Sunday, April 18
3nd Sunday of Easter
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Acts 3:12-21
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Sunday School
Children's Sunday School meets weekly on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. for Kindergarten-5th Grades. Youth Sunday School meets bi-weekly at 10:00 a.m. (next meeting is 4/25). Check the Sunday morning email for Zoom links. Adult Sunday School classes continue to meet weekly, all interested should reach out to class contacts for more information.
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Lunch & Learn: Props B and F
Sunday, April 18, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
University UMC is hosting a program led by Central Texas Interfaith on the City of Austin props B and F. Both of these propositions are on the upcoming ballot. Register here for this event and receive the zoom link.
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Deep Dive Into Scripture
Sunday, April 18, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Brad King for a discussion of one or more passages read in church this month. This is a time for you to bring questions about how, why, and to what extent scripture is meaningful for our lives today. Register Online.
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Sunday Night Youth Hang
Sunday, April 18, 4:30 p.m.
All Middle School Youth are invited to Whole Foods on Lamar for a socially distanced hangout. No agenda just fun, games and community! Bring a mask! We will meet on the rooftop at Whole Foods at 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
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TOAST Check-In
Sunday, April 18
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join us to check in, share, and connect on Zoom with Dr. Brad King and young adults ages 20-45! We’ll treat this time as a virtual happy hour. Bring a drink. Bring a story. Learn More.
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Dear Church,
We all know it has been a challenging year; each of us has experienced that differently. Recognizing that Pastors are experiencing burnout at even higher rates than usual, our Rio Texas Conference leaders have asked churches to enable and encourage pastors to meet their needs for rest and restoration in order to be prepared for the next stage of our journey together as the body of Christ. I am grateful for the gracious encouragement of FUMC leaders to take a few weeks of leave for the purpose of recharging my own batteries; I'll take a three-week break beginning Monday, April 19th. This time is not a full sabbatical, but rather a generous gift of spiritual, emotional, and physical refreshment in a tough season. I have cleared my schedule, and I won't be answering emails, text messages, or phone calls during this time. Pastors Cathy and Brad will be available to serve you and our wonderful staff will keep the church ship moving along smoothly. Additionally, we have a marvelous lineup of guest preachers for April 25, May 2, and May 9—you won't want to miss those Sundays in worship! I'll step back in on Monday, May 10th, ready to guide our church family in a new season of ministry. See you on the flip side!
With Tremendous Gratitude,
Pastor Taylor
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New Staff Member
We are pleased to announce a recent addition to our church staff, Kristen Thurman, who is our new Director of Finance. Kristen brings non-profit experience having worked in a financial capacity with the Texas Conference of Urban Counties. She and her husband, Trey, have a daughter, Gus (August) in our weekday FUM Preschool program. She can be reached at [email protected] or 512.478.5684, ext. 205. Welcome aboard, Kristen!
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Farewell and Godspeed
FUMC is beginning a new practice of blessing and sending for those who are moving away from Austin. If you are approaching a move, we would like to take a moment during a worship service to celebrate your time with us and send you with our best wishes and prayers for God to bless you in the next chapter of your life. Please reach out to arrange a date with Pastor Taylor at [email protected].
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Cheers Ministry:
Earth Day Walk in the Park
Thursday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Come celebrate Earth Day with a walk in the park and picnic. The Cheers Ministry is a community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired, semi-retired, or thinking about setting a date to retire. Cheers invites you to a Walk in the Park and Picnic at Zilker Park. Bring your walking shoes, cameras, picnic baskets, mask, and chairs for a few hours of enjoying our great historic park, food, and fellowship. Our meeting place in the park will be provided to those who register their attendance. Register Online.
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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: We Are Family
May 1, 2021, 1:30-3:00 p.m. New Date (Zoom)
Join us for a conversation with Steven Self, ACC faculty librarian and professor, on family history and genealogy as spiritual practice. How does learning about your family history and understanding your roots bring you closer to understanding the kindom of God? Steven will offer practical research tips as well as share engaging discoveries of his own family history. Register Online.
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Alternative Gifts for Mother's Day
Order Deadline: Monday, May 3
On Mother's Day, May 9, you are invited to honor your Mother—and other women who are important to you—by making an alternative gift that helps a mother and family in need. Get started now by selecting the gifts you wish to symbolically provide using our online form. Make your online payment from our website by donating towards the Mother’s Day Alternative Fund. Order Online.
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Rethinking Atonement
Sunday, May 9, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Many American Christians believe that Christ had to die a violent and humiliating death to save us from something worse, but in fact, this notion completely misunderstands both Scripture and tradition. On May 9th, join Dr. Brad King for a frank discussion of the problems with this model as well as several others with better historical and theological footing. Register Online.
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We Need Children's Books
Children’s Books Needed By May 21
Pickle Elementary has requested that we host another “Quarter Book Sale” before the end of the school year in mid-to-late May. Since we haven't had a sale in 16 months, and want to limit the “summer slide” after a challenged year of virtual learning, we’ve agreed to do it. But that means we need more children’s books ASAP. If you or your friends or family members can donate any new or gently used books — current titles please — appropriate for preschool through 5th grade (bonus points for Spanish titles), please contact Heather Schuelke at [email protected] to arrange pick up or drop them off at the Schuelkes’ house at 2702 Carlton Road, Austin, 78703. We also accept monetary donations to purchase new ones.
About Pickle Book Drive
For those new to the church, FUMC has partnered with Pickle Elementary in East Austin for several years. The core ministry is our book sale. Because the original principal wanted the students to feel ownership for the books, we “sell” all books for a quarter. Pre-pandemic, we would have these sales two times per year. Since we started in the Spring of 2007, we’ve distributed over 50,000 books to Pickle Elementary students. Please help us keep this important ministry continuing.
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COVID Vaccine Assistance
Need help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment? If you are an adult eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can complete this form to request assistance from church volunteers. No protected health information is required, and any information you provide (name, DOB, contact info) will not be shared except as needed to schedule an appointment. Questions? Contact Terri Purdy at [email protected].
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EASTER OFFERING
At Easter, we celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of Christ. As a response to the new life we’ve been given, we dedicate a special Easter Offering to a ministry or facility need that increases our ability to serve others. This year, our Easter Offering will be dedicated to the renovation of a restroom on the first floor of our Sanctuary building, located at the base of the main stairwell near Wesley Hall. What’s so missional about a restroom? As a church that seeks to welcome all people, we’ve spent years learning how to create a welcoming atmosphere for people of all gender identities, including those who identify as trans or non-binary. Our goal is to convert the restroom at the bottom of the stairs—currently a women’s restroom with two tiny stalls—into a single-stall unisex restroom to provide a centrally located restroom. The remodel will make the bathroom more comfortable, with ample room for a changing table and updated safety modifications for the entrance. Learn More.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Bill and Shirley Derryberry, Melissa and James Jackson Burns; Kathy Morales, Ruby Parker, Mari Perez, Andrew Pyle, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, and Dan Wood.
Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Bob Block’s friend, Tim Sullivan; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marijo Hartman’s brother, Buddy Rector; Anna Holland’s friend, Jessica Varnado; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Julie Nelson’s friend, Debbie Childers; Patty Calixto Kane’s sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Larry; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride; and the University Hills branch of Austin Public Library and its staff.
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FUMC Austin Mobile App
Our mobile app makes it easy to stay up-to-date on opportunities to grow in your faith and connect with others. Download in iTunes or Google Play stores. Learn More.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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