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Sunday, January 17
Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Series: How to Recognize God
Scripture: Mark 1:4-11
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.
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 is 1/24). 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, January 17, 10:15 a.m.
FUMC's Children's Ministry hosts bi-monthly parent and infant/toddler (0-2) 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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Deep Dive Into Scripture
Sunday, January 17, 1:00 p.m.
Join our first 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 Online.
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Movie Night & Discussion
Sunday, January 17, 4:30-7:15 p.m.
Join us this MLK Day Weekend as we watch the movie Harriet together, followed by a short discussion. Harriet is the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Register Online.
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TOAST Check-In
Sunday, January 17, 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom
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 [email protected].
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Magi-cal Mystery Tour
Saturday, January 16, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Join us in a photo Scavenger Hunt around downtown Austin. We’ll have riddles to solve and find our Magi in different locations. We’ll grab clues in the church parking lot between 4:30-5:00 p.m. and then see how many riddles and locations you can find in an hour! Register Online.
We are monitoring the situation at the Capitol and downtown area closely. We will make a determination by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday if we feel it's not safe to continue with our scavenger hunt. If you'd like to come and want direct notification of any change of plans, please register online. We will also post any changes on Facebook.
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New Year, New App
The "FUMC Austin" 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.
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Notifications: Opt in under settings and select from eight notification groups. Please see steps in the Get to know the FUMC Austin Mobile App guide.
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Sunday Live: Access worship and register your attendance.
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Connect: Connect with others and contact the church.
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FUMC News: Stay up to date on announcements.
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Events: View upcoming events and filter by category.
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Sermons: Access our media archives.
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Give: Access online giving or login into Church Life.
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Breathe: 2021 UMW Virtual Legislative Event
Saturday-Tuesday, January 23-26, 2021
United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event will be online January 23-26. This annual event will still include keynote speakers, presentations from leading policy advocates, worship and opportunities for fellowship with United Methodist Women across Texas— but this year, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your home or office! All sessions will be recorded and available to registered participants for replay. Register at https://texasimpact.org/umw2021central/.
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Deep Dive into the
Gospel of Mark
Wednesdays, January 27-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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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: Simple Gifts
Saturday, January 30
1:30-3:00 p.m., Zoom Online
Join us for the next Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence workshop with Dr. Amy Wink. 2020 helped us discover what is essential in our faith practices and we continue to learn what the Shakers understood about simplicity. In this workshop, we will explore simplicity as a spiritual practice and consider ways we can declutter our lives, literally and figuratively. Register Online.
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Mercy & Justice 5th Sunday
Sunday, January 31
9:45-10:45 a.m., Zoom
Our Mercy & Justice Team invites you to hear from Andrew R. Hairston, Director of the Education Justice Project at Texas Appleseed. Mr. Hairston is a civil rights attorney and writer. Texas Appleseed works on a number of fronts to advocate for policy changes at the state level, as well as the local and school district level to close pathways to drop out and eliminate contact with the criminal legal system. They also work with community organizations, schools, teachers, and students from a policy perspective to foster safe and supportive environments where all students can thrive, regardless of race, income, background, or zip code. Join us as we learn about the work of Texas Appleseed and ways we can get involved in education justice. Please visit texasappleseed.org/education-justice to learn more. Register Online.
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Leadership Kickoff & Charge Conference
Sunday, January 31
1:00-2:00 p.m., Zoom Online
During the 2021 FUMC Leadership Kickoff Event and Charge Conference meeting, we’ll learn some key information about serving in leadership at FUMC and divide into ministry teams to plan and set goals for the coming year. This meeting also includes approval of the FUMC 2021 budget and clergy compensation. The Zoom link will be emailed prior to the meeting. This meeting is required for the Administrative Board and all Committee Members. Register Online.
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The Color of Compromise Video Study
Sundays, January 31 – 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. Join Pastor Cathy for this video study which provides an in-depth diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people. No preparation needed. Register Online.
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Book Study: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Tuesdays, February 2-23
6:30-8:00 p.m., Zoom online
Join retired Pastor John McMullen for study and discussion of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents in which Wilkerson suggests that much of our frustration with each other has its base in a caste system that has been present and continually reshaped throughout history. The class will be presented in four sessions, and it will be important for the participants to read along. Register Online.
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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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Immigration Care Team
Our January mission emphasis is the Immigration Care Team (ICT), a new ministry offering active support and provision to asylum seekers and other immigrants. Formed in April 2020, ITC is currently providing ongoing financial resources for a young woman from a Central African country seeking asylum. Contributions to the Immigration Care Team will help cover living expenses and any legal costs that arise for her while she goes through the asylum process. Prayers for the work of this team and the asylum seeker are appreciated! Gifts can be made online or a check marked “Immigration Care Team” may be mailed to the church during January. Read More.
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FUMC Endowment Fund
In memory of Glenna Marks, given by Curt and Debbie Shaw.
Gifts to FUMC
To our Feed My People Ministry in honor of Noble and Sharon Doss, given by Joanne Owens-Peck.
To our Homeless Women’s Ministry in honor of Ed and Jan Berger, given by Brad and Emily Buchanan.
To our Memorial Fund in memory of Glenna Isham, given by Kathleen Jones.
To our Ministry Plan in honor of Carol Brady’s birthday, given by Elizabeth Lerner.
To our Ministry Plan in memory of Debra Carman, given by David and Rosemary Snow.
To our Ministry Plan in memory of Don Snow, given by David and Rosemary Snow.
To our Ministry Plan in memory of Azalee Snow, given by David and Rosemary Snow.
To our Ministry Plan in memory of Ruel Snow, given by David and Rosemary Snow.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Jessica Mangrum, Kathy Morales, Ken & Linda Murdock, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, Steve and Pam Tackett, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to Mack Hicks on the death of his sister, Barbara Hicks Burkhardt, and to Derryann Magill on the death of her mother, Dorothy Heacock Butler, former spouse of Reverend Jack Heacock, FUMC Senior Pastor 1973-1989.
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; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Charlyn Loera’s friends’ grandfathers, Claude Ayotte and Alejandro Trevino; Don Mayfield’s stepdaughter, Robin Michelle Clark; Julie Nelson’s friends, Loree & David Allen. Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Pat Rives friends, Sandi and Don Parks; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride; 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
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