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 Rita and Jack Eccles with thanksgiving for their grandchildren, especially Aubrey Sinclair Nichols, on this his baptism day. Also by Marsha Lee and Mel Spriggs in celebration of their wedding which was held here yesterday.

*The Baptismal Banners are made by Peggy Ryder and her able team of seamstresses. Thanks Peggy for all do to help make Baptism Day special for the children and their families.

*Welcome Visitors Class - For the next three Sundays, one of the priests will meet with Newcomers and Visitors in Room B-6 (in the Basement) at 9:30 a.m. Please join the group at that time and have your questions answered. We are SO glad you are here!

*Baby Sitters Are Desparately Needed for Mothers’ Ministry from 9:00 until 11:45 a.m. each Wednesday. This is a paid position. Please call Tracey Nichols at 331-0653.

*In Memoriam Today a Paschal Candle given in memory of Judith Porter McCown (September 19, 1904 - June 2, 2000) will be blessed. Members of Judith’s Journey Group giving the candle in her memory are Sarah and Milt Williams, Nancy and Max Stout, Alison Street, Jane and Bill Smith, Catherine Griffin, Anne Clark and Lucy Boyea.

*Special Thanks to the Associate Vestry and the Holy Smokers for their outstanding work on the Parish Picnic last Sunday. The event was a huge success – enjoyed by all – and we appreciate your hard work and exceptional planning.

*To the Women of St. Matthew’s There will be an informal luncheon at Luby’s on Thursday, October 4, at 11:45 a.m.! (At Steck and Mopac) Come for good conversation and fellowship.

*Young at Heart (all church members age 50 and over – no dues, no duties, just bring a covered dish) meets Friday, October 5, in Huffman Hall. At 11:00 a.m., joint meeting with the Senior Activity Center to hear David Earl Holt speaking on "The Big Band Era." He is retired Director of Austin Public Libraries but earlier had played in a number of Big Bands, including Tommy Dorsey’s. At 12:00 noon is the covered dish luncheon. Questions? Call Billie or R. C. Thompson, 795-0736.

*We need 8 more presiders, 6 more helpers and 2 musicians to make our new chapel program complete for this school year. This is a once a month, first half of the service commitment. Substitutes are also greatly appreciated. Please contact Heather Harmon (345-8314 x 221) for more information or to sign up to share your love of God with the children of St. Matthew’s.

*The Xplorers (a fellowship/study group for those age 20 to 40) will go to Mr. Gatti's together today following the service (meet there around 12:30 - 12:45). We'll go to the one on Far West Blvd. (3720 Far West). We'll have an informal introduction to our next area of study, Deep and Interesting Doctrines. Don't miss it! Call 339-4063 or 996-8913 for more information."

New policy about announcements. There is so much going on at St. Matthew's that it puts us in a Good News-Bad News bind. So much to share, too much to share in the context of the 10:30 service. The Weekly Word, the web-site and the Monthly Word are our communications tools, and we must rely on them. Exceptionally, and at the discretion of the Interim Rector, the clergy or Senior Warden will make announcements about parish life during the service. If you want your announcement to be considered please send or give it--typed--to Fr. Joe by noon on Friday. Thank you.

Confirmation Sponsors needed. It is our desire to match each of the young people in the Youth Confirmation Class with a sponsor. Each sponsor will agree to pray for their candidate, share a meal with the Confirmation Class each Sunday evening from 6:00 - 6:30 for seven weeks beginning this evening, meet with your confirmation candidate on a weekly basis to share thoughts, prayers and your walk in Christ together, and share in the celebration with your candidate on Nov. 18^.. We are looking for 12 sponsors. Please prayerfully consider this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the life of one of the young people in our St. Matthew’s family. Call Kathy Dugat for questions or to volunteer. (343-7989)

If you have a love for God and like children, please consider helping with Children’s Chapel. Contact Heather Harmon (345-8314 ext. 221) for more information or to sign up to help.

Jr. High Youth...How about spending the weekend at Enchanted Rock? The Jr. High youth will load up and head to "the rock" the weekend of Oct. 12-14. We only have reservations for 20 Jr. High youth, so make your reservation ASAP. Cost of the weekend -- $85. Questions? Call Eric Liles -- 345-8314, ext. 232.

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.

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

Episcopal Relief and Development is providing food and drink for 24 hour teams involved in the search and rescue operation in New York.   In the next several days and beyond, ERD will offer trauma and grief counseling for those affected.  ERD is currently assisting local dioceses in the affected areas and will continue to support the relief effort in the upcoming days and weeks as needs are identified. Contributions for this effort may be sent to:

Episcopal Relief and Development
c/o September 11 Disaster
Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101

Your Associate Vestry and Episcoplayers present

A St. Matthew’s Talent Show

Saturday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. in

Huffman Hall

No admission fee - dessert and coffee at intermission