Taylor's Weekly Pastoral Letter
Holy Week will be different this year. While we grieve the loss of our usual traditions, we can embrace new ways of hearing and experiencing God’s story, and celebrate the Good News that is sure and steady, even in the midst of crisis. Read Pastor Taylor’s encouraging message about Holy Week, and take a look below at ways you can engage these holy days in new ways this year. Read this week's message
here
.
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Holy Week Guide Online
In our
Holy Week Guide online
, you will find daily prayers, Scripture readings, and activities to remember Jesus’ last Supper, His washing of disciple’s feet, His hanging on the cross, and our anticipation of new life at Easter through His Resurrection.
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Maundy Thursday Worship
Through this experiential podcast, we'll gather with Jesus and his friends in the Upper Room to celebrate the Holy Meal and experience the washing of feet. You can choose simply to listen, contemplate, and pray, or have a towel and basin of water nearby.
Podcast available on Thursday by noon.
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Good Friday Worship
Our Good Friday service goes virtual. Find a quiet space to experience the passion story with scripture, prayer, and passion hymns.
Podcast available on Friday by noon.
Family Good Friday Service
Families are invited to watch our Family Good Friday service. Through story and prayer, Lara Greene will lead us in a child-friendly way of exploring the most important story in our Christian faith. This brief service of approximately 20 minutes will help children and their grownups reflect on the mystery of Easter.
This Zoom recorded service will be available on our YouTube Channel on Friday by noon.
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Easter Sunday
Celebrate God's victory over the powers of sin, oppression, and death! Both podcast and live worship time will include additional elements like special music from our choral scholars and a time with young disciples to raise our spirits and celebrate our risen Lord.
Butterflies
Please plan to wave your homemade butterflies (as directed in your Holy Week Guide) during our closing hymn.
Podcast available on Sunday morning.
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Easter Sunday School for Children
Children can "attend" Sunday school on Easter by watching a recorded session led by Lara Greene, our Director of Children's Ministries and Roxie Garza, our Director of Children's Choir. We will sing, pray, and hear how "Good News Travels Fast!" The class will be available on the FUMC YouTube channel so you can watch at your convenience. Look for the link in your Sunday morning email. We will return to live Zoom classes on April 19.
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Interactive Time of Worship
Sunday, April 5, 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, Greeting time, Announcements, Scripture, and a Time for Prayer.
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Easter Egg Donations Found a Good Home
Thank you to everyone who donated Easter eggs, candy, toys, and time to prepare for the Easter Egg Festival this year. Although we were disappointed this event was cancelled, we were able to put the candy eggs to good use! Your egg donations went to marginalized children and families at Posada Esperanza, SAFE Alliance, Foster Village, Helping Hand Home, the Settlement Home for Children, and were given to our neighbors at this week's Feed My People breakfast. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve these families and appreciate your support in being able to make it happen. Happy Easter from the Children's Ministry!
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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
[email protected]
.
Read More
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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
[email protected]
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."
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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
.
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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
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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
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Book Study:
The Water Dancer
Tuesdays, April 14-28, 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m.
Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we read and discuss
The Water Dancer
by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This is the dramatic story of an atrocity inflicted on generations of women, men, and children—the violent and capricious separation of families—and the war they waged to simply make lives with the people they loved. Written by one of today’s most exciting thinkers and writers,
The Water Dancer
is a propulsive, transcendent work that restores the humanity of those from whom everything was stolen. Zoom link is provided after registration.
Register Here
.
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Unafraid
with Dr. Brad King
Mondays, April 20-June 1, 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. Beginning the Monday after Easter, 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
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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
[email protected]
.
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Prayer Requests
If you have a loved one to lift up, send us your prayer concerns and we will add that person(s) to our prayer list. Prayer requests can be submitted to our pastoral staff using our
online
form or emailed to
[email protected]
.
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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
[email protected]
.
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Zoom Video Conferencing
Zoom is our new video conferencing platform which allows for the ability to feature speakers or hosts, share a screen, show participants, chat, go into breakout rooms, and much more. Once you get the hang of Zoom, it is easy.
Review our
Zoom Tutorial
summarizing the process of downloading the Zoom app and basic meeting controls.
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Stay Connected
Church Life makes it easy to check in with our church family during this time. 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
.
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Prayer Concerns
Submit a prayer request
online
.
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Within our Congregation
Stephanie Benold; Sandy Bowles; Marcia Houston; Doise Miers; Mari Perez; Tom
Richardson; Debbie Rippetoe; and Dan Wood.
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, migrants
separated from their families, and those experiencing homelessnes.
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;
Teresa Edward's mother, Fern Edwards; 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; Merry Rightmmer's friend, Frank Nutt;
Donna Shands’ mother, Eva Reneau; Donna Shand’s friend, Brian Pollard; Alan
Stephens’ father-in-law, Robert McBride; 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.
Condolences to Robbie and Tom Ausley’s son-in-law, Casey Hodges, on the death of
his mother.
Condolences to Melissa Biegert’s aunt, Mary Ann Zachary, on the death of her
husband.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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