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Sunday, February 7
5th Sunday after Epiphany
Preacher: Rev. Cathy Stone
Series: How to Recognize God
Scripture: Mark 1:29-39
How to Recognize God Worship Series
What does God do? How does God work? Is it when I get the favorable parking space (which, of course, is not the closest, but the most shaded)? Is it when I ace the test or get the promotion? Or is it something more, something better? We look to the Gospels for clues about where we can find God’s movement in our lives and the world.
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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 2/07). 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.
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Sprouts
1st and 3rd Sundays, 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 your Sunday morning email for Zoom link.
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First Steps
Sunday, February 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Are you interested in joining FUMC? Prior to joining the church, we ask all to participate in a First Steps class to learn about Methodist beliefs and the ministry of FUMC, meet the pastors and other members, and ask questions. Register Here.
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The Color of Compromise
Sundays, February 7–February 28 4:30-6:00 p.m., Zoom Online
The Color of Compromise Video Study reveals the chilling connection between the church and racism throughout American history. Author Jemar Tisby takes us back to the root of this injustice in the American church, highlighting the cultural and institutional tables we have to flip in order to bring about progress between black and white people. Register Online.
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Deep Dive into the
Gospel of Mark
Wednesday, February 10
5:30-6:45 p.m., Zoom Online
Deep Dive is a new program in which Dr. Brad King leads us through some of the deeper academic and faith questions posed by our Scriptures. Our first series will be a three-week study of the Gospel of Mark, which is both our earliest and most enigmatic gospel. Each week, we will also read and discuss one article (in addition to the Biblical text) that offers a new way to think about scripture.
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Lenten Worship Series: Again & Again A Lenten Refrain
As the days go by, again and again, suffering and brokenness find us. We doubt again, we lament again, we mess up again. Again and again, the story of Jesus on the cross repeats—every 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.
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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 14, or sign up here to receive them digitally by email. We invite you to share your reflections throughout Lent on our Facebook Group.
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Lent Kit Pickup
February 14, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
FUMC Parking Lot
Join our driveby event in the church parking to pick up your Lent Kit containing ashes, a worship service guide for Ash Wednesday, Lenten practices to go deeper during Lent, 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.
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Ash Wednesday
February 17, Video Worship
On Ash Wednesday, we begin Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays). The beginning of Lent brings a new invitation—an invitation into a deeper life of faith, an invitation to renewed spirituality, and an invitation into deeper awareness of God and self. It is a time to give up things as well as take on new life-giving practices, helping us rid ourselves of distractions and desires that pull us away from God. This year’s Ash Wednesday service is formulated for at-home participation at a time that works best for you. Pick up a Lent Kit on February 14th, including ashes and an at-home worship guide. You can use the liturgy on your own or be guided by our video, featuring pastors and leaders in their own homes. Worship guide will also be available online for those who don't pick up a kit.
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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.
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LENT INFOGRAPHIC
Go deeper during Lent.
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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.
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Deep Dive Into Scripture
February 21, 1:00 p.m., Zoom
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.
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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: Hands of the Potter
February 27, 1:30-3:00, Zoom
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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.
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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 [email protected] to coordinate drop-off.
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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.
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FEBRUARY MISSION EMPHASIS |
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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.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Jane Bowen, Kathy Morales, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett, Olivia Weldon, and Dan Wood.
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; Judy Funke’s sister-in-law, Carol Storm; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Mary Heckmann’s sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Rob MacFarland; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Judy Kostura’s family member, John Art; Charlyn Loera’s friend, Sabrina Martinez; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Dianne and Michael Render’s daughter, Shellye Arnold; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride.
Condolences to Julie Nelson’s friend, Len Le, on the death of her son, Phuong Le.
Condolences to Brad Buchanan on the death of his stepfather, Steve Warren.
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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
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