Sunday, September 27
17th Sunday After Pentecost
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28
Sermon: "Power"
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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, Poverty? 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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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. The conversation will "air" at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 27. Please register online to receive the Zoom link for Sunday.
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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 10/04). 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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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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Virtual FEAST!
Sunday, September 27, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Zoom Online
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us for a Virtual FEAST! While this event can't replace our dinner events in the Family Life Center, we can still have food, fellowship, and great conversation over Zoom. We will discuss what we mean by the "Kingdom of God," and we all plan to order Italian takeout so that we can enjoy a meal together, even if only on Zoom. Register Here.
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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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Holy Communion on World Communion Sunday
On this World Communion Sunday, you are invited to share Communion together. Sign up to attend one of three brief Communion Services in the FUMC parking lot, where we have devised the safest possible way to share in this Sacrament together. Bread and juice will be individually bagged for each car and distributed when you arrive, and participants will be invited to park in every other spot, joining the service from your tailgate or camping chair behind your car. Join us! Please only register once per vehicle, and do not add additional family members to your registration. Only one registration is needed to reserve your parking spot!
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Our Money Story - Visio Divina
Sundays, October 4-18, 10:00 a.m., Zoom
Join longtime member Caroline Jones in her exploration of Visio Divina over 3 classes. 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 for any or all weeks! Register Online.
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Conversations on Racial Justice
Sunday, October 4, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Join us as we work to be anti-racists. This group meets on first Sundays, 4:30-6:00 p.m., to discuss and learn more about racial oppression, issues of whiteness and racism, and other topics through videos, podcasts, and short articles. Our October topic will be voter suppression. While not required, we recommend watching the new documentary All In: The Fight For Democracy prior to the conversation. The Zoom link will be provided after registration. Please contact Pastor Cathy Stone at [email protected] for additional information. Register Here.
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Why This New Testament
Wednesdays, October 7-28, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Though we often talk about the New Testament as a single work, it is actually a library of twenty-seven different texts with nearly as many authors. In fact, the collection of texts that we think of as the Bible wasn’t agreed upon until the fourth century. If you’d like to know more about what’s in your New Testament and how it got there, join Dr. Brad King for this four week series, meeting Wednesday nights from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Register Here.
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Mercy & Justice Book Study: White Too Long
Two Options on Zoom
Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we read and discuss White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones. Drawing on history, public opinion surveys, and personal experience, Jones delivers a provocative examination of the unholy relationship between American Christianity and white supremacy, and issues an urgent call for white Christians to reckon with this legacy for the sake of themselves and the nation. Please register below and a Zoom invitation will be sent. Contact Pastor Cathy at [email protected] for additional information.
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Middle School Weekend
Friday, October 16, 5:00 p.m.-
Saturday, October 17, 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of our usual Middle School Retreat, all 6th through 8th grade youth are invited to a weekend of fun around town! On October 16 & 17, we will plan a series of events to safely get outside, have some dang fun, and be together. This is not an overnight event. We’ll have an activity Friday evening on the 16, and have activities the afternoon of the 17. More details to follow. Cost is $60. October weather can be tricky, given our desire to be safe outdoors, weather could impact our plans. We will communicate as quickly as possible should anything change. Any questions or concerns? Email [email protected]. Register Here.
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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
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 (mailings are expected to begin September 18), return by mail OR for security, you may 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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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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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, John McMullen, Sallie Novinger, Mari Perez, Dick Raycraft, Marie Richards, Pam Tackett, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to the Cripe family on the death of Duane’s father, Jack Cripe.
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; Scott Davis’ niece, Erin Gonzales; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Cindy Gunderson’s friends, Glycine and Sharon; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride; David Strong’s sister, Ann Hoge; David Strong’s friend, Rabbi Jill Zimmerman; 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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