THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, August 5
Preacher: Rev. Cathy Stone
Scripture: Romans 5:1-11
Sermon: "Paul"
FUMC will journey together through the Bible this summer! Our worship each week focuses on passages we are reading, delving deeper into the story of who God is and what God is up to in the world. 
"Story of God" Group Discussion
10:00 a.m., Wesley Hall
On Sundays throughout the summer, join in group discussion as we read through the Bible. Daily reading bookmarks are available to guide you through the scripture. To learn more, visit fumcaustin.org/storyofgod .
PRIDE Interfaith Celebration
August 5, 4:00 p.m.
JCC Austin, 7300 Hart Lane
 This annual LGBTQiA+ inclusive faith celebration features speakers from our LGBTQiA+ communities and the return of the outstanding Celebration Choir! This year’s featured speaker is Kat Macías. Reception immediately following. FREE. All are welcome!
NEWS & EVENTS
UMW Children's Underwear Drive
Month of August
Our FUMC United Methodist Women's (UMW) Joy Circle toured the Southside Community Center in San Marcos in April and discovered the need to supply the San Marcos ISD with new children's underwear. Many children attending area schools have limited resources and no extras. The school nurses give children new underwear when they have accidents or become ill at school. The need is great! Please join the Joy Circle in contributing new clean (preferably packaged) underwear for ages 5-12 during the month of August. A collection bin is located in the Sanctuary Foyer.
Book Study: I'm Still Here
Tuesdays, August 7, 14, 21
6:30-7:30 p.m.
FLC Room 103
Join us as we read and discuss “I’m Still Here” by Austin Channing Brown, a powerful new voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up as black, Christian, and female in middle-class white America. Register Now .
Kids' Night Out
August 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Education Building
While parents enjoy an evening out, children play, eat pizza, and watch a movie with our trained childcare staff. We accept infants through 4th graders. Cost is $25 for the first child and $8 for siblings. Reservations required. Make reservations at [email protected] no later than the Wednesday prior to the event. 
Austin PRIDE Festival
August 11, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Join the five reconciling United Methodist churches in presenting an affirming witness by helping to host a booth at the Austin PRIDE festival. Help let the LGBTQiA+ community know that FUMC is an affirming church. Sign up for shifts at  fumcaustin.org/pridesignup . For more information, contact the Reconciling Team at [email protected] .
Austin PRIDE Parade
August 11, Beginning 8 p.m.
Family Life Center
Ride or walk with the FUMC float in the 2018 Austin PRIDE Parade. We gather at the Family Life Center and walk to our starting position at an evening time to be determined. Save the date and watch for an announcements of details.   
New Kindergarten & Parents Gathering
August 12, 10:00 a.m.
EDU Room 101
New Kindergartners and their parents are invited to a special fellowship. We will enjoy the traditional reading of The Kissing Hand and a family craft. This is a great time to meet other parents and learn more about how to help foster your child's faith formation during this significant milestone.
Back to School at the Pool!
August 12, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Balcones Woods Pool
11204 Alhambra Drive
Families of all ages are invited to join us for a fun Back-to-School Bash. Calendars and information about fall children's ministry programming will be available, plus a sign-up for Children's Choir. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Early Response Team (ERT) Basic Training
August 18, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wesley Hall, Sanctuary Buiding
The Disaster Response Team of the Rio Texas Conference has always been ready to assist at any time when disasters are beyond the resources of a local community or beyond that of the district. FUMC is building an Early Response Team (ERT) to work in conjunction with other United Methodist churches in our area to help victims when disasters occur. For additional information, please contact Ben Patterson at (512) 217-0756 or [email protected] . Register and learn more at fumcaustin.org/ert .
Back-to-School Blessing
August 19, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary 
All students, teachers, and administrators will receive a blessing and a gift as a tangible reminder of God’s and our congregation’s love and support. Bring your backpack or any personal item to be blessed as well. 
 
New Sixth Graders Parade
August 19, 9:45 a.m., Sanctuary Front Steps 
Everyone is invited to help us cheer the class of 2025 as they move from our children’s ministry all the way across the street to our youth ministry. Meet on the front steps at 9:45 a.m. (or directly following 9:00 a.m. worship). 
 
Children Movin' Up Sunday School
August 19, 10:00 a.m. New Classrooms 
We highly encourage parents to accompany their children to their new classrooms so they can meet their child’s teachers as well as other families. Look for room locations in parent email or on our website .
FUMC Children's Choir
Begins August 19
If your child (ages Kindergarten-5th grade) is ready to have fun learning music, leading in worship and performing in a children's musical this school year, then the FUMC Children's Choir is a great place to be! Weekly rehearsals begin August 19 from 12:05-1:00 p.m. Parents can register their children and meet Director Roxie Garza at the Back-to-School Pool Party on August 12 at 6 p.m. at Balcones Woods Pool or on the first day of practice. Children will meet in Wesley Hall for a brief snack before beginning rehearsal each week. If you have questions or want to register your child, email [email protected] .
Bolder Than Texas Information Session
Sunday, August 19, 10:00 a.m.
Wesley Hall
Wondering about this Bolder Than the State of Texas Project? What is this business about community autobiography? Please join us to learn about the project that will record our past and present, as well as our hopes for the future. We will discuss the project’s scope, answer questions, and offer practical advice and how-to’s for generating and recording the stories of our living faith. For more information, contact Amy Wink and Caroline Jones at [email protected] .
