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 by Vera Robinson with thanksgiving for the life of Phil Robinson.

*Is It Time for You? Is it time for you to express your interest in St. Matthews' children through involvement on the Children's Council? If so you are invited to join this dynamic ministry. Children's Council meets once a month for an hour and a half, including lunch (and we do eat well!). Interested, but have young children? Children are what we are about; they are welcome to be a part of our meetings. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 11 at 12:30 pm. Please contact Barbara Pitts or Heather Harmon (345-8314 ext. 221) to begin your participation

*Ministry Fair! It's today, it's here, 9 - 10:30am and noon to 12:45 pm! Have you checked out Huffman Hall? Well, if you are reading this at the 8am service, it is not too late. Just go to Huffman Hall following the service. If you are reading this at the 10:30am service, it is not too late either. Go to Huffman Hall following the service. Hey, and look for Prince Albert he is out of his can. How are you and the Holy Spirit doing? Enjoy! Submitted by Dyke Miller

*Opening Our Hearts Through the Arts Festival Committee is accepting volunteers to participate in this fun filled day of outreach on Saturday, September 22nd. If you would like to get involved, please feel free to contact any of the committee members listed on the yellow flyer available in the Commons. You may also contact Kathleen Niendorff at 453-6300 or the church office 345-8314, OR come to the next meeting, today at 12:45, or just after the Ministry Fair, in Room B 18-19.

*The Search Committee invites you to submit names you would like to have considered as our new rector. Leon Whitney, home 345-0574, work 453-8891.

*Men's Fellowship - Time Well Spent the next dinner event will be Friday, September 7^, join us in Huffman Hall at 6:30 p.m. for a meal and program. Rev. Joseph Di Paola and David Price, two of our own have a message for you. Come and enjoy the evening and the fellowship of your friends. Invite a friend to join you for the evening. Sign up in the Commons for a dinner reservation or call Warren at 836-9428 or email: warren@warrenmarshall.com

*ConneXions Dinner Groups, will begin a new six-month dinner group series on September 16 at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner in Huffman Hall. Whether you’re a new member or not, you will have an opportunity to get to know other members (each group has about 10-12 members). If you want to join, sign up in the Commons on Sunday or cals Leslie or Bill Kjellstrand, 331-2121; email: lkjellstrand@ers.state.tx.us. Let us know by September 9 if you want to drop out of this series. ConneXions members should plan for the potluck by bringing the following dishes according to their last names: A-H, salads; I-P, desserts; R-Z, main dishes.

*The following people have indicated a desire to attend the Annual Meeting of The Episcopal Church Women of our diocese in Waco in October: Maddy Bergen, Lucy Boyea, Babs Clendenin, Betty Dees, Rosie Nieman, Marge Marshall, Jeri Muhich, Susan Robertson, Jane Smith, Billie Stallsworth, Carol Stolz, Louis Waddill, and Sarah Williams. If you thought that you signed up or you would like to sign up, please call Kay Whitney (345-0574).

*Looking for a fellowship group here at St. Matthew’s? Why not try the newly forming Xplorers, a fellowship/study group focusing on issues and needs relevant to people ages 20 to 40. We plan to meet after church on Sundays to have lunch, fun, and do some issues and Bible studies. Look for our booth at the Ministry Fair today. Next week, Sept. 2, we will go on a Labor Day picnic together to nearby Bull Creek Park after church. Need more information? Contact Sommervilles 996-8913 or Robisons, 339-4063.

*Deadline for the October issue of The Word is September 14. We urge you to please limit your articles to 500 words or less. Longer articles will probably be edited to allow space for everyone and yet stay within the 12 page limit. Send your articles to betty@stmattsaustin.org Thanks! J

A leadership opportunity for you. Men's fellowship is looking for men who are interested in furthering the fellowship of the men of St. Matthew's. Hopefully, you will want to be part of this team. If you are interested, please call Warren today at 836-9428 or warren@warrenmarshall.com

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.

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

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. Questions? Call Kathy Dugat -- 345-8314, ext. 228 or 343-7989.

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.

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)