the church office throughout the month of November. To donate online, select “Other Designated” from the drop-down menu and indicate “Christmas Eve Breakfast” in the memo section.
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For a complete listing of opportunities during Advent,
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This Advent Season, we join God's journey into our world. Step by step, drawing on the work of historians, archeologists, and theologians, we will retrace the steps of those involved in the birth of Jesus. We'll travel through the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth on our way to the manger so we can discover greater insights about this story and what it means for our lives.
Daily Advent devotional materials will be available in the Sanctuary Foyer beginning the first Sunday of Advent, November 28, including a family Advent calendar. Please feel free to take one.
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Advent Kickoff
Sunday, November 28, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
FLC Great Hall
Come explore the meaning of Advent by creating an Advent wreath with your church family. We will make wreaths, play Advent Bingo, and share fellowship. Live greens and wreath supplies (one per household) are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a donation of $20. No purchase or registration required to attend and enjoy the fun.
Volunteers are needed for check-in and clean-up. Reserve your wreath supplies and sign up to volunteer at fumcaustin.org/advent-kickoff. Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School that day, so bring the whole family to the party! Contact Emily Buchanan at emily@fumcaustin.org with questions.
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Decorating and Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 4, 4:00-8:30 p.m.
SAN Wesley Hall
Kick off your holiday by decorating spaces around the church and offering hospitality to Austinites of all ages heading to and coming from the Holiday Stroll. We will begin with decorating the Sanctuary, Family Life Center, and outdoor spaces. A come-and-go potluck meal will be shared from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., volunteers will greet event attendees with hot chocolate and cookies, and bathroom access. Sign up for our decorating team, potluck, and/or hospitality team.
Childcare
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
For parents and guardians who are volunteering, childcare for infants-preschool is available in EDU Room 102 with a reservation sent to childcare@fumcaustin.org. Elementary-aged children (Kindergarten-5th grades) may enjoy activities and crafts in FLC Garrison Chapel led by Lara Greene and Jen Seibel.
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Advent Study: The Journey
Sundays, December 5-19, 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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Christmas Poinsettia Sale
Order deadline: Monday, December 6
Poinsettias on the communion rails are a great way to celebrate someone you love or who is now in God’s hands. Each plant is florist quality and great for replanting. The cost is $12. You may order poinsettias online or by contacting Tami Kellberg at tami@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684 (ext. 226). Orders must be turned in by 12:00 noon on Monday, December 6. Plants can be picked up after worship on Christmas Eve, December 24, and Sunday, December 26.
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Sock & Cookie Collection
Sundays, December 5-19
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 5, 12, and 19. You may also bring your donations to the church office Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sundays, December 12 & 19
Cookie bakers are needed to provide guests at the Christmas Eve Breakfast with a treat. Our goal is 200 zipped bags! Make your chocolate chip cookies (NO NUTS) and package six per bag in zipped plastic baggies. We will take a dozen or six dozen! Happy baking! Bring cookies to the church on Sundays, December 12 and 19. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Mack Adams, Sandy Bowles, Katie Cooley, Maureen Cooley, Shirley Derryberry, Judy Funke, Jack Hathaway, Sam Miller, Sallie Novinger, Rick Ortiz, Andrew Pyle, Dick Raycraft, Ben Thoma, and Dan Wood.
Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Robbie Ausley’s brother, Glen Holt; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Michael Carrillo’s mother, Jackie, and sister, Bunny; Teresa Edwards’ aunt, Charlsie Underwood; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Sandra Green’s great-granddaughter, Halle Burdick; Melanie Greene’s friend, Felix McCusker; Marijo Hartman’s cousin, Nancy Hartman; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Summer Hoff’s niece, Autumn, and great niece, Adi; Don Mayfield’s friend, Paul Martin; Sallie Novinger’s niece, Kathy May; Ben Nunn’s friend, Andrew Pyle’s father, James Pyle; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride; Natalie Tindall’s father, Nathaniel Tindell II; Linda Van Horne’s friend, Crissie Donato;Rebecca Yohe’s mother, Virginia Yohe.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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