Information about our Lenten season and even looking forward into the summer!
NEWS
Here’s your online schedule of events happening at FUMC this week.
2026 DATES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
- January 26 Cancelled due to weather
- February 1 @ 12 p.m. Budget Approval
- Feburary 23 @ 6:30 p.m. 2026 Goals
- March 23 @ 6:30 p.m. Q1 Pastor’s Report
- June 22 @ 6:30 p.m. Q2 Pastor’s Report, Conference Delegates, Discipleship
- September 28 @ 6:30 p.m. Q3 Pastor’s Report, Family & Children, Music
- October TBD Church Conference
- November TBD Charge Conference
COFFEE AND CANVAS
Nurse Hanna is hosting a painting event the evening of February 13th. Limited spots are available. Call Hanna for details and to reserve your spot: 210-429-7254.
WORSHIP
Ash Wednesday will be February 18. We will have a 6:30 a.m. come and go service with Communion and the imposition of ashes and a 6:30 p.m. service with music, ashes, and Communion. Both are in the Sanctuary.
Holy Week is March 29 – April 5
Palm Sunday, March 29, Shout Hosanna and wave palm branches high at all three Sunday morning services. There will be a brief Easter egg hunt at 10:45.
Maundy Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. Reflect on the events of Holy Week as you walk through the Stations of the Cross
Good Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. Join us for a service of remembrance and worship with reflective music.
Easter Sunday, April 5, 6:30 p.m. Three Easter morning services filled with uplifting music and an inspiring message. Christ the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!
Music
A Christmas Cantata Thank You
On behalf of the FUMC NB Music program, I want to extend a special thank you to everyone involved in helping make The Christmas Cantata such a wonderful experience. We are very blessed to have such diverse and dedicated music ensembles and accompanists here at FUMC NB. Special thanks to Carol Bissett for writing and overseeing the narration. Also, thank you to the media and sound team who worked on the audio and visual aspects of The Cantata. If you are interested in participating in the Christmas Cantata for 2026 please contact me at your convenience and I can give you more information about it. Thanks again to everyone that was involved in the Cantata.
Sincerely,
Michael Kahl
FUMC NB Music Director
GROW
ADULT AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
RISE Camp Volunteers
It’s almost camp time, friends—and we need YOU!
Whether you love games, leading small group, snacks, or just hanging with awesome kids, there’s a spot for you.
Please make sure you’re Safe Gatherings certified before camp starts. Register online!
The Chili Kick Off scheduled for February 1st has been canceled. We will let everyone know if we are able to reschedule it at a later date. The Fellowship Team will be hosting the first Wednesday Night Live of the year on February 4th. We hope you can make it!
The original Chili Kick Off information has already been printed in the bulletin for this Sunday, but we will be making an announcement about the cancellation and taking down promotional material where we have posted it as we are able.
Laity training equips non-ordained church members (laity) for leadership and service, preparing them to support clergy and fulfill their calling within the church and world. First UMC’s laity training will take place on Saturday, February 7, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Please let us know if you plan to attend, so we can provide everyone with training materials for the day.
Wednesday Night Live meals have returned for the Spring.
At our regular WNL we have dinner every week along with opportunities for prayer and worship, studies, fellowship and games. Be sure to register for the meals, and come enjoy Wednesday evenings with your church family.
We’re going on a church-wide retreat AGAIN! Register now!
Ladies, save the dates! Our women’s retreat will be on Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28 at Camp Capers. Pastors Karen Horan and Julie Bartle will speak about “When Heaven Touches Earth,” featuring several women of the Bible. Your retreat design team is already praying for you and our weekend together. Registration forms will be ready before the end of November.
Coffee Connection Updates: The Coffee Connection Men’s Group produced and delivered Veterans Day Program “Do It Yourself” kits to each of the four residents we serve.
Join us for a day trip to Austin on Tuesday, March 24.
First UMC will have two Lenten studies beginning in February. Sign up for one or both!
We will offer a daytime GriefShare group beginning Monday, February 9 through May 11, 2:00 – 4:00 in Room 217.
The Gardening/Nature group
Meetings are usually held on the last Tuesday of the month at 2:00 PM in Room 118. Everyone is invited to attend. We will have local speakers from groups such as the Comal Master Gardeners, Comal Naturalists, and other outdoor groups.
Evening Game Group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to about 7:00 in the Hello Cafe.
Monday Games Join us for some game time – easy and easy-to-learn games like Bunco or Chicken Foot or Tensie’s. 10:30 to 1:00 in the Hello Cafe. Bring your lunch if you’d like. Karen will have water and iced tea.
Coffee Connection FUMC men gather on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 at Casa Garcia for breakfast and conversation. Hosted by Pastor Don. Click here for more information.
