This Sunday
Sunday, March 15
3rd Sunday in Lent
Preacher: Devon Bailey
Scripture: 1 John 3:17-20
Sermon: “Interrupting”

Worship on Sunday
FUMC Pastors and staff are monitoring developments regarding Coronavirus and assessing how we will make adjustments to our worship services in accordance with recommendations. We will send an email on Friday, March 13, to update the congregation. In the meantime, stay safe and wash your hands!
Manna Bag Sale
Sunday, March 15, 9:30–11:00 a.m. Sidewalk
Our 4th and 5th graders show the love of Christ to those in need through the making and selling of Manna Bags. You may purchase a bag for $5.
Resisting Racism Sunday School Class
Sundays through April 5, 10:00–10:45 a.m.
Wesley Hall (3/15, 3/22), Sanctuary (3/29, 4/05)
Join Pastor Cathy Stone and Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries, for a series of classes covering themes from White Fragility with no reading or preparation required.
Service Project Sunday
March 15, 10:00 a.m., EDU Room 108
In lieu of Sunday School, kids ages Kinder-5th grade are invited to participate in Service Project Sunday. We will make UMCOR hygiene kits, stuff Easter eggs, and write Manna Bag cards. Parents are invited to either join their children or drop off in EDU Room 108. More information about the UMCOR hygiene kits can be found here .
Church Directories Have Arrived
If you had your picture taken or submitted a photo for the directory last Fall, your printed directory is available for pickup in the Sanctuary Foyer through March 22.
Easter Bunny Needs Help
Sundays through April 5
Please bring nut-free candy that can fit in an Easter egg, empty Easter eggs, and toy trinkets and place donations in the “Bunny Barrels” located in the Church Office, Sanctuary Foyer, Preschool Hallway, or Wesley Hall. You can also purchase items on our Amazon Wish List and they will be delivered straight to the church.
At a Glance
Click on the links below to learn more.
Youth News

