THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, October 16

Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst

Scripture: Acts 2:44-47

WORSHIP GUIDE
REGISTER ATTENDANCE

9:00AM and 11:00AM | Sanctuary

Worship is livestreamed at 11:00AM each Sunday and is available online through our YouTube Channel and Facebook page.


Austin/Travis County's community COVID level is currently low.  At this time, masks are optional for adults and children participating in childcare, Sunday School, and worship. For more information about this community of faith's approach to masking, visit our website.

ADVOCACY

The Changing Landscape of Reproductive Freedom:

A Lunch & Learn Event

Sunday, October 16

12:15-2:00PM

FLC Great Hall

This summer, the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned the constitutional right to abortion, returning the U.S. to a pre-Roe reality where reproductive freedom is decided state by state. Shortly before that decision, First Church began a discernment process to consider becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation – a faith community committed to eradicating stigma around reproductive decisions.


Join us for this Lunch & Learn as we engage a panel of experts in faith, advocacy, and law including Bee Morehead with Texas Impact, Sarah Wheat with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and civil rights attorney Austin Kaplan, to learn more about changes to the landscape of reproductive health in the U.S., especially in Texas. Lunch available with registration. 

REGISTER NOW

THIS WEEK

Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.

Young Families Sunday School Class Begins

Sunday, October 16

10:00-10:45AM

FLC Room 108

Parenting young children is at once amazing and exhausting. If you are an expectant parent or are parenting children under 8, join us on Sunday mornings as we explore a vision for this emerging community and consider what it means to build a life in faith for anyone in this challenging, wonder-full life stage. Can’t make it this week? Join whenever you can. Contact Emily Buchanan with questions or to learn more.

Coffee Talk: Grateful

Sunday, October 16

10:00-10:45AM

EDU Murchison Chapel

In October, we are exploring what it really means to be grateful and how our biggest flex—individually or as a community— might be to build a practice of gratitude.  Each week stands alone, so come when you can for this casual time of conversation and connection. Contact Rachel Wright with questions. 

FUN & FELLOWSHIP

4th and 5th Grade Open House: Celebrate Sukkot

Sunday, October 23

10:00-10:45AM

SAN Room 111

(Behind Wesley Hall)

All are invited to celebrate Sukkot with the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School Class! As part of their learning of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, 4th and 5th graders have worked hard to build and decorate the Sukkah, a structure reminiscent of the type of fragile dwelling used by the Israelites when they wandered the desert for 40 years after their escape from Egypt.  Students will have refreshments and will demonstrate what they learned so far in class about Jewish feasts and festivals. Hospitality  is one of the emphases of Sukkot—particularly hospitality to the stranger and the poor. Our mission project during our celebration of Sukkot is a food drive for Caritas. If you wish to bring a non-perishable food donation, you may place it in the Sukkah upon your visit. 

The Competition is Heating Up for the Chili Cook-Off!

Sunday, October 30

12:15-1:30PM

FUMC Parking Lot

Dust off your crockpot and put on your chef’s hat because we are having a chili cook-off. The deadline to register for the competition is coming up and you don't want to miss it! Fall is here and, with it, a chance to test your skills and tempt tastebuds at a time of food and fellowship after church. The competition is heating up, so sign up today to enter your chili or cornbread! Register by Sunday, October 23 and get details and rules with registration. Just want to eat award-winning chili for $5 per person? Let us know you are coming by registering today.

ENTER THE COOK-OFF
RSVP TO THE CHILI PARTY

Reverse Trunk-or-Treating

Sunday, October 30

12:15PM

FUMC Parking Lot

We are trunk-or-treating with a twist on Halloween weekend! Costumes welcome and encouraged as children stop by decorated car stations to receive a treat, but we are not tricking you. There is a twist. Families are also invited to bring new men’s boxer briefs and white crew socks in all sizes and/or travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste) to treat the church’s outreach ministries in this season. Donations will be collected at the stations. This event will be held in conjunction with the Chili Cook-Off, so join us for an afternoon of family fun! For more information , contact children@fumcaustin.org.

Engage for Youth: Pumpkinfest!

Sunday, October 30

Family Life Center

What better way to celebrate the changing seasons and to get out any frustrations than to toss pumpkins off the top of a parking garage! Pumpkinfest is a BYOP event — bring your own pumpkins to toss. We hope to have some extras, too. Costumes welcome. Dinner provided, but all youth are invited to bring a side-dish or dessert for this special occasion.

MERCY & JUSTICE

Early Response Team (ERT) Training

Saturday, October 22

8:00AM-1:00PM

FUMC Parking Lot

Early Response Teams (ERTs) are specially trained to offer assistance after a disaster strikes, helping those made vulnerable by floods or fires to clean up, make homes habitable, or make minor repairs to prevent further damage, ERTs are an essential part of disaster response and recovery. If you have the skills for this work and a passion for helping people, join the Capital District for the ERT Basic Course by attending a two-part hybrid training. First Church is hosting an in-person practical session on October 22 from 8:00AM-1:00PM in our parking lot. To find the next online training, contact Mark Steves at mark@fumcaustin.org.

Hands on Housing

Saturday, October 22

9:00AM-4:00PM

Southeast Austin, Details TBA

Want to make a difference in the life of a low-income, elderly, and/or disabled homeowner? First Church is putting together a team to participate in iACT’s Hands on Housing program. Hands on Housing uses volunteers and skilled professionals to do minor repairs and paint homes of senior citizens and disabled individuals who are living in deep poverty. We need people with carpentry skills, painters, and yard cleaner-uppers. Youth (ages 12+) may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Register today or contact Terri Purdy.

