This Sunday
Sunday, February 9
5th Sunday after Epiphany Sunday
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon: "God Will Never Leave You"
The Most Important Things
We are covering 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.
Scripture Readers Practice
Sunday, February 9, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Are you looking for ways to participate in worship? We are in need of scripture readers and will provide training. Come practice reading from the pulpit and review responsibilities of serving as a reader. Register at fumcaustin.org/scripture .
Not Safe for Church: Sexuality & the Bible
Sundays through February 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 how the Bible’s teachings can integrate into our intimate lives. Don't forget to bring your lunch. This is a brown bag lecture series. Register at fumcaustin.org/sexuality .
Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, February 9, 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 monthly to discuss and explore more about racial oppression, issues of whiteness and racism, along with other related topics through videos, podcasts, or short articles. No prep or prior listening required.  Register Here .
FEAST: Happy Hour
Sunday, February 9, 5:00 p.m., Scholz Garten 1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Last year, we launched FEAST—a new program that brings young adults together to eat good food and talk about the difficult issues facing Christians in the modern world. In February, FEAST is expanding to include a monthly happy hour event. Join us at our first FEAST happy hour! Contact Brad King at brad@fumcaustin.org with any questions about this or other FEAST events. Register at fumcaustin.org/feast .
At a Glance
Click on the links below to learn more.
Youth News
High School Retreat , 2/14-2/16
No Engage , 2/16
Tacky Prom , 3/08

Service Spotlight
Cold Weather Shelter , As Needed

 Children's News
Baptism Class , 2/23
Click here to view the full FUMC calendar.
We're Hiring!
Looking for supplemental income? We are adding two part-time custodial positions to our staff. The first position is for 20 hours per week (mid-day, Sunday through Thursday). The second position is for 10 hours per week (mornings/flex, Friday and Saturday). If you or someone you know is interested, please visit fumcaustin.org/hiring or contact Dave Ballbach, Director of Operations at dave@fumcaustin.org .
General Conference Briefing
Sunday, February 23, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary Main Floor
Pastor Taylor will lead a briefing about the state of the United Methodist Church and the proposals likely to be voted on at Annual Conference in May.
Baptism Class
Sunday, February 23, 12:15 p.m. EDU Room 108
Are you ready to have your child Baptized? Pastor Taylor Fuerst and Lara Greene host this class to learn about our beliefs about Baptism, logistical information about scheduling and service preparation, and ways to help your child live the Baptized life. This class is required for those preparing for a child’s Baptism. To register, indicate your interest on the Connections Card during worship or online at fumcaustin.org/baptismclass .
One Human Race Workshop
 Saturday, February 22, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
FLC 100 - Garrison Chapel
This free one-day workshop provides a safe, open, and productive environment to learn and share about race. Snacks and lunch are provided. We’ll watch Race: The Power of an Illusion , examine concepts from Eric Law's The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb and Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility and share in small groups. The workshop is appropriate for people aged fourteen and older. Registration is required. Visit onehumanraceaustin.org to reserve your place. Contact Daviss King at daviss@fumcaustin.org or Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org with any questions. 
Sweetheart Dance
 Saturday, February 22, 6:00-9:00 p.m.,
FLC Great Hall
Celebrate the loving relationships in your life with a fun evening of dancing and fellowship. DJ, door prizes, selfie photo booth, snacks, and memory-making included. All are welcome—children, friends, spouses, parents/grandparents, and partners and partners-in-crime. Special prizes for most years together, best-dressed couple/group, and more. Cost is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family. Proceeds will benefit this year’s Austin CROP Hunger Walk. 
Cheers at Community First! Village
Wednesday, February 26, 10:30 a.m.
9301 Hog Eye Rd #950, Austin, TX 78724
Get an up-close, personal look into the life-giving development at Community First! Village in East Austin. We will see the amazing opportunities offered to the residents and explore volunteer opportunities. Please note the tour is an outdoor walking tour. We recommend that you come prepared for the weather that day and in comfortable walking shoes. In the event of light rain, the tour will still commence. This is a meet-up, drive-yourself event at Community First! Village. Register at fumcaustin.org/cheers .
Ash Wednesday
Ashes to Go
Wednesday, February 26, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Church Parking Lot
For those whose schedule prevents them from attending the Sanctuary services, and as a public witness to passers-by, pastors will be outside of the church marking people with ashes.

Worship Services
Wednesday, February 26, 7:00 a.m.,12:10 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
We begin our Lenten journey by confronting our own sin and mortality. Ashes marked as a cross remind us that we will die, and yet we will always belong to God.

