Sunday, July 19
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Matthew 13:33
Sermon: “The Yeast”
You know the feeling…that feeling that happens as you listen to or read a story, and the realization washes over you: this is really about me! This is just the feeling that Jesus was going for when he shared parable after parable with his disciples. Parables are short stories that shine a light on our lives and help us to see the world a bit differently. They spur us toward change. They reveal who God is. They give us a vision for the world God dreams of. This summer, we invite you not just to read the parables, but to be read by them.
|
|
Children's Summer Online Sunday School
8:45 a.m. -
This is a special time for our preschoolers where we will have fun learning about God's love through songs and a short story.
9:00 a.m.
- Kindergarten through 5th graders will have a faith lesson, music, and a time to check in with their church friends.
Meeting ID:
402 211 293,
Password:
children,
Dial-in by Phone:
1-312-626-6799
|
|
Video Worship Service
We go live with a video worship service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays accessible through our Zoom worship time, our
YouTube Channel
and on
Facebook page
.
This traditional worship service lasts about 50 minutes.
|
|
Interactive Worship on Zoom
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (opens at 10:50 a.m.)
Our Interactive Worship on Zoom includes opportunities to connect with one another, share prayer concerns, and view our worship service.
Meeting ID:
496 666 774,
Password:
welcome,
Dial-in by Phone
: 1-312-626-6799
|
|
FEAST/TOAST for Young Adults
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us weekly to check in, share, and connect on Zoom! We'll treat this time as a virtual happy hour.
Meeting ID:
516 485 253,
Password:
feast,
Dial-in by Phone
: 1-312-626-6799
|
|
Cheers Ministry Virtual Potluck
Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m.
Zoom Online
The FUMC Cheers group for retired and soon-to-be-retired people will host a virtual potluck on Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. Please register to receive the Zoom link. Mark your calendars for the third Thursdays of August (8/20) and September (9/17) at 7:00 p.m. for more Cheers activities. If you have questions or suggestions of activities for our group, contact
[email protected]
.
Register Online
.
|
|
Table for 8
Register before July 31
FUMC's Table for 8 ministry has been a great way for people to connect with members of the church community they might not normally see. Singles, couples, and families of all ages have participated in this fellowship ministry by geographical area. Unfortunately, many of this year's groups were cut short by stay-at-home orders amidst the pandemic. Others found ways to meet on Zoom or through social distancing. For those seeking connection at this time of real disconnection, registration is now open for new groups to begin online/socially distanced gatherings starting in September. This year, we are also allowing existing groups to stay intact for another cycle, if they choose. Either way, registration will be open online through July 31. If you have any questions, please email Emily Buchanan, Director of Discipleship, at
[email protected]
.
Register Here
.
|
|
Learning the Parables
Wednesdays Through July 29, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Zoom Online
Dr. Brad King and Lara Greene
Like many Jewish rabbis, Jesus was fond of using parables as a means of getting his audiences to arrive at deeper spiritual truths. Many of Christ's parables were intentionally difficult to understand. In other cases, Jesus was very clear about what he meant, but we have trouble understanding him across so many years of history! Join Dr. Brad King and Lara Greene to explore more deeply with your head and your heart some parables you think you know, and some you have never heard before. This combination class will alternate between the two styles of our teachers and their expertise. Zoom link provided after registration.
Register Here.
|
|
Weekly Prayer & Connection
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:00 p.m.
A simple, low-key time to gather with FUMC family to check in and pray for one another and our world. No frills, no program, just people and the Holy Spirit! We'll gather each Wednesday night.
Zoom Login:
Meeting ID:
805 144 062
Password:
welcome
Dial-in by Phone:
1-312-626-6799
|
|
Living the Parables
Meet Barnabas, the FUMC Staff Encourager. This “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36) lives to encourage people through challenging times. When Pastor Taylor mentioned a worship series on the parables this summer, Barnabas offered to help. In June and July, he will provide weekly emails to encourage the congregation and share guides for engaging with the parables in new ways. Sign up to receive his emails every Monday through July 27.
