THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, March 17
2nd Sunday in Lent
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Mark 11:15-19
Sermon: “Anger in the Temple”
Lenten Worship Series: The Final Week with Jesus
In this holy season of preparation leading up to Easter, we delve deep into the last moments leading up to Jesus' Crucifixion his entrance into Jerusalem, being anointed with oil, overturning the tables, sharing the last supper, and facing God in the garden of Gethsemane. Step by step, we will make our way through these moments with Jesus on his way to the cross and beyond, as we connect more deeply with the Lord of life this Easter.
Manna Bag Sale
Sunday, March 17, 9:30–11:00 a.m. Sidewalk
Our 4th and 5th graders show the love of Christ to those in need through the making and selling of Manna Bags. You can purchase a bag for $5, with proceeds going to purchase more supplies.
Assemble UMCOR Relief Kits
Sunday, March 17, 10:00 am, FLC Great Hall
Come help assemble UMCOR cleaning and hygiene kits. All Sunday School classes are invited to participate. There will be no regular Sunday School for children and youth.
Churchwide Lenten Study
Sundays, March 17-April 14, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
We continue 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.
  • Churchwide - SAN Wesley Hall, Facilitated by Revs. Karen Vannoy and John Flowers
  • Parents of Young Children - SAN Room 215
  • Young Adults - FLC Room 102  
Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) Third Sunday
Sunday, March 17, 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. SAN MLF Kitchen
MLF serves daily, but this day is for individuals and families who want to try face-to-face service working with experienced volunteers. Join the Make-Ready Team from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (preparing food and loading truck) and/or the Truck Team from 5:00-6:30 p.m. (delivering food around Austin).
NEWS AND EVENTS
General Conference Debriefing & FAQ Response
Pastor Michael Mumme responds with an FAQ to the questions you submitted following the General Conference Debrief on March 3. Read his FAQ responses to your questions and watch the video of the debrief at fumcaustin.org/generalconference2019 .
2019 CROP Hunger Walk: Making a World of Difference
By Howard Hartman
First Church members and friends offered generous support for the 2019 Austin CROP Hunger Walk at Camp Mabry on February 24. Our 41 walkers have raised $5,291 so far, with additional support expected. Gifts, marked “2019 CROP Walk”, can be left at the church office or in the offering plate. Citywide, 500 participants—walkers and volunteers—have topped $50,000 raised! A world of thanks to all for making a difference in the lives of hungry people in Austin and around the world.
Contemplative Worship Service
Sunday, March 24, 9:00-10:00 a.m., EDU Murchison Chapel
These services are offered to beginners and experienced practitioners of mindfulness meditation. The service typically lasts 30-to-40 minutes.
Mercy & Justice 5th Sunday Presentation - Maternal Healthcare
March 31, 10:00 a.m. 
EDU Murchison Chapel
All are encouraged to attend this presentation sponsored by our United Methodist Women to learn about and participate in advocating for better maternal care in Texas. We will hear from Kelene Blake-Fallon, who co-chairs the Community Engagement Team of the Black Mamas Community Collective (BMCC). Maternal health issues disproportionately affect women of color across the country. Notably, the pregnancy-related mortality rate for non-Hispanic black women in Texas was 2.3 times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white women in 2012 regardless of income, education, marital status, or other health factors. The BMCC works to improve post-partum outcomes and lower the mortality rate among Black mothers through sharing resources, advocacy, and awareness.
Cheers Ministry for Boomers
Sunday, March 31, 12:00 p.m.
EDU Room 108
Boomers are invited to join us for the first official event of the new Cheers Ministry a community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired, semi-retired, or thinking about setting a date to retire. Designed for our members and visitors who are of the Baby Boomer generation (you know who you are), this group is a way to build community, get to know others, and find ways to connect within our large church family. We will meet for lunch, conversation, and a service project to assemble UMCOR cleaning kits. Questions? Contact Dick Young at rtyoung@austin.rr.com or 512-789-8480.  Read More
Con Confianza Safety Training
Sunday, March 31,1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wesley Hall
The Rio Texas Conference requires all volunteers with youth, children, and vulnerable adults to be certified through a 3-step Safe Gatherings process. This certification is required to teach summer Sunday School, participate in youth retreats or mission trips, and lead Vacation Bible School, among other service opportunities. FUMC will host an online training session to complete step 3. We encourage participants to attend in person because there will be opportunities to discuss training topics pertinent to our church. However, if you are unable to attend in person, you can attend online. If you plan to attend in person, visit fumcaustin.org/conference-safety-training to register, NOT the Conference website. If you plan to take the course online from a different location, register online at riotexas.org/safetrainings for the March 31 online session. If this day/time doesn't work for you, select another time listed on the website to fulfill the requirement. Questions? Contact FUMC Safety Policy Administrator Emily Buchanan at emily@fumcaustin.org .
Rescheduled Training for Thursday Women's Ministry
Sunday, April 7, 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. All potential volunteers are encouraged to attend training on April 7 or May 5. Please keep this new ministry in your prayers as leaders plan and prepare. Lunch will be provided. Questions? Contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684 (ext. 215).
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. and 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
Join us on the West Capitol lawn for this fun community-wide event with face painting, games, and 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.
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
Habitat for Humanity Build
Saturday, March 16
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: March 16, 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 terri.sohn@gmail.com .
Egg Festival Preparation
Sundays-April 7
The Easter Bunny needs help. We are accepting donations to ensure there are plenty of treats for the children at our Easter Egg Festival on April 20. Donations of candy and egg-sized plastic toys or stickers are most helpful. Recommended candy choices are individually wrapped Lifesavers, small Nerds boxes, Starbursts, and small wrapped bubble gum. All candy should be nut free and fit inside an egg. Place donations in the bunny barrels found near the entrances of the children’s Sunday School wing and the Sanctuary. To help stuff eggs, contact Dustin Goss at dustingoss@yahoo.com . To volunteer the day of, go to fumcaustin.org/eggfestivalprep.
Youth Service Day
Monday, March 18
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
FUMC Austin Youth are invited to help paint a mural at Montopolis Friendship Community Center, 403 Vargas Road, just east of Allison Elementary School. Montopolis Friendship Community Center is a non-profit corporation formed as a United Methodist Women’s response to help meet some of the needs in the Montopolis community of Austin, Texas. Lunch is provided. Register at fumcaustin.org/youthserviceday .
Morning of Service at Marbridge
Thursday, March 21, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
2310 Bliss Spillar Road
Come make a difference as we interact with residents through games, crafts, and other activities planned by the Marbridge staff. This event is family friendly for all ages. Children under the age of 10 years should be accompanied by an adult. Marbridge is a non-profit residential community that offers transitional and lifetime care to adults with a wide range of cognitive abilities and provides them opportunities to learn, experience, and achieve a whole new life. Space is limited, so please register online at fumcaustin.org/marbridge .
CALENDAR
Saturday, March 16