Summer Book Club
Now-August 19
Summer Book Club is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Join with others who read the same book from our summer reading list.  1. Pick your book and register at fumcaustin.org . 2. Read your book. 3. Bring your book and discuss. Gather to discuss books on August 19 at 10:00 a.m. in Murchison Chapel. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at [email protected] . View recommended reading list and register at fumcaustin.org/summerbookclub .
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times
Sundays, August 26-September 23
10:00 a.m. in Wesley Hall
Pastor Cathy Stone will lead a 5-week study of Adam Hamilton’s Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times . In this study based on his book Unafraid , Adam Hamilton explores the most common worries and fears experienced by Americans today. He considers practical steps for overcoming these fears, and reflects upon fear in the light of Scripture and a faith that promises again and again that we don’t need to live in fear. We can live with courage and hope. Register at fumcaustin.org/unafraid .
Administrative Board Meeting
August 26, 12:15-2:00 p.m.
Great Hall, Family Life Center
All are welcome to attend and participate in discussion. Board members have voting rights. Lunch will be provided for $10 per person. Board members and guests who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by 12:00 p.m. noon on Wednesday, August 22. Childcare available by emailing [email protected] to make reservations. Register at fumcaustin.org/adminboard .
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Day of Service in the Caritas Community Kitchen
Thursday, August 9
9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
611 Neches Street Austin
FUMC adults and youth (12+) are invited to serve in the Community Kitchen at Caritas. Caritas of Austin provides a free, nutritious lunch—no questions asked—to over 300 individuals Monday through Friday. We have ten spots reserved to serve in this primarily volunteer-operated kitchen. Individuals and families must register online . 
All are invited to participate in our ongoing monthly service opportunities.
FreeStore 3rd Saturday
August 18, 8:45-11:00 a.m., Memorial UMC
Sort, organize, and shelve donated items; assist shoppers; bag items; provide hospitality; and share stories over a cup of coffee. Something for everyone, so just show up and serve. Read More .
Mobile Loaves & Fishes 3rd Sunday
August 19, 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., MLF Kitchen
MLF serves daily, but this monthly third Sunday is for families and individuals who want to try face-to-face service with experienced volunteers. Read More .
Feed My People 4th Tuesday
August 28, 4:45-7:00 a.m., Family Life Center
Prepare and serve breakfast to 300 of our homeless neighbors working in shifts starting at 4:45 a.m. and ending by 7:00 a.m. Without our regular supply of UT student volunteers, we need extra help during the summer. Training provided.  Read More .
AUGUST MISSION EMPHASIS
English as a Second Language
FUMC began it's ESL Ministry as an initiative by a pastor for whom English was a second language, one who thought he knew English until he arrived in this country and faced a myriad of challenges with communication. Add to this dilemma the cultural differences in medical care, the condition of women in society, how to go to the grocery store, how to take a bus, and how to navigate the educational system for one's children. For over a decade, individuals who find themselves in these situations have come to our ESL classes. Attendees say the difference between these classes and those offered by educational institutions is the feeling of community, the creation of a place to belong. The social hours of ESL classes are a safe place to practice a language, but also a place to feel at home. One of the unique things about our ESL Ministry is providing childcare so mothers or fathers who care for the family can concentrate on improving their language skills. Although the teachers are volunteers, materials, childcare, utilities for the FLC, and refreshments for the social hours all cost money. Contributions at the altar rail offering during the month of August go to support this quiet but powerful ministry. Read More .
SERMONS ONLINE
Missed Last Week's Sermon?
Sunday, July 29
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: John 21:1-19
Sermon: "Peter"
PRAYER CONCERNS
Within our Congregation
Health: Francis Allen; Judy Breckbill; Randolph Bias; Gerry Carroll; Sarah Crane; Gary Diehl; Merianne Gaston; Marijo Hartman; Ken and Susan Hensley; Brenda Hostler; Gene and Charlotte Lyerly; Alice Parrish; Andrea Peck; Joanne Sanders; Pearl Spears; Mary Gordon Spence; Bruce Venno; and Tom Watkins.
Congratulations: to Carol Walker on the birth of her great grandson, James Winston Brown.
Condolences: to Clayton Kelly on the death of his father, Carl Kelly.
Beyond our Congregation
Robbie Ausley’s sister-in-law, Sue Holt; Laurie Barr’s son-in-law, Ray Morgan; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Craig Blome’s and Tamara Golden’s parents, Paul and Carol Golden; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Shirley Derryberry’s sister, Marcia Ohlhausen; Bennett and Meisa Ezekiel’s friend, Dev Reddy; Alan Franklin’s friend, Michael Denoskey; Nancy Gillett’s mother, Joyce Lester, and brother, Ted Lester; Cindy Gunderson’s neighbor, Barbara White; Laura Jackson’s brother, Brady Jackson; Gene and Charlotte Lyerly’s friend, Charlie Foley; Julie Nelson’s neighbors, Leslie and Scot; Reverend Sheldon Johnson; Judy Kostura’s friends, Dan and Donna Perkins; Mark Morris’ and Kathy Tullos’ neighbor, Warren Pettinos; Connie Payne’s brother, John; Michael Render’s friend, David Paul; Justin and Erin Scarth’s friends, Chad Burnette and Lisa Whatley; Leslie Story’s father, Neel Richardson; Randy Teich’s sister-in-law, Pam Teich; Sydney Townsend; Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young; and travel mercies for Dr. Karen Smith on mission trip to El Salvador.
Church Life enables members to connect, view giving history, schedule giving, and access the church calendar. Available in mobile app with same login. Read More .
Contact Us
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684 
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