Here’s your online schedule of events happening at FUMC this week.
WORSHIP
Our kids and youth will lead worship on February 23. If your child would like to take on a worship leader role for NextGen services, register now!
What’s leading your life–Jesus or your algorithm? Every day, we’re guided by unseen forces: curated feeds, trending videos, and algorithms designed to keep us glued to our screens. As followers of Christ, we’re called to something deeper. In this series, we’ll examine how online life shapes our hearts and habits. This new year, refocus your faith and live a life led by Jesus, not the next notification.
We wanted to update you all regarding Wednesday Night Live Kickoff. We will NOT start Wednesday meals in January; however Digging in the Bible, 42 & Games, & any other regularly scheduled Wednesday groups will meet as usual. Instead, meals will resume on Wed., February 5th with Fellowship’s Annual Chili Cook-off!
Music
The choir and handbell programs are continuing weekly rehearsals: Sonrise and Sanctuary Choir- Sundays, 8:00 a.m. in the choir room. United Bells – Tuesdays, 5-5:55 p.m. in room 213. First Bells – Tuesdays, in room 213. Please contact Michael Kahl for more information or if you are possibly interested in participating in one of these ensembles. It is going to be fun! Anyone over the age of 12, is encouraged to participate.
GROW
ADULT AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
We will offer the 13-week GriefShare seminar on Monday evenings beginning January 27, from 5:30 – 7:30.
We want to hear how you came to know Christ! Whether it was a big moment or a quiet change, your story can inspire others.
Ladies Night Out:
February 21, 2025: Ladies join us for a night of Bunco, laughter, and fun at church! Whether you’re a Bunco pro or a newbie, it’s all about good times and great company. There’ll be prizes, snacks, and plenty of laughs—don’t miss out on this night of fun!
Pastor Don is having an Alaskan Cruise Prep meeting February 6 at 6pm in Rm 118. FUMC Cruisers are planning a May 18-31, 2025 Alaska trip with our travel agent Kay Sanderford.
Read more for brochure and to join the group on the app.
We are kicking off Wednesday Night Live 2025 on February 5th with Fellowship’s Annual Chili Cook-off! Register to attend, or register to compete!
We’re going on a church-wide retreat next Spring. Register now!
Karen Andrews is organizing two upcoming day trips: an UMCOR Service strip in March and a trip to see the Mid-Texas Symphony in Seguin in April.
Walking with the Wounded Pastor Theresa, Pastor of Congregational Care, will be leading a Thursday evening class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning January 16. Participants will learn about ways to support people who are grieving either due to the loss of a loved one or any other traumatic life event.
New Sunday School Class facilitated by Cathy Clark meets at 11:00 in Room 217. Currently studying Max Lucado’s, “Cast of Characters,” this class has just started, and you are welcome to drop in to check it out!
Did you try to register for the churchwide retreat and find that it was “Full?” That was a registration setup issue on our end. In fact, there are still spots available for you to join us. Register today! Contact Karen Andrews if you need help. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6 at Highland Lakes Conference Center. We have arranged hotel-style accommodations and are planning fun activities ranging from table games, to a silent disco, to high ropes, to hiking in the beautiful hill country, to corn hole. There will be worship and break out sessions for adults, kids, and youth. And a campfire in the evening. Early registration cost is $75 for adults and $50 for children 3 – 18 yrs. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
WOMEN’S RETREAT is a little bit earlier than normal this year. The weekend is February 28-March 1 – that’s a return to a Friday and Saturday schedule. The location is beautiful Camp Capers near Comfort, TX. If you haven’t attended in other years, this is a lovely facility with hotel-style accommodations, comfortable meeting spaces, great meals, and big, beautiful grounds. Karen Horan will be our guest speaker, and your retreat design team is already working on plans to make this weekend special as we explore our spiritual journeys with our own favorite cups and mugs. Plan to come along. Register early to assure yourself the nicest rooms! Registration deadline is January 27! Brochures are available in the information hallway.
The gardening/Nature group will restart on March 25th at 2 pm. The program will be on seed propagation. The speaker’s name is Mellissa Zipp and she is a Comal Master Gardener. We will continue to meet on the last Tuesday of the month.
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.
Pickleball We are continuing pickleball through the year, 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. When we go off campus we meet at 7pm. Contact Lori Oden for details.
Emmaus News: There are four New Braunfels Emmaus Community gatherings planned for 2025, alternating locations between FUMC and GUMC as follows:
Feb 13 – Gathering at FUMC
May 8 – Gathering at GUMC
Aug 14 – Gathering at FUMC
Nov 13 – Gathering at GUMC
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 5:00pm in Room 224
Other Emmaus Reunion groups also meet on campus. Join the Emmaus Group for information.
Italy Trip Fall 2025 FUMC members and their friends and families are invited to join Karen Andrews and Michael Kahl on a trip to Italy next fall. Contact Karen or Michael, or join the Church Center Group, to get more information and express your interest in traveling to Italy.
LUNCH BUNCH meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch Bunch will meet at Dos Rios on Tuesday, January 28, at 11:30 am. Contact Libby Meyer to RSVP.
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
Our kids and youth will lead worship on February 23. If your child would like to take on a worship leader role for NextGen services, register now!
Confirmation classes for 7th grade and up are starting soon! The start date has been rescheduled for February 5th. Read more for details and registration.
We’re going on a church-wide retreat next Spring. Register now!
