Sunday, December 23
Preacher: Rev. John McMullen
Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a
Sermon: "The Innkeeper"
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Advent Worship Series
Waiting in the Wings: The Supporting Cast of the Christmas Story
What about the lesser-known characters of the Christmas story? You know, the ones standing outside the stable—who are they, and how does their journey of waiting, struggling, and proclaiming speak to us?
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Contemplative Worship Service Fourth Sunday
9:00 a.m., EDU Murchison Chapel
This 30 to 40 minute service is offered to beginners and experienced practitioners of mindfulness meditation.
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Advent Sunday School Series: Home for Christmas
10:00 a.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Pastor Cathy Stone leads an Advent study of
Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope & Second Chances
which matches real life stories of struggle and triumph to the Advent themes of hope, love, joy, and peace.
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Cookie Collection
Sanctuary Foyer and Family Life Center
Place chocolate chip cookie donations (6 per bag) for our “Feed My People” Christmas Eve Breakfast in the collection bins.
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Isabelle Ann Polenz
Daughter of Jonathan and Alexa Polenz was baptized on Sunday, December 16.
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Blue Christmas Service
Thursday, December 20,
7:00 p.m. EDU Murchison Chapel
How come I don’t feel it? In the midst of the wonder and expectation of Advent, many of us might feel out of step with the joy and excitement of Christmas. Some of us have lost loved ones or face the “happy” holidays feeling blue with grief or depression. Senior Pastor Taylor Fuerst leads this special worship service on the longest night to acknowledge our grief and longing for hope.
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Children's Christmas Giving
The Children's Ministry Team invites children to bring a small to medium new or gently used stuffed animal to church to be given to the residents of The Villa at Marbridge. Donations can be placed at the Children's Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary Foyer from December 2 to January 6.
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FUM Preschool Recruiting New Families
FUMP is currently recruiting new families for the spring semester. We can use your help spreading the word. FUMP’s hours of operation are 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and they have placements for the following age groups: openings for the Two's (M-F, M-W-F, T-TH) and openings for the Three's-Fives (T-TH). For more information about current openings, refer families to
fumcaustin.org/preschool
or email
[email protected]
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“Feed My People” Christmas Eve Service
8:00 a.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
All are welcome to gather for an early morning Christmas Eve Service immediately following the Breakfast. This casual service is a great way to celebrate Christ’s birth through hymns, a short message with conversation, and Holy Communion.
Christmas Eve Noon Service
12:00 p.m., Murchison Chapel
This traditional service features carols, scripture reading, and Holy Communion and is ideal for those who do not want to drive at night and for those whose plans make it impossible to participate in our later services.
Christmas Eve Family Service
4:00 p.m.*, Sanctuary
Experience the traditions of Christmas carols, the Nativity story, Holy Communion, and a candle-lit
Silent Night
in this 45-minute worship service especially designed for families with young children.
Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion
6:00*, 8:00* & 11:00 p.m., Sanctuary
These traditional services feature carols, choral offerings, scripture, Holy Communion, and candle lighting to celebrate Christ’s birth.
*Childcare is provided during the 4:00 p.m. Family Service and 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Services.
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End-of-Year Giving Reminder
Our church office will be closed December 24-28, but we will be open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on December 31 to accept year-end gifts. Please note that IRS regulations require that contributions for 2018 must be mailed and postmarked no later than December 31, 2018. Contributions received after January 1 or in the mail and postmarked in 2019 will be considered 2019 gifts.
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Epiphany Party
Sunday, January 6, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
FLC Great Hall
Start the new year with joy by celebrating Christ's light in the world with your church family-all ages and stages! Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School classes that day, so bring the whole family to the party. Want to get involved? Bring some breakfast food items to share or bake special Epiphany muffins. Sign up at
fumcaustin.org/epiphany
.
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January Worship Series
January 13-February 3
J.R.R. Tolkien taught us that “courage is found in unlikely places.” In the coming new year, with a legislative session looming at the State Capitol, a watershed General Conference on the docket for the United Methodist Church, and countless other moments of high stakes and crucial decisions before each of us, how do we find courage? Is it within us? Join us for worship in January as we reflect on stories of courageous people in both the Bible and modern history, drawing from their faithful example to find our way through challenging times.
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Volunteers Needed for Epiphany Sunday Cleanup
Ever wonder about the nooks and crannies of the FUMC building? Your chance to experience them firsthand comes on Epiphany Sunday, January 6, when, following the 11:00 a.m. service, we return our beautiful Christmas decorations to their resting places until Advent of 2019. To help us make the task efficient, you can register at
fumcaustin.org/epiphanycleanup
to be assigned to a team or just show up and you will be welcomed. All ages welcome. Many hands make light work.
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Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, January 6, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
Join us as we work together on racial justice, seeking to undo racism in ourselves and recognize systemic racism, while working for and supporting work being done to end racial oppression. This group meets on first Sundays to discuss racial oppression, issues of whiteness and racism, and other topics through videos, podcasts and short articles. Register online at
fumcaustin.org/conversations
.
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Baby Steps
Sunday, January 13-February 3
10:00 a.m., SAN Room 215
A Parenting class led by Lara Greene, Director of Children’s Ministries. Baby Steps is a four-week series of discussion-based classes designed to equip parents/guardians with practical tools to help them engage spiritually with their child in their first five years of life. Register at
fumcaustin.org/babysteps
.
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The Heart of Christianity
Tuesdays, January 15- February 26 6:30-8:00 p.m., FLC Room 103
Join Curt Ashmos in a discussion-based study of
Heart of Christianity
by Marcus Borg. Borg offers a practical guide to thinking about God, Jesus, the Bible, faith, and Christian practice. He shows how faith in God and Jesus has never really been about believing certain propositions but rather about a dynamic relationship. He shows that being “born again” is at the center of Christian life and that the “kingdom of God” is a matter of transforming society into real world values of justice and love, and that the Christian life is essentially about opening one’s heart—to God and to others.
