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. In case of emergency Fr. Joe Di Paola may be reached by calling 345-8314 x 214, 231-1206, or 771-0680.

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.

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

*The Flowers on the Altar were given to the Glory of God by Kelley Meyers in celebration of his birthday.

*Children's Fall Sunday School Schedule Beginning next Sunday, August 19, all children will begin fall classes. Annual registration, including emergency information, will begin in the breezeway outside the office building at 8:30 a.m. Children will be received in their classrooms at 9:00. The children, third grade and below, will remain in their classes until 10:35, at which time they will be processed to chapel. At the sign of peace the children will be brought to the Commons to join their families for the service in progress. Fourth and fifth graders will be walked from their class to the Commons to meet their parents, before the beginning of the service. Class Locations: 3 Years (by September 1)-Kindergarten, Level I, meets in the Education Building;1^st–3^rd Grades, Level II, meets in B14/16; 4^th-5^th Grades, Level III, meets in the west Breezeway classroom outside the Education Building.

*It’s Laredo Time Again! Shop ‘Til You Drop - Eat ‘Til You Pop Sign up now for the Laredo Shopping Spree Saturday, October 20 through Sunday, October 21. $120 per person includes bus and double occupancy hotel room. For more information call Margaret Parker at 345-0495

*The Parenting Adult Sunday School class will begin a 12-week series using the books "How to Talk so Kids will Listen, and Listen so Kids will Talk" and "Siblings without Rivalry" on Sunday, September 2nd. While these books are secular, we will be approaching the lessons from a Christian world view. Please contact David Harakal at dharakal@us.ibm.com or at 451-0893 if interested to ensure that enough course materials are ordered.

*The Adult Education Council will be meeting Wednesday, August 15 from 6-7pm in B-14. All adult classes need to send a representative and report on plans for the fall. The Ministry Fair will also be discussed.

*If you are currently in a ConneXions dinner group, now's the time to plan your final dinner gatherings for this series. Mark September 16 on your calendars for the next ConneXions potluck dinner, beginning a new six-month series. At this time, ConneXions members will be assigned to new groups of about 10-12 members each. About nine groups meet approximately once a month for good food and Christian fellowship. If you have decided to withdraw from the ConneXions program for the next series, contact the Kjellstrands by September 9. For more information, call Leslie or Bill Kjellstrand, 331-2121 or email, lkjellstrand@hotmail.com

*"On This Rock They Built a Church" The singles wish to connect as believers beyond their St. Matthew’s Church Rock Garden. Go ahead, be curious. Join! Come to our class on Sunday mornings in B-21 or ask a member how you or a family member may participate.

Jobs for Sale: Children’s Ministry Youth Chapel program is in need of loving, patient adults to work with our 2^nd-5^th graders during the church service. This a once a month (or more if you like), first half of the service commitment. For more information or to sign up to help, please contact Heather Harmon in the Office (345-8314 ext. 221) or at home (241-1725).

*Cursillo Convocational Ultreya. Plan ahead. Sunday, August 12 (Today!) at 6 p.m., Austin Convocation Ultreya at St. Philip the Joy Giver. Child care provided.

*The newly forming Young Professionals group wants to get to know you! Look for us at today's lunch; we'll try to sit together. We are planning activities for this fall and regrouping right now. We hope to continue to meet after church for lunch/fellowship, and we also have a movie night planned soon, so find us at lunch today for information or call the Sommervilles, 996-8913, or Robisons, 339-4063.

Ministry Fair is coming! Mark the date, August 26. Plan time to be here, 9-10:30 a.m. and/or after the service, 12-12:45 p.m. in Huffman Hall. There will be no adult Sunday School so you have no other choice. This is the only time during the church year that ALL the ministries within St. Matthew’s assemble in one place to talk about what they do and help you get in touch with your personal ministry. Don’t miss this event!

Invite Someone into the Family of Christ on August 20^th. How? By inviting them to the Alpha Celebration dinner on August 20^th. Please pick up a brochure in the Commons and give to a friend, relative, coworker, or even an enemy! Call 345-8314 to sign up, or visit St. Matthew’s web page for more information

Needed: Stitchers to make simple tablecloths for Huffman Hall. Please call Hink Johnson at 258-3304.

Alpha is looking for helpers with this great program which is now in its fourth year at St. Matthew’s. We need your help with the following: Worship team leader (music) Meal Help and Set-up help. Please call David Price at (371-0248) or Holly Decherd (328-3944)

The Next Baptism Date Will Be September 30. If you or your child would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, please call Betty in the church office at 345-8314 x 215 or send email to betty@StMattsAustin.org

Opening Our Hearts For the Arts Planning Meeting, Sunday, August 12 at 1:15 p.m. in B-18.

If You Have Not Yet Been Contacted…to teach our children in Sunday School this fall, yet you would like to help, please let us know, ASAP, by calling Barbara Pitts at 345-8314 x 225 or 419-1434.

Thanks From the Bottom of Our Hearts…for help with Job Cards. Only one dozen jobs remaining, including some sewing projects. Jobs can be done now or later. Go by B-17 to help us finish up.

Community of Hope Training Class will start September 15. Read your August issue of The Word to know of the gifted, talented and skilled teachers who will be teaching this class to help you perfect your ministry skills. The number of participants are limited and the class is filling up. Think and pray about becoming a participant in this wonderful opportunity. Just call Cynthia Wilson at 346-6870 to enroll.

Our heartfelt gratitude to those who made the summer lunch program such a success. Thanks to the anonymous and extremely generous St. Matthew’s couple who paid for it * Thanks to other members for underwriting portions of it * Thanks to the many groups who did the set up, drink preparation, tear down and clean up * And super special thanks to Margaret Parker for arranging all the details!