Candlemas — Presentation of our lord

Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 7:30 PM

An ancient celebration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple

• Candlelight procession and Eucharist
• Blessing of candles for the church year
• Bring a candle to be blessed for prayer in your home
• Celebrate the passing on of the light of hope and faith from one generation to another
• Offering dedicated to Any Baby Can

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SENIORFEST 2012: FAITH IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE
Saturday, February 4
Palm Valley Lutheran Church, Round Rock

Registration and Coffee Fellowship begin at 8:30 a.m.
Is learning about your faith a New Year’s resolution? SeniorFest 2012 has all the elements: Teaching in the Word, Training for discipleship, discussions on putting our faith to work. Come join us for Faith in the Public Square: An exciting presenter with national credentials, Retired Army Chaplain Rodger Venzke, two great workshops chosen from a list of eight; a great meal and conversations with old and new friends.

Questions? Call Barbara Gilbertson at (512) 864-7473.
If you need a ride contact Pat Thomas at 441-1485.

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM
Living the Questions: An Introduction to Progressive Christianity

This Sunday’s topic in the Living the Questions discussion series will be Practicing Resurrection.
Join us at 9:45 a.m. in the Parlor for the video presentation and guided conversation.

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FASTNACHT
Tuesday, February 21, Pancake Supper & Talent Show
6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Calling all prospective performers!
To showcase your talent, please contact Vicar Peder.
E-mail to vicar@felcaustin.org, speak to him in person, or leave a voicemail at 478-1933, ext. 12.

Look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

This Sunday’s topic in the Living the Questions discussion series will be The
Myth of Redemptive Violence. Join us at 9:45 a.m. in the Parlor for the video presentation and guided conversation.

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ANNUAL MEETING AND POTLUCK LUNCHEON
Sunday, January 29 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Potluck Luncheon takes place on Sunday, January 29 in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to receive annual reports.

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HEART TO DRUM
Drumming with Rajamani
Tuesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Transept Chapel

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PRIME TIMERS
Wednesday, February 1 at 12:30 p.m.

Prime Timers will meet on Wednesday February 1 for fellowship and potluck. At the February and March meeting the group will learn about the use of old slang expressions plus new words added to the dictionary. All ages are invited to come for lunch and laughter. We will cover the whole “kit and caboodle” of old folk expressions.

Remember to attend the SeniorFest on February 4 at Palm Valley Lutheran Church. EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS JANUARY 27. If you need a ride contact Pat Thomas at 441-1485.

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CANDLEMAS
Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Join us for this service on the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. The
service, known traditionally as the Candlemas when candles for the church are blessed, will be a candlelight procession and Eucharist. We invite you to bring a candle to be blessed for prayer in your home and an offering to be dedicated to Any Baby Can. Come and celebrate the passing on of the light of hope and faith from one generation to another.

At the January 17 meeting of the Church Council, the following officers were elected:
Nancy Neuse, President
Terry Porter, Vice President
Alison-Derick-Northcutt, Secretary
Dana MacLaren, Treasurer
David Austin, Financial Secretary

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM
Living the Questions: An Introduction to Progressive Christianity

This Sunday’s topic in the Living the Questions discussion series will be Evil, Suffering, and A God of Love. Join us at 9:45 a.m. in the Parlor for the video presentation and guided conversation.

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ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 29 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Potluck Luncheon takes place on Sunday, January 29 in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to receive annual reports.

Want a chance to meet the dogs of First English? Come to our Pooch Party!
We’ll meet at the dog park on Red Bud Isle. Talk to Vicar Peder for more info.

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM at 9:45
Living the Questions: An Introduction to Progressive Christianity

We are using the video discussion series Living the Questions. The second section of the series is on Reclaiming the World and includes sessions on themes such as Restoring Relationships; Evil, Suffering, and A God of Love; and The Myth of Redemptive Violence. This Sunday’s topic will be The Prophetic Jesus. Join us for this engaging series that includes presentations by scholars and religious leaders, followed by guided conversation. Bring your questions and don’t expect to hear any easy answers as we explore how progressive Christianity can speak to today’s world.

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SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM

This Sunday at the 11 o’clock worship service we celebrate the baptism of Penelope Kay Escandell, daughter of Katy (Boggs) and Jason Escandell, granddaughter of Teresa Tice-Boggs. Welcome, Penelope Kay, as a fellow sister in the family of God, member of the body of Christ! Congratulations, Katy and Jason, and blessings on your family.

