Sunday, December 22
4th Sunday of Advent
Preacher: Rev. John Wright
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon: “What Can’t Wait This Advent? The Courage to Love”
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Holiday-Wear Sunday
Sunday, December 22
Let’s spread the Christmas spirit. All are invited to wear fun and crazy holiday clothes with festive fabrics to church on the Sunday before Christmas.
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Wait! That's Not the Christmas Story
Sunday, December 22, 10:00 a.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Join Dr. Brad King for a deep dive into the Christmas story. While popular versions of this story are, in Brad's words, "a mess of mixed up myths," he insists that a more accurate version of the story is just as beautiful and relevant to Christian life.
Register Here
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At a Glance
Click on the links below to learn more.
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Youth News
Service Spotlight
Children's News
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Click
here
to view the full FUMC calendar.
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Blue Christmas Service
Thursday, December 19, 7:00 p.m.
EDU Murchison Chapel
Many might feel out of step with the excitement of Christmas. Some have lost loved ones or face the “happy” holidays feeling blue with grief. Senior Pastor Taylor Fuerst leads this service on the longest night to acknowledge our grief and longing for hope.
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Feed My People Christmas Eve Breakfast
Tuesday, December 24
6:30 a.m., FLC Great Hall
Breakfast will be held from 6:30-8:30 a.m. Our guests enjoy coffee and Christmas music beginning at 6:30 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:00 a.m. Volunteers are also needed to prepare food and decorate on Monday, December 23. Volunteer spaces fill fast.
Sign Up Now
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Christmas Eve Noon Service
12:00 p.m., Murchison Chapel
This traditional service features carols, Scripture reading, and Holy Communion and is ideal for those who wish to celebrate early and for those whose plans make it impossible to participate in our later services.
Christmas Eve Family Service
4:00 p.m.*, Sanctuary
Experience the traditions of Christmas carols, the Nativity story, Holy Communion, and a candlelit "Silent Night" in this 45-minute worship service especially designed for families with young children.
Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion
6:00*, 8:00* & 11:00 p.m., Sanctuary
These traditional services feature carols, Scripture, Holy Communion, and candle lighting to celebrate Christ’s birth.
*Childcare is provided during the 4:00 p.m. Family Service and 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Services.
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Carols and Jammies
Sunday, December 29
With the season of Christmas in full swing, it's time to celebrate! Both worship services will be chock-full of Christmas Carols, and children (and children-at-heart) are invited to wear their pajamas to church.
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Service Project Sunday
Sunday, December 29, 10:00 a.m.
SAN Wesley Hall
Let’s end the year caring for our neighbors! Gather for conversation and projects that will make a difference in the world. Children, youth, and adult Sunday School classes are invited.
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Audio/Visual Volunteers
Our AV Team needs two volunteers at the media center in the balcony each week: one to run worship slides and one to adjust audio. Commitment is one Sunday a month. Contact Dave Ballbach at
[email protected]
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Ushers Needed
Want to be an Usher or Greeter and provide a warm welcome each Sunday? Commitment is one Sunday a month at either the 9:00 or 11:00 service from January-June, 2020. Contact Richard Bettis at
[email protected]
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Manna Bag Ministry
If you like the idea of helping our children and church members care for our neighbors, but do not see yourself as a teacher, we have a job for you! Twice a month we need adults to help set up and put away the materials for the assembly and selling of Manna Bags. This can be done before or after your preferred worship service and you would still be able to attend your Sunday School class. Manna Bag assembly days are on 2nd Sundays and Manna Bag sales days are on 3rd Sundays. Set-up shifts are 9:15-9:45 a.m. and clean-up shifts are 10:45-11:15 a.m. For more information, contact Lara Greene at
[email protected]
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End-of-Year Giving Reminder
Our church office will open 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on December 30 and 31, to accept year-end gifts. IRS regulations require contributions for 2019 be mailed and postmarked no later than December 31, 2019. Contributions received after January 1 will be considered 2020 gifts.
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Epiphany Party
Sunday, January 5, 10:00 a.m.
FLC Great Hall
Celebrate Christ’s light in the world. Families, children, and adults all are welcome! Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School class that day. Sign up to bring food items or bake Epiphany cupcakes.
