Weekly News – First United Methodist Church New Braunfels

NEWS

The Fall 2026 Newsletter is available now!

Here’s your online schedule of events happening at FUMC this week.

NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT STUDY: Windshield or Rear View Mirror

Led by Don and Sherry Snyder, 6:00 to 6:55 starting on October 7 and running for 4 weeks

It will be a class on looking at life. It is good to have a rear view mirror to remember the past but we should live our lives looking forward through the windshield and not focus on the past.

VETERANS DAY SLIDESHOW We will be playing a Veterans Day slideshow between Sunday services on November 8, made by Jennifer Evans. If you would like your photo to be included, please send us your photos. Digital photos can easily be submitted online here. Physical photos can be left in the Archives box in the church office. PLEASE DO NOT leave your sole copy of any photo. First UMC will not be responsible for lost photos. Along with your photo, leave your full name, contact information, and information about your service including military branch and years of service. Photos must be submitted by November 1. Photos submitted after that date will not be included in this year’s slideshow.

HELP EVE CIRCLE PACK FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Eve Circle from United Women in Faith at First UMC is packing Christmas packs for Operation Christmas Child, and everyone is invited to help with this ministry. If you want to pack a box, get in touch with Kathy deBerjeois.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE Fellowship meals have returned! Wednesday Night Live is an evening for fellowship and study for the whole church. The cost is $5. Join us for some delicious homemade meals while having fun and engaging conversations with friends. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Please use link to register if you plan to enjoy a meal so our amazing cooks will know how many to plan on serving-click link.

SEPTEMBER IMPACT FOCUS: GAP PACKS September is Hunger Awareness Month and it is also our semi-annual Food Drive. GAP Packs provides weekend food for school children who are struggling with food insecurity. Take a “donation bag” available in the hallway, Welcome Cafe, and Narthex. They were beautifully decorated by our Vacation Bible School kids this year. Or, you can make a monetary donation, and we will do the shopping! Please note on your donation that it is to go to GAP Packs.

Drop off at the GAP Packs donation stations located outside of the Sanctuary. Shopping list:

Mixed fruit – individual plastic cups
Apple Sauce – individual plastic cups.
Cereal – individual boxes
Chicken- canned
Tuna – canned 5 oz only
Peanut butter – plastic jars
Jelly – plastic squeeze bottles, no glass please
Ramen noodles – single serving packs, no styrofoam, please
Macaroni and cheese – boxed, no styrofoam, please
Microwave Popcorn
Pudding – snack pack plastic cups (3.5 oz)
Granola Bars
Peanut butter-filled crackers
Oatmeal – single serving packs
Cheez Its or Goldfish crackers – single serving packs

FIRST FEEDS Frozen Food Ministry will be offering a SOUP SMORGASBORD beginning on Sunday, September 6 until we run out! For a $5 donation, you can choose from a number of yummy soups prepared by our team. Located in the First Feeds Freezer in the kitchen in Wesley Hall. Enjoy! Pay at the freezer or pay online here.

GET READY TO SUPPORT THE PUMPKIN PATCH: SIGNUPS ARE LIVE!

Our Pumpkin Patch runs from October 4 through October 31.

We’d love your help unloading stocking the patch on delivery day: October 3rd. The church will send out details as we receive them.
Pumpkin patch shifts will run daily. This volunteer position is where we make connections with our community! Signups are live! CLICK HERE.

Whether you’re new, have been here for years, or are somewhere in between, this is for you! Join us for pizza and a relaxed conversation with our pastors as we get to know you and share more about the heart of our church. Everyone is WELCOME at our table! We can’t wait to connect with you! SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH AFTER THE 11AM SERVICE IN WESLEY HALL Let’s get to know each other!

We’re hosting another fun and family-friendly Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 30th from 6-8 PM! We’re 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. Register here to take a parking spot!

WORSHIP

NEXTGEN IS COMING!
OCTOBER 11 Our kids and youth are taking on worship-leading roles.
Want your child or teen to join the crew? There are tons of ways for kids of all ages to help out across the morning. Head to the registrations page, and pick the perfect spot for your student to help run the show!

GROW

ADULT AND FAMILY MINISTRIES

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.

We will offer a daytime GriefShare beginning in September.

Sept 22 Lunch Las Palapas, and movie Practical Magic 2
Oct 13 Lunch Willie’s Grill, and movie TBD
Oct 16 Steel Magnolias pay $25 tickets to Kathy Bassett by Oct 6
Nov 10 Pot Luck Lunch at church (bring side or dessert) followed by program by Nurse Hanna: Service opportunities and tour of Habermann Haus

The Gardening/Nature group
The Gardening and Nature Group is on Summer break. Check back for details on when they will meet again.

Evening Game Group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to about 7:00 in the Welcome 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 Welcome 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:

Women’s Walk to Emmaus November 5-8

Emmaus Gatherings for 2026

November 12th…at GUMC at 6:30 p.m.

Monday Women’s Emmaus Group meets every Monday in Room 217 at the church at 1:00. Request to join this group.

Thursday Women’s Emmaus Group meets on Thursday nights at 6 PM in room 215. 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 P. F. Chang’s on Tuesday, September 29, at 11:30 am. We will be in the side room on the other side of the bar area.

Mahjong Group meets every Thursday at 1:30-4:30pm in room the Welcome 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!

STUDENT MINISTRIES

Weekly MYF Sunday’s from 5:00-7:00 PM, we share a meal, enjoy games, worship together, study God’s Word, and connect in small groups. There will be no MYF on August 16!

Fall Sunday School – We are starting a youth Sunday school at the 11:00 hour starting on September 6th in the youth room.

Service Projects – Opportunities to serve our church and community while putting our faith into action.

Special Events – Keep an eye out for additional fellowship opportunities, retreats, and outreach events throughout the quarter.

FIRST KIDS MINISTRIES

We have a new check-in system for children’s Sunday School! Check out Mallorie’s tutorial on Facebook. Or, contact Mallorie for details.

Children’s Sunday School is held during the 9:45 AM service for ages 3 years through 5th grade. After the first worship set, you can send your kiddos down to the front of the sanctuary, where we will walk them upstairs to their classrooms in the children’s wing.

At 11:00 we have a second hour of Sunday School, which we call “Sunday Cool.” During this time, kids will play games and do crafts that build on the 9:45 AM lesson. Kids are welcome to attend one or both hours.

Please remember to check your child in using the iPads located in the Narthex or at the side entrance to the sanctuary.

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.

Details for Pumpkin Patch Volunteers. Note, the patch isn’t fully open to the public unless we have volunteers to run it. 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!

August: Kirkwood Flowers & Cards – Eve Circle
No General Meeting
2-8 Rummage Sale Week
12&18 Circle Meetings
27 Leadership Team

September:
Kirkwood Flowers & Cards – Joy Circle
1 Gen. Mtg., Mill St youth Center, Daniel O’Quinn (Joy Circle Hosts)
9&15 Circle Meetings
24 Leadership Team

October:
Kirkwood Flowers & cards – Mary Circle
8 Gen Mtg, Demetria Cummins – Soul Care & Prayer Walk (Mary Circle hosts)
14&20 Circle meetings
22 Leadership Team Mtg

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.

FALL Newsletter Deadline has passed. The next newsletter deadline will be October 15. If you need to share ministry information before then, we can put it in the weekly news.