THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, December 6
2nd Sunday of Advent
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8
Sermon: “I Believe in Peace”

Advent Worship Series
The history of humanity is fraught with pain, accompanied by fear, oppression, and violence. This is the world into which Jesus was born, and into which Jesus promises to come again and redeem. Through hope, peace, joy, and love, we find strength to believe once again that God’s promise holds, even in the darkest of times.

Sunday Worship
Our video worship service is at 11:00 a.m. accessible through our Zoom worship time, YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Zoom link is in the Sunday morning email.

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 (next meeting 12/06). 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.

Sprouts
1st and 3rd Sundays, 10:15 a.m.
Our Children's Ministry hosts bi-monthly parent and infant/toddler (0-2 years) meetings with baby-friendly curriculum led by nursery staff and teachers, including everyone's favorite, Ms. Pam. Zoom link is in the Sunday morning email.
Advent Study: Incarnation
Sundays, December 6, 13, and 20
10:00 a.m., Zoom Online
This Advent, join Dr. Brad King for a three-week discussion of what it means that Jesus Christ walked the earth with us. All are encouraged to read Adam Hamilton’s new book, Incarnation. Register Online.
Holy Communion
Sunday, December 6
Sign up to attend one of two brief Communion Services with our pastors in the FUMC parking lot. One car per registration is required and 22 slots per time slot.
Sunday, December 6, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 1:15 p.m.
Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, December 6
4:30-6:00 p.m., Zoom Online
This group meets on first Sundays to learn about systemic racism, white supremacy, and related topics through videos, podcasts, and short articles. Our December conversation will explore adultification bias. Register Online.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
Welcome New Members
Listed top to bottom, left to right.
  • Claudia Stephens
  • Amy Wheeler
  • The Edwards Family (Pictured—Becca, Ryan and Mary, not pictured—children Charles, Wesley, and James)
  • The Bohm Family (Pictured — Kelly Fegan-Bohm with child Dylan, not pictured, husband Mike Bohm and child Carter). 
Thank You!
Wow! Thank you to everyone who donated blankets, sleeping bags, and supplies for manna bags! Volunteers at our Advent Kickoff assembled 120 manna bags that include food items, masks, hand warmers, and a few toiletry items. These special manna bags will be part of a Christmas Eve gift bag along with a hat, gloves, socks, and a one-day bus pass. We have collected 246 blankets and 108 sleeping bags. We now have enough to hand out over the next few weeks and on Christmas Eve! These items will make a difference for so many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you for shining God’s love and light into the world!
Blood Donations
FUMC has a long history of making donations to our central Texas blood provider, We Are Blood. Covid-19 prevents us from hosting a drive this year so we invite the congregation along with friends to choose a location convenient for you and make an appointment to donate. The need for blood has remained constant during the pandemic while the procedure for donating has been heavily impacted. We Are Blood has implemented numerous policy changes to protect all donors. Read More.
Advent Prayer & Connection
Wednesdays through December 30
7:30-8:30 p.m.
A simple, low-key time to share a little light together during this holiday season. It’s a place to connect, check in, and pray for one another and our world. Join one of the Pastors any or each Wednesday in December. 
Meeting ID: 953 2564 7802
Passcode: Advent
Christmas Eve
Parking Lot Decorations
Tuesday, December 22
5:30-9:00 p.m.
Bring a step ladder and join us in wrapping 10 Christmas trees surrounding our parking lot in white lights as we prepare for our Christmas Eve services.
Discussion: Love is the Way
Sunday, December 27
4:30-6:00 p.m., Zoom Online
This December, walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action. Zoom link provided with registration.
Candlelight Parking Lot Service
We hope to hold a special outdoor, Covid-safe Christmas Eve candlelight worship experience. Stay tuned for details coming soon!

Family Service Online
4:00 p.m., on YouTube and Facebook
Join us live or whenever is convenient for your family, for an engaging time of carol singing and a unique re-telling of the Christmas Story. We will have special appearances from some of our own families and will end with the children’s choir leading us in Silent Night. This service will be pre-recorded and will be available at 4:00 p.m. on YouTube and our private FUMC Family Facebook group.

Candlelight Worship Online
8:00 p.m. on YouTube and Zoom Worship
We’ll celebrate the birth of our savior in a special video worship service. All are invited to light candles during this virtual worship experience. A Zoom event is available for those who wish to be in community on this holy night. The service will air live on YouTube and Facebook page.
Manna Bags Needed
We are collecting assembled manna bags for our hungry neighbors experiencing homelessness to be distributed by the Homeless Outreach Street Team and the Downtown Austin Community Court. Manna Bag items can 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." Email Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org to coordinate drop-off. 
2021 Pledge Commitment
First Church thanks you for your commitment to live generous lives. Your pledges and contributions are a critical part of how we make a difference in our church, our community, and our world in 2021.
DECEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS
Christmas Offering - Huston-Tillotson University
Each Christmas, we remember that Christ’s coming is an act of self-giving by God—God has given, and continues to give, God’s very self for our sake. Drawing on our core value of Bridge-building, and with hopes of extending our commitment to racial justice, we are exploring possibilities for long-term partnership with Huston-Tillotson University in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University (HT) has Methodist roots and continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church, as well as the United Church of Christ. A Historically Black University, HT has stood in East Austin since 1878, with a mission to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. Our mission with this year’s Christmas Offering is to form the bridge for as many HT students as possible to continue their education during the pandemic. We aim to make up for tuition they have been unable to pay this fall—often due to pandemic loss of income or inability to continue working—in order to allow and encourage them to register for spring classes. Our gifts today open the doors for future steps that allow these students to flourish. It could literally change their lives. You may give online or mail a check to the church marked “Christmas Offering.”
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within our Congregation
Robbie Ausley, Sandy Bowles, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett, Brenda Tharp, Tom Ward, and Dan Wood.

Beyond our Congregation
Meridith Albright’s brother-in-law, Doug Fogle; Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Melissa Biegert’s father, Travis Langley; Bob Block’s friend, Tim Sullivan; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Teresa Edwards' mother, Fern Edwards; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Melanie and Andy Greene’s friend, Gwen Throckmorton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Kaitlyn Krejci’s parents and brother, John, Julie, and Eli Krejci; Charlyn Loera’s family and friends living in El Paso; Kisa Polk’s friend, Carole; Annemarie Potts’ brother, Aaron Potts; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and uncle, George Frear; 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