Sign Up Here
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Financial Peace University
Information Session
Sunday, January 5, 12:15 p.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
Come learn about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, watch an introductory video, and pick up your materials for class beginning on Tuesday, January 14.
Register Here
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Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, January 5, 4:30-6:00 p.m. FLC Room 104
Join us as we work to be anti-racists, seeking to undo racism in ourselves and to recognize and understand our participation in systemic racism. This group meets on first Sundays to discuss and learn more about racial oppression, issues of whiteness and racism, and other topics. We will conclude listening to The New York Times podcast, “The 1619 Project.” No prep or prior listening required. Register at
fumcaustin.org/conversations
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Mercy & Justice Book Study:
Shameless
Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30-7:45 p.m., FLC 104
Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we read and discuss
Shameless
by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Raw and intimate, this book offers an overhaul of our harmful and antiquated ideas about sex, gender, and our bodies. Register at
fumcaustin.org/shameless
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The Most Important Things
Sundays, January 5-February 16
Your life is filled with messages—messages advertising a product or service you (supposedly) need, messages convincing you to vote for a politician, messages all demanding your attention. We believe that Church is the place where we are meant to talk about the most important things in the world. So, we are beginning 2020 with just that:
The Most Important Things
you need to hear from the Bible. These are the essentials; if you don't remember anything else all year, hold on to these messages as you enter what is sure to be a momentous year.
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Invitation to Genesis
Wednesdays, January 8-February 19
6:30-8:00 p.m., FLC, Room 103
Explore questions of creation in a 7-week study of Genesis with Amy Wink. This study is designed to help us understand the challenges we face in creating the world God imagines. Register at
fumcaustin.org/genesis
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Becoming a Better LGBTQ+ Ally
Saturday, January 11, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
SAN Wesley Hall
Ally training provides a framework of understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) persons and the challenges they face. Register at
fumcaustin.org/ally
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Baby Brunch
Sunday, January 12, 10:00-11:00 a.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Have a newborn or child under 18 months old? Our Children’s Ministry invites you to come enjoy this fun event filled with fellowship and food. We are excited to partner with you as you begin this incredible journey with your child. Please RSVP to
[email protected]
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Financial Peace University
Tuesdays, January 14-March 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
With Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, you CAN take control of your money. Freedom from debt is part of being free to follow Christ. Join Ellis and Lisa Pittman for this personal finance class with a faith perspective. Cost is $99 per family.
Register Here
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Disciple I Fast Track: New Testament
Wednesdays, January 15-April 1
6:30-8:00 p.m., FLC Room 104
This 12-week study, led by Dr. Brad King, is the New Testament portion of the class begun last fall. Spots are available. New participant cost is $15. Register at
fumcaustin.org/disciple
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Loving
Movie and Discussion
Sunday, January 19, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Our Mercy & Justice Team invites you to watch
Loving
, the story of a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle ending with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision. Register at
fumcaustin.org/movienight.
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MLK Day Community March
Monday, January 20, 9:00 a.m., MLK Statue, UT Campus
The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. Following a short program at the MLK Statue, we will march to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. We can arrange carpools. Contact Pastor Cathy Stone at
[email protected]
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Coffee with the Pastors
Sunday, January 26, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
SAN Parlor
Want to connect deeper in our FUMC community? Come visit with the pastors and lay leaders in this periodic series of coffee and conversation. New and long-time members are welcome. Register at
fumcaustin.org/coffee
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FEAST for Young Adults
Sunday, January 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m., FLC Garrison Chapel
FEAST is a monthly dinner gathering for young adults (roughly ages 20–45) to build community and dig into the more difficult side of faith together. Led by Dr. Brad King, FEAST is a modern take on the most ancient form of Christian communal worship: the love feast. In addition to delicious food, these meetings are focused on creating meaningful and personal interactions among individuals seeking more connection and engagement in a faith-interested atmosphere. Register at
fumcaustin.org/feast
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Pre-teen Human Sexuality Course
January 31-February 1, 2020
FLC Garrison Chapel
Wonderfully Made provides kids in 5th and 6th grades the opportunity to ask questions about growing up and get faith-based answers. You may invite friends. Register early-spaces are limited! Cost is $50.
