THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, November 8
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Sunday School
Children's Sunday School meets weekly on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. for Kindergarten through 5th Grades. Youth Sunday School meets bi-weekly (next meeting 11/15). Please check 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.
Sunday Worship
We go live with a video worship service 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. Our Interactive Worship service over Zoom begins at 10:50 a.m. and includes opportunities to connect with one another, share prayer concerns, and view our worship service. Check your Sunday morning email for Zoom link.
Toast Check-In
2nd and 3rd Sundays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Join us to check in, share, and connect on Zoom with Dr. Brad King and young adults ages 20-45! We’ll treat this time as a virtual happy hour. Bring a drink. Bring a story. Bring a friend. 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.
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up-to-date on events at fumcaustin.org/events.
November Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 15-22, 2020 sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless. During November, FUMC is working to raise awareness about the pressing problem of hunger and homelessness with educational and service opportunities. Learn more about ways to get involved at fumcaustin.org/hunger.
Curtis Higgs Prodigals Begin New Study
Monday, November, 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
The Curtis Higgs Prodigals Study Group invites all men to join in its next study, The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr, beginning Monday, November 9. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. “God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God—except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us, and in everyone we meet. This group is currently meeting virtually on Mondays from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Register Here.
Book Study: So You Want to Talk About Race 
Tuesdays, Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1 6:30–8:00 p.m. or
Thursdays, Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10 1:00–2:30 p.m.
In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life. Zoom invitation will be sent after registration. Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org for additional information. To view reading assignments and to register, go to fumcaustin.org/bookstudy.
27th Annual Homeless Memorial Service
Sunday, November 15, 8:00 a.m., Online
Caritas of Austin will stream the virtual Annual Homeless Memorial Service at 8:00 a.m. to recognize the women, men, and youth who have lived and died in Austin while homeless and living in poverty. The service will include a reading of the names of all those that have passed this year. Please join us in remembrance. Register for this free event here. To view Facebook event, click here.
Interfaith Summit
on Maternal Health 
Sunday, November 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join Circle Up: Methodist Women for Moms for an afternoon of interfaith coalition building and expert-led discussions about the state of maternal health in Texas and what we, as people of faith, can do about it. Panelists include: Nakeenya Wilson, Executive Director of Black Mamas ATX; Dr. Lori Trego PhD, Associate Professor at the College of Nursing, CU Anschutz; and Scott Atnip, Director of Congregational Response, Texas Impact. Register Here.
Thanksgiving and Recipe Swap
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 p.m. 
For those newly retired or about to retire, our November Cheers activity will be a Zoom Thanksgiving and Recipe Swap. The long Thanksgiving weekend is a favorite holiday for manya time for family, friends, food, and football. This year, due to the pandemic, our celebrations likely will be different and smaller. Cheers invites you to spend time together to enjoy our connection and share our favorite traditions and family recipes. Mary Faye Randolph has generously offered to compile all of our recipes into a Cheers Thanksgiving Cookbook. Send a copy of your favorite recipe to Mary Faye at loveshistory@hotmail.com (Word format if possible). Then join us on Zoom to share your favorite traditions, stories, and memories. Register Here.
Examining The Book of Revelation
Sunday, November 22, 10:00 a.m.
Join us for a special presentation about the Book of Revelation by Dan Smith, a PhD Candidate in the UT Religious Studies program (the same program from which Pastor Brad earned his degree). Smith interrogates the text of Revelation, revealing its themes of violence, protest, and resistance, all of which resonate in our current climate. So join us on Zoom as we work to explore and understand this famously difficult text. Register Here.
First Steps
Sunday, November 22, 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 trevor@fumcaustin.org. Register Here.
Book Discussion: Evicted
Sunday, November 22, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
This November we are highlighting the issues around hunger and homelessness. Join us as we read and discuss Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of 21st-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible. Please read at your own pace during November and join Pastor Cathy for a one-time discussion on November 22. Books may be purchased through a local bookstore or Amazon. Contact Pastor Cathy at cathy@fumcaustin.org for additional information. Register Here.
30th Anniversary ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 26
Virtual All Day
If you haven’t heard the news – this year’s ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is going virtual! One of Austin’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions, one hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to Caritas of Austin. Caritas is a nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and end homelessness for people in Greater Austin. Be sure to sign up to get your Trot on from wherever you are! Learn more about Caritas of Austin at https://caritasofaustin.org/ Register and learn more about the Turkey Trot at https://thundercloud.com/register/.
Mercy & Justice Fifth Sunday Presentation
Sunday, November 29, 9:45 a.m.
Zoom Online
Our Mercy and Justice Team invites you to our Fifth Sunday Presentation on Zoom. We will hear from Rev. Jared Slack, Development Director of The Other Ones Foundation. The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) is a nonprofit that provides extremely low-barrier employment, case management, and humanitarian aid to people experiencing homelessness in Austin. Before coming to TOOF, Jared served as the Pastor of Missional and Spiritual Formation at The First Baptist Church of Austin. We look forward to hearing Jared’s passion for offering others the opportunity to participate in the vision and mission of The Other Ones Foundation. Join us and bring your questions! Zoom link provided after registration. Register Here.
Sleeping Bag & Blanket Drive
Sunday, November 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
FUMC Parking Lot
Help our neighbors experiencing homelessness keep warm this holiday season with a donation to our sleeping bag and blanket drive. This month, collect blankets and sleeping bags from friends and family and then bring them all to the FUMC parking lot on Sunday, November 29, between 1:00-3:00 p.m. We request that sleeping bags are adult size and blankets are fleece twin/XL twin size. Each sleeping bag or blanket will make a difference for those experiencing homelessness and may literally save a life. You may also purchase blankets and sleeping bags from this Amazon wish list, along with other items for Christmas gifts to give to our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
2021 Pledge Commitment
First Church thanks you for your commitment to live generous lives. We pray that you may find the level of giving that is right for you as you progress in your journey of faith and commitment. Your pledges and contributions are a critical part of how we make a difference in our church, our community, and our world in 2021. Pledge Online.
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."
NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS
Central Texas Food Bank
Central Texas is among the fastest growing regions in the nation. But, for many of our neighbors, that growth comes at a high cost. Hunger affects people from all walks of life. Working families, retired seniors on fixed incomes, grandparents with custody of grandchildren, the chronically ill, and the disabled all turn to the Food Bank for help in emergencies or as part of their regular meal planning.

