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 Ann and David Hart as they celebrate their 21^st Wedding Anniversary.

*Organ Donation Awareness Weekend –November 9 through 11 has been designated as National Donor Sabbath to raise awareness of the need for organ donations. More than 76,000 people are currently on the national transplant waiting list and many will die before receiving the incredible gift of life from an organ and/or tissue donor. Please contact Sophie Mathews, 458-4408, to ask any question about transplants or organ donation.

*Who will replace Bishop Payne when he retires in 2004? An information session to answer all your questions has been set for Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd here in Austin. Please call (800) 318-4452 to make reservations for lunch ($5.00) two days prior to the meeting. For more information see the current issue of the Texas Episcopalian.

*The Jewish-Christian Relations Group (of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries) will welcome The Reverend Joseph Di Paola as our special guest speaker at our regular meeting October 16th., held at St. Matthew's, B-21. Starting time is 7:00 PM. The group will continue our discussions on inviting the Third of Abrahamic faiths (Islamic) to join us. All are invited. Additional information: Jim or Betty Newman (345-0544) or Anna Dodge (339-8011).

*We are in need of a gently used, working baby monitor set. If you have one you would like to donate, please contact Heather or Barbara in Children's Ministry. Thank you!

*Deadline for the November issue of The Word is Friday, October 19. Send your articles (500 word max.) to betty@StMattsAustin.org. Thanks J

*Sunday, November 11 is the Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering (UTO)! How is your Blue Box? Gaining Weight?

stmattsxplorers-subscribe@topica.com

*For the Women of St. Matthew’s…Mark your calendars for Monday evening, November 19. The editor of Guideposts will be our guest speaker.

Casa Marianella desperately needs men’s blue jeans and shoes. If you have used items to share that are in good, useable condition, please call Holly Decherd, Outreach Chair, 328-3944.

Are You the One? St. Matthew’s is looking for someone to perform maintenance and set-up duties on a part time basis (15-20 hours per week). If you’re interested, or know someone who would be, please contact Brad Wagner in the Church Office for an interview appointment.

Joy in the Mourning: A newly-formed grief support group will be meeting weekly on Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in B-6, beginning October 16. Anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one is cordially invited to attend. The group is open to people of all faiths, all denominations.

In Defense of Freedom Prayer Watch is beginning in our Bell Tower Chapel with the placement of a Book of Remembrance and Prayer. If you care to make the special effort for prayer in our war against terrorism, you may drop in at the chapel and write prayers in the book for loved ones, friends, specific leaders, countries, etc. When any one of us come to pray, we can lift the book up to God with all the prayers. The prayer book will also be marked for the location of appropriate prayers for your additional reading and worship.

The Next Scheduled Baptism Day will be Sunday, November 4. If you know of one needing to be Baptized, please contact Betty in the church office at 345-8314 x 215 or email to betty@stmattsaustin.org

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed Those wishing to have the names of departed family members printed on a special prayer list for All Saints’ Day, Sunday, November 4, simply fill out a card in the Commons. Please write legibly and include your name on the card so that we may call if we can’t read your writing. Completed cards may be dropped in the offering plate or left in the basket on the table in the Commons. If you prefer you may email your names to betty@stmattsaustin.org Names received through 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 will be printed.

Welcome Visitors/Newcomers Class - For the next two 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.

Want to Know More About the Episcopal Church? The Inquirer’s Class began Monday, October 8. It’s not too late to sign up at the Welcome Table in the Commons or call Dedee Norman at 345-8314 or write dedee@stmattsaustin.org