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 Bethany Billman in memory of aunts and uncles.

*Next Sunday, October 28, the Women of St. Matthew’s are invited to Huffman Hall from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. at "Fellowship Time" for the election of the officers for the coming year. Come meet the women who will be leading our organization and enjoy another cup of coffee and a cookie. If you will not be able to come at that time, you may vote in the Commons after the service.

*Spruce-up St. Matt’s - the Sequel - same good food, but even more fun. Please join us beginning at 9:00 on Saturday, November 3rd. Bring your work gloves, your wheel barrows, favorite shovel, and even your chain saw. While there will still be a bit of weeding, this time we get to cut down trees, trim some bushes, add mulch to flower beds, and add river rock in various places. There will be inside jobs for those of you who prefer inside work. We also have an opportunity to make some major improvements to the playgrounds. There's definitely something for everyone! The Holy Smokers have graciously offered to prepare lunch again. The job board will be in the entrance to Huffman Hall as last time. Please contact David Harakal at 451-0893 or dharakal@us.ibm.com with questions or suggestions.

*Trick or Treating for Cans! All members of Club 345 (all 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders) are invited for pizza, fellowship and fun on Saturday, October 27 from 6 until 8 p.m. For more information contact Heather at 418-1343 or 345-8314 x 221)

*Xplorers Deep and Interesting Doctrine Discussion - Meet after church
today in Huffman Hall for lunch and a discussion of the Bible and
Homosexuality. All views welcome! Next week: Can a Saved Person be Lost? Join the listserv by mailing stmattsxplorers-subscribe@topica.com Questions? Call 339-4063, Robisons, or 996-8913, Sommervilles.

*The Outreach Commission is taking a field trip to El Buen Samaritano, one of our outreach beneficiaries, Thursday, October 25. Meet in the parking lot on the west side at 5:30 p.m. Please call Holly Decherd, 328-3944 if you are interested in going.

*Adult Education Class The Word Made Fresh which meets in Room B-18, is starting a new 8-week series today, October 21, on better understanding other world religions. The video tapes were presented at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest as a downlink and admired greatly by those of our parish who attended. Come learn with us.

*Reminder: There are now 3 chapel rooms: Primary for preschool and kindergarten in B-21, Children's for kinder through 2nd in B-17, and Youth for 3rd-5th grade in B-10.

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.

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.

Joy in the Mourning: A newly-formed grief support group will meet weekly on Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in B-6 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 desiring to be Baptized, please contact Betty in the church office at 345-8314 x 215 or email to betty@stmattsaustin.org

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!

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.

St. Matthew’s Boy Scout Troop 511 will conduct its annual fundraiser by taking orders for Fresh Christmas Greenery From The Mountains Of The Pacific Northwest following services on October 21 and 29 in the Courtyard. Beautiful wreaths, garlands, door swags and other festive holiday greens will be delivered fresh to you in early December. Money raised from this effort is used to support the outdoor program of the troop, as well as to purchase camping gear and equipment used during meetings. Thank you for your support of Troop 511!