Service Spotlight

 Children's News
Click here to view the full FUMC calendar.
Coronavirus Fact Sheet
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has educational resources to learn more about the Coronavirus: what is is, how it spreads, symptoms, and how to protect yourself. Stay informed at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ and view their fact sheet
Festival Choir
Experienced singers are invited to sing in the Festival Choir Easter. Rehearsals (both required) are Wednesdays, April 1 and 8, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Enter at Colorado 3. Services are 9:00 and 11:00 AM Easter Sunday. 
New Custodian
We welcome FUMC member, Ellis Pittman (they/them/theirs), as the newest Custodian. A native Californian, Ellis and their wife Lisa have lived in Austin and attended First Church for three years. Ellis is an usher, an AV volunteer, and sits on the Adult Discipleship Committee. Ellis has spent the last sixteen years working in the grocery and coffee industries. They have an educational background in Business Administration and Agricultural Economics, and of course, hours of training in Latte Art! 
FUMC is Hiring!
Looking for supplemental income? We are adding a part-time custodial position to the staff at FUMC for 10 hours per week on Friday and Saturday. If you are interested in exploring this part-time possibility, please contact our Director of Operations, Dave Ballbach at dave@fumcaustin.org or call 512.478.5684, ext. 202.
Easter Lily Sale
FUMC members and friends are invited to place lilies in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday to the glory of God and in honor or in memory of loved ones. The cost is $12 for each plant. Plants can be picked up after the 11:00 a.m. worship on Easter Sunday. Order Online .
Little Red Library
Throughout Lent in Sanctuary
Looking for a resource to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance? Books can be a great place to begin, offering new information, insights, and representing perspectives broader than our own. The Little Red Library will be available before and after worship throughout the season of Lent. This red cart houses books for adults and children, all available for checkout.
The Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism
How is God calling you to respond? All are invited to 1) attend worship, 2) subscribe to Daily Interruptions, 3) participate in Sunday School series, and 4) join a book study.
Contemplative Worship Service
Sunday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. EDU Murchison Chapel
Contemplative prayer can provide a welcome respite, a place to find the inner resources to actively serve a chaotic world from a place of strength and peace. This 30-to-40 minute service is offered to beginners and experienced 
practitioners of mindfulness meditation.
FEAST For Young Adults
Sunday, March 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
FLC Garrison Chapel
FEAST is a monthly dinner for young adults (roughly ages 20–45) to build community and dig into the more difficult side of faith together. Led by Dr. Brad King, FEAST is a modern take on the most ancient form of Christian communal worship: the love feast. In addition to delicious food, these meetings are focused on creating meaningful and personal interactions among individuals seeking more connection and engagement in a faith-interested atmosphere. Register at fumcaustin.org/feast .
Feed My People Breakfast Experience 2020
Saturday, March 28, 8:00-10:00 a.m., FLC Great Hall
Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) is pleased to host a Feed My People (FMP) Breakfast Fundraiser for the benefit of First United Methodist Church of Austin and its kitchen remodeling project. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, FMP serves breakfast to over 300 of our homeless neighbors, the primary users of the kitchen. Feed My People, a Foundation for the Homeless volunteer-run program, has fed Austin’s homeless in FUMC’s Family Life Center since May 2000—that’s 20 years of kitchen use! Come experience our FMP breakfast and learn about the impact of this ministry in our community. Enjoy a typical FMP breakfast including scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage patties, gravy, coffee, milk, and orange juice. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for coffee and fellowship. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. followed by a program of speakers, including State Representative Gina Hinojosa. Register at foundationhomeless.org/fmp .
Civil Rights Pilgrimage Presentation
Sunday, March 29, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
The Civil Rights Pilgrimage during Spring Break is journeying through Jackson, Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Memphis, to experience the history, the horror, and the hope of the Civil Rights Movement. Join this team as they share highlights and its significance in today’s world and the lessons we still have to learn.  
UMW Circle Spotlight
Circle Up: United Methodist Women are women of faith on a mission to improve maternal and infant health in Texas through public policy, advocacy and awareness. From hosting community events to raise awareness about the issue to partnering with legislators and mobilizing support for bills that improve the health of moms and babies, Circle Up is making a difference! Join us at www.circleupumw.org .
United Methodist Women Unit Meeting
Sunday, March 29, 12:15 p.m., Wesley Hall
All are welcome to join members of United Methodist Women for a light lunch, a little bit of business, and a dynamic speaker talking about an international movement begun 118 years ago in Boston by a Methodist minister. Our speaker is Steve Leach, Chief Development and Strategy Officer of Goodwill of Central Texas. Attendees are asked to bring paper goods or decaf coffee to donate to Montopolis Friendship Community Center. Please register at fumcaustin.org/umw by March 23 to give us a count for lunch. 
iAct Hands on Housing
Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
5205 Regency Dr, Austin TX 78724
iACT’s Hands on Housing uses volunteers and skilled professionals to repair the homes of senior citizens and disabled individuals who are living in deep poverty. Come join us for the Spring Blitz event, where we will team up with volunteers from Huston-Tillotson University, St Luke UMC, and Braun & Butler to repair and paint a home. Sign Up Here .
Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, April 5, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
FLC Room 104
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 monthly to listen to and discuss podcasts, videos, and articles. Our April conversation will be part of our churchwide study of the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. If you were unable to join a small group during Lent to discuss this book, we hope you’ll join us! Register at fumcaustin.org/conversations .
Lenten Labyrinth Experience
April 6-12, Murchison Chapel
During Holy Week, a labyrinth, an ancient pattern for prayer, meditation, and contemplation, will be available in Murchison Chapel during church office hours and on Easter Sunday. FUMC welcomes all members and guests who are downtown during the week to take part in this Lenten practice.
Easter Egg Festival
April 11, 9:30-11:00 a.m., West Capitol Grounds
FUMC hosts an annual Easter Egg Festival on the Capitol Grounds at Colorado and 12th Street. This event is open to the public, so you may bring your friends and non-perishable food donations for Caritas of Austin. Join us on the Capitol lawn for face painting, crafts, games, preschool egg hunts, and elementary school egg roll races! A visit from the Easter Bunny is a special tradition.