Pickleball
Regular meetings are Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Watch the church calendar for schedule changes. Some weeks we meet off campus to make room for FUMC ministries that need the gym. Contact Lori Oden for details.
Walk to Emmaus is an inspiring experience held over a three day retreat where Jesus’ love is revealed to you through other Christians. After the retreat, pilgrims meet regularly with others who have been on a walk.
2026 Walks:
Men’s Walk to Emmaus Jan 29 to Feb 1
Women’s Walk to Emmaus March 26-29
Men’s Walk to Emmaus Aug 13-16
Women’s Walk to Emmaus November 5-8
Emmaus Gatherings for 2026 in Wesley Hall (Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.):
February 12th…at FUMC
May 14th…at GUMC
August 13th…at FUMC
November 12th…at GUMC
Women’s Emmaus Group will meet every Monday in Room 217 at the church at 1:00. Request to join this group.
We have a NEW women’s Emmaus reunion group that will meet after New Year’s Day on Thursday nights at 6 PM in room 224. Please contact Lori Oden for details
MEN’S Emmaus Reunion Group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 4:00pm in Room 224
Other Emmaus Reunion groups also meet on campus. Join the Emmaus Group for information.
LUNCH BUNCH usually meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact Libby Meyer to RSVP. Lunch bunch will meet at Dos Rios in February.
Mahjong Group meets every Thursday at 1:30-4:30pm in room the Hello Cafe at church. We are a friendly group who love the game but also love each other. Come and join us for great fun and fellowship! i
STUDENT MINISTRIES
Ready for an awesome February?
Come be part of Rise Retreat 2026! Hang out with students, help lead games, make friends, and just have a blast. You’ll grow in your faith, make memories, and be part of something really special. Come join us—it won’t be the same without you!
*** Space is limited for our youth staff positions! By registering, you are letting us know that you would like to be considered. Interviews will take place in the coming months.***
Here are the upcoming events that you need to be aware of for the First UMC New Braunfels Student Ministry:
February
8 Youth Leadership Council Meeting
11 Confirmation Starts
13 Rise Retreat
15 No MYF- Rise Retreat
March
8 No MYF- Spring Break
15 Youth Leadership Council Meeting
20-21 Confirmation Retreat
29 Palm Sunday
April
2 Journey with Jesus
5 No MYF- Easter
12 Youth Leadership Council Meeting
17-18 Church Wide Retreat
We’re going on a church-wide retreat AGAIN! Register now!
FIRST KIDS MINISTRIES
1st Kids Worship (9:45)
Drop off kids with our volunteer in the sanctuary where they will participate in the first part of worship. Then, they will be taken to room 208 or the playground for a lesson and games. Kids are also more than welcome to sit with their family and then head out when it’s time.
1st Kids Connect (11:00)
We offer an 11:00 Sunday School for kids called 1st Kids Connect! Kids are welcome to attend both 9:45 and 11:00 where they will participate in a Bible lesson, activities, and games. Drop off for 1st Kids Connect will be in room 208.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer to help out with the children’s ministry, please let Mallorie know. We’d love to connect with you!
IMPACT MINISTRIES
FIRST FEEDS FUMC has a Food Ministry consisting of a team of ladies that LOVE to cook and who provide meals for our congregation! If you and your family would appreciate a meal due to a new baby, a family illness or other situation, please let us know. Jot your info in the registration pad, notify Kathy Gibson or any staff member and we will be in contact. And, if you too like to cook and would like to join our ministry, let us know.
MOBILE COMMUNION STEWARDS Members of this group take Communion to homebound church members on the first Sunday of the month. Contact Lori or Ron Oden to get more information, join the group, or ask to be visited.
HEART FOR HOMEBOUND is looking for a few new volunteers to help us on Wednesday afternoons as we visit our members who are no longer able to make it to church. We meet at 1:30 in Room 118 and are usually finished with our visits by 3:30. Contact Martha Harrison for more information.
Have you downloaded our church app, yet?
You’ll have access to your the calendar and your ministry and fellowship teams right on your phone. If you’ve already downloaded the app and created an account, don’t forget to add your user picture! Find the apps here.
Sunday Morning Entrances
Per the request of our Safety Team & NBPD, the ONLY doors that will be unlocked on Sunday morning will be the Mill St. Door and the Sanctuary front doors (facing San Antonio St/Arlan's).
Newsletter Deadline April 15
The deadline for the Spring newsletter has passed. The deadline for the Summer edition is April 15. Group leaders, if you have information to share for May, June, or July, send it to Amber. Inclusion in FUMCNB publications is limited to space availability and information may be edited to fit in the space available. You can also send your information to Amber to share in the weekly news.