Sunday, October 18
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher: Dr. Brad King
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
Sermon: "Reimagine"
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Our Money Story Worship Series
This fall, we are taking a fresh look at our money stories and asking where might God be speaking a new narrative into the limited ones we have told ourselves. We are inviting you to open up your own money story and consider it in the light of God’s story—a story that liberates us and invites us to be transformed for lives of joyful generosity and justice. This theme is personal—it’s about you as a disciple—but it’s also about us as a church.
Throughout the month of October, we invite you to join us in worship to remember, release, reimagine, and restore your money stories so that we can write the one God is begging us to live into. Beyond worship, you can take additional steps to grow in your discipleship through a personal study guide and opportunities to discuss and engage in spiritual practices that open us to that transformation. Read more at fumcaustin.org/ourmoneystory.
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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 10/18). 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.
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Our Money Story - Visio Divina
Sunday, October 18, 10:00 a.m., Zoom
Join longtime member Caroline Jones in her exploration of Visio Divina. Visio Divina, Latin for “divine seeing,” is a method of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of intentional seeing, used here with original artwork and artist statements created as part of our generosity series, Our Money Story. Sunday School classes and individuals welcome. Register Online.
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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.
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Administrative Board Meeting
Sunday, October 18, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend and participate in discussion. Board members have voting rights. Please register to attend using the link below if you are interested, but not a member of the board. The Zoom link will be emailed prior to the meeting. Register Here.
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Third Grade Bible Presentation
Sunday, October 18, 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
Parents of third graders, third grade is a special year when the church presents your child with the gift of a student Bible. We will be doing this year’s presentation of your child’s Bible during a safe, outdoor, in-person event, separated in two groupings. We are planning some fun activities to make the presentation extra special and the whole family is invited to participate! If you need more information, email [email protected].
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TOAST Check-In
Sunday, October 18, 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 [email protected].
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Volunteers Needed for Commitment Sunday
Hosts and helpers are needed for our interactive Commitment Sunday experience on Sunday, October 25. There are four 1.5 hour shifts throughout the day. Please consider serving during this onsite opportunity to connect with one another in a safe way, all while renewing our commitment to be a part of what God is doing in and through First Church. You can find additional information and sign up here. Please contact Pastor Cathy at [email protected] with questions.
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Walking the Labyrinth
If you find yourself yearning for a space and a few minutes of time set apart to recenter yourself, our labyrinth is available to walk in Murchison Chapel. Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, you walk slowly while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer. 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. For additional information, please contact Cindy Walter at [email protected].
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Confirmation 2021
Tuesday, October 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Confirmation for 8th-10th graders begins Tuesday, October 20, 2020 and will run weekly through April 2021. This is for youth interested in deepening their faith, learning more about the Methodist and Christian traditions/beliefs, and becoming a member of the Methodist Church. Baptism is required for Confirmation but not for participation in the Confirmation course. For more information about Methodist Confirmation, click here. Register Here.
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Pledge to Vote
Applications Due October 23
FUMC is a co-sponsor with Texas Impact for the Texas Faith Votes. We are being challenged with other congregations to show our pledge to vote. Please pledge to vote on November 3. In light of COVID-19 safety, all eligible persons should apply to Vote by Mail. Applications for the 2020 presidential election are due by October 23 (mail to arrive before that date). You may go to www.votetravis.com and find out if your vote by mail application has been received, if your ballot has been mailed to you, and if your ballot has been received. Then when the ballot is received, return by mail OR for security, you may submit your vote-by-mail ballot in person. Drop off location is 5501 Airport Boulevard, Austin, TX 78751-1410 (bring your photo ID). For more info, or if you need any help voting, please contact Jan Ashmos ([email protected], 512-771-3422) or Terri Sohn Purdy ([email protected], 512-680-4694), FUMC Vote-by-Mail Captains. To Pledge to Vote online, go to fumcaustin.org/pledgetovote.
