Weekly Word Announcements

The Weekly Word

April 29, 2001

A warm welcome to our visitors! Those of us who worship and minister in this church pray that your visit to St. Matthew’s will bring you closer to the Christ whom we love and serve, and that the Holy Spirit may fill your life with the love, joy and peace of Jesus Christ. Please fill out one of the visitor cards and a red-bordered visitor name tag available in the chairs in front of you so that we may identify you and welcome you. For newcomer information, call Dedee Norman at 345-8314.

St. Matthew’s offers nursery care from 8:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. on Sundays. Nurseries for children 0-18 months are located in Huffman Hall on the parking lot side of the hallway. The nursery for children 18 months - 4 years is in the Education Building. There is also a cry room upstairs for parents with unhappy babies.

When life's challenges appear overwhelming, we encourage you to call on your St. Matthew's family for love, prayer, the support of a friend, or a meal in time of need. With loving respect and confidentiality, we offer these and many other pastoral care services to our church family. Contact the church office,

345-8314, with needs and requests. Or you may contact Interim Rector, Fr. Joe, at 490-9398 anytime.

Homebound? If you or someone you know are unable to come to church and would like Holy Communion brought to you on Sunday, please call Jim Sparks at 345-7757.

*Were you out of town? Did you miss the Weekly Word? Simply go to our website, and get the information you’ve missed!

www.StMattsAustin.org

*Items marked with an asterisk* are being run for the first time today.

*Flowers on the Altar today are given to the Glory of God by Peggy and

Steve Ryder in celebration of their 5^th Wedding Anniversary.

*The next date for Baptisms will be Sunday, June 10 at the 10:30 a.m. service. If you or your child would like to be Baptized, please notify Betty Mitchell in the church office 345-8314 x 214 or betty@stmattsaustin.org

*If you have a sewing machine and a tiny bit of time to spare, why not help Peggy Ryder assemble the beautiful Baptism Banners that we give to little ones on their Baptism Day? This is a special ministry unique to St. Matthew’s, won’t you please check it out? Give Peggy a call, 472-5679 and make her day.

*Cursillo News. Cursillo # 188 is Closing today at 4pm at the All Saints' Chapel, Camp Allen. Carpool from Steck parking lot at 2pm, today. Remember, the Austin community meets at the Cattle Company in Elgin after Closing. Come about 7:45 pm and join us for dinner. Look Ahead to the Convocation Ultreya at St. George's at 7pm, on May 6th. Submitted by Dyke Miller

It's coming! It's coming!! The Big Top is on its way! Registration is now open for Under the Big Top -- our own VBS. June 11 - 15, 5:30 - 8:30 each evening. Dinner, entertainment, Bible stories, worship, and fun for ALL ages. Don't miss the "kick off" on May 6th! Stop by the credenza in the Commons, the church office or call Kathy (343-7989) or Lynn (249-2925).

*Children’s shoes (New or Used) and Children’s Chewable Vitamins are needed by Sarah Neely for her upcoming medical mission trip to Costa Rica. Sarah is the daughter of Judy and Don Neely and is a college freshman, longtime member at St. Matthew’s. Donations of new or used shoes or vitamins are welcome by either dropping them in the red half barrel in the Commons, South Entrance, or in the box in B-18, the Word Made Fresh Sunday School class. Questions? Outreach Commission, Holly Decherd, 328-3944

*A Special Deal for YOU! You want to help with our children…but need a short time commitment? Super Summer Sunday School is back! A short time commitment and plenty of fun! Sign up now for teacher teams for five sessions, 9:00-10:15. You will have all materials prepared for you! Are you musical? Then sign up for some Sundays you will be in town, 9:00-9:25. Look for more info in your May issue of The Word. Sign up with a friend, sign up with a spouse. Sign up in the Commons or call me at my house! Barbara Pitts, 345-8314, ext. 221 or 419-1434.

Looking for a place to recycle those plastic Easter Eggs? Children's Ministry would LOVE to have them for next year's egg hunt! Drop clean, empty plastic eggs in the boxes in the commons, Huffman Hall or the Ed. Bldg. Thanks!

Have you ever thought about running away and joining the circus? Now's your chance! Join the fun! We need volunteers to cook, usher children, prepare crafts, teach crafts, lead games, sponsor entertainers, raise the Big Top (decorate), register folks...the list goes on and on. This is one show you won't want to miss. PLEASE stop by the credenza in the Commons, the church office or call Kathy (343-7989) or Lynn (249-2925) to volunteer!

This morning we welcome again The Rev. Sid Gervais who will be filling in for Father Joe while he is away from Austin for a little while. Thank you Sid for being there when we need you!

*Opening Our Hearts Through the Arts. At their March meeting, the Vestry voted approval of an arts festival (visual, performance, and literary arts) at St. Matthew's to be held in conjunction with St. Matthew's Day, September 22-23, 2001. An organizational meeting for “Opening Our Hearts Through The Arts” will be held Today, Sunday, April 29, right after the last service in B18. Bring a brown bag lunch. This festival will a celebration of our co-creativity with God and of our community as a parish family and an offering to the greater community in which we live. All manner of help is needed. If you have even the slightest interest or curiosity, please join us on April 29!

To receive emails of parish-wide event reminders & information updates, subscribe to the Communications Commission Email Notification Service by sending a blank email to StMattsEMail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Do you appreciate a beautiful garden? St. Matthew's parishioners and guests do as well. WE NEED YOUR HELP. There are garden plots of all sizes and gardening intensity for you, your family, your Sunday School class or your group to "adopt". Effort ranges from occasional weeding to seasonal planting, for plots ranging from a few plants to a large area. Signs will be created for each area and can be customized if you want to dedicate your effort. Please call David Harakal at 451-0893, send him an e-mail at dharakal@tivoli.com or sign up on the plot on the Word on the Wall.

*This Afternoon, Sunday April 29 from 2-4 p m. we will have a youth lay reader training. If you are a middle school or high school student interested in serving St. Matthew's by reading the lessons during the service, please let Eric know and attend this training.

Inquirers’ Class: Friday, May 11, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. You are invited to explore your relationship with God and with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in this weekend seminar. Meet other people, review basic Christian beliefs and learn about the worship of the Episcopal Church. If you are not baptized, or if you are baptized but have never been confirmed or received by an Episcopal bishop, or if you are already an Episcopalian and desire to renew your baptismal vows, this seminar is for you. The seminar consists of a series of talks by clergy and laity followed by roundtable discussions with others on the spiritual journey. Sign up in the commons at the Education Table or call DeDee Norman,345-8314 to register.

BEGINNING JUNE 3!

BEGINNING JUNE 3!

REVISED WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:00 a.m. Rite I Service

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Fellowship/Coffee &Choir/Praise Band warm up

10:30 a.m. Rite II Service

This schedule begins Pentecost Sunday, June 3