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 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 Ext. 229.

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 Mary Lou and Danny Henshaw in celebration of their 57^th wedding anniversary.

*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. The deadline for the Sr. High trip is today September 9. Questions? Call Eric Liles -- 345-8314, ext. 232.

*Parish Supper to Celebrate a Mission Accomplished! Join members of our Senior and Junior High groups in Huffman Hall tonight, 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!

*Singles’ "Fall Kick-Off Luncheon" Today at 12:30 p.m. in Room B-18. All Singles are invited to join us.

*Children’s Day: Sunday September 30. A Parish-Wide Event, Luncheon/Moon Walk/Petting Zoo and other Children’s fun activities. Sponsored by: The Children’s Ministry.

*Newcomer’s Class: Sunday September 16, 9:30 a.m. in B-6 For Newcomers and Visitors to meet with the Clergy

*Welcome! Carol Blaine, Sr. Seminarian assigned to do Field Work at St. Matthew’s Church.

*Good News! Anne Matthews has been accepted to attend The Diocesan Lay Vicar’s Academy.

*This Sunday the Multi-Generational Adult Education Class continues with the course taught by Marty Novak on "History, Myth, and Doctrinal Correctness in the Christian Tradition of Genesis." September 9 - "Competing Theories on the Composition of the Old Testament." September 16 - "The Interplay of History and Myth in Genesis." The class meets in Huffman Hall at 9 am each Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome to attend.

*Looking for fellowship? Why not try the 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. Today AND next week we are having a potluck lunch in Huffman Hall following the service (look for the "Xplorers" sign in Huffman). Don't worry if you're visiting and didn't bring food; we'll have plenty!!! We begin a quick two-week study of Ruth today (no prior reading needed!). Sept. 16: potluck lunch and finish study of Ruth. For 16th: A-H main dish, I-P dessert, R-Z salad. Call 339-4063 or 996-8913 for more info!

*CURSILLISTAS - L:):)KING AHEAD: Sunday September 9, tonight at 5:30pm there is a Palanca Party in B18. Be ready to do some coloring, make 'things', eat pizza. Bring the kids, you will have a wonderful time. Cursillo #191, September 20-23 at Camp Allen. Judy Myers is our candidate. The September weekend is full, but there is room for more at the November 8-11 weekend, interested? Plan on Closing, Sunday the 23rd at 4:00pm. There are two Ultreyas this month. The first on Monday, Sept. 24th at 7pm here at St. Matthew's to welcome Judy into the community and the second, a Convocation Ultreya on September 30th at St. Richard's in Round Rock, 6pm. Child care is always available at Ultreyas. Submitted by Dyke Miller

*Swingin' with the Saints: A St. Matthew's Talent Show. Please join us Saturday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Huffman Hall for a fantastic program, good> fellowship, and yummy desserts.

*Looking for a service opportunity within St. Matthew's, with a low commitment but a high return? Mom's ministry is looking for 2-3 people who could share their love with young children from 9:15-11:45 every Wednesday morning. You get two for one in that this service would bless both the children and the moms. If this ministry sounds right for you, please contact Suzanne Harakal at 451-0893 or Tracey Nichols at 331-0653 as soon as possible.

*Church cats need a home. Lucy and Charlie are young cats that were abandoned at St. Matthew's several months ago. Both are loving and affectionate and would make wonderful pets for the right person or family. Lucy is a petite tortoiseshell, who loves being part of a family. Charlie is a large long-haired orange who gets along well with dogs, people, and cats that like him. If you have room in your heart and your household, please contact Kathy Vail (343-7367). I would keep them, but my oldest cat refuses to come home until the usurpers move out.

*You are invited to join Keith Miller as he begins a new 12 week Spiritual Adventure Group on Wednesday, September 12^th from 7-9 p.m. in Room B-18. If you have questions, please call 338-4821.

*Thursday Night Bible Study began meeting again on September 6, 2001. This group meets Thursday nights at 7:30 pm in room B14. We are a small group that meets to study the Bible, join in prayer, encourage each other’s spiritual growth, and enjoy fellowship. We have a variety of social activities through out the year. We are small enough for lively group discussions, and large enough to enjoy diverse viewpoints and experiences. We would love to welcome additional participants. If you have questions please call Cyril Durrenberger at 345-2260.

*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, Louise Waddill, and Sarah Williams. If you thought that you signed up or you would like to sign up, please call Kay Whitney (345-0574).

If you have a temporary need of a wheelchair, please feel free to borrow one from the back of the church. Please be sure that there is one left for Sunday church and notify the office that your borrowing it and for how long you will need the wheelchair.

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

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

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