Taylor's Weekly Pastoral Letter
What are the practices that keep us strong during the challenging seasons of life, like the season we are in right now? For thousands of years, Christians have practiced Spiritual Disciplines as the foundation of their faith, and those disciplines have helped faithful people endure the worst of times. For the next six weeks, our worship series, A Strong Spirit in Troubled Times: The Practices that Sustain Us, centers around six Spiritual Disciplines that can help us stay grounded in every season of life. Join us, and find the practice that will connect you with the God who sustains us all. Read this week's message here .
THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, April 19
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
A Strong Spirit in Troubled Times: The Practices that Sustain Us
Scripture: Deuteronomy 14:22-27
Sermon: "Celebration"
Children's Sunday School Live on Zoom
Sunday, April 19, 9:00 a.m.
Join Lara Greene, Director of Children's Ministries, for a live 20-minute Sunday School time of song, prayer, and fellowship. 
Zoom Login: https://fumcaustin.zoom.us/j/402211293  Meeting ID: 402 211 293 

Interactive Time of Worship
Sunday, April 19, 11:00 a.m. (Opens at 10:45 a.m.)
Join 15 minutes early to chat with our church family.
Plan to join your church family on Sunday for music, a greeting time, announcements, Scripture, and a time for prayer.
Zoom Login: https://fumcaustin.zoom.us/j/496666774  Meeting ID: 496 666 774 

Expanded Virtual Worship Podcast
After you join us for the live portion of worship, we invite you to continue by listening to an audio worship podcast. Grab a candle, light it, then open your Bible. This week includes a greeting and opening prayer, Scripture reading, sermon, and music from our choral scholars. The sermon link will be emailed Sunday morning and posted on our website , iTunes podcast , and YouTube Channel .

FEAST/TOAST for Young Adults
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us weekly to check in, share, and connect on Zoom! We'll treat this time as a virtual happy hour. Bring a drink. Bring a story. Bring a friend. Let's do our best to stay connected while we have to stay apart.
Zoom Login: https://fumcaustin.zoom.us/j/516485253 Meeting ID: 516 485 253
NEWS & EVENTS
Having Trouble Connecting?
Are you struggling to connect with worship and classes due to technical difficulties? Can we help you? Please email Mary Heckmann at mary@fumcaustin.org so we can help you stay connected to ministry opportunities and your church family! Can you help connect others? Help others stay connected during these isolating times. Please notify us to join the team of people who can call those who are struggling to use new technology.
Unafraid with Dr. Brad King
Mondays, April 20-May 18, 6:00-7:15 p.m.
As if we didn't have enough to deal with in an election year, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic has many of us facing increasing levels of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Whether you're craving fellowship or coping strategies or both, this is the book study for you. Join Dr. Brad King for a five-week study and discussion (via Zoom) of Adam Hamilton's Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times . In Unafraid , Hamilton examines the ways that fear, anxiety, and worry punctuate almost every aspect of American life. Along with practical advice for dealing with the fears and stress that mark every aspect of modern life, this book provides a refreshing look at the ways that faith and scripture continue to lift up those who need hope in uncertain times. Zoom link is provided after registration. Register Here .
Weekday Mornings for Families
Weekdays at 10:30 a.m.
During the week, Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. on our Preschool Facebook site, we are offering a time for families to come together for story time, singing, and fellowship. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, preschool teachers lead a circle time for children. On Wednesdays, Lara Greene, Director of Children's Ministries, leads a chapel time of story, song, and prayer. Tune in at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays at facebook.com/FUMPATX .
Weekly Prayer & Connection
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:00 p.m.
A simple, low-key time to gather with FUMC family to check in and pray for one another and our world. No frills, no program, just people and the Holy Spirit! We'll gather each Wednesday night. Zoom Login: https://fumcaustin.zoom.us/j/805144062
Meeting ID: 805 144 062
Pastor's Bible Study
Thursdays through April 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Join Pastor Taylor for an informal study of the Book of Philippians on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. We'll work our way through the book one chapter at a time, considering the context in which it was first read and the context in which we read it today. Together, we'll listen for God's word in the midst of unusual circumstances. No advance reading is required and anyone can join at anytime.
Meeting ID: 725 456 234
Manna Bags Needed
We are seeking assembled Manna Bags to hand out to our hungry neighbors on the street. Officer Shelly, our officer from the Feed My People Breakfast, is helping distribute the Manna Bags where they are needed the most. Completed manna bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Please email Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org with any questions about items to include and for her phone number to coordinate drop-off. She will unlock the FLC front door remotely. Manna Bag items could include: tuna or chicken lunch kit, peanut butter or cheese cracker sandwiches, Nutri Grain fruit bar, raisins, juice box, socks, and an encouraging message such as "God loves you."
Conference Safety Training
Stuck at home and looking for a way to be in ministry? How about starting (or finishing!) the training to work with our children, youth, and vulnerable adults once we resume our full schedule of programs? This training is required for all staff and volunteers who want to lead Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, mission trips, homebound ministries, and many of our service opportunities. We also recommend all parents become certified so they can help fill in for our regular volunteers as needed. Many of you who were in the first round to be trained are now receiving emails to begin your recertification. Please go ahead and recertify now. There are downloadable PDFs on our website that explain the steps for both the certification and recertification processes. We appreciate your dedication to our many ministries with vulnerable populations. Please email questions to Safety Policy Administrator Emily Buchanan at emily@fumcaustin.org . Read More .
Story Submissions
As we wait to gather again for worship, we can still come together as a church. Be part of the Bolder Than The State of Texas StoryCorps Project! Download the StoryCorps app and record your stories of living faith and your life with FUMC-Austin. You can tell a 5 minute story or a 45 minute story! Upload your stories to our StoryCorps community archive page so we can listen. To learn more about StoryCorps FUMC visit our StoryCorps resource guide .