Easter Egg Festival Volunteers Needed
Saturday, April 11, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., West Capitol Grounds
We need volunteers to make this 600+ children community event successful. Sign up online to volunteer for a shift. From greeters to egg organizers, we have a job for you. Sign up at fumcaustin.org/easter-egg-festival .
Palm/Passion Sunday Worship
April 5, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary
We wave palms as the people welcome Jesus to the Holy City, and then we continue our journey with Him to the cross.

Maundy Thursday Worship
April 9, 12:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary
Gather with Jesus and his friends in the Upper Room to celebrate the Holy Meal and experience the washing of feet. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for the 7:30 p.m. evening service.

Good Friday Family Service
April 10, 10:30 a.m., Murchison Chapel
Experience the stories of Christ’s life through Easter with age-appropriate storytelling of passion week and walking the Labyrinth. Wear socks! Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for the 10:30 a.m. Family Service.

Good Friday Worship Services
April 10, 12:10 p.m., Sanctuary
We experience Christ’s crucifixion through reading scripture, prayer, and singing hymns.

April 10, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
We experience Christ’s crucifixion through Tenebrae, a service of darkness, with special music from the FUMC Choir.  Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for the 7:30 p.m. evening service.

Easter Sunday Worship
April 12, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Celebrate God’s victory over the powers of sin, oppression, and death in two identical services with Communion and full choir. Arrive early and enjoy a special 15-minute choir presentation prior to the services. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided for both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Easter services.

Butterfly Release
April 12, 10:00 a.m., Capitol Lawn
Enjoy the beauty of resurrection and new life as we release butterflies on the Capitol lawn.
Register for VBS
July 20-23, 9:00-12:30 p.m.
Take up the gauntlet and learn to be a knight who is strong with God's power! Registration is for preschool and elementary-aged children (ages 4 years through completed 5th grade). Youth and adult volunteers also get to join the fun! Register and sign up to volunteer at fumcaustin.org/vbs .
Thrive Sports Camp
July 20-23, 12:30-4:30 pm
Family Life Center
Through an interactive sports camp, Thrive Sports combines stories in the Bible with the fun of reenactment to make the stories come alive. Camps include basketball, flag football, dodgeball, capture the flag, and much more. This camp is conveniently scheduled the same afternoons as VBS week, so kids can do both for a full day of fun. Registration is separate from VBS and can be found at thrivetx.org/register (select First United Methodist - Austin).
March Mission Emphasis
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
When we want to buy fair-trade products. When farmers need help with appropriate agricultural technology. When a natural disaster strikes somewhere around the globe. When a community needs clean water and effective sanitation. When these and many other disasters occur, UMCOR is there because our contributions support the life-saving work in sustainable development, global health, relief supplies, and disaster response. Your gifts, marked “UMCOR,” may be left at the communion rail or placed in the offering plate today or any Sunday in March. You may also send them to or bring them by the church office. 
Prayer Concerns
Submit a prayer request online .
Within our Congregation
Stephanie Benold; Sandy Bowles; Michael Crowe; Marcia Houston; Mari Perez; Tom Richardson; Debbie Rippetoe; and Dan Wood.

Condolences to Molly Drazic on the death of her father, Joe Ray Custer, and to Adam Wooderson on the death of his uncle, Billy Wooderson.

Beyond our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Robbie and Tom Ausley's son-in-law, Kevin's grandmother, Mimi Epps; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Marilyn and Richard Bettis' friend, Ben McKibbens; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Bob Block’s friend, Tim Sullivan; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Judy Chambers’ mother, Edith Johnson; Truman Fenton’s father; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Melanie Greene’s friend, Jenny Thornell; Joe Haggard's friend, Dan Smith; Mack Hicks' great-niece, Jennifer Trusty; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Melanie Miller’s and Jen Stuart’s father, Doak Thomas; Andrew Pyle’s father, James Pyle; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Michelle Skipper's grandchildren, Khloe and Web Skipper; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Robert McBride; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.  
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First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684