Sunday, March 17
Chapel Worship Service
Children's Choir Not Meeting
Engage Not Meeting

Monday, March 18

Thursday, March 21

Sunday, March 24
Engage Not Meeting

Tuesday, March 26

Saturday, March 30
ASP Construction Workshop

Sunday, March 31
Mercy & Justice Fifth Sunday - United Methodist Women
Cheers Ministry Event
Safe Gatherings Con Confianza Training
Sunday, April 7
Women's Program Training Session

Friday, April 12

Saturday, April 13

Sunday, April 14
Palm Sunday Worship Services
Chapel Worship Service

April 15-21

Thursday, April 18

Friday, April 19

Saturday, April 20

Sunday, April 21
MARCH MISSION EMPHASIS
Click here to watch video.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
When we want to buy fair-trade products. When farmers need help with appropriate agricultural technology. When a natural disaster strikes somewhere around the globe. When a community needs clean water and effective sanitation. When these and many other disasters occur, UMCOR is there because our contributions support the life-saving work in sustainable development, global health, relief supplies, and disaster response. Your gifts, marked “UMCOR,” may be left at the communion rail or placed in the offering plate today or any Sunday in March. You may also send them to or bring them by the church office.  Read More .
SERMONS ONLINE
Missed last week's sermon?
Sunday, March 10
1st Sunday in Lent
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon: "Entrance"
Other ways to listen? Subscribe to our iTunes podcast or YouTube channel.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Within our Congregation
Health
Grady Basler; Sandy Bowles; Gussie Fallon; Katie Kaighin; and Kathy Morales.

Congratulations
To Judy Lancaster who turned 100 on March 6. To Ken and Marlene Santos on the birth of their granddaughter, Autum Kay Rick.

Condolences
Craig Blome on the death of his grandmother, Dorothy Carter, and to the family and friends of Rush Evans, Jr., on his death.

Other
Lucio Gonzales and Puerto Rico. 
Beyond our Congregation
Moses Ayiku’s family; Grady Basler’s and Terry Cornwell’s friend, Debbie Rogers; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Melissa Biegert’s father, Travis Langley; Sandy Bowles’ daughter, Carla Bowles; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Molly Drazic’s cousin, Ken Butler; Cheryl Etie’s friend, David Siems; April Ferrino’s mother, Sara Ferrino, and mother-in-law, Gloria Hernandez; Ann Fields’ sister-in-law, Cindy Brown; Judy Funke’s parents, Bob and Josie Luckenbaugh; Bob Garrett’s father, Leo Garrett; Rita Garza’s mother-in-law, Mary Garza; Nancy Gillett’s brother, Ted Lester; Mack Hicks’ friends, Cliff, Hunter, and Beau; Larry Peters’ friend, Peter Balbour; Pat Rives’ friend, Susan Tyler; Donna Shands’ mother, Eva Reneau; Leslie Story’s father, Neel Richardson; Ann Venno’s cousin, Rosemary Todd; Zack Wheat’s uncle, Bruce Grubbs; 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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