REGISTER NOW

Fourth Tuesday Feed My People Breakfast

Tuesday, October 25

5:15-7:15AM

Family Life Center

We need volunteers! Preparing and cooking this meal that feeds our vulnerable neighbors begins at 5:15AM and clean-up is finished by 7:15AM. October 25 is a fourth Tuesday, for which First Church sponsors the meal and provides the volunteer hosts. Sign up here>

Q&A: Becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation

Sunday, October 30

10:00AM

Sanctuary

First Church is in a discernment process as we consider becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation with Just Texas. These are faith communities committed to eradicating stigma around reproductive decisions. Please join us for more information and conversation about what this means for First Church and why we are considering it. Learn more about Just Texas and Reproductive Freedom Congregations.

Middle School Mission Trip Information Session

Sunday, November 6

12:15-12:45PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

Join us after worship to learn more about Be The Neighbor (formerly Reach Beyond Mission), our vision-focused week of Middle School service. Students who have completed 6th-8th grade are invited to our summer trip to Dallas, where we will put our faith into action through service and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming. From July 16-22, 2023, groups will work with and learn from a variety of BTN's partner organizations and hear personal stories shared by guest speakers, learn through fun and challenging activities, and find a safe space to ask questions about complex justice issues. The total cost of the trip is approximately $350 per student. A deposit of $100, preferably made by check, is due with registration. 

OTHER NEWS & EVENTS

FEAST: We Don't Eat Our Friends

Sunday, October 23

7:30-9:00PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

Like the ancient Christians, we will meet to share food and fellowship and to talk about what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. For October, we will turn to something appropriately spooky! This year, we will consider the strange history of Christian cannibalism. (Spoiler: it’s mostly made up, but a common accusation through history.) Did you know, for example, that early Christians were accused of cannibalism by people that didn’t understand Communion and the way Christians "eat Christ's body and drink Christ's blood." Vampires, cannibalism, and more! Dinner is provided for those who register by Friday, October 21. 

REGISTER NOW

Experiencing Hope in a Time of Despair with author Mark Yaconelli

Sunday, November 6

5:00-7:00PM

FLC Great Hall

The pandemic, climate change disasters, racism, political vitriol, misogyny, the erosion of rights, and mass death is taking an overwhelming toll on individuals, families, and communities. How do we experience God's peace in a time of disruption and pain? How can  we find the energy to heal our world and ourselves when we feel so depleted? Where do we find actual, tangible hope in a time of despair? Mark Yaconelli, community activist, youth worker, and author, teaches us that sharing stories can be a radical and deeply human practice for uncovering the ties that bind us to one another. Story invites us to step into the reality of another person's existence and, instead of judgment, feel kinship. In this reflective, interactive, intergeneration gathering, Mark will invite participants to engage in Christian practices that offer rest, connection, and hope. 

Info Round Up

From allergies to photo permissions, birthday celebrations to family updates, FUMC Children's Ministry wants to make sure that the information we have about your child is accurate and up-to-date. Whether you are brand new to this faith community or are part of a multigenerational family, please take five minutes to fill out this quick form so that we can better serve and care for your child any time they participate in programs, events, and fun at FUMC Austin. Questions? Contact children@fumcaustin.org.

NEW FAMILIES
UPDATE FAMILY INFO

SAVE THE DATE

Save the Date: Vacation Bible School 2023

June 12-15, 2023

9:00AM-12:30PM

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. With VBS moving to June 12-15 in 2023, Super Meer wants kids and their adults to spring into action to save the date for 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—to see how everyone’s gifts are valued and every hero has a role to play as we bring peace, build each other up, and share the great story of God’s love for us where they are and with the whole world. For more information, contact children@fumcaustin.org.

OCTOBER MISSION EMPHASIS

This October, gifts to our mission emphasis will be shared between La Posada Providencia and World Communion Sunday.


La Posada Providencia is an emergency shelter for individuals and families who flee to the United States due to political oppression, natural disaster, and other life-threatening circumstances in their native countries. La Posada is the only shelter in the lower Rio Grande Valley that offers individual case management to optimize client resettlement outcomes and that can accommodate extended stays for clients when needed.


The World Communion Sunday offering helps provide scholarships through the United Methodist Church for national and international graduate students whom God has called to learn and to serve.


During October, your gifts, marked "World Communion," may be placed in the Offering baskets during worship, or mailed to the church office. You can also bring your gift to the church office during regular office hours. To donate online, select “World Communion” from the drop-down menu on the giving page of our website.

MAKE A GIFT
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.

Within Our Congregation

Fay Brown, The Drazic Family, Pat Freeman, Chris Higgs, Jana Peters, Sara Standish, and Dan Wood.


Congratulations

to Jill and Sara Standish on the birth of their baby, William.


Beyond Our Congregation

Jo Rene Altenberg, sister of Fay Brown; Bianca, our At the Well neighbor; Betty, friend of Rev. Ann Fields; Casey Claborn, friend of Melissa Maluski; Johnnie Houston, mother of Marcia Houston; Elissa Marek, friend of Curt Ashmos; Patty McCormick, friend of Jan Ashmos; Mitzi Moore and Vickye Patrick, friends of Jan Ashmos; David Olson, uncle of Cliff Archey; Martha Rees, friend of Tom Ward; Mrs. Sisler, friend of Molly Drazic; Lauren Stafford, niece of Cheryl Bias; Tonya Basler Stout, sister of Grady Basler; Susan, friend of Cindy Gunderson.

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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684