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.

*A Huge St. Matthew’s Welcome to The Rt. Rev. Maurice Benitez who joins us this morning to preach, officiate and confirm. He and his wife, Jo Ann, regularly attend St. Matthew’s. The Undesignated Offering today will go to Bishop Benitez’s Discretionary Fund.

4005 Enclave Mesa Circle. The time is 10:00 a.m. to noon. Please plan to join in this time of fellowship and sharing.

*If you were not able to participate in the Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering, it is not too late! Please place your check (Made out to St. Matthew’s with UTO on the bottom) in the collection pleate or send it in to the church office. Your gift does indeed make a difference to many!

*The Jewish-Christian Relations Group of AAIM meets at St