Simple Soup Supper
Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 p.m., SAN Wesley Hall
Join us for a Simple Soup Supper prior to worship on Ash Wednesday. We will gather at 6:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall for dinner and fellowship. Register online if you plan to attend. If you are able to bring a crockpot full of soup, sign up here .
Worship Series: The Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism
Sundays, March 1-April 5
Lent is a time when we are called to tend to our spiritual lives more than any other season. We set aside worldly distractions and take on additional spiritual practices to discover what keeps us from experiencing the fullness of relationship with God and with others. For decades, the United Methodist Church has boldly declared that racism is a sin at both personal and institutional levels–a sin that “plagues and hinders our relationship with Christ.” This Lent, we are focusing on the Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism. Recognizing that we cannot be complacent with neutrality, we will engage in the steps it takes to actively work against racism in our lives and our world, moving in hope toward the Easter promise and the world that God intends. Take a courageous step in your faith and join us for this challenging series.
Daily Lenten Interruptions
Begins on February 26
Conversations about racism are difficult. Yet, we come together this season, willing to take steps toward resisting its hold on our systems and our lives because we know that God will lead the way. If you are ready to engage with us on a daily basis, interrupting your routine for just 5-10 minutes throughout Lent to consider what it means to resist racism, please subscribe below. Daily emails will be a mix of videos, articles, prayers, and personal reflections that will encourage you to consider how God is inviting you to respond to racism.
Churchwide Lenten Study
Resisting Racism Sunday School Class
Sundays, March 1–April 5, 10:00–10:45 a.m.
SAN Wesley Hall
All are welcome to join Pastor Cathy Stone and Director of Youth Ministries Devon Bailey for a series of classes covering themes from White Fragility with no reading or preparation required. Join us as, together, we engage in steps to actively work against racism in our lives and our world.

Small Groups
All are invited to join a Lenten small group for our churchwide study of Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism . DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively. Lenten study groups will meet for six weeks, on the same day of the week at the same time. Books will be available to purchase for $15 in the foyer on February 16 and 23 or in the church office.

South Austin
Wednesdays, March 4-April 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
La Madeleine, 5493 Brodie Lane
Co-Facilitated by Caroline Jones and Kathy Morales

North Austin
Thursdays, March 5-April 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Home of Daviss King, Co-Facilitated by Daviss King and Teresa Edwards

Central Austin
Tuesdays, March 3-31, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
FUMC Family Life Center, Room 104
Facilitated by Pastor Cathy Stone

Thursdays, March 5-April 2, 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
FUMC SAN Library
Facilitated by Pastor Cathy Stone

Register for classes at fumcaustin.org/lent .
Austin CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, March 1
2:00 p.m. Registration, 2:30 p.m. Step-off
Camp Mabry, 2200 West 35th Street
This family-friendly interfaith community event raises funds for hungry people around the world and here in Austin. This year’s walk is focusing on providing animals for people in the Dominican Republic. Austin CROP Hunger Walk is featuring a petting zoo for all ages to enjoy. Be a partner in this fun event by joining our First Church Walk Team. Sign up at fumcaustin.org/crop .
Feed My People Breakfast Experience 2020
Saturday, March 28, 8:00-10:00 a.m., FLC Great Hall
Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) is pleased to host a Feed My People (FMP) Breakfast Fundraiser for the benefit of First United Methodist Church of Austin and its kitchen remodeling project. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, FMP serves breakfast to over 300 of our homeless neighbors, the primary users of the kitchen. Feed My People, a Foundation for the Homeless volunteer-run program, has fed Austin’s homeless in FUMC’s Family Life Center since May 2000—that’s 20 years of kitchen use! Come experience our FMP breakfast and learn about the impact of this ministry in our community. Enjoy a typical FMP breakfast including scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage patties, gravy, coffee, milk, and orange juice. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for coffee and fellowship. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. followed by a program of speakers including State Representative Gina Hinojosa. Register at foundationhomeless.org/fmp .
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. Guests receive a hot breakfast, fellowship, toiletries, and showers. As you can imagine, a lot of plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, cleaning supplies, electricity, and water are used. 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. Donations may be left at the altar rail or sent to or brought by the church office. Give Here .
Prayer Concerns
Submit a prayer request online .
Within our Congregation
Stephanie Benold; Sandy Bowles; Doug Hagemeier; Marcia Houston; Nancy Littlejohn; Marla Loucks; Mari Perez; Debbie Rippetoe; and Dan Wood.

Condolences to the family and friends of former FUM Preschool Director, Nancy Oliphant, on her death.

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; Bob Garrett’s nephew, Michael  Garrett; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Gina Harper’s nephew, Bradley Bozic; Howard Hartman’s step-niece, Janie Georges; Mary Heckmann’s sister-in-law, Susi Tyler; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Sammy Huffaker’s friends, the Grahame Jones family; Charlyn Loera’s and Jazmin Kent-Loera’s friend, Wilma; Charlyn Loera’s and Jazmin Kent-Loera’s sister, Joulin; Melanie Miller’s and Jen Stuart’s father, Doak Thomas; Andrew Pyle’s aunt, Mary; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton; Shirley Sanders’ mentees, Moseis Cortez, Daniel Vargas, and Luis Vargas; Mimi Raper’s friend, Judy Jackson; Glen and Sandy Wilkerson’s friend, Carol Hall; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
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First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684