THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, May 23
Pentecost Sunday
Preacher: Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Sermon: I Will Leave You an Advocate

When are we going back to worship in person? *Look for an email announcement soon!*
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 5/23). 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.
Pentecost Party
4:30-6:00 p.m., Parking Lot
Celebrate the beginning of the Church at this come-and-go party complete with cake, crafts and activities to help you celebrate Pentecost and visit with church friends. Families with children will also have the opportunity to personalize worship tote bags in preparation for in-person services. For everyone's safety, we will remain outdoors and masks are required. In case of rain, activities will be safely moved indoors.
FEAST: Creation and the Problem of Evil
7:30-9:00 p.m.
One of the perennial questions of Christian ethics relates to the existence of evil in a universe that God declares "good" as it is brought into being. If God and Creation are both "good," where does evil come from? Is something missing from our Creation story? Have we misunderstood "good"? Join us this month for a Virtual FEAST that examines the problem of evil in light of the Genesis creation stories. To join FEAST, register for this event, or for any questions, email Pastor Brad at brad@fumcaustin.org.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
Picnics for 8
REGISTRATION DEADLINE TODAY
This last year was such a hard year of disconnection. Now that we are able to start coming together again, it’s time to celebrate! We’re assembling a light-hearted, playful mini-session of “Picnics for 8” to help you gather for in-person fellowship with other members during the summer months. This opportunity is open to new and returning members alike and it’s a great way to start feeling connected (again)! Register online today to be placed in groups of 8 adults to meet for monthly meals in June-August. Groups will be created geographically, if possible. We encourage groups to follow appropriate CDC and Austin Public Health guidelines as they change over the summer months, but mostly we want you to really enjoy each other’s company. Don’t worry, there will still be a chance to register for the full season of Table for 8, to begin in person in September – this is just a bonus round! If you have any questions, please email Emily Buchanan, Director of Discipleship, at emily@fumcaustin.org.
Austin Summer Fun Guide
This summer, as things begin to open back up, we wanted to offer our recommendations on places we’ve been that have safety protocols in place and make for a fun and safe outing with your Picnic for 8. So get out there and enjoy being together again! Got questions on more fun activities to do in Austin? Contact Devon Bailey at devon@fumcaustin.org or visit do512.com for a steady stream of events happening all around Austin.
ASP Stock Sale
For more than forty years, FUMC Austin has been sending youth and adults to the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to build relationships and repair homes to make them warmer, safer, and drier. This service trip is one of the backbones of our high school youth ministry. Last year, ASP was unable to host volunteers due to COVID-19 but we have created a plan to safely return this June 18-29. In order to go, our team of 25 youth and 15 adult team leaders must raise a total of $25,000. In years past, we raised this money through our sidewalk "stock sale" after worship on Sundays, but this year, our stock sale has gone online and we're raising money as a team instead of individually. This trip cannot happen without the generosity and support of our FUMC family. Please consider donating toward this important mission of the church. For more information, contact Youth Director Devon Bailey at devon@fumcaustin.org.
Connect for Tweens returns!
Friday, May 21
6:00-9:00 p.m.
All 5th, 6th and 7th graders are invited for a night of fun and fellowship. We'll meet at the parking lot of McDonald's (1209 Barton Springs Rd. ) at 6:00 p.m., go next door to play Peter Pan Mini Golf, and return for dinner! Pick-up is at 9:00 p.m. in the same lot. We will cover the mini-golf, but please bring money for dinner afterwards! Masks required to participate.
Cheers at the Wildflower Center
Tuesday, May 25 - NEW DATE
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Our next Cheers event will be “Smell the Flowers” at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s weekly Tuesday Twilight event. You can walk the grounds and see the beautiful spring flowers, enjoy music in the amphitheater, and sample foods from local trucks. Senior tickets are $10.00 per person. Tickets should be purchased prior to the event, and we ask that each person or couple make their own reservations directly with the Center. Secure your reservation online at www.wildflower.org. Click on the menu in the upper righthand corner; then click on “Featured Events;” then click on “Twilight Tuesday.” NOTE: If you purchased tickets for the Tuesday, May 18 event that was rained out, you can still use those tickets for the new date. Please be sure to register on Church Life and at the Wildflower Center. Looking forward to being together outside!
Deep Dive:
The Gospel of Matthew 
Wednesdays, May 26-June 9
6:00-7:30 p.m., Zoom
Join us for a return to our Deep Dive into the Gospels, exploring some of the deeper academic and faith questions posed by our scriptures. In this second series of discussions, we will explore the Gospel according to Matthew as an inheritor and editor of Mark's gospel. Each week we will also read and discuss one article (in addition to the Biblical text) that offers a new way to read or think about scripture. Register Online.