Learn More
.
|
|
Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence
Saturday, July 25, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the third workshop of our series,
Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence
, facilitated by Dr. Amy Wink, as we explore breadmaking as a spiritual practice. Reverend Brad Fuerst will lead this workshop and guide participants through the process of breadmaking and offer his insights on this contemplative practice.
Register Online
.
|
|
First Steps
Sunday, July 26, 1:00 p.m., Zoom Online
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. For more information, contact Trevor Harper at
[email protected].
Register Here
.
|
|
Your Gifts Keep Us Going
Your gifts are a blessing to the ministry of FUMC. It is your donations that keep the church operating during this unique time. We may not be together in person for some time to receive offerings, but it is important we still pay our bills and staff to support and adapt ongoing ministries. You can give online to the ministry of FUMC through our website or by mailing a check to FUMC at 1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701. We appreciate your gifts.
|
|
Story Submissions
Help us build the next issue of
Bolder than the State of Texas
! We are particularly seeking stories about Change and Resurrection. We are open to poetry, essays, photography, or art! Be part of the story this church is telling the world. Submissions accepted continually. Submit your stories online at
fumcaustin.org/bolderthantexas
. For more information, contact Amy Wink and Caroline Jones at
[email protected]
.
|
|
Manna Bags Needed
We are seeking assembled Manna Bags to hand out to our hungry neighbors on the street. Officer Shelly, our officer from the Feed My People Breakfast, is helping distribute the Manna Bags where they are needed the most. Completed manna bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Please email Pastor Cathy at
[email protected]
with any questions about items to include and for her phone number to coordinate drop-off. She will unlock the FLC front door remotely. Manna Bag items could 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."
|
|
Submit a Prayer Request
If you have a loved one to lift up, send us your prayer concerns and we will add that person(s) to our prayer list. Prayer requests can be submitted to our pastoral staff using our
online form
or emailed to
[email protected]
.
|
|
Emergency Assistance Fund
This year’s July Mission Emphasis will support ministry with our neighbors through the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF). Through the Emergency Assistance Fund, our church offers direct assistance to our neighbors in need. We provide:
- Work boots for those entering a new construction job, often following incarceration;
- Stop-gap support to help people remain in their current housing and help people avoid homelessness;
- Assistance to secure vital documents, such as ID's, birth certificates, and food handlers permits.
- Long-distance bus tickets to help those stranded in the midst of a journey;
- Emergency payment of cellular phone bills to keep this lifeline open for those who live on the street;
- Manna bags, a handy package of food, drink, and socks for the day’s needs;
…as well as the individual, unpredictable needs that come our way. While our church buildings are closed due to COVID, we still responding to some of these needs through the Feed My People Breakfast as well as the Homeless Outreach Street Team and agencies working directly with neighbors. As the pandemic continues, we anticipate increased requests for assistance and your generosity will allow us to respond in ways that are life changing and often lifesaving.
You can give online or mail a check to the church throughout the month of July.
|
|
Submit a prayer request
online
.
|
|
Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Marijo Hartman, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Lee Sloan, Pam Tackett and Dan Wood
Our Condolences
to Ann Fields on the death of her cousin, Bill Leonard; and to Judy Funke on the death of her father, Bob Luckenbaugh.
Beyond our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Teresa Baker’s friend, Liz Webb; 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; Molly Drazic’s neighbor, Rachel Stewart; Judy Funke’s mother, Josie Luckenbaugh; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Sammy Huffaker’s mother, Dorothy Steed; Charlyn Loera’s sister-in-law, Joulin; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Michael Render’s nephew, Nathan Smith and his wife, Stephanie; Barbara Ruth’s nephew, Garrett Reeves; Ann and Dick Young’s friends, Mike and Linda Mitchell and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
Guidance for our Local, State, and Federal leaders and decision makers.
|
|
Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