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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: Pray Without Ceasing
October 24, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the next Creating Spirit Practicing Presence workshop, Pray without Ceasing. Does prayer come easy to you or are you at a loss for words? Does unceasing prayer seem daunting? Facilitated by Dr. Amy Wink, this workshop will explore what prayer means (private and public) and consider different ways to pray, with words as well as without them. Don’t worry, you will not be required to pray out loud during this workshop. Register Here.
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Cheers at the Paramount Theatre
Thursday, October 22, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The Paramount Theatre presents Art Heist. Become a detective on a downtown Austin walking search for a criminal mastermind in the all-new interactive theater show Art Heist. Registration with $10 cost covers admission. No ticket purchase necessary. To view a full description, go to Art Heist at the Paramount. The Cheers Ministry is a community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired, semi-retired, or thinking about setting a date to retire. Register Here.
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On Commitment Sunday, you will have the opportunity to turn in your Generosity Commitment Card at the church in a special way to express your intent and affirm your desire to honor God with your financial generosity. Sharing with the church your prayerful decision to be generous makes it possible for us to confidently make and implement bold plans for effective ministry. You may also submit your pledge online at fumcaustin.org/pledge.
Commitment Sunday Stations
Sunday, October 25
15-Minute Time Slots, 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 1:00-5:30 p.m
Join us at the church to prayerfully offer your 2021 financial commitment to FUMC.
When you arrive, you will be guided through a series of stations lifting up each of the commitments we are called to make as the Church:
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Prayers | Exercise your commitment to pray for the church and our ministry by tying a cloth prayer strip to prayer lines that will hang between the columns on our front porch.
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Presence | Place your name on the pew in the Sanctuary where you usually sit in worship—or where you look forward to sitting again—as a symbol of your commitment to be regularly present for worship, even virtually. Or, bring a picture of yourself to leave in your spot!
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Gifts | Bring your 2021 Commitment Card and leave it at the altar with a guided prayer of Dedication.
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Service | Receive a manna bag prepared for you by FUMC Volunteers to give away to someone in need of a meal.
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Witness | Fill out a card to share a tangible way you will live into God’s money story in the coming year.
Masks and social distancing are required. Please review the available slots at our sign up and reserve one time slot per family unit. View Commitment Stations Map.
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All Saints Observance at FUMC
Sunday, November 1
While safe practices require us to change our usual traditions, we will still offer a meaningful opportunity to observe All Saints Day on November 1. Our Sunday morning video worship services will include reading names and lighting a candle for members of our congregation who have died in the past year, as well as a special time of prayer for all those we will be remembering that day. In addition, we will offer three evening Holy Communion services in the parking lot, with registration required. Following the service, you’ll be invited to enter the sanctuary (with monitors allowing only a few people at a time) for a time of prayer and candle lighting at the altar rail. The Sanctuary will be open from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with music provided by FUMC musicians throughout the evening. Those who wish to participate only in prayer and candle lighting may do so by utilizing street parking, rather than the parking lot. Registration is only required for Communion, not for prayer in the Sanctuary.
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First Steps
Sunday, November 15, 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 [email protected]. Register Here.
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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 [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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Casa Marianella and World Communion Sunday
This October, gifts to our mission emphasis will be shared between Casa Marianella and World Communion Sunday. Casa Marianella welcomes displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services here in Austin. In addition to shelter, Casa offers access to legal and medical resources, food, clothing, English classes, and other resources. The World Communion Sunday offering helps provide scholarships through the United Methodist Church for national and international graduate students whom God has called to learn and to serve.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within our Congregation
Bob and Clo Bains, Sandy Bowles, Maureen Cooley, Katie Cooley, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Pam Tackett, Jackie Vanderhule, Willie Wisko, and Dan Wood.
Joy for our confirmands and gratitude for Devon Bailey’s leadership.
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; Judy Breckbill’s extended family member, Brian Mesko; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride; Cindy Walter’s friend, Milton Lindsay; Cindy Walter’s great-nephew, Titus, and his parents Mike and Courtney Stubbs; 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
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