Register Now
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Hidden Figures
Movie Night
Sunday, January 20, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Our Mercy & Justice Team and youth invite you to watch
Hidden Figures
about some lesser known heroes of the Civil Rights Era. In support of the upcoming MLK March the following day, we will collect canned goods and/or non-perishable food items to be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. Childcare is available by emailing
[email protected]
.
Register Now
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MLK Day Community March
Monday, January 21, 9:00 a.m.
MLK Statue, UT Campus
The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. Following a short program at the MLK Statue, we will march to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. We can arrange carpools. Contact Terri Purdy at
[email protected]
or Devon Bailey at
[email protected]
.
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Financial Peace University
Tuesdays, January 22-March 19
6:30-8:00 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
What if you had an emergency fund, were debt-free, investing, and making wise spending decisions for your family’s future? With Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, you CAN take control of your money. Freedom from debt is part of being free to follow Christ. Join Pastor Michael Mumme for this personal finance class with a faith perspective. Register at
fumcaustin.org/university
.
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Financial Peace University Information Session
Sunday, January 20, 12:15 p.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
Come learn about Dave Ramsey’s
Financial Peace University
, watch an introductory video, and pick up your materials for class beginning on Tuesday, January 22.
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Pre-Teen Sexuality Workshop
Friday and Saturday, February 1-2
FLC Great Hall
The pre-teen years are tough. Changes are happening to bodies, minds, and emotions which make it hard to know exactly what is going on. And what hard topics to try and discuss with Mom and Dad.
Wonderfully Made
provides kids ages 10–12 the opportunity to ask questions about growing up and get faith-based answers. The curriculum covers physical development and spiritual connection while helping preteens establish a foundation for their life in Christ. Register online at
fumcaustin.org/preteenworkshop
.
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Ushers Needed
Want to be an Usher or Greeter? You can be part of a team that continues to make FUMC one of the most welcoming congregations in Austin. Serving as an usher or greeter is an excellent opportunity to meet other members, make new friends, and welcome visitors to FUMC Austin. Your commitment would only be one Sunday a month at either the 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. service from January-June 2019. If you are interested and want to learn more, contact Richard Bettis,
[email protected]
or (512) 343-2361.
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"Feed My People" Christmas Eve Breakfast
Monday, December 24
6:30 a.m., FLC Great Hall
Breakfast will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Our guests enjoy coffee and Christmas music beginning at 6:30 a.m., breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. Many in the congregation have made this volunteer opportunity a significant part of their Christmas.
Sign up here
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Service Project Sunday
Sunday, December 30
10:00 a.m., Wesley Hall
Let us end the year caring for our neighbors! All ages and stages are invited to gather for conversation and projects about welcoming others. All Sunday School classes are invited to participate. There will be no regular Sunday School for Youth and Children. Good Neighbor Settlement House in Brownsville is welcoming refugees released from detention centers overnight before they continue on their journey. We will collect shoestrings and belts of all sizes to replace those taken when detained, a small token of welcome to our migrant neighbors.
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Thursday, December 20
Blue Christmas Service
Sunday, December 23
Cookie Collection for Breakfast
Monday, December 24
December 24-28
Church Office Closed
Sunday, December 30
Service Project Sunday
Tuesday, January 1
Church Office Closed
Sunday, January 6
Epiphany Sunday Cleanup
Friday, January 11
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Sunday, January 13
Tuesday, January 15
Saturday, January 19
FreeStore 3rd Saturday
Sunday, January 20
Chapel Service
Monday, January 21
Tuesday, January 22
Sunday, January 27
Friday-Saturday, February 1-2
Friday-Saturday, February 8
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DECEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS
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Austin Justice for Our Neighbors
We get to join God in changing lives each year through our Christmas Offering, a gift to which we contribute beyond our regular giving for the year. This year, our offering will go toward two efforts—one local, and the other global. First, we will contribute locally toward the work of Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors (ARJFON), a hospitality ministry of the United Methodist Church that welcomes immigrants by providing free or low-cost, expert immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Second, we will devote a portion of our Christmas offering to support our apportionments, the gift we make to support the wider ministry of the United Methodist Church.
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Missed Last Week's Sermon?
Sunday, December 16
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon: “The Angels"
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Within our Congregation
Health
Melissa Biegert; Debbie Block; Jeanne Craig; Hadley Fuerst; Charlotte Lyerly; Melanie Miller; Bruce Venno; and Dan Wood.
Condolences
To Brad Buchanan on the loss of his step grandmother, Betsy Warren; to the family and friends of Nancy Lewis on her death; to Merry Rightmer on the death of her father, David Rozendal; and to Peggy Davis on the death of her aunt, Mary Lou Ellison.
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Beyond our Congregation
Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Laurie Barr’s friend, Tisha Darey; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Janet Camp’s sister, Nancy Willet; Shirley Derryberry’s sister, Marcia Ohlhausen; April Ferrino’s mother, Sara Ferrino, and friend, Gloria Hernandez; Nancy Gillett’s mother, Joyce, and brother, Ted; Doise Miers’ father, Jack Chew; Connie Payne’s brother, John Bellinghausen; Pat Rives’ friend, Susan Tyler; Barbara Ruth’s mother, Jewel Ruth; Justin and Erin Scarth’s friends, Chad Burnette and Lisa Whatley; Leslie Story’s father, Neel Richardson; Dale Van Horne; Amy Wink’s father, Weldon Wink; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
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Church Life enables members to connect, view giving history, schedule giving, and access the church calendar. Available in mobile app with same login.
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Contact Us
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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