THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, December 9
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Luke 1:57-80
Sermon: "Zechariah"
Advent Worship Series
Waiting in the Wings: The Supporting Cast of the Christmas Story
We all know the main characters—Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a donkey—but 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?
Blood Drive
9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
FUMC is pleased to host a blood drive for We Are Blood. There is always a need for blood donations and it would be great to get a big response from our church family. Schedule at fumcaustin.org/blood-drive .
Sock Drive for Christmas Eve Breakfast
Place sock donations for our Christmas Eve Breakfast in the collection bins of the Sanctuary and FLC Foyers starting this Sunday through December 16.
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. Register Now
Christmas Poinsettia Sale
Order by Sunday, December 9
Beautiful poinsettias on the communion rails, around the trees, in the foyers...a great way to celebrate someone you love. Cost is $11 per plant. Plants can be picked up after worship on Christmas Eve. Order Now .
Social Media 101
12:30-2:00 p.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter...these social media tools kids use as second nature but, for many of us, social media can be intimidating. Just in time to post holiday photos, learn how to use Facebook and Instagram with hands-on help. Bring a brown bag and a smartphone. Presented by Trevor Harper and Bergan Casey.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Bells Ring in the Community
The FUMC Sanctuary Bells performed Christmas carols at the Dell Children's Blood and Cancer Center Christmas party on Sunday, December 3. According to Shirley Derryberry, "There was a little elf distraction. The Grinch was warded off by Ann Teich. One of the sweetest moments in rehearsal and at the party was the bells ringing the accompaniment to "Silent Night" while singing the melody. At the center, you could see others in the audience joining in. What a joyous day."
Children's Christmas Giving
In the spirit of 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. A date to deliver the stuffed animals and enjoy fellowship with the residents of The Villa at Marbridge will be scheduled in the new year. For more information, contact Erin Scarth at erin.scarth@gmail.com
Children's Choir Presentation: Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 16, 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary
Come hear the children’s choir for their Lessons and Carols performance during the Sunday School hour. Through dramatic role playing and traditional Christmas carols, we will celebrate the birth of our Savior. 
FUMC Choir Presentation: "Within Our Hearts Be Born"
Sunday, December 16
9:00 and 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Christmas is coming and music is in the air! Come sing praise to God and celebrate through the gifts of others through a special musical offering by our FUMC choir during worship. You'll be blessed!
Youth Engage Christmas Party
Sunday, December 16
4:30-7:00 p.m., FLC Great Hall
All youth are invited to come celebrate together for our last Engage of the year. There will be food, games and music, and a white elephant exchange, so bring a gift that costs $10 or less.
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.
“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 will 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.
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. 
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
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, richard.betti44@gmail.com or (512) 343-2361.
Books for Pickle Elementary
Our next Book Sale is Friday, December 14, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Clean off your shelves in time for Christmas and donate your gently used or new books to FUMC’s 25-cent sale. Kids love dinosaurs, animals and insects, monsters, fairytale, adventure, mystery, sports, and exploration books. Only current titles or popular classics please. Spanish language books especially appreciated. Donations of books can be left in SAN Room 217 behind the Library, or in bins off the Sanctuary Foyer. Consider donating gift cards from Savers. To sort or sell for an hour or two contact bergan.casey@gmail.com .
Cookie Collection
December 16 and 23
We are collecting chocolate chip cookies (6 per bag, no nuts) to provide guests at the Christmas Eve Breakfast. Place in collection bins in the Sanctuary and Family Life Center Foyers through December 23.
"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 season. Spaces fill fast, so sign up now .
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 that will make a difference in the world.
CALENDAR
Saturday, December 8

Sunday, December 9
Sock Collection for Breakfast

Saturday, December 15

Sunday, December 16
Cookie Collection for Breakfast
Sock Collection for Breakfast
FUMC Choir Presentation

Thursday, December 20
Blue Christmas Service
Sunday, December 23
Cookie Collection for Breakfast

Monday, December 24

December 24-27
Church Office Closed

Sunday, December 30
Service Project Sunday

Tuesday, January 1
Church Office Closed

Sunday, January 6
DECEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS
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. Read More .
SERMONS ONLINE
Missed Last Week's Sermon?
Sunday, December 2
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Luke 2:1-5
Sermon: “Caesar Augustus”
Other ways to listen? Subscribe to our iTunes podcast or YouTube channel.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Within our Congregation
Health: Madison Austin; Melissa Biegert; Debbie Block; Jeanne Craig; Gussie Fallon; Hadley Fuerst; Nancy Lewis; Elizabeth Lerner; Charlotte Lyerly; Melanie Miller; Alleen Muenzler; Andrea Peck; Bruce Venno; and Dan Wood.
Congratulations to Jerry and Merry Rightmer’s son, Justin Rightmer, on his marriage to Catlie Downs.
Beyond our Congregation
Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Shirley Derryberry’s sister, Marcia Ohlhausen; Judy Funke’s friend, Diane Hambrook; Nancy Gillett’s mother, Joyce, and brother, Ted; Melanie Greene’s friends, the Stephens family; Sydney Head’s cousin, Jennifer Merrill; Gilbert Hernandez’ aunts, Irma and Rosie; Sammy Huffaker’s friend, Bill Shults; Charlyn Loera’s sister-in-law, Jovlin Serna, and brother-in-law, Sam Serna; Doise Miers’ father, Jack Chew; Julie Nelson’s sister-in-law, Barbara Burcharct; Alice Parrish’s son, Max, and friend, Serena Wink; Connie Payne’s brother, John Bellinghausen; Merry Rightmer’s father, David Rozendal; Pat Rives’ friend, Susan Tyler; Barbara Ruth’s mother, Jewel Ruth; Justin and Erin Scarth’s friends, Chad Burnette and Lisa Whatley; Amy Wink’s father, Weldon Wink; Tabatha Stephens’s friends, the Ocana family; 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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