Due to COVID-19, the Central Texas Food Bank is experiencing a dramatic increase in need for our services as more people are impacted by shutdowns and work stoppages. But they remain open and the work continues. CTFB provides essential services to neighbors in need across 21 counties with the goal to always provide food to the neighbors that need it most.

We can help ensure that all our neighbors have access to the nourishing food they need to grow to meet their full potential. Every dollar donated provides four meals for our Central Texas neighbors in need. Gifts can be made online or a check marked “CT Food Bank” may be mailed to the church during November.

When giving online, please put “CAFB or Central Texas Food Bank” in the Notes field.
GIFTS
Endowment Fund
In memory of Howard Allen, given by Andrea Yorio.
In memory of Glenna Marks, given by Daviss King and William and Mary Ann Thurman. 


Gifts to FUMC
To our Music Memorial in memory of Howard Allen, given by Tom and Robbie Ausley and Nancy Littrell.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Submit a prayer request online.
Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Judy Breckbill, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Curt Shaw, Pam Tackett, Ann Thurman, George and Jackie Vanderhule, and Dan Wood.
 
Condolences to Sandy Bowles on the death of her daughter, Carla Bowles.
 
Prayers of comfort for those with Seasonal Affect Disorder who find the early darkness and colder weather hard to deal with.

Beyond our Congregation
Meridith Albright’s brother-in-law, Doug Fogle, 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; Sydney Head’s aunt, Tara Hershman; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Cherice Mumford’s friend, Nina Johnson; Sue Norris’ grandchildren; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Dianne and Michael Render’s friends, Aubie Camp and Sonny Dearing; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride; Keely Nugent’s aunt, Sharon Hudson; Keely Nugent’s friends’ newborn, Cruz Garcia-Gonzalez; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684