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Sunday, January 24
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Series: How to Recognize God
Scripture: John 1:43-51
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 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.
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Virtual FEAST!
Sunday, January 24, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Zoom Online
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us for a Virtual FEAST! Join us this Sunday for a Virtual FEAST examining the ways that Christians across history have thought about abstinence and the avoidance of bodily pleasure. We'll be focused especially on those who take abstinence to the extreme (including a famous early Christian who self-castrated!), but we'll also attend to broader questions of abstinence from things like food and alcohol to get a better sense of whether such practices might (or might not) be worthwhile for us. Register Here.
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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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Community Service Opportunity
Thursday, January 28
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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
Sunday, January 31
1:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom Online
During the 2021 FUMC Leadership Kickoff Event 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. 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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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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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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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.
Congratulations to Cherice & Melissa Mumford on the birth of their child, Diego Neev Mumford.
Condolences to Cassie Helton on the death of her mother, Betty Helton, and to Judy Kostura on the death of her cousin, Danette Tschopp Crump.
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; Judy Funke’s sister-in-law, Carol Storm; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Charlyn Loera’s friends’ grandfathers, Claude Ayotte and Alejandro Trevino, and her friend, Sabrina Martinez; Julie Nelson’s friends, Loree & David Allen; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty 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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