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 are given to the Glory of God in honor of Bleakney Bissett on her birthday and Jack Bissett on his birthday. Also by Alex Acosta with best wishes to Lisa Thompson on her birthday.

*Children's Fall Sunday School Schedule has begun. Children will be received in their classrooms each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The children, third grade and below, will remain in their classes until 10:35, at which time they are 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 9/0/01) - Kindergarten, Level I, meets in the Education Building; 1st-3rd Grades, Level II, meets in B14/16; 4th-5th Grades, Level III, meets in the west Breezeway classroom outside the Education Building. Look for a bright blue brochure for more details.

*Thanks to all of you who gave to the United Thank Offering Spring Ingathering on May 13th. The amount collected was $799.36 and it has been sent with our gratitude and thanks giving to be combined with the collections from all Episcopal Churches where it will be used to build churches, feed the hungry, cloth the poor, provide shelter for the homeless and care for the sick. Our Fall Ingathering will be in November so start now by giving thanks for your many blessings and putting your change in the little blue box.

*Do you shop at HEB? Have you noticed the "Free Gas" coupon at the bottom of your receipt? If you are not planning on using your coupons, (they expire three weeks from the date of your purchase,) please put them in the collection plate and Pastoral Care will make sure they go to a person/family in need. If you have question, please give Marti Price a call at 371-0248.

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

*Jr. & Sr. High Youth...How about spending the weekend at Enchanted Rock? Our Sr. High youth will be traveling to Enchanted Rock Sept. 14-16 for a weekend of camping, rappelling, rock climbing, Bible studying, star gazing, and enjoying good old fashioned fellowship. The Jr. High youth will load up and head to "the rock" the weekend of Oct. 12-14. We only have reservations for 30 Sr. High youth and 20 Jr. High youth, so make your reservation ASAP. Cost of the weekend -- $85. Make plans to join us THIS Wednesday, Aug. 22nd from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in the Youth Bldg. to meet our "outfitters" and get all the details. Questions? Call Kathy Dugat -- 345-8314, ext. 228 or 343-7989.

*Opening Our Hearts Through the Arts Festival Committee is accepting volunteers to participate in this fun filled day of outreach on Saturday, September 22. If you would like to get involved, please feel free to contact any of the committee members listed on the yellow flyer in the Commons or call Kathleen Niendorff at 452-0128. The next meeting will be Sunday, August 26, 12:45 p.m., in B-18 just after Ministry Fair.

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 2. 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.

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.

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 tomorrow, 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

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