THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, November 18
Preacher: Rev. Cathy Stone
Scripture: Mark 12:28-34
Sermon: "It's Good to be Seen"
Food Drive for Caritas of Austin
Bring canned goods this Sunday!
The Caritas Pantry provides groceries to families transitioning out of homelessness. Collections bins are in the foyers of the Sanctuary and FLC. View Donation List .
Manna Bag Sale
9:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Sidewalk
Our 4th and 5th grade children show the love of Christ to those in need through the making and selling of Manna Bags for $5 each.
"A Way Forward" Briefing
10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Pastor Michael will give a status update on "A Way Forward," the process our denomination is considering at the February 2019 Called General Conference. The briefing will include factual updates about the process as well as efforts to organize in support of the One Church Plan and ongoing developments.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes 3rd Sunday
4:00 and 5:00 p.m., SAN 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 .
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
4:00-6:30 p.m., San Jose Catholic Church, 2435 Oak Crest Ave.
For the past 33 years, iACT has had the great joy and privilege of bringing this service to the Austin Community. Come hear prayers and practices from all of Austin’s faith communities and share in a reception after the service.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome new members! Please take a moment to introduce yourself and share with them how FUMC Austin has enriched your life.
Chris & Veronica Hornsby
Michael Moore
Tyler Morgan and Cooper Robinson
BAPTISM
Arjun Srinivasan 
NEWS AND EVENTS
UMC Statement on Migrant Caravan
The United Methodist Council of Bishops joined with Methodist bishops in Mexico and El Salvador in responding to the caravans of people traveling from Honduras to seek asylum in Mexico or the United States.

“These migrant sisters and brothers have been villainized,” the bishops’ statement said. “Yet as we have sought to minister to them along their perilous journey, what we have seen on the whole is human beings of great courage and deep faith who have placed their lives in God’s hands.”
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 10-18, is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless. During the month of November, FUMC is working to raise awareness about the pressing problem of hunger and homelessness with educational and service opportunities. Learn how you can get involved. Read More .
Contemplative Worship Service
Sunday, November 25, 9:00 a.m., EDU 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.
Intergenerational Advent Party
Sunday, November 25
10:00 a.m., FLC Great Hall
Deepen your experience of Advent and enjoy a fun morning with your church family. Bring any family staying at your house, too! We will have food (of course!) and games and activities designed to prepare our hearts for the holy season of Advent. This is a great opportunity to bridge generational lines and connect with people of all ages in new and fun ways. Pick up some special spiritual practice aids and service opportunities you can do at home! Breakfast foods are needed for this event. To register or to volunteer to bring breakfast items, visit fumcaustin.org/adventparty .
Christmas Choir Opportunity
Practices begin November 28
7:00-8:30 p.m., FUMC Choir Room
Colorado 3 Street Entrance
Have you thought about singing with our FUMC Choir but were not sure how to get started? Have we got a deal for you! Join us for our Christmas music season! Come to three rehearsals on Wednesdays, November 28 and December 5 and 12, and then be part of the Christmas music program at both services on Sunday, December 16. To participate in this music program, you must attend all three of the rehearsals. Come join the fun and make a joyful noise with us!
Decorating and Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 1
4:00-9:00 p.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Kick off your holiday by decorating spaces around the church and then offering hospitality to Austinites of all ages heading to and coming from the Holiday Stroll. We begin with decorating the Sanctuary, Murchison Chapel, Family Life Center, and outdoor spaces. Afterward, volunteers share a meal and then welcome event attendees with music on the front steps, hot chocolate and cookies, and a welcome family-friendly pit stop. Sign up for our decorating team and/or hospitality team at fumcaustin.org/stroll .
Advent Sunday School Series: Home for Christmas
Sundays, December 2- 23
10:00 a.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Pastor Cathy Stone will lead a four-week Advent study of Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope & Second Chances which brings inspiring stories of hope and second chances into the Advent season. Author and pastor Justin Coleman matches real life stories of struggle and triumph to the Advent themes of hope, love, joy, and peace to show how the light of Christmas shines brightly even in hard times. Throughout the study, Coleman captures the stories of formerly incarcerated men and women as they find work and opportunity through Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, California. You’re invited, but not required, to read along and can purchase this book through Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com. Register Now . 
Advent Worship Series
Sundays, December 2-30
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 as we, too, await the birth of hope in a dark time? Join us in worship this Advent as we sidle up with the supporting cast and watch what God is about to do. View worship schedule details .