- Confirmation will now start on February 5th, in light of WNL’s kickoff being pushed from January to February. This year, it is open to all students in 7th grade or higher who have not yet gone through the Confirmation course. It will be held on Wednesday nights during WNL in room 204 at the church from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. starting with an orientation/introduction class on February 5th. If you/your student would like to join Confirmation at First UMC this year, please register at this link: https://fumcnb.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2671118
- Volunteer Sign-ups are now open to provide food, supervision, and chaperoning for MYF and our events this semester. You can find them at this link: Registrations – First United Methodist Church New Braunfels
- For River City Work Camp (June 18-22nd) this summer, we are forming a planning committee of adults to make sure that camp runs well even if someone is unavailable, to avoid the craziness of last summer. Details about the committee positions and a sign-up can be found here: River City 2025 Leadership Committee – First United Methodist Church New Braunfels
- Churchwide Retreat (April 5-6th) Registration can be found here: https://fumcnb.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2456642
- Sun, Jan. 19th> No MYF, rest from the retreat.
- Wed, Feb. 5th> Confirmation begins, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Details above.
- Sun, Feb. 9th> Super Bowl Sunday, no MYF.
- Sun, Feb. 23rd> NextGen Sunday during Sunday morning services, no MYF.
- Sun, Mar. 16th> First Sunday of Spring Break, no MYF.
- Sun, Mar. 23rd> Area Student Ministry Scavenger Hunt at the Domain.
- Sat.-Sun, Apr. 5-6th> Churchwide retreat at Highland Lakes Camp, registration above.
- Sun, May 4th> Senior Sunday at the Sunday morning services.
- Sun, May 18th> Confirmation Sunday at the Sunday morning services.
FIRST KIDS MINISTRIES
Kid’s Choir Wednesday Night Live starts February 5th from 5-7. We are excited to have the opportunity to start a kid’s choir during this time from 6-7. They will get the chance to learn a little more about music, sing, play instruments and worship together! All kids from 3 years old to 5th grade are welcome to join!
NextGen On February 23rd we will have our Next Gen Service at all three church services. All kids are welcome to participate! They will help be ushers, greeters, readers and more. If your child is interested, please contact Amber Garcia.
The FUMC Day School tuition and registration information for the 2025-26 school year is now available.
We will present our 3rd graders with Bibles during the Next Gen services, which is February 23rd. If you have a third grader (or 4th/5th grader that hasn’t received one yet) let us know what name you would like on the Bible, and which service your child will attend to receive the Bible.
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
FUMC is scheduled to host Family Promise the week of February 2nd. Sign up to provide meals, groceries, or to help host on campus.
FUMC has an opportunity to serve alongside Gruene UMC at their “Love The Run You’re With 5K.” You can register to run, or you can help in other ways. Check it out!
Make a commitment to be build a healthier YOU in 2025!! Join Welsey Nurse, Hanna Salazar, RN, for a monthly health information session.
Our annual “SOUPer Bowl” collection drive for local food banks will be February 9th. Bring non-perishable food items to church that Sunday and vote for your favorite team or for the commercials. Each food item counts as one vote!
The Mobile Mammogram event that was scheduled for last week had to be cancelled due to a mechanical issue. That means there is still time to register to attend.
Reschedule date: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2025 Time: 9:00am-1:00pm.
If you didn’t get a chance to schedule initially you can call 210-704-4100. And if you are uninsured or without a Dr. call 210-703-8100
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Jan 27 – (MOVED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER) Mary Circle 2 pm
Jan 28 – (MOVED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER) Circle Meetings (Deborah Room 219, Joy Room 118 both at 9:30 am and )
Jan 23 – UWF Leadership Meeting 118 10-noon
Feb 4 – Room 118 General Meeting, program Call to Prayer by Emily Poling
Feb 12 – Eve Circle 2 pm
Feb 18 – Circle Meetings
Feb 27 – UWF Leadership Meeting
Seeking Additional Volunteers for Altar Guild Members meet once a month at 10:00 a.m. on the 4th Thursday. We straighten paperwork, check all pencils, upright pew Bibles and hymnals as well as dust window sills and altar furniture. In general, we tidy up the sanctuary prior to Sunday services. With a small crew our work is usually complete in 1 – 1 1/2 hours. Please leave your e-mail with Janna in the church office & she can forward it to the coordinator. By providing your e-mail a friendly reminder will be sent out a few days prior to a work day.
Mobile Communion Stewards We are now forming a group of volunteers who can take Communion out to our homebound members on the first Sunday of the month. You can request to join this volunteer group here.
Impact Sunday During Communion, the first Sunday of each month, attendees can contribute food and laundry supplies to baskets that will be available in the sanctuary, as well as to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund through offerings on the Communion rail. These donations will support our ongoing community impact ministries, such as our SOS Canned Food collection, our GAP Pack ministry, our Loads of Love ministry, our new community pantry, and more to help those in need in the community.
Heart for Homebound is looking for 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.
NEWS
We had a lot of furry friends come by for blessings and photos with Santa. View those photos here.
View photos from the Christmas Eve services here.
Finders Keepers had a Christmas Party. View photos from their party here.
Pictures from the UWF December luncheon are posted here.
View photos from the Cantata here.
Chaperones and Volunteers needed for our children’s RISE Camp, January 17th-19th. Whatever your gift, Amber G and Mallorie could use your help! Click here for details and the application.
PODCAST Mallorie Sarvis has published several new episodes in our Unveiled Podcast. The latest episodes include “Deep Dives” into the scriptures with Theresa. 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.