Pride Flag Pickup
Saturday, May 29
9:00-11:00 a.m.
June is Pride Month. You can request your free rainbow flag at FreePrideFlag.com today! FUMC is serving as a distribution site for people to pick up Pride flags they have ordered. Wear your rainbows, decorate your cars, and come ready to have some fun! Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org with any questions or to help with music (we need a fun playlist for the event!) or pre-distribution set-up! Let’s make it a FABULOUS experience sharing the affirming love of God with people we’ve never met! Sign up online to join us.
Mercy & Justice Fifth Sunday Presentation: Gun Violence
Sunday, May 30
9:45-10:45 a.m., Zoom
Our Mercy & Justice Team invites you to a presentation from Community Justice Action Fund. CJAF is a nonprofit organization that is changing the conversation on gun violence prevention by leading with the people closest to the pain of everyday gun violence. Their threefold strategy galvanizes the power of the people most affected by the pain to inform solutions that effectively tackle the root causes of gun violence. Our presenters will be Irina Alejandro, the Organizing Associate, and Thia’a Rahman, the Distributed Organizing Manager. Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org with questions. Zoom link provided after registration.
Churchwide Workday -
Spring Cleaning
Saturday, June 5
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Sign up for a shift to assist us with "spring cleaning" our facilities in preparation for opening worship. Unless it is raining, sign in at the table in the parking lot to receive your assignment! Contact Dave Ballbach at dave@fumcaustin.org with any questions.
Alternative Gifts for Father's Day
Order Deadline June 14
Fathers can be the hardest to shop for when gift time comes around. This Father’s Day, we are encouraging gifts to be used by fathers across the globe as an alternative to the usual standby tie or some other gift item you might purchase. An alternative gift is a perfect way to let the men in your life know they are appreciated. Get started now by selecting the gifts you wish to symbolically give using our online form. Make your online payment from our website. A check can be sent to the church office, marked for Father’s Day, if preferred. Order Online .
Movie Recs Needed
Starting June 27th, our summer worship series will focus on movies as a link to our faith and God's good news. So, we need you to help by sharing the titles of movies that have held a connection to your faith! Who knows - your suggestion may be chosen for the series! Fill out this simple response form to share your ideas. 
Manna Bags Needed
We are collecting assembled manna bags for our hungry neighbors experiencing homelessness. Officer Borton with the Homeless Outreach Street Team hands out manna bags to neighbors they work with and we have provided over 1,000 manna bags for distribution through the Downtown Austin Community Court. DACC has increased their client load and is needing more manna bags. This is a great project for families or individuals, we’ll take 8 or 100! Completed manna bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Please email Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org 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."
Director of Communications Position is Open
FUMC is hiring a Director of Communications. The purpose of the Director of Communications is to carry out the mission of FUMC through the ministry of communications, marketing outreach, and digital engagement. If you are interested in submitting a resume for this open staff position at First Church, please send the resume to Dave Ballbach, Director of Operations, at dave@fumcaustin.org. View job description at fumcaustin.org/hiring.
MAY MISSION EMPHASIS
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
The Mobile Loaves & Fishes downtown Austin truck (based at FUMC) is still serving meals to the homeless and working poor in our community — even during the pandemic — and we are needed now more than ever! Last year our MLF truck provided over 26,000 hearty meals with the help of more than 300 dedicated volunteers. That’s 350 runs completed on 310 days! Please give generously as we try to make a difference for our friends living on the streets. Checks marked “Mobile Loaves and Fishes” may be mailed to the church or donations made online, selecting the Mobile Loaves and Fishes drop-down option. For more information about MLF, contact Scott Wilder at swilder21@gmail.com or 512-971-1525.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within Our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Bill and Shirley Derryberry, Kathy Morales, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Rick Ortiz, Dick Raycraft, and Dan Wood.

Condolences to the family and friends of Michael Carrillo on his death.
Condolences to Rick Ortiz on the death of his father, Richard Ortiz.

Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; Peggy Davis’ cousin, Stacy Davis; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Judy Kostura’s friends’ niece, River; Joel Leagans’ friend Maggie Blanco; Mary Faye Randolph’s friend, Joyce Elaine Pakebusch; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Kristin Robertson’s husband, Adam Gordon; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride; Cindy Walter’s friends, Phred Elliott & Teresa Elliott.

Condolences to Teresa Baker’s friend, Ron Barrett, on the death of his wife, Carol.
FUMC Austin Mobile App
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684