THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, March 28
Palm/ Passion Sunday
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
Sermon: "We Draw on Courage"
Again & Again: A Lenten Refrain
This Lent, we spend 46 days in a refrain, back and forth with God: again we struggle, and again God meets us; again we suffer, and again God heals. Join us as we spend this season acknowledging our difficulties and receiving God’s promises along the way. Learn more at fumcaustin.org/lent.
Sunday Worship
Our video worship service is at 11:00 a.m., accessible through our Zoom worship time, FUMC Austin Mobile App, 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 at 10:00 a.m. (next meeting is 4/11). 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.
Virtual FEAST: Cursin' and Cussin'
Sunday, March 28, 7:30-9:00 p.m. on Zoom
If you're (roughly) 20-45, we would love to have you at this month's Virtual FEAST! FEAST is a community of young adults that meets (currently on Zoom) to talk, eat, and discuss a hot topic that we’re all trying to get our heads around. This month, our Virtual FEAST is on curse words and curse spells! We will look at how Christians have thought about both of these issues, talk about cursin' and cussin' in the modern world, and even look at some ancient magic spells that some groups of early Christians used to understand the world around them. 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. Register Online.
Sunday Night Youth Hang
Sunday, March 28
Freshman (4:30-5:30 p.m.) and Sophomore/Junior (5:30-6:30 p.m.) youth are invited to Whole Foods on Lamar for a socially distanced hangout. No agenda just fun, games and community! Bring a mask! We will meet on the rooftop at Whole Foods at 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703. Questions? Contact Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries, at devon@fumcaustin.org.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
Help Us Wave Hosanna!
Deadline today!
For our Palm Sunday worship service, we will include a video of our congregation waving palms to welcome Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We know you may not have any (live) palms in your yard, so grab something green as your symbolic palm and record yourself and your family waving your palms like you would during our processional singing of "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" in the Sanctuary. The video will accompany the Children's Choir anthem for the morning, so your audio will not be heard. Please record in a horizontal orientation and send your 10-second video to case@fumcaustin.org by March 25.
Virtual Memorial Service
Saturday, March 27, 2:00 p.m.
FUMC Austin members Susannah Willms, Kathleen Jones, and Caroline Jones invite the FUMC Congregation to join them in a Celebration of Life for Glenna Brantley Isham. Glenna was the mother, sister, and aunt, respectively, of these three church members. Glenna died December 9, 2020 and her obituary may be found here. This unique, all virtual service has been lovingly crafted and assembled by some very familiar FUMC faces both on and off the screen. The service will air on Zoom on Saturday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. You may check into the Zoom meeting as early as 1:50 p.m. using this link (Meeting ID: 988 3540 2873, Passcode: Glenna ). The service will also be available for one week on YouTube. The family would be honored if you would join them.
Virtual Hallelujah Chorus
Due by Sunday, March 28
Hallelujah! Join the virtual Hallelujah Chorus! Each Easter we sing Handel's immortal Hallelujah from Messiah and invite the congregation to come forward and join the choir, trumpets, and organ as we sing Hallelujah! King of kings and Lord of lords! This year, as we continue our online worship together, all those who would like to join are invited to make a video (we only use the video, no audio) and join our Easter Hallelujah! Instructions, music, and vocal guide tracks are all available by following this link. We hope you will consider joining our Hallelujah! Contact Scott Davis at scott@fumcaustin.org. Submissions are due by this Sunday, March 28 at 10:00 p.m.
Holy Week Volunteers Needed
We need help making our our in-person Holy Week events special. If you have time to give, please sign up online. Masks and social distancing are required.
Book Study: Vanguard
Tuesdays, April 13, 20, & 27
6:30-8:00 p.m.
In Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All, acclaimed historian Martha S. Jones offers a new history of African American women's political lives in America. She recounts how they defied both racism and sexism to fight for the ballot, and how they wielded political power to secure the equality and dignity of all persons. Zoom invitation will be sent with registration. Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org for more information. Register Online.
Book Study: Convictions
Wednesdays, April 14-May 19
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Join FUMC member Janet Duke, who will lead a six-week discussion of Marcus Borg's Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most. The author addresses a key question: What does it mean to be Christian and American today? How do we align Christian values with our lives in this powerful, affluent, and influential country, a country where we can be almost indifferent, not only to our neighbors, but to the rest of the world? Through a personal story of his journey in understanding what truly matters, he invites the reader to a similar journey in this last of his books. Register Online.
Director of Finance
The church staff position of Director of Finance is currently open. If you or someone you know is interested, please visit fumcaustin.org/hiring or contact Dave Ballbach, Director of Operations at dave@fumcaustin.org.