Christmas Caroling with Children's Choir
Sunday, December 2, 12:45 p.m.
Brookdale Senior Living
4401 Spicewood Springs Rd
All voices—young and old—are invited to help spread Christmas cheer through song! Join the children's choir in singing Christmas songs and visiting with residents at Brookdale Senior Living facility. We will practice together at Brookdale right before we go in to visit with residents—song sheets provided. Dress holiday festive! For more information, contact Roxie Garza at [email protected] .
Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, December 2, 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. For December 2, we are listening to two episodes from Scene on Radio Podcast’s "Seeing White Series" on our own and then we will discuss together. Listen to and come prepared to discuss Episodes 33 and 34 (Part 3 and 4 www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white ). Please contact Pastor Cathy Stone at [email protected] for additional information. Reserve childcare with [email protected] by the Thursday, November 29. Register online at fumcaustin.org/conversations .
Kids' Day Out
Saturday, December 8
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
While parents enjoy a morning out, children play, eat pizza, make holiday crafts, decorate gingerbread houses, and watch a movie with our trained childcare staff. We accept infants through 4th graders on a first-come basis. The cost is $25 for the first child and $8 for siblings. Register online by Wednesday, December 5 at fumcaustin.org/kids-day-out .
Blood Drive
Sunday, December 9, 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 an appointment online at fumcaustin.org/blood-drive .
Social Media 101
Sunday, December 9, 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. 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.
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 or who is now in God's hands. Cost is $11 per plant. Plants are florist quality and great for replanting. Plants can be picked up after worship on Christmas Eve. Order Now .
VBS 2019 Save the Date
Vacation Bible School is July 22-26, 2019! We will go to Mars and Beyond this year. Adult and youth volunteers, mark your calendars so you can join us for the ride. Registration will open in December.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Community First! Village
Saturday, November 17
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
9301 Hog Eye Road
Community First! Village provides affordable, sustainable housing, and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas. A typical service day could entail harvesting the gardens, laying pathways, tending the chicken coop or goats, dry landscaping yards for micro-homes, beautifying the property, etc. Sign up at fumcaustin.org/serviceday .
Cookie and Sock Donations
Sock Collection - Dec. 2, 9, & 16 
Cookie Bakers - Dec. 16 & 23
We are collecting chocolate chip cookies (6 per bag, no nuts) and adult white tube socks to provide guests at the Christmas Eve Breakfast. Place donations in the collection bins in the Sanctuary and FLC 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 will be 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 .
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, a time for us to reflect on what we are thankful for, a perfect time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and to work toward a world where no one has to experience hunger or homelessness. The Mobile Loaves & Fishes' (MLF) downtown Austin truck, based at FUMC, goes out nearly every day of the year to provide meals, clothing, and hygiene products to the homeless and working poor in our community. Last year, our Downtown truck provided over 26,000 hearty meals with the help of more than 350 dedicated volunteers. Read More .
SERMONS ONLINE
Missed Last Week's Sermon?
Sunday, November 11
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10
Sermon: “And yet, God…”
PRAYER CONCERNS
Within our Congregation
Health: Kim Battle; Marilyn Bettis; Gussie Fallon; Hadley Fuerst; Susan Hensley; Nancy Lewis; Gene and  Charlotte Lyerly; Andrea Peck; Bruce Venno; and Dan Wood.
Condolences: To Tina Hester on the death of her father, David Hester.
Travel Mercies: For all who are traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Beyond our Congregation
Vicki Baldwin’s daughter, Cari Baldwin Kapellusch; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren; Craig Blome’s and Tamra Golden’s grandmother, Dorothy Carter; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Janet Camp’s sister, Nancy Willet; Shirley Derryberry’s sister, Marcia Ohlhausen; George Gaston’s friend, Ginny White; Cindy Gunderson’s friend, Mike Tyson; Mack Hicks’ and Julie Nelson’s brother-in-law, Ellis Burkardt; Mary Higgs’ friend, Lillian Coil; Doise Miers’ father, Jack Chew; Sue Norris’ aunt, Charlotte Wilson; Connie Payne’s brother, John Bellinghausen; Delia Peters’ brother, Robert Ybarra; Justin and Erin Scarth’s friends, Chad Burnette and Lisa Whatley; Tabatha Stephens’ daughter, Shiloh; Leslie Story’s father,  Neel Richardson; Ann Thurman’s granddaughter, Angela; 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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