Spring 2020 Issue
Help us build the next issue of Bolder than the State of Texas ! We are particularly seeking stories about Change and Resurrection for the Spring 2020 issue. We are open to poetry, essays, photography, or art! Be part of the story this church is telling the world. Submissions accepted continually, with a deadline of May 1 for the Spring 2020, Issue 2. Submit your stories online at fumcaustin.org/bolderthantexas . For more information, contact Amy Wink and Caroline Jones at bolderthantexas@gmail.com .
Prayer Requests
If you have a loved one to lift up, send us your prayer concerns and we will add that person to our prayer list. Prayer requests can be submitted to our pastoral staff using our online form or emailed to prayer@fumcaustin.org .
Online Giving
Your ongoing gifts are a blessing to the ministry of FUMC Austin. You can make a one-time gift on our giving page or log onto Church Life to schedule a recurring gift. To give to our operating budget, select "Ministry Plan” fund. For more information, see Steps for Online Giving . If you have questions, email Deanna Fairchild, Director of Finance, at deanna@fumcaustin.org .
Stay Connected
Church Life allows members to review their contact information, access a church directory, schedule onetime or recurring giving, and access the church calendar. The browser version of Church Life can be accessed at fumcaustin.org/churchlife . If you haven't done so already, download the Church Life mobile app that provides similar access to church information using your same Church Life login. You can easily search for people in the directory and save to your contacts. Learn More .
Catch Up on Sermons

An archive of sermons is available on our website , our iTunes Podcast or YouTube Channel.
Prayer Concerns
Submit a prayer request online .
Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles; Marcia Houston; Mari Perez; Debbie Rippetoe; and Dan Wood.
 
Condolences to the friends and family of Stephanie Benold.
 
Condolences to Deanna Fairchild on the death of her mother-in-law, Rose Cherry.
 
Condolences to Dianne Render on the death of her brother, Michael Burns.
 
Condolences to Karen Smith on the death of her brother, Jeff VanMatre.
 
Encouragement for all educators, students and parents moving to distance learning.
 
Prayers of gratitude for medical care providers, first responders, essential service workers, and our pets.
 
Prayers of concern for the elderly, small business owners, those out of work, those living alone, migrants separated from their families, and those experiencing homelessness.
 
Prayers of comfort for those who have lost a loved one and are unable to gather to grieve.

Beyond our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Teresa Baker’s cousins, Jackie and Nate Barnes; 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; Michael Edge; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Howard Hartman’s brother, Worth Hartman; Marijo Hartman’s friend, Cecilia Collins; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Frances Lopez’s daughters, Mel and Nikki; Melanie Miller’s and Jen Stuart’s father, Doak Thomas; Sue Norris’ friend, LuAnn; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Donna Shands’ mother, Eva Reneau; Donna Shand’s friend, Brian Pollard; David Strong’s aunt, Myrle Raley; Danielle Thoma’s aunt, Lannie Foster; Cindy Wallingford’s brother-in-law, Daniel Peterson; Sally Watkins’ friend, Rev. Manuel Sardinas and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young. 
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684