Wedding Coordinator
If you enjoy the activity surrounding weddings, this job might be for you! We need a Wedding Coordinator to lead families through the process of celebrating a wedding here at FUMC. Visit our church website to read more about weddings at FUMC. This is a paid position, per wedding. If you are interested, please contact Dave Ballbach at dave@fumcaustin.org for further details.
COVID Vaccine Assistance
Need help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment? If you or a family member are over the age of 50 or otherwise eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can complete this form to request assistance from church volunteers. No protected health information is required, and any information you provide (name, DOB, contact info) will not be shared except as needed to schedule an appointment. Questions? Contact Terri Purdy at terri.sohn@gmail.com.
Holy Week & Easter
Palm Passion Sunday
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Video / Zoom Worship at 11:00 a.m.
We'll gather for our Sunday virtual worship service on Zoom as usual, but as we kick off this Holy Week, remember to bring your palm branches (or whatever branches you can find!) to celebrate and remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Hosanna!
Lenten Labyrinth Experience
Murchison Chapel
Monday, March 29-Thursday, April 1
During Holy Week, a labyrinth, an ancient pattern for prayer, meditation, and contemplation, will be available in Murchison Chapel during select times: Monday/ Wednesday 9:00-10:00 a.m., 12:00-1:00 p.m., and 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Tuesday/ Thursday 9:00-10:00 a.m. and 12:00-1:00 p.m. FUMC welcomes all members and guests who are downtown during the week to take part in this Lenten practice. We are being careful to ensure the safety of each person who comes to walk the labyrinth in the Chapel. You’ll find details and can sign up here.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 1, 8:00 a.m.
Video & Worship Guide
On Maundy Thursday, we gather with Jesus and his friends in the Upper Room to share a meal and experience the washing of feet. We’ll provide a brief worship video with Scripture, song, and sermon, as well as a printed guide for footwashing and remembering Jesus’ last supper. Video and worship guide available on Thursday morning by 8:00 a.m.
Good Friday Family Chapel Time
Friday, April 2, 10:00 a.m., Zoom
Families are invited to join Director of Children's Ministries Lara Greene in a live online Good Friday reflection. Story, prayer, and music will be used to lead children in exploring this special day and the mystery of Easter. This brief service of approximately 30 minutes will be presented live on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. A video of the chapel time will also be available afterward on our Family Facebook Group Page.
Good Friday Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 2, 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Outdoor Sidewalks, Chapel, & Sanctuary
The Stations of the Cross experience is designed for participants to walk the path of Jesus in the last hours before his crucifixion and burial. Through ten interactive stations, this service honors the ancient story of Jesus’ death while recognizing the ways this narrative repeats itself again and again throughout the past and present. It provides multi-sensory ways to engage, confess, and lament, creating a profound and prophetic Holy Week worship experience. An audio podcast will be available to guide you through the stations. No registration is required. Social distancing and masks required. Parking is available in the garage located at the southwest corner of 13th and Lavaca Street.
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
Saturday, April 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Church Parking Lot
Join us for a new, in-person experience of celebrating the Resurrection and new life! In this extended service, we draw on the Jewish tradition of beginning our celebration the night before the Feast Day of Easter, much like we do on Christmas Eve. Utilizing the symbols of Fire, Word, Water, and Meal, this service will trace God's story from Genesis onward and culminate in a celebration of Christ's victory over the grave, complete with Holy Communion and the Baptism of Cherice Mumford and her newborn son, Diego. The service will last 90 minutes and will be held in the FUMC Parking Lot with Covid safety protocols in place. Bring your camping chairs! Register Here (one per person).
Easter Sunday Worship
Sunday, April 4, 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate God's victory over the powers of sin, oppression, and death! Join us for Virtual Worship, complete with virtual choir and trumpets, at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom, or view the service on the FUMC App, YouTube, or Facebook. 
Easter Communion
Sunday, April 4
4:00-4:30 p.m., Register Here
4:45-5:15 pm p.m., Register Here
On this Easter Sunday, join us for Holy Communion. Sign up to attend a brief Communion Service in the FUMC parking lot. One car per registration and 22 parking spots per time slot. Bread and juice will be individually bagged for each car.
Easter Flowering of the Cross
Sunday, April 4, All Day
Church Parking Lot
Bring a flower and place on our flowering cross on Easter Sunday! Christ’s resurrection brings new life to the whole world—it is the beginning of the restoration of all things! Help us create this beautiful symbol for all to see as they drive down Lavaca. 
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 made online or mailed to the church office throughout the month of March.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within Our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Holly De Leon, Bill and Shirley Derryberry, Jack Latson, Kathy Morales, Ruby Parker, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Dick Raycraft, Curt Shaw, Pam Tackett, George Vanderhule, 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; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Sandra Green’s brother, George Aukerman; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Julie Nelson’s friends, Janet, Bree and Braylon; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride.
FUMC Austin Mobile App
Our mobile 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. Learn More.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684