Sunday, September 20
16th Sunday After Pentecost
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Amos 8:4-8a
Sermon: "Poverty"
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Unmute Thyself: Talking Politics in Church
It's taboo to talk about politics in church, but we are called to connect our faith with the political challenges of our time. This fall, as our nation grapples with political issues during this election season, FUMC is pressing "unmute" to open the conversation about faith and politics. Through our sermon series, workshops and seminars, and invitations to participate in the political process, we invite you to join us as we consider how God calls us to respond in this highly politicized season.
Sermon Playlist
Want more resources about last week's taboo topic, Agency? Check out the "playlist" of resources that can help you further explore. We hope you will find them to be helpful in connecting your faith with the difficult discussions being had all around us. To find this week's playlist, go to fumcaustin.org/unmute.
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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 9/20). 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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Sprouts
1st and 3rd Sundays, 10:15 a.m.
FUMC's Children's Ministry will host bi-monthly parent and infant/toddler (0-2) meetings. We have babyfriendly curriculum led by nursery staff and teachers, including everyone's favorite, Ms. Pam. Check your Sunday morning email for Zoom link.
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Video Worship Service
We go live with a video worship service in the Sanctuary 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.
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Interactive Worship
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (opens at 10:50 a.m.)
Our Interactive Worship 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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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 [email protected]. Read More.
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The Armor of Light - Zoom Movie Night & Discussion
Sunday, September 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for a movie night and discussion featuring the documentary "The Armor of Light;" the story of an Evangelical minister and leader of the "pro-life" movement whose faith led him to re-consider the conversation around Christians and guns and whether American Christianity had a "pro-life" gun-ethic. View the trailer and register online.
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Cheers Virtual Game Night
Thursday, September 17, 7:00 p.m.
Cheers Y’all! Join your Cheers friends for a game night this month. Be prepared to play some hilarious rounds of Mad Libs (and thank you, Jan Ashmos, for this great idea). Join the virtual fun by Zoom! 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.
Also, mark your calendars for a special movie night Thursday, October 15. Details soon, as we’re trying to work out something both different and safe!
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In Honor and In Memory
Without a printed FUMC Weekly Newsletter, we have missed the opportunity to recognize the generous gifts given these last few months in honor and in memory of those we love. We will start including these in the body of this email next week. For this week, you can find all of the honorary and memorial gifts since March. We give thanks for the life and witness of each person named here! View Gifts Here.
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Discipleship Archive
As a resource to the congregation, an archive of recordings from previous studies can be found online in our Discipleship Archive. For privacy purposes, the archive is password protected so you will need to type in "gather@grow" to access the archive. The video from the "Reimagining Policing Conversation" can be found in the archive. Please email Emily Buchanan, Director of Discipleship, at [email protected] with any questions.
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Science and Scripture
Thursdays, September 24-October 15
7:00-8:00 p.m., Zoom
This 4-week class will give a scientist's view of the Creation stories of Genesis and the plagues and miracles of Exodus, led by beloved longtime teacher, scientist, and FUMC member Jim Bowen. Register online for Zoom link. Register Here.
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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: Faith in a Seed
September 26, 2020, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the next Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence workshop, “Faith in a Seed.” Facilitated by Dr. Amy Wink, we will explore gardening as a spiritual practice. This time we welcome Kris Light, senior pastor at University Place Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Champaign, Illinois, who is reclaiming a former dairy farm, and creating a beautiful multipurpose garden at Sirnoma Homestead. Whether you are creating a garden, large or small, or simply enjoy playing in the dirt, come explore how gardening works as a spiritual practice.
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Conversation on Healthcare
Sunday, September 27, 9:45 a.m.
Our last conversation as part of the fall sermon series will focus on healthcare, specifically how poverty and race affect healthcare access and outcomes. Speakers will be Dr. Christopher Ziebell, Medical Director of the ER Department at Dell SETON Medical Center at the University of Texas, and Anne Dunkelberg, Associate Director of Health and Wellness for Every Texan, moderated by member Ed Berger. Due to scheduling needs, this conversation will be prerecorded, so it is especially important that you send your questions to [email protected] by Sunday, September 20. The conversation will "air" at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 27. Please register online.
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Confirmation 2021
Tuesday, October 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Confirmation for 8th-10th graders begins Tuesday, October 20th 2020 and will run weekly through April of 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
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). Then, after your ballot is received (mailings are expected to begin September 18), return the signed ballot by mail OR submit your vote-by-mail ballot in person. Drop off locations for mail-in ballots will be available by October 1 (bring your photo ID). Follow all instructions. 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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Small Groups Forming
Are you craving meaningful connection along with the spiritual accountability that can accompany sharing your faith with an intimate group? While online groups may leave something to be desired, they CAN offer solace for those who deeply desire connection. This fall FUMC will be forming small groups for people who wish to grow their faith and trust in God within a small community of 8-10 other people. Groups will meet for 12 weeks. Even members who already participate in other classes will benefit from these smaller gatherings. Please register online at fumcaustin.org/smallgroups.
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Manna Bags Needed
We are seeking assembled Manna Bags to hand out to our hungry neighbors on the street. Officer Shelly, our officer from the Feed My People Breakfast, is helping distribute the Manna Bags where they are needed the most. 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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SEPTEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS |
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Global Mission Fellows
$30 buys a takeout meal — or $30 invested in the Global Mission Fellows program transforms a young adult’s life. Global Mission Fellows, ages 20-30, serve for two years in social justice ministries across the country or internationally. These young adults engage with local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. They work alongside community organizations on hunger and poverty, global health, migration, and education issues. Fellows from the United States and other countries leave their home communities, go through an extensive orientation, and work either in the United States or internationally — however, because of the pandemic, the newly commissioned 2020 class of Fellows will work only in the U.S.
FUMC partners with the GMF program, a ministry of The United Methodist Church. Annually in September, you have the opportunity to transform a life by giving $30 — or whatever amount you choose — online or mailing your contribution to the church office. Make checks payable to FUMC and include a note stating that your contribution is for "GMF."
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Kyle Johnston, John McMullen, Sallie Novinger, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Marie Richards, John Steves, Pam Tackett, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to Terri Purdy on the death of her uncle, Yoochung Sohn.
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; Cheryl Etie’s friends, Bryan and Sherry Fannin; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Cherice Mumford’s friend, Noelle Jackson; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; David Strong’s sister, Ann Hoge; David Strong’s friend, Rabbi Jill Zimmerman; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
Condolences to the friends and family of Judy Funke’s friend, Evelyn Long on her death.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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