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.

*The Flowers on the Altar are given to the Glory of God by Marjorie and Bert Hooper in celebration of their 48^th wedding anniversary. And by Lillian Brooks with thanksgiving for all the blessings she has received.

*Parish Supper to Celebrate a Mission Accomplished! Join members of our Senior and Junior High groups in Huffman Hall on Sunday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. to hear a glowing report on their mission trips over the summer. Please call 345-8314 and tell us how many in your family will attend. Reservations help us know how much supper to prepare!

*You can make a difference! Thanks to all who signed the banner-size get well card for Guadalupe last week. Personal cards may be addressed to Mr. Guadalupe Herrera, % Seton Medical Center, Rm. 704, 1201 W. 38th Street, Austin, TX 78705. during this difficult time of chemotherapy. For information on becoming registered with the National Marrow Donor Program, please see www.jsrsys.com/donor.htm. or call Steve Ryder 917-0823 sryder@jsrsys.com

*Education for Ministry (EFM) will be having an enrollment/information meeting on Wednesday, September 5 from 6:30-9pm at Kathy Vail's house. If you are considering enrolling for this year, please plan to attend. For directions or more information, please call Kathy Vail at 343-7367.

*Young at Heart (all church members age 50 and over-no dues, no duties, just bring a covered dish) meets Friday, September 7 in Huffman Hall. At 11:00 is our joint meeting with Senior Activity Center for a speaker. At Noon is the covered dish luncheon. Questions? Call Billie or R.C. Thompson, 795-0736

*Looking for fellowship? Why not try the newly forming Xplorers, a fellowship/study group focusing on issues and needs relevant to those ages 20 to 40. We meet after church on Sundays to have lunch, fun, and do some issues and Bible studies. Today we are going on a picnic together to nearby Bull Creek Park after church. Don't worry if you're visiting and didn't bring food; we'll have plenty! We'll gather and caravan to the park after church. Sept. 9: potluck lunch and begin a two-week quick study of Ruth. Bring? A-H salad, I-P dessert, R-Z main dish. Call 339-4063 or 996-8913 for more info!

*On Sunday, September 2, the Multi-Generational Adult Education Class starts up again with six classes taught by Marty Novak on - "History, Myth, and Doctrinal Correctness in the Christian Tradition of Genesis." September 2 -"An Overview of History, Myth, and Doctrinal Correctness." September 9, "Competing Views Concerning the Composition of the Old Testament." The classes meet in Huffman Hall at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

*Want to Know More About the Episcopal Church? The Inquirer’s Class will begin Monday, October 8. Sign up at the Welcome Table in the Commons or call Dedee Norman at 345-8314 or write dedee@stmattsaustin.org

*3-4-5 Club party is Friday, September 7 from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight. We are still in need of people to help during the party and to bring supplies. If you can help please contact Heather Harmon (345-8314 ext. 221) or 418-9343

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

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 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 enjoy the evening and the fellowship of your friends. Invite a friend. 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. To join, sign up in the Commons on Sunday or call Leslie or Bill Kjellstrand, 331-2121; email: lkjellstrand@ers.state.tx.us. Let us know by September 9 to drop out of this series. Plan for the potluck by bringing the following dishes according to your last name: A-H, salads; I-P, desserts; R-Z, main dishes.

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 those 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 interested, please call Warren today at 836-9428 or warren@warrenmarshall.com

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.