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ANNUAL MICAH 6 CHURCHES JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Austin Catholic Parish

Each year the churches of Micah 6 come together to worship and give thanks for the ministry we do together. This year, the event will be at St. Austin Catholic Parish on Guadalupe. The Vespers service will mark the week of Christian Unity, and include a joint choir of members from all our churches singing Mendelssohn’s How Lovely are the Messengers. Pastor Coffey will deliver the homily. You are invited to walk over to University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe Street, after the worship service to visit the new drop-in center. Visitors are to enter UBC from the San Antonio Street side of the building.

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MICAH 6 NOTES

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MICAH 6
“A heartfelt thanks to all who responded to the recent plea for food for Micah 6. Our cumulative donations will make a difference!” —Barbara Schutz

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m. to staff the new Street Youth Drop-In Center located at University Baptist Church. The center will offer a safe place to meet with food, restroom facilities, and computers. In the future, we hope to add educational opportunities to aid the youth in obtaining stability and self-sufficiency.

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MEETING SCHEDULE CHANGE

The January meeting of the Church Council was changed from our normal meeting schedule (3rd Monday, January 16) to the next day, Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m., due to the MLK holiday.

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OFFICE NOTICES

CHURCH OFFICE AND CDC CLOSED, Monday, January 16, 2012
in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Remembrance.

ANNUAL MEETING REPORTS DUE, Tuesday, January 17, 2012

This Sunday morning we return to the regular schedule:
Worship at 8:30 and 11:00.
Sunday School at 9:45.

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ADULT FORUM: Sunday, January 8, 2012
Living the Questions: Reclaiming the World

Beginning January 8, we will continue using the video discussion series Living the Questions. The second section of the series is on Reclaiming the World and includes sessions on themes such as Restoring Relationships; Evil, Suffering, and A God of Love; and The Myth of Redemptive Violence.

Join Pastor Coffey for this engaging series that includes presentations by scholars and religious leaders, followed by guided conversation. Bring your questions and don’t expect to hear any easy answers as we explore how progressive Christianity can speak to today’s world.

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FELC BOOK CLUB
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

The book club is meeting on Sunday evening at the home of Barbara Wiederaenders. Cry, the Beloved Country is the book. All are welcome. Any questions go to Anne Wiebe (wiebeanne@hotmail.com) or Nikki Northcutt (nikncutt@yahoo.com).

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SPIRITUALITY IN MOVIES
Of Gods & Men
Monday, January 9, 2012 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor

Of Gods and Men (PG-13) won the Grand Prize at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival and is the French entry for the Academy Award category of Best Foreign Language Film of 2011. Director Xavier Beauvois has made a deeply human and spiritually enlightening film about the events leading up to the kidnapping and murder of seven Catholic monks in Algeria in 1996. It is an engaging story about the depths of Christian love and the sacrificial nature of following Jesus.

Join Pastor Coffey for an evening of film and conversation as we enjoy this movie together in large screen projection. Invite a friend, bring a dinner if you like to enjoy during the movie and have some popcorn provided by Pastor Coffey.

Other movies planned for the winter/spring season include The Tree of Life, The Passion of Joan of Arc, LA Story, and The Empire Strikes Back.

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MICAH 6 NOTICE OF TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS
For the new Street Youth Drop-In Center at UBC

A volunteer training will be provided jointly by Micah 6 and Lifeworks on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the education building at University Baptist Church. If you are interested, please contact Micah 6 Board Member Mac McKaskle at rwmckaskle@yahoo.com. Volunteers may be asked to participate in a criminal background check.

Volunteers will be needed on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m. to staff the new Center located at University Baptist Church. The center will offer a safe place to meet with food, restroom facilities, and computers. In the future, we hope to add educational opportunities to aid the youth in obtaining stability and self-sufficiency.

The Micah 6 fall/winter 2011 newsletter is available online at www.micah6austin.org.

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ANNUAL MEETING
Reports Due, Tuesday, January 17, 2012

On Sunday, January 29, the Congregational Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon takes place at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to receive annual reports.

If you plan to submit a report for the Annual Meeting Report Book, please send it to the office no later than January 17.

Every last Tuesday of the month, Oliver Rajamani offers a one hour drumming session at 7:30 p.m. in the Transept Chapel. No experience necessary. Just walk in. If you have a drum please bring it. All levels welcome.

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Sunday, January 1, 2012
ONE SERVICE at 11:00 a.m. Lessons and Carols
New Year’s Day Brunch afterwards

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. We will have one service at 11:00, allowing
all the New Year’s Eve late night party goers a chance to sleep in a little. Following the service, we’ll have a New Year’s Day brunch in the Fellowship Hall. Food will be provided. Come and celebrate the New Year together at First English!

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OFFICE CLOSED
Monday January 2, 2012

The church office and the CDC are closed for the New Year’s Day Holiday.

11:00 Eucharist

The People Who Walked in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light.

