THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, January 10
Epiphany Sunday
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Series: How to Recognize God
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12


How to Recognize God Worship Series
January 10-February 7
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 1/10). 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.
TOAST Check-In
Sunday, January 10, 6:00-7:00 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 brad@fumcaustin.org.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
New Year, New App
FUMC Austin is excited to announce the launch of a new mobile app providing updates on events, worship, news, and service—all at your fingertips. Your "FUMC Austin" app makes it easy to stay up-to-date on opportunities to grow in your faith and connect with others. Check out key highlights of our new app below. Download is available in iTunes or Google Play stores.

  • Notifications: Stay up-to-date on announcements with personalized notifications. Optin to notifications under settings and select from eight notification groups. Please see steps to enable notifications in the Get to know the FUMC Austin Mobile App guide.
  • Sunday Live: Access worship and register your attendance.
  • Connect: Connect with others and contact the church.
  • FUMC News: Stay up-to-date on announcements.
  • Events: View upcoming events and filter by category.  
  • Sermons: Access our media archives.
  • Give: Access online giving or login into Church Life.
Book Study: Just Faith
Two Options
Just Faith: Reclaiming Progressive Christianity by author Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons is a call to action for progressive Christians to reclaim our place in our national discussion of faith and politics. Please register and a Zoom invitation will be sent. Questions? Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org.
Tuesdays, January 12-26, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Register Here.
Thursdays, January 14-28, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Register Here.
Magi-cal Mystery Tour
Saturday, January 16, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Brr! It's going to be super cold this Sunday. Turns out, the Magi had to delay their journey to find shelter from the storm! But don't worry, they'll still make their way to Austin next Saturday. Join us on a “Magi-cal” Mystery Tour as we participate in a photo Scavenger Hunt around downtown Austin in search of them! We’ll each have some riddles to solve to try and find our Magi in different locations around town. Think you are up for the quest!? We’ll grab our 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! Bring the whole family! Bring your whole self! Register Online.
Deep Dive Into Scripture
Sunday, January 17, 1:00 p.m.
Zoom Online
Join us as we start the New Year with a new, churchwide Bible study! Starting in January, we will have a monthly Bible study on Zoom where you can join Dr. Brad King (or a special guest!) for an hour-long discussion of one or more passages read in church that month. In addition to broadening our understanding and appreciation of scripture, 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.
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 Texasbut 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/.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
JANUARY MISSION EMPHASIS
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, the 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.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Jessica Mangrum, Kathy Morales, Ken & Linda Murdock, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett, and Dan Wood.
 
Condolences to Molly Drazic on the death of her cousin, Dorothy Heacock Butler; Sherie Raven on the death of her mom; and Alan Stephens on the death of his uncle, George Frear

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; 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.
Follow Us
Join our Facebook Group!
Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684