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Preaching: Dr. Brad King
Genesis 9:12-17
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Worship with FUMC Austin
Join us in the Sanctuary for worship this Sunday at 9:00 or 11:00AM or participate in 11:00AM worship online via livestream by visiting Youtube Channel or Facebook or listen to the podcast on our Worship Archive.
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GENERAL CONFERNCE UPDATES | |
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Celebrating a Whole Rainbow of Changes at General Conference
The postponed 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church concluded on Friday, and it was an historic two weeks that leave the UMC a more inclusive and affirming denomination. The infamous "incompatability clause" was removed from the Book of Discipline and, by the end of the conference, so were bans against same-sex weddings and the ordination and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ clergy.
While we lament that it has taken far too long for these changes to be made by the denomination, we want to celebrate the ways that the United Methodist Church has become a more inclusive and affirming church, even as First Church. On Sunday, May 12, we invite you to wear your rainbows to worship as we celebrate with joy these changes that affirm the sacred worth of all of God's LGBTQ+ children.
A note about the next few weeks: with broad news coverage of these changes, we anticipate increased interest in our church—most of it positive! While we have not received any unwanted attention this week and we do not anticipate any, out of an abundance of caution we will have extra staff and volunteers at our most public entrances for hospitality and safety, while keeping more doors locked than usual. In addition, you may notice a uniformed officer on our sidewalk this Sunday morning.
In the weeks and months to come, we hope to welcome anyone who is looking for an LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming faith community. Please help us extend First Church hospitality for all and, through it, the love of God to everyone who walks through our doors.
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Thank You to Sunday School Teachers!
Thank you to our amazing and dedicated Sunday School teachers for children and youth! Because of you, we are able to offer year-round faith formation small groups on Sundays to our young disciples, aged preschool through 12th grade. During the school year, it requires no less than 12 adult volunteers every week to create safe spaces for a shared time of learning, listening, laughing, raising questions and (sometimes) answering them. Through leading lessons and activities you build relationships that benefit both student and teacher. Ask any of the following why they serve and you will see what a calling and blessing it can be: Suzanne Barnard; Jennifer Bevel; Judy Breckbill; Jane Bowen; Kim Bowen; Brad Buchanan; Lucius Bunton; Amanda Cripe; Robbie Cripe; Leta Deithloff; Tim Deschner; Judy Funke; Melanie Greene; Jessica Harper; Sammy Huffaker; Leslie Ivey; Katie Kaighan; Melanie Miller; Curt Shaw ; Debbie Shaw; Scott Seibel; Ann Venno; and Deborah Wilder. Thank you for all you do to make sure that young people know they always have a place in the church!
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Experience At the Well
Sunday, May 5 | 12:15PM
FLC Great Hall
We are thrilled to celebrate 5 years of compassion through At the Well (ATW), our ministry for unhoused neighbors who identify as women. Dedicated ATW volunteers invite you to be our guest as you experience first-hand the hospitality and care that are hallmarks of this ministry. Let them walk you through a typical Friday morning of At the Well, offer you a meal, and share stories of how drawing near to ATW guests each week is transforming us. Register at fumcaustin.org/social-justice. Contact Pastor Cathy Stone to learn more about this event.
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FUMC LGBTQ+ Community Brunch
Sunday, May 5 | 12:15PM
Nearby Restaurant TBD
You are invited to the first spring gathering of FUMC Austin’s new LGBTQ+ community group following the conclusion our 11:00AM worship service. We will meet at a nearby restaurant (TBD!) for brunch to get to know one another. Mellissa Polk and Rose Martinelli will facilitate this conversation to explore what we would like this group to be/do in the coming year. RSVP by Friday, May 3, at fumcaustin.org/lgbtq-brunch so that we have an accurate count for the restaurant. Contact Rose with questions about this gathering or the LGBTQ+ community group.
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EARLY START!
Special Engage: Pecan Street Festival
Sunday, May 5
3:30-7:00PM | FLC & 6th Street
Middle and high school students are invited to hike down to the Pecan Street Festival to scope out all the vendors and find kettle corn and other treats. Engage, our gathering for youth, will meet at the FLC at 3:30PM—an hour earlier than usual—so that we have time to walk down to the festival and spend about an hour and a half enjoying the atmosphere and activity that it brings to our downtown neighborhood. Feel free to send youth with money for any of the food and snack vendors. Engage will end at the regularly scheduled time, so plan to pick up youth at the FLC at 7:00PM.
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Mental Health and Faith: A Wesleyan Perspective
Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28
7:00-8:00PM | Zoom
Since 1949, the month of May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month “to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.” Two centuries ago, as he struggled with mental health issues impacting his faith, John Wesley preached and wrote on the importance of a holistic approach to health and healing, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Join Pastor John Hathaway for this study of Wesley’s sermons and other writings as we examine the intersection of faith, mental health, and physical wellbeing. Further information (including reading materials available online) and a Zoom link will be provided with registration.
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Deep Dive: The Book of Revelation
Wednesdays, May 8, 15, and 22
6:00-7:15PM | Zoom
Deep Dive is more than just a Bible study! It’s a chance to dig into the text, to explore some of the deepest history of our faith, and to wrestle with the unanswerable questions that scripture invites us not to solve, but to consider. For our last Deep Dive with Pastor Brad King, we are delving into the wild wild world of Revelation. Join us to grapple with this document’s mysteries and to see what wisdom it offers for modern day Christians—and yes, we will also talk about the “mark of the beast” and all the other juicy motifs that make this text so interesting to wrestle with! Zoom link sent with registration.