 
Join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve of music, Scripture, candlelight, and quiet contemplation of the coming of God in Christ at Christmas.  The 5:30 service includes the children of the church presenting the Christmas story as told in Luke’s Gospel.  The 11:00 liturgy includes the choir and celebration of the incarnation of God in Christ with Eucharist.

During Advent we have an opportunity to come together in contemplative prayer.
A simple 30-minute service using Scripture, silence, and poetry to help guide
us in our journey through the season. It is offered twice on Wednesday,
with the same theme at both services. Come join us for this helpful spiritual
discipline of stillness and contemplation.

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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
5:30 Family Service and 11:00 Eucharist
10:30 Prelude Music for Choir and Organ

Join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve of music, Scripture, candlelight,
and quiet contemplation of the coming of God in Christ at Christmas.
The 5:30 service includes the children of the church presenting the
Christmas story as told in Luke’s Gospel. The 11:00 liturgy includes
the choir and celebration of the incarnation of God in Christ with Eucharist.

Invite your friends to worship with us.
Send them an invitation including this link from our Web site:
http://www.felcaustin.org/christmas-eve-candlelight-worship
You can also share the link from our First English Facebook page.

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HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 25 – NO WORSHIP
Christmas falls on a Sunday this year.
We will not have worship services that day.

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Sunday, January 1
ONE SERVICE at 11:00 a.m. Lessons and Carols
New Year’s Day Brunch afterwards

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. We will have one service at 11:00,
allowing all the New Year’s Eve late night party goers a chance to sleep in a little.
Following the service, we’ll have a New Year’s Day brunch in the Fellowship Hall.
Food will be provided. Come and celebrate the New Year together at First English!

During Advent we have an opportunity to come together in contemplative prayer.
The Advent Contemplative Sit is a simple service using Scripture, silence, and
poetry to help guide us in our journey through the season. It is offered twice
on each Wednesday, with the same theme at both services. The service lasts 30
minutes. Come and join us for this helpful spiritual discipline of stillness
and contemplation.

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POINSETTIAS FOR THE SANCTUARY
We encourage you to place your order for a poinsettia to add seasonal color to the Sanctuary during Christmas services. You may call the church office (478-1933) or e-mail (office@felcaustin.org). We will complete a form for you and place it on hold for your payment. Poinsettias cost $15.00 this year. We are extending the deadline for your order through next Monday, December 19.

All proceeds benefit Down Home Ranch in Elgin for the mentally handicapped
www.downhomeranch.org

Thank you for your support.

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CHRISTMAS CAROLING TO HOMEBOUND MEMBERS &
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE AT THE COFFEYS
Saturday, December 17

It’s time for Christmas caroling again. It’s a joyful way to go and visit our members who can’t get out very much, and bring them our love and the happiness of song. We’ll gather at the church at 2:30 p.m. to warm up, and head out by 3:00 p.m. We’ll wind up the caroling in southwest Austin and head to the Coffeys’ house for their Christmas Open House from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Hot cider, treats, and a light supper will be served. Come to the Open House whether you are caroling or not. Pastor Mike and Kathryn would appreciate your letting them know that you plan to attend. E-mail Pastor Mike at pastor@felcaustin.org, or call the church office.

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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
5:30 Family Service and 11:00 Eucharist
10:30 Prelude Music for Choir and Organ

Join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve of music, Scripture, candlelight, and quiet contemplation of the coming of God in Christ at Christmas. The 5:30 service includes the children of the church presenting the Christmas story as told in Luke’s Gospel. The 11:00 liturgy includes the choir and celebration of the incarnation of God in Christ with Eucharist.

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HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 25 – NO WORSHIP
Christmas falls on a Sunday this year. We will not have worship services that day.

Sunday, January 1
ONE SERVICE at 11:00 a.m. – Lessons and Carols
New Year’s Day Brunch afterwards
New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. We will have one service at 11:00, allowing all the New Year’s Eve late night party goers a chance to sleep in a little. Following the service, we’ll have a New Year’s Day brunch in the Fellowship Hall. Come and celebrate the New Year together at First English!

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FREEZE NIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Each winter, the Congregational Church of Austin operates a freeze night shelter for street youth in the University Area. On Thursday nights, during the cold weather season, First English volunteers are on stand-by to prepare, serve & clean-up a meal at the shelter from about 6:00 – 8:15 pm. If you’re interested in signing up for a Thursday night this winter or would like more information, please contact Gretchen Olson at 496.8549 or gretchenrolson@yahoo.com. You would be notified by 10 am on on your scheduled Thursday, or more often by the day before, if a freeze night has been declared and your help is needed that day. Thanks for considering helping in this way!