Note, the patch isn’t fully open to the public unless we have volunteers to run it. Shift sign ups are available! We are so excited about this year’s Pumpkin Patch and can’t wait to see it filled with joyful volunteers and families from our community! This year, all proceeds will go directly to the food and hygiene ministries we support – GAP pack, Community Food Pantry, and Hygiene Pantry, SOS Food Bank, and Steve’s Pantry, so every pumpkin sold helps feed our neighbors.
Read all about our upcoming events, and celebrate all that we did over the Summer!
Here’s your online schedule of events happening at FUMC this week.
Wednesday Night Live meals have returned for the Fall.
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.
Christmas Cantata Practices begin October 8.
7-745 p.m. on Wednesdays in the choir room or Sanctuary (depends on # of participants)
Practices will be 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, & 11/26
No rehearsal – Thanksgiving week.
Longer Rehearsals, 7-8:15 p.m. on 12/3 & 12/0
Dress rehearsal on Saturday 12/13 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday Cantata on 12/14, 9:45 & 11 a.m. services
Some of our choir members and their friends took a trip to Italy in September of 2025. Here is a video of part of their concert at a cafe in Montecatini. The video was recorded and shared with First UMC by Chase Hessman.
ADULT AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
The S.A.L.T. Class (Serving and Learning Together) is freshening our upstairs classroom. We are seeking new members Sundays at 9:45, Room 217 (the Bright one!). No references required. But regarding the painting, Vida says: “Not for hire!”
Coffee Connection Summer Updates: On July 23, the Coffee Connection Men’s Group completed its summer quarter delivery of care packages to 24 veterans living at 4 different retirement residences. The ministry began three years ago with just one residence. This was the 14th consecutive quarterly delivery by the group. If you would like to support this important veterans’ support effort, you may make a gift to the church, designated for “Men’s Ministry”.
GAMING GROUP MOVED TO MONDAYS!
Our daytime gaming group is moving their meetings to Monday beginning September 15!
Join us on Mondays for some game time – easy and easy-to-learn games like Bunco or Chicken Foot or Tensies.
10:30 – 1:00, Room 118.
Bring your lunch if you’d like.
Karen will have water and iced tea.
Trunk or Treat: Join us for a fun and family-friendly Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 24th from 6-8 PM, hosted in partnership with our Day School! Come enjoy decorated trunks, costumes, candy, and community as we create a safe and joyful space for kids and families. We’re also looking for volunteers to decorate their cars and hand out treats—get creative and join the fun! All are welcome—invite friends and neighbors to be part of the evening. More details coming soon!
The Gardening/Nature group
Meetings are 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 Room 118.
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.
Emmaus News: Upcoming New Braunfels Emmaus Community gatherings planned for 2025, alternating locations between FUMC and GUMC:
Nov 13 – Gathering at GUMC
Consider Sponsoring a Pilgrim on one of these Walks:
November 6th – 9th | Women’s Walk 2254
Women’s Emmaus Group will meet every Monday in Room 217 at the church at 1:00. Request to join this group.
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 meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. October Lunch Bunch will meet at Herbert’s on Walnut at 11:30, October 28.
Mahjong Group meets every Thursday at 1:30-4:30pm in room 118 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!
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.***
From Everette:
FIRST KIDS MINISTRIES
3rd Grade Bibles: Hey 3rd Graders (and up!)—It’s Bible Time!
If you’re in 3rd grade or older and haven’t received a Bible from the church yet, we want to change that! We’ll be gifting Bibles during our Family Celebration Service on October 19th at the 9:45 AM service, and we want to make sure your name is on the list. Sign up now to reserve your Bible! It’s a special moment we love to share with your family—and we don’t want you to miss it!
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 Amber or Mallorie know. We’d love to connect with you!
IMPACT MINISTRIES
We are partnering with Gruene UMC to feed 300 families for Thanksgiving. First UMC is signed up to provide boxes of Mac and Cheese and bags or boxes of stuffing. There is a donation basket in the church hallway. There are also opportunities for monetary donations and serving. Click the image to find out more.
FUMC is scheduled to host Family Promise the week of October 26. Sign up to provide meals. Click on the logo for more information.
Note, the patch isn’t fully open to the public unless we have volunteers to run it. Shift sign ups are available! We are so excited about this year’s Pumpkin Patch and can’t wait to see it filled with joyful volunteers and families from our community! This year, all proceeds will go directly to the food and hygiene ministries we support – GAP pack, Community Food Pantry, and Hygiene Pantry, SOS Food Bank, and Steve’s Pantry, so every pumpkin sold helps feed our neighbors.
Another mission trip to Kenya and a safari is scheduled for 2026. We are having an informational meeting October 26th at 5:30 pm. There are scholarships available for those who wish to go on the trip. Please come to the meeting to find out how to apply.
October
Kirkwood flowers & cards – Mary Circle
7 General Meeting: Demetria
Cummins will present our annual
Prayer Walk (Mary Circle hostess)
15 & 21 Circle Meetings
31 (thru Nov 1) UWF Annual Rio
Texas meeting – Corpus Christi
We would like to invite all FUMC ladies to join us for our General Meeting and visit a Circle.
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 the Welcome Center and are usually finished with our visits by 3:30. Contact Martha Harrison for more information.
PARKING LOT FUNDRAISER
Our Finance Committee is having a parking lot fundraiser on October 18. Folks attending the Dia De Los Muertos Festival downtown will be invited to park in our lot for a donation. Reach out to the Finance Committee if you have any questions.
PHOTOS
We took a Day Trip to San Antonio September 18. Photos here.
PODCAST Mallorie Sarvis has published several new episodes in our Unveiled Podcast. The latest episodes include interviews with people involved with the foster car system. Check them out here.
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.
