Author: FELC Office

In the Hebrew Scripture reading this Sunday, God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. In the gospel story, when the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to the emperor and to God what belongs to God. We are reminded that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves for the sake of the whole world. We gather to do the life-giving work of building community and care so that we can faithfully engage with neighbors near and far. – Cantor Bryan Rust

In the book of Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet in the gospel of Matthew, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. God spreads a table before us each time we gather on Sunday morning. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With joy we go to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for abundant life. – Cantor Bryan Rust

Commemoration of Francis of Assisi: May 25, 1181—October 3, 1226

On Sunday, October 4, we give thanks for the life and ministry of Francis of Assisi. Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching “using words if necessary.” Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God’s creation. In July, 1228, Francis was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX.  

St. Francis & Blessing of the Animals | October 4

On Sunday, October 4, everyone is invited to bring their leashed and contained pets for a blessing of the animals during the worship service, a St. Francis Feast Day tradition. Dogs, cats, frogs, gerbils, snakes, birds, and hamsters, among others, will be invited for an individual blessing. Animal toys, photos, and mementos will also be blessed.

Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises about the ways of God. In the bible story from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Saint Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others more than our own. Jesus tells a parable about doing God’s will. Doing God’s will does take listening and discernment. And then it takes action. We can’t only talk about God’s will. We’re invited to do God’s will. Our being in God’s grace does not depend on our doing, neither are we removed from living that grace daily. We offer our lives, in thanksgiving, for the sake of God’s beautiful and hurting world. We’re encouraged to wear Orange this Sunday to remember the thousands of First Nations children who were removed from their families and forcibly placed into church and government sponsored boarding schools.  – Cantor Bryan Rust

In this Sunday’s bible story, Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ more controversial parables. Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. This seems unfair. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh, Jonah is angry. This seems unfair. In God’s economy of justice, grace and mercy abound in steadfast love. This grace of God is freely given and given to all. This is the generosity of God. We give thanks for God’s faithfulness on this Celebration of Abundance Sunday. We are invited to make financial commitments to the mission and ministry of First English for 2027.   

On Saturday, September 26 from 5 until 8 pm, FELC joins with music partners from Austin Vocal Collective and hosts a one-day choir!  We welcome a mix of confident and less experienced singers to provide a choral experience that is both satisfying, epic, and beautiful. This one-day choir is accessible and can be a learning experience for all types of singers. Healing is needed in our communities, and music is a vehicle for healing. Being together matters. Come, sing!

Register and connect at the QR code.

In this Sunday’s bible stories, we are entreated not to judge one another. Scripture proclaims that we all will be before the judgment of God. That judgement of God is always one of love. Saint Paul reminds us that the Christian community has significant struggles with diversity. We do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When the words of forgiveness are spoken in worship, and signing of ourselves with the cross is traced, we are renewed to be signs of reconciliation and hope in the world. Genuine relationships matter. All we need is among the disciples of Jesus, even now. In our Eucharistic celebration this Sunday, we remember Hollis Wade McGinnis, Sr. (1926-2026), our most senior church member at the time of his death. We commend him to God’s eternal embrace, and we give thanks for his life of faith and service.        

Conflict is a part of relationships and it’s part of life in community. Jesus’ words in the gospel story this Sunday from Matthew 18:15-20 are often used in matters of church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel (33:7-10) tells of the wicked turning from their ways. Sin and brokenness are realities of our beautiful humanity. Saint Paul reminds us in Romans 13:8-12 that love is the fulfilling of the law of God’s justice. It’s real, and at times, it’s really hard. The good news is that we together, not only one person individually or a small group, are Christ’s real presence. We trust that Christ is truly among us all, offering the gifts of his peace and reconciliation. These gifts are meant to be shared. These gifts build hope, and hope is active. Hope is not false positivity. Hope takes work, too. Let’s pray to recognize God’s Spirit, who is already supplying the energy to do this work faithfully.                                                                                                              

n the bible readings for Sunday, the prophet Jeremiah speaks of his suffering. He finds God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells his disciples they will find their lives in losing them. These stories tell that sacrificial love is costly, challenging, and also life-changing. It’s really real. We gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of God’s world. God’s word, Christ’s life, and God’s people empower us to be, and go, and do.

While June is worldwide Pride Month, this year FELC celebrates Pride on Sunday, August 23 during worship and hospitality! The Austin community holds its celebrations and parade on Saturday, August 22. As followers of Jesus, we extend God’s welcome to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We value diversity, including sexuality, gender, and expression, and we welcome it as a spiritual gift. We aspire to create an inclusive and affirming community, and work for LGBTQIA+ justice and equity. We’ve been doing this work of reconciliation through FELC since 1989. Each person is sacred and valued. We are proud. And, we have even more to learn from one another. God loves. We Love. Everyone!