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Imagine Austin: How Growth Will Shape Our City's Future
Thursday, May 16
7:00PM | Zoom
Austin has been among the fastest growing metro areas in the country for more than a decade. This short zoom presentation will help us learn more about where Austin stands in terms of future growth trends as we consider how this affects our city, our neighborhood, and this community of faith. Zoom link sent with registration. Contact Rachel Wright with questions.
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FEAST Karaoke Night
Saturday, May 18
6:30PM
Common Interest Karaoke Bar
8440 Burnet Road
Join us for an extra-loud, extra-fun FEAST karaoke event in a private room. Bring a friend, grab a drink, sing a song! Contact Pastor Brad King for details. Let’s FEAST!
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Special Engage: Senior Roast
Sunday, May 19
4:30-7:00PM | Family Life Center
It’s time for Engage, our weekly Sunday evening gathering for middle and high school students, to celebrate our graduating seniors. We are hosting a Senior Roast, where we will share stories and watch a slideshow just for them. Please plan to bring a dessert, side dish, soft drinks, or a small donation to help cover the cost of dinner. This will be our last Engage of this school year, so you won’t want to miss it.
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Pentecost Picnic
Sunday, May 19
12:15PM | Church Parking Lot
Save the date for the return of the Pentecost Picnic! We are celebrating the birthday of the Christian church with a backyard bash. Enjoy good food—including vegetarian and gluten free options—and good friends at this casual community meal following the conclusion of our 11:00AM worship service. The cost is $5 per person. Contact Jen Seibel with questions.
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Wanted: Summer Sunday School Helpers
Our faith community is blessed and strengthened by the presence of many children. Our Children’s Ministry Team invites you to get to know FUMC’s youngest disciples better this summer and give our regular teachers a time of rest and renewal by serving with Children’s Sunday School. Help us reach our goal of offering two classrooms for our elementary school kids throughout the summer by signing up to help on one or more Sundays in June or July. All volunteers must be Safe Gatherings certified. Contact Jen Seibel for more information about serving or about Safe Gatherings.
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Update On Our Stained Glass Windows
For those of us counting how long some of our stained glass windows have been out, the first five were removed and sent for restoration in late January. To check on progress and better understand the process, staff members Emily Buchanan and Mark Steves and Trustee Chair Ed Berger recently accompanied our project architects and general contractor to Stanton Studios in Waco, where the work is being done. They saw first hand how time consuming and arduous the 16-plus week process is. Every individual piece of glass in the windows must be removed, cleaned, and reassembled into sections and frames. Some are even being edge-sanded to within thousandths of an inch as they are reassembled to correct original manufacturing and assembly flaws. Amazingly, only a handful of glass pieces cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced. Observing the artisans practicing their craft down to the tiniest of details was both amazing and gratifying – our windows are literally in good hands. We anticipate having one or two windows back in the Sanctuary by early summer.
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We fervently believe that God can use anyone to transform the world. That is why our youth practice mercy and justice through our middle and high school service trips. This summer, more than 60 young people and adults will travel to Ft. Worth, Texas, and Eastern Kentucky with our partners at Be the Neighbor (BTN) and Appalachian Service Project (ASP). Our partnership with ASP has spanned more than 4 decades and shaped generations of disciples at First Church.
In May, you are invited to be a part of this year’s summer service teams without even leaving home by making a gift to our May Mission Emphasis or by buying “stock” in the trip directly from our young people. You will find our summer service volunteers out on the sidewalk after worship services helping to fundraise our goal of $30,000.
You can help us achieve this goal by purchasing “stock” in person or by making a direct donation to the Youth Missions Fund. Buying “stock” is a direct investment in the faith formation and growth of our youth as they grow in their love of God by learning how to share God’s love with vulnerable neighbors. You may also make a gift to support our young people by placing it in the offering basket, mailing it to or bringing it by the church office, or making it online at fumcaustin.org/give and selecting “Youth Missions” from the drop-down menu.
This summer, we look forward to participating with you in directly impacting the communities we will serve and the relationships we will build along the way!
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Frances Crockett, Pat Freeman, Garza Family, Caroline Greene, Chris Higgs, Scott Krell, Kristin Robertson, Carolyn Trigg, and Cecily Wright.
Beyond Our Congregation
Jo Rene Altenberg, sister of Fay Brown; Chris Arco, cousin of Jackson May; Betsy Carroll, friend of Meridith Albright; Jan Chenoweth, friend of Peggy Davis; Nancy Ellison, friend of Jan Ashmos; Blair Hagata, friend of Cliff and Jackie Archey; Elissa Marek, friend of Curt Ashmos; Patty McCormick, friend of Jan Ashmos; Jerry McMurtrey, uncle of Curt Ashmos; Susan Milligan, niece of Kathleen Jones; Karen Montandon, friend of Sue Norris; Julibeth Parrish, friend of Ann Young; Vickye Patrick, friend of Jan Ashmos; Sharon Porch, mother of Melissa Maluski; Mike Rains, friend of Kelly Mills; Lee Rohovec, brother of Jane Bowen; Lauren Stafford, niece of Cheryl Bias; Tonya Basler Stout, sister of Grady Basler; GG Trent, mother of Dewana Ferguson; David Trigg, friend of Anne Young, Nancy Willet, friend of Janet Camp.
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