Sunday, July 5
5th Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: Rev. Kathleen Jones
Scripture: Luke 12:32-40
Sermon: “The Returning Master”
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.
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Holy Communion
Sunday, July 5, FUMC Parking Lot
Our Pastors will provide an opportunity to share Communion together. Sign up to attend one of two brief Communion Services in the FUMC parking lot, where we have devised the safest possible way to share in this Sacrament together. Bread and juice will be individually bagged for each car and distributed when you arrive, and participants will be invited to park in every other spot, joining the service from your tailgate or camping chair behind your car. Join us! One car per registration is required and 20 slots per time slot.
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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
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Video Worship Service
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (opens at 10:50 a.m.)
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.
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Interactive Worship on Zoom
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
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Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, July 5, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
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 on first Sundays, 4:30-6:00 p.m., to discuss and learn more about racial oppression, issues of whiteness and racism, and other topics through videos, podcasts, and short articles.
Register Here
.
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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
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Stories from people building community and fulfilling the mission of the church in new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Our Downtowners Community
By Sally Watkins
The Downtowners Class held our first virtual Happy Hour on Thursday evening the second week of shelter-in-place, in addition to our Sunday morning class on Zoom. Then it just kept going!
Back in the old days when we met in person at FUMC, we were able to come early or stay later and catch up with friends and news...and maybe a few jokes. That's not so with our Sunday School hour now, since we gather at one time and after class we move right on to Zoom Church.
Thursday happy hour is a very relaxed hour, perhaps due to the time of day and the option of libations other than classroom coffee. Thursday night visits allow catching up on kids and grandkids, life events and more. Lately, Amy Wink has corralled the conversation to talk about FUMC history, since several class members have been here 40-50+ years. And we have Kathleen. Oh the stories! You can expect to see them...the ones deemed appropriate...show up in future Bolder Than the State of Texas editions.
For more than 50 years, this class has been Community for its members, and a Support Group in times of joy, sadness or need. We are grateful that technology and commitment enable continuing the conversations, sharing and relationships that sustain, strengthen, and grow what the class has built over the years.
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4th of July: A Conversation About Freedom, Soul, and America
Friday, July 3, 4:00 p.m. Virtual Event
Join Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette (President/CEO of Huston-Tillotson University), Rev. Ashton Cumberbatch, renowned musician Michael Malone, and Rabbi Neil Blumofe (Congregation Agudas Achim), in a conversation about the 4th of July. What is freedom, what is the soul of America, and how do we celebrate this nation upon broken ground? What wisdom can be found from out of the past, and what blessings might we offer together for our future? Register at
theaustinsynagogue.org/conversations
.
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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
.
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Mercy and Justice Book Study: How to Be an Antiracist
TWO OPTIONS
Tuesday, July 7-28, 6:30–8:00 p.m. or
Thursday, July 9-30, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
The work of resisting racism continues. Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we read and discuss
How to Be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi. Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. In
How to Be an Antiracist
, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
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City of Austin "1928 Master Plan" Presentation
Sunday, July 12, 9:45 a.m., Zoom Online
In 1917 the Supreme Court ruled zoning laws that segregated were illegal. Interested cities, like Austin, had to develop other ways to separate its growing Black population. On March 22, 1928, an all white and all male Austin City Council adopted the “1928 Master Plan,” which created a “negro district” in what is now City Council District 1. This plan was a hugely successful effort to move 15 citywide freedman communities to one place. A shameful event in Austin’s history, its negative legacies continue to shape Austin in 2020. Join with the Downtowners Class to hear FUMC member Beverly Silas for an online presentation about the plan that moved people of color out of most of west Austin and into east Austin. Please contact Sally Watkins at
[email protected]
for the Zoom link to attend the presentation.
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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
.
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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.
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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
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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
.
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Compassion Camp Virtual Vacation Bible School
Monday, July 20-Friday, July 24
Register by July 12
Join us for virtual VBS this summer and learn about Compassion: for others, for ourselves, and for the world. All ages are invited to participate. This event is FREE and we would love for you to join us, wherever you are. Sign up and opt in to receive our Compassion Camp emails which will include the link to that day’s interactive video. Each day has a new song, story and demonstrations for art, crafts, yoga, mission, and other fun activities. Emails will include the link to our live evening Round Up at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Register for Camp Kits for participating households with materials and supplies to accompany the videos. Kits will also include a yard sign and custom buff/bandana per family member along with other special surprises. A donation of $5 is appreciated to help offset the cost of these materials. Camp Kit pick-up is Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 a.m.–noon or by appointment the week of July 11-17.
Register Online
.
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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.
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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]
.
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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."
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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]
.
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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 avoid homelessness;
- Assistance to secure vital documents, such as IDs and birth certificates,
- Food hander’s 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.
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Submit a prayer request
online
.
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Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Herb Canada, Glenna Marks, Keely Nugent, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett and Dan Wood.
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; Ann Fields’ cousin, Bill Leonard; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Mary Higgs’ brother-in-law, Pat Higgs; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Connie Payne’s friend, Urban Bellinghausen; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Michael Render’s nephew, Nathan Smith and his wife, Stephanie; Barbara Ruth’s nephew, Garrett Reeves; Kay Sterling’s friend, Henry Helwig; David Strong’s brother-in-law, Dan Hoge; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
Condolences to the friends and family of retired UMC clergyperson, Dr. Mike Deaton.
Guidance for our Local, State, and Federal leaders and decision makers.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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