First Church News
Together We Can
We have now embarked on a new year in the life of our church. Thank you for all that you did to get us through 2009! Not only are we embarking on a new year, but we are entering a new phase of transition and transformation as a congregation. Change is in the air... [Read More]
Ishmael’s Children with Ralph Rash Begins February 8th
In this study, Ralph Rash, respected teacher and student of the Bible, will lead a workshop on “election” in the Bible, using Genesis 17 as the point of departure. Along the way we will touch on how the “Biblical fact” of election and the sister concept of covenant has been used and misused in church history.
This class will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, February 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The cost is $5. To register, please contact Laurie Barr at laurie@fumcaustin.org or 478-5684 (ext. 200).
A Doubters Guide to the Bible with John McMullen Begins February 9th
John McMullen, senior pastor and popular teacher, will lead this study, based on the book, A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible, by Terry Giles. In this class, participants will be invited to look honestly at some of the difficulties people have with the Bible.
Questions will include:
Doesn’t the Bible just say what we want it to say?
Does anyone have the real Bible?... [Read More]
“Neighbors by the Lake” and Good Books Galore on February 12th
The next gathering of “Neighbors by the Lake” is Friday, February 12th, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. We will begin with a potluck dinner and then spend the rest of our time together sharing especially interesting books. Each of us may bring a book and, if you choose, share a short synopsis with us. If you would just like to bring a book and talk about it during dinner with your table friends, that’s fine, too... [Read More]
Temporary Street Closure - Austin Marathon on February 14
Course Map
Please be advised that there will be many street closures in the Capitol Complex on Sunday, February 14, 2010, for the Austin Marathon. In the Capitol Complex, Congress Avenue and all cross streets from MLK Boulevard to 6th Street will be closed from 7AM until 2PM. The event will also use the Capitol driveways as part of the race route. A large section of 15th Street will be closed for the a half-marathon. Attached is a street closure schedule noting the times each street will be closed. If anyone can make it to the Capitol Drive during the race, DPS will allow them onto the grounds. But the advice is to avoid this area until after 2:00 p.m.
New Stephen Ministers to be Commissioned on February 14th
The new class of Stephen Ministers will be commissioned during the 11:00 a.m. sanctuary worship service on Sunday, February 14th. Six new ministers will be added to the others serving this congregation. Please join us as these six well-trained, compassionate Christian men and women become a vital part of our Stephen Ministry team.
Should you need or want more information about this ministry, please contact the church office at 478.5684. All contact is confidential.
Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper on February 17th
Hot pancakes, sizzling sausage and bacon, tempting toppings like whipped cream and fruit, along with orange juice, milk, and coffee await you between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Family Life Center.
A donation of $5 (or more) will admit you to this all-you-can-eat event, a wonderful occasion for church families to share a meal together and then worship at the traditional Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 p.m.
Season of Lent Begins on February 17th
What Is Lent?
Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter.... [Read More]
Ash Wednesday Services
On February 17th, our congregation will begin the traditional celebration of Lent with Ash Wednesday services at 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.... [Read More]
Sacred Music as a Lenten Discipline on February 17th
We usually think of Lent as a time for breaking a bad habit, giving up that little something we have taken a liking to, as a matter of discipline. It does take 40 days to break a bad habit, but in 40 days you can also establish a good habit.
During this upcoming Lenten season we would like to invite you to develop the good habit of improving your church music skills.... [Read More]
New Agers Gathering on February 18th
We welcome everyone to come to New Agers, a group that meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
On Thursday, February 18th, you are invited to join others from our church family for fellowship and games at the Senior Activity Center, 2874 Shoal Crest Avenue, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A catered lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. for $6. For more information, please contact Ruth Nicks at 292-4541.
FUM Preschool Hosts Annual Family Music Festival on February 20th
All are invited to join in the fun at the annual FUM Preschool Family Music Festival on Saturday, February 20th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in our Family Life Center. Come wiggle with your youngest rock star!
This family-friendly musical event is geared specifically toward families with young children. The Festival will feature performances by award-winning Joe McDermott and well-known Austin musician, Staci Gray,... [Read More]
Contemplative Prayer Group: Everything Belongs Begins February 21st
People who have been practicing contemplation/meditation for years and those for whom it’s brand new are welcome in this group. The pattern of our meetings will include a twenty-minute period of contemplation in silence, conversation about that experience, discussion of a portion of Rohr’s book, and finally, a conversation seeking to support each other in our contemplative lifestyle day by day.... [Read More]
Artist’s Way Think Tank with Chip Morris on February 21st
Can’t find the time to do anything creative? Got a project underway and need some help bringing it to completion? Become part of our Artist’s Way Think Tank.
We are meeting to inspire and help each other get unblocked and be creative in any way possible. Following a short reading on some aspect of the creative process,... [Read More]
Children’s Baptism Counseling Class on February 21st
Our church offers a monthly baptism class for parents who would like to have their infant welcomed into our congregation by this sacrament.
This class will meet on Sunday, February 21st, at 10:00 a.m. in the Library and will be taught by Paula Stiernberg, Director of Children’s Ministries,... [Read More]
Tweeners’ Manna Bag Sale on February 21st
Our Tweeners, a group of third, fourth and fifth graders, assemble bags for you to buy and keep in your car so that when you pass a homeless person, you can give him/her the bag instead of money.
Manna Bags are filled with a nutritious meal (meat, fruit, health bar, and beverage), a new pair of sock... [Read More]
Volunteers Needed for “Feed My People” Breakfast on February 23rd
Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food for the breakfast for the homeless on Tuesday, February 23rd, in the Great Hall of our Family Life Center. As always, our church hosts on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
If you would like to volunteer, preparation, cooking, and set up begins at 5:00 a.m... [Read More]
The God Box with Caroline Jones, Cathy Stone, and Ann Teich on February 25th
Is homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching,” as the United Methodist Social Principles assert? Millions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens face this question with fear and/or hope every day. In The God Box, by Alex Sanchez, Paul is one such teen who loves God and finds joy in practicing his faith. As his gay orientation becomes increasingly clear to him, Paul wonders if God is testing, punishing, or even rejecting him. The novel, marketed to young adults but appealing to a broader audience, explores the intersections between faith, religion, and identity,... [Read More]
February Mission Emphasis: Interfaith Hospitality Network
Our church has participated in IHN for a number of years. IHN is a shelter program of Foundation for the Homeless and is designed to provide transitional shelter for families experiencing homelessness. FUMC provides a place for homeless families to live four times a year, one week at a time. Our first hosting for 2009 begins March 7th in our Family Life Center. ..... [Read More]
The Book of James with Gary Diehl Begins March 2nd
How do Christians act from Monday through Saturday? The Book of James provides much guidance on this question. Yet Martin Luther called it the “epistle of straw!” Come join us for a stimulating discussion of this oft-quoted book.
Gary Diehl, leader for this class, is a Certified Lay Speaker.. [Read More]
Book Review with Nancy Lewis on March 2nd and 9th
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is a delightful epistolary novel which many of you may have already read. Our discussions will center around the Nazi occupation of the island of Guernsey and the relationships which were developed and which enabled the residents to make it through the almost six-year occupation.... [Read More]
Austin CROP Hunger Walk: Walking Makes a World of Difference on March 6th and 7th
First Church is gearing up to participate in the 2010 Austin CROP Hunger Walk. This city-wide interfaith event brings together walkers from across the community to join our hearts and feet in fundraising for those in need in our community and across the globe. Hunger-fighting programs in Austin benefit, along with assisting in the relief and recovery work in Haiti and other places internationally. First Church has the tradition of fielding the top Walking Team in this local/global effort... [Read More]
Imagine No Malaria on April 25th
What is Imagine No Malaria?
In 2008, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church adopted global health as an area of focus for the entire denomination. The Global Health Initiative is the vehicle through which we will work to counter the devastating effects of diseases of poverty. Imagine No Malaria, a program of the Global Health Initiative, is a global health effort with a focus squarely on the goal of eliminating malaria forever. Imagine No Malaria will direct resources, supplies and the passion of our people to Africa to save lives... [Read More]
Volunteers Needed for Connections Team
The Connections Team is looking for folks to do some volunteering from the comfort of their own home.
- We need church members who are passionate about FUMC.
- We need members who like to speak on the phone.
- We need people who are comfortable with email.
If that sounds like your “cup of tea,” please contact Jen Stuart at jen@fumcaustin.org or 478-5684 (ext. 203).
11:00 a.m. Wednesdays
Are you free at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays? Be at the Murchison Chapel with any instrument you can play--at any skill level. Whoever comes will jam weekly--we will play whatever songs have been selected for the Wednesday 12:10 communion service, and then we will all lead music in the service together.
If you would like to know more, please contact Clifton Stringer at clifton@fumcaustin.org or Young Son at young@fumcaustin.org.
Used Cell Phone Drive
If you have a used cell phone and want to donate it, Foundation for the Homeless, the parent organization for the Interfaith Hospitality Network and Feed My People breakfast program (both of which are missions of FUMC), can use it as part of an ongoing fundraising project. The phones will be recycled by the Austin-based Collex Company, and FFH will receive money for the phones.... [Read More]
Sign Up Now for 2010 Altar Flower Dates
Altar flower dates for 2010 are already being filled, so now is the time to reserve special dates for next year.
Placing flowers on the altar for our worship services is a wonderful way to honor someone you love and appreciate or to remember a departed loved one. Think about special people, special days like birthdays and anniversaries,... [Read More]
Did You Know that Our Church Is on Facebook?
First United Methodist is on Facebook, a social networking site that is lots of fun. Facebook can connect you to friends new and old as well as notify you of upcoming events.We invite you to join our church on Facebook. For questions or more information, please contact Jen Stuart at jen@fumcaustin.org or 478-5684 (ext. 203).
“Knit Wits” Prayer Shawl Ministry
The “Knit Wits” are looking for people who could benefit from receiving a prayer shawl. If you know of anyone who needs a prayer or hug, a prayer shawl might be the answer. Please contact Laurie Barr at laurie@fumcaustin.org or 478-5684 (ext. 200) and leave your request with her, including names and complete addresses. These shawls are a gift from the knitters here at First Church, but donations to help pay for postage are always appreciated.
Café Mission Benefits English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Breakfast is served at Café Mission every Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the foyer of our Family Life Center and on the sidewalk between the Chapel and the Sanctuary. The February proceeds will benefit our English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.
Pastors On Call
One of First Church’s pastors will be “on call” for emergencies after 6:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. You may call the church office at 478-5684, press 4, and leave your message in the general mailbox. The pastor on call will check the voice mail box several times a day and will return your call as soon as possible.
History Center Exhibit Features Tom and Robbie Ausley
The newest exhibit in our History Center features Tom and Robbie Ausley, members for more than 40 years. They have served church and community in an amazing number and range of ministries, and are still discovering new ways of living out their commitment to Christ, especially through this church. You are invited to stop by our History Center, just off the north hall from the Sanctuary foyer, to learn more about Tom and Robbie. You will be uplifted and inspired!
Want to Publicize Something?
To include any information about recent or future events in the bulletin insert or FUMC Weekly or on the website, please submit to Tami Kellberg at publications@fumcaustin.org by 12:00 noon on Mondays. If you do not have email access, please contact Tami Kellberg at 478-5684 (ext. 226) to make arrangements for your submission.
When you make your submission, please include the Publicity Submission Form that can be downloaded at www.fumcaustin.org/resources/forms.html.
Please make sure you meet the Monday deadline.