Register Here
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First Steps
Sunday, February 2, 12:15 p.m. FLC Garrison Chapel
Are you interested in joining FUMC? Prior to joining, we ask all to come to this class to learn about United Methodist beliefs and the ministry of First Church, meet the pastors and other members, and ask questions. Signup at
fumcaustin.org/firststeps
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Mercy & Justice Book Study:
Strength to Love
Tuesdays, February 4-18, 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m., FLC Room 104
Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we read and discuss
Strength to Love
by Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr. In these short meditative and sermonic pieces, some of them composed in jails and all of them crafted during the tumultuous years of the Civil Rights struggle, Dr. King articulated and espoused in a deeply personal compelling way his commitment to justice and to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual conversion that makes his work as much a blueprint today for Christian discipleship as it was then. Register at
fumcaustin.org/bookstudy
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Not Safe for Church: Sexuality & the Bible
Sundays, February, 2-23, 12:15-1:45 p.m. SAN Wesley Hall
Join Dr. Brad King to learn how the Bible has been used to understand human sexuality and discuss the Bible’s teachings can integrate into our intimate lives. Register at
fumcaustin.org/sexuality
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Learning Your Number: Enneagram 101
Saturday, February 8, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
This one-day class introduces this ancient tool for understanding our individual differences and promoting compassion. Cost is $40. Register at
fumcaustin.org/enneagram
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December Mission Emphasis
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Christmas Offering - Family Life Center Kitchen
Each Christmas, we have an opportunity to provide transformation through our Christmas Offering, a gift to which we contribute, beyond our regular church giving. This year, the transformation we hope for is right at the corner of 13th and Lavaca Street: our Family Life Center Kitchen. The kitchen is a crucial part of our ministry and integral to the Feed My People Breakfast, our youth ministry dinners, First Steps, a variety of leadership meetings, and by other groups renting our facility. Several critical components of the kitchen are non-functioning or out of code. Working with architects and designers, we estimate the cost of renovation to be $315,000.
With that in mind, we set an ambitious goal to raise the first $100,000 for the kitchen through our Christmas Offering. We need these funds urgently to get work started on air conditioning repair and other immediate needs. So far, we have raised over $105,000! What incredible generosity!! Even though we have met our initial goal, we still need your help to meet the full need of $315,000 to make this new kitchen a reality. Please join the many who have donated to this effort of transformation this Christmas.
Give Now
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Prayer Concerns
Submit a prayer request
online
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Within our Congregation
Stephanie Benold, Sandy Bowles, Bill Derryberry, Kathy Morales, Mari Perez, Ken Santos, Sally Watkins, Dan Wood.
Those struggling with grief during this holiday season.
Condolences to Pam Steves on the death of her aunt, Carolyn Sherrod.
Congratulations to Ty Stepp and Allie Higgs, Chris and Jan Higgs, and Mary Higgs on the birth of son, grandson, and great-grandson, Wyatt Henry Stepp.
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; Debbie Block’s cousin-in-law, David Schieve; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Melba Cox’s daughter, Sandra Helton; Melanie Dow’s nephew, Jonas Ellwanger; Michelle Gallman’s cousin, Gary Coleman; Roxie Garza’s father; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Nancy Gillett’s mother, Joyce Lester; Victoria Grogan’s mother, Robbie Wheat; Sammy Huffaker’s friend, Sue Ann Boren; Patty and Mary Katherine Kane’s friends, John and Barb Andersen; Melanie Miller’s and Jen Stuart’s father, Doak Thomas; Connie Payne’s brother-in-law and sister, Gary and Nancy Tidwell; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton; Rider family’s friend and caregiver, Rosalie Broussard; Debbie Rippetoe’s cousin, Tucker Wheat; Barbara Ruth’s mother, Jewel Ruth; Jill Barker-Standish’s mother, Linda Standish; Alan Stephens’ brother, Millard Stephens; Danielle Thoma’s cousin, Brighton Mansour; Jason and Jennifer Veltri Curiel; Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
Condolences to Dick and Ann Young’s friend, Lisa Jackson, on the death of her sister, Sheri.
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Missed last week's sermon?
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Online Directory & Giving
Church Life
enables members to connect, view giving history, schedule giving, and access the church calendar.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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