THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, April 14
Palm Sunday
The Final Week with Jesus Series
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Mark 14:32-52
Sermon: " Gethsemane"
Palm/Passion Services
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Wave palms as we celebrate the coming King, Jesus. Children are invited to gather in the Sanctuary foyer ten minutes prior to the procession of palms as the service begins.
Churchwide Lenten Study
Sunday, April 14, 10:00-10:45 a.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Join our churchwide study of Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week by author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine.
Training for Thursday Women's Ministry
Sunday, April 14, 12:15-2:00 p.m., FLC Great Hall
This May, we are launching a new ministry with women experiencing homelessness following the “Feed My People” Breakfast on Thursday mornings. Lunch will be provided.
Easter Eggs Needed
Last Sunday to bring Easter eggs or make a donation!
We still need more than 1,000 eggs for our Easter Egg Festival on April 20. Pre-stuffed eggs are also accepted. Please make sure candy is nut free. Place them in the bunny barrels in the children's wing and the Sanctuary foyer or donate online and put "Egg Festival Supplies" in the notes. You can send egg supplies directly to the church by purchasing from our Amazon wish list by April 14. Thanks for your help to make this community event successful.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Lenten Labyrinth Experience
April 15-21, Murchison Chapel
During Holy Week, a labyrinth, an ancient pattern for prayer, meditation, and contemplation, will be available in Murchison Chapel during church office hours, during the Egg Festival, and on Easter Sunday. FUMC welcomes all members and guests who are downtown during the week to take part in this Lenten practice.
Palm/Passion Sunday Worship
April 14, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary
We wave palms as the people welcome Jesus to the Holy City, and then we continue our journey with Him to the cross.

Maundy Thursday Worship
April 18, 12:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary
Gather with Jesus and his friends in the Upper Room to celebrate the Holy Meal and experience the washing of feet. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for the 7:30 p.m. evening service.

Good Friday Family Service
April 19, 10:30 a.m., Murchison Chapel
Experience the stories of Christ’s life through Easter with age-appropriate storytelling of passion week and walking the Labyrinth. Wear socks! Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided.

Good Friday Worship Service
April 19, 12:10 p.m., Sanctuary
We experience Christ’s crucifixion through reading scripture, prayer, and singing hymns.

April 19, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
We experience Christ’s crucifixion through Tenebrae, a service of darkness, with special music from the FUMC Choir.  Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for the 7:30 p.m. evening service.

Easter Egg Festival
April 20, 9:30-11:00 a.m., West Capitol Grounds
Your family and friends are invited to this fun community-wide event with an egg hunt/roll, face painting, games, and, of course, the Easter Bunny! Bring food donations for Caritas of Austin.

Easter Sunday Worship
April 21, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Celebrate God’s victory over the powers of sin, oppression, and death in two identical services with Communion and full choir. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Easter services.

Butterfly Release
April 21, 10:00 a.m., Capitol Lawn
Enjoy the beauty of resurrection and new life as we release butterflies on the Capitol lawn.
Help Us Make a Flowering Cross
Bring a flower on Easter Sunday!
Christ's resurrection brings new life to the whole world—it is the beginning of the restoration of all things! Help us create this beautiful symbol for all to see as they drive down Lavaca. Simply bring flowers—as many as you like!—to place on the cross, located outside, in front of the Sanctuary.
Staff Announcement
With the restructuring of our FUMC staff, the responsibilities of the Care Coordinator position are being redistributed to other staff members. SPRC is grateful for the service Libby Sykora has provided in this ministry role for the past six years, serving both the congregation and the community with integrity and dedication. 
ASP 40th Anniversary
Celebrate the ASP legacy at First Church!   For 40 years, we have been participating in the Appalachia Service Project, sending youth and adults to serve alongside families in the Appalachian Mountains to make their houses warmer, safer, and drier. We want your help to mark the occasion! On Sunday June 9, we've got big plans, so save the date, and help us out in three ways:

  1. Upload your favorite ASP photos to social media using the hashtag #FUMCASP40 or email them to [email protected] by June 1.
  2. Upload a short video (one minute or less) sharing what ASP means to you or recounting a memory using that same hashtag by June 1. 
  3. Wear your work clothes or ASP t-shirt to worship on June 9! ASP alums from across the years will share the impact these trips have had on them personally and on the life of this church. Afterward, we will celebrate with a luncheon for the whole congregation. 
Recognizing Graduating Seniors
Graduation is an exciting milestone—at any age! We want to recognize all graduating seniors—high school, college, or graduate school—in our FUMC Weekly on May 19. Please provide as soon as possible a picture of the graduate, name, school graduated from, degree(s) received, and future plans. Email information by May 12 to Devon Bailey at [email protected] .
FUMP Registration
First United Methodist Preschool is currently enrolling students (ages 2 months - 5 years) for the 2019 - 2020 School Year. The teachers and staff at FUMP strive to create an atmosphere in which each child can develop socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually. FUMP offers an educational experience through a flexible, well-planned program. The basis of the program is that play is learning! If you are interested in learning more or to inquire about openings, please contact our director, Sandy Pennington at [email protected] .
Contemplative Worship Service
Sunday, April 28, 9:00 a.m.
Murchison Chapel
Contemplative prayer can provide a welcome respite, a place to find the inner resources to actively serve a chaotic world from a place of strength and peace. This 30-to-40 minute service is offered to beginners and experienced practitioners of mindfulness meditation.
First Steps Class
Sunday, April 28, 12:15 p.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
Are you interested in joining FUMC? Prior to joining, we ask all to come to this class to learn about United Methodist beliefs and the ministry of FUMC, meet the pastors and other members, and ask questions. To sign up, fill out the Connections Card and place it in the offering plate, go online at fumcaustin.org/firststeps , or email Trevor Harper at [email protected] .
Pre-teen Retreat: Love in Action
Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.-
Saturday, May 11, 2:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: May 5
Calling all 4th, 5th, and 6th graders! It’s time for our annual retreat. Our Friday night sleepover at the church includes playing games, having dinner together, participating in small groups, and preparing to serve and love our neighbors on Saturday morning. Drop-off and Pick-up will be at the Family Life Center. Cost is $40. Register by May 5. If you have any questions, contact Lara Greene at [email protected] . Register at fumcaustin.org/loveinaction .
Cheers Ministry
Thursday, May 16
Save the date! The Cheers Ministry, a community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired, semi-retired, or thinking about setting a date to retire, is planning a field trip to Fredericksburg to visit the Nimitz museum. Details will be announced soon.
Vacation Bible School Registration
July 22-25 (4 Days: Monday-Thursday) 
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
For children 4 years-completed 5th grade.
VOYAGERS, come with us on a journey to Mars and Beyond this summer! The Starship Galaxion needs our help. It's going to be an out-of-this-world adventure as we explore where God's power can take us. Spots fill up quickly. Early bird pricing is $30 before June 1, then $40 until the registration cut-off on July 10. And plan to kick-off the fun at our Launch Party on Sunday, July 21 from noon-2:00 p.m. Register at fumcaustin.org/vbs .
Summer Sports Camp for Kids
Post-VBS Sports Camp
July 22-25, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
A multi-sport camp for ages 5-12 consisting of fun games like dodgeball, kickball, capture the flag, and other games revolving around classic sports like basketball, flag football, and soccer. The cost of the camp is $85 before June 1 and $95 after June 1. 

Rookies Camp
July 29-August 1, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
for ages 2.5-6 years, younger children will learn the basics of basketball, indoor soccer, and lots of other fun & goofy games. The cost is $75 before June 1 and $85 after June 1.

Register through Triumph Sports at TriumphSports.com/FUMCAustin .
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
Egg Festival Volunteers
Sign up today!
We still have many volunteer opportunities open for the Easter Egg Festival on Saturday, April 20. Sign up online for a shift (or more). From greeters to egg organizers, we have a job for you. To volunteer, go to fumcaustin.org/easter-egg-festival .
Butterfly Helpers
As we move toward Holy Week and Easter, we're looking for some helpers to assist with our beautiful butterfly display, beginning this Sunday. Times for gluing during the week are on the signup . These are times that someone on staff will be able to let you into the Library—you're not signing up for the entire time listed, just however long you can spend...even 30 minutes will get quite a few butterflies onto the fishing line! We also need a team of people to help us Friday night to install the butterflies after worship. Questions? Contact Emily Buchanan at [email protected] .  Sign Up Now .
Habitat for Humanity Build
Saturday, April 13
FUMC will join area Methodist churches for the 2019 Habitat Methodist Build at 7220 Boyle Drive (east Austin off Johnny Morris Road). Our commitment includes a fundraising goal of $7,500, along with providing 10 volunteers for the following Saturdays: April 13 and May 4. If you would like to put your faith into action, sign up at fumcaustin.org/habitat . Donations may be placed in the offering plate (marked "Habitat Build") or made online . For more information, contact Terri Purdy [email protected] .
CALENDAR
Friday, April 12

Saturday, April 13

Sunday, April 14
Palm Sunday Worship Services
Chapel Worship Service
Children's Choir Not Meeting
Women's Program Training Session

April 15-21

Thursday, April 18

Friday, April 19

Saturday, April 20
Sunday, April 21
No Children & Youth Sunday School
Children's Choir Not Meeting
Engage Not Meeting

Monday, April 22
Office Closed Easter Monday

Sunday, April 28
Manna Bag Sale
Confirmation Sunday

Saturday, May 4

Sunday, May 5
ASP Stock Sales Begin
Conversations on Racial Justice

Thursday, May 16
APRIL MISSION EMPHASIS
Easter Offering
At Easter, we celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of Christ. As a response to the new life we've been given, each year we dedicate a special Easter Offering to a ministry or facility need that increases our ability to serve others. This year's Easter offering will directly support ministry with our neighbors through the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) and new Thursday Morning Ministry with Women Experiencing Homelessness. Read More .
SERMONS ONLINE
Missed last week's sermon?
Sunday, April 7
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Luke 22:14-27
Sermon: “The Last Supper”
Other ways to listen? Subscribe to our iTunes podcast or YouTube channel.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Within our Congregation
Health
Sandy Bowles; Gussie Fallon; Ruth Howie; Kathy Morales; Chuck Watt; and Weldon Wink.

Congratulations
To Alex Baillargeon and Rachel Kostura Polk for their wedding on April 13.
Beyond our Congregation
Jan Ashmos’ mother; Sarah Austin’s grandmother, Betty Williams; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Sandy Bowles’ daughter, Carla Bowles; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Janet Camp’s sister, Nancy Willet; Jimmie Sue Francis’ friend, Diane Whitehead Fojtasek; Curtis Fuelberg’s friend, Randy Wilson; Bob Garrett’s father, Leo Garrett; Nancy Gillett’s brother, Ted Lester; Daviss King’s sister, Margaret Morse; Delia Peters’ cousin, Michelle Cano; Debbie Rippletoe’s friend, Melvin; Leslie Story’s father, Neel Richardson; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.  
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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