THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, February 21
The First Sunday in Lent
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17
Sermon: "God Meets Us"
Again & Again A Lenten Refrain
As the days go by, again and again, we find ourselves suffering and broken. We doubt again, we lament again, we mess up again. Again and again, the story of Jesus on the cross repeatsevery time lives are taken unjustly, every time the powerful choose corruption and violence, every time individuals forget how to love. With exacerbation we exclaim, "Again?! How long, O God?" And yet, in the midst of the chaos of our lives, God offers a sacred refrain: "I choose you, I love you, I will lead you to repair." Again and again, God breaks the cycle and offers us a new way forward. This Lent, we spend 46 days in that refrain, back and forth with God: again we struggle, and again God meets us; again we suffer, and again God heals. Join us as we spend this season acknowledging our difficulties and receiving God’s promises along the way. Learn more at fumcaustin.org/lent.
Sunday Worship
Our video worship service is at 11:00 a.m., accessible through our Zoom worship time, FUMC Austin Mobile App, 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 is 2/21). 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
Sunday, February 21, 10:15 a.m.
Our Children's Ministry hosts bi-weekly parent and infant/toddler (0-2 years) meetings with baby-friendly curriculum led by nursery staff and teachers, including everyone's favorite, Ms. Pam. Check Sunday morning email for Zoom link.
First Sunday of Lent Holy Communion
Sunday, February 21, 12:30-1:00 p.m., Register Here.
Sunday, February 21, 1:15-1:45 p.m., Register Here.
As we enter the season of Lent, join us for Holy Communion this Sunday. Sign up to attend a brief Communion Service in the FUMC parking lot, where we have devised the safest possible way to share in this Sacrament together. One car per registration and 22 slots per time slot. Bread and juice will be individually bagged for each car and distributed when you arrive, and participants will be invited to park in every other spot, joining the service from your tailgate or camping chair behind your car.
Deep Dive Into Scripture
February 21, 1:00 p.m.
Join our monthly churchwide Bible study on Zoom with Dr. Brad King for a discussion of 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 Here.
Lent Kit Pickup
Sunday, February 21, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
This event has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. 
Join our drive-thru event in the church parking to pick up your Lent Kit containing ashes, Lenten practices to go deeper during Lent, butterfly prayers, and devotional cards. The devotional cards will include a daily theme word, Scripture, reflection, and prayer containing the same content as the Lent Daily Prayer & Reflection emails, but in a convenient card format. No registration is required to pick up a Lent Kit.
TOAST Check-In
Sunday, February 21, 5:00-6:30 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. Bring a friend. Reach out to Dr. Brad King to get added to the FEAST mailing list and get access to the Zoom login details at brad@fumcaustin.org.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
Cheers Zoom Social and Fellowship Hour
Thursday, February 18, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Cheers is a community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired, semi-retired, or thinking about setting a date to retire. In February, we will discuss our reading list and the books during the pandemic that were impactful and were a fun read. Register Online.
Lenten Small Groups
Register by February 18
This year, instead of focusing on an intellectual discussion of our faith through book study as in years past, we acknowledge the importance of people sharing their feelings and experiences related to life this last year and their relationships with God. Groups of 8-12 people will begin the week of February 21 and will convene once per week on Zoom for the 6 weeks of Lent, using a custom curriculum. Sunday School classes may choose to conduct small groups as well. Register online to be placed in a group. 
Daily Prayer & Reflection
Cultivate a frequent rhythm of prayer with our daily devotionals, from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Contemplate a focus word each day, trusting that it is exactly what you need for that moment. Then, read the short scripture, reflection prompts, and prayer provided. The devotionals are great for middle & high school youth and adults of all ages. They will be available in a printed card format for pickup on Sunday, February 21, or sign up here to receive them digitally by email. We invite you to share your reflections throughout Lent on our Facebook Group.
Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: Hands of the Potter
February 27, 1:30-3:00, Zoom
Join us for an engaging conversation with ceramics artist, Robin Gary, who teaches at Austin’s Dougherty Arts Center and Fireseed Clay Studios, on pottery as a spiritual practice. No experience necessary! Register Online.
Austin CROP Hunger Walk
March 7, Virtual Event
Join the First UMC of Austin CROP Hunger Walk Team! This year’s CROP Hunger Walk is virtual- raising funds and walking anywhere, anytime! The official Walk date is Sunday afternoon, March 7. You can watch the kickoff online, hear from the local hunger agencies to benefit and learn about projects where your funds will make a world of difference. Click here to register for the walk. Learn more about CROP Hunger Walk here. Join FUMC Austin Team here. More exciting information coming in the weeks ahead.
Moms Demand Action Advocacy Week
Monday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
This event has been rescheduled due to weather conditions. RSVP for Moms Demand Action Texas Advocacy Week to end gun violence! Our virtual rally kick-off and group photo is on Monday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. Wear your red Moms Demand Action shirt (or anything red)! Can't join the Rally? RSVP now to participate anytime Monday-Friday March 8-12 through our online platform, where even more content and activities will be happening all week long. Register at http://bit.ly/TXMomsAdvocacy2021.
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. 
FEBRUARY MISSION EMPHASIS
Feed My People Breakfast Ministry
FUMC hosts this program of the non-profit organization Foundation for the Homeless, Inc. (FFH) each Tuesday and Thursday, every week of the year. During a normal year, guests receive a hot breakfast, fellowship, toiletries, and showers. Covid-19 and our kitchen remodel have drastically modified this program although we have continued to serve our neighbors during what is a very difficult time for them. We will return to a hot meal as soon as the kitchen remodel is completed and look forward to a day in the not too distant future where we can again offer the services previously provided. In addition to hosting all the breakfasts, FUMC buys the food and drink for the breakfast on the fourth Tuesday of each month. You are invited to help by donating funds for its operation or by volunteering on fourth Tuesdays. Gifts can be made online or a check marked “Feed My People” may be mailed to the church during February.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Jane Bowen, Kathy Morales, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett, and Dan Wood.
 
Condolences to Amy Wheeler on the death of her grandfather, Warren Wheeler. 

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; Ann Field’s friends, Earline and Jerry Wood; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Lori Huang and her mother; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Donna Shands’ friend, Jim; Lee Sloan’s friends, Regina and Jerry Southard; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride; Shannon Sullivan’s parents, Max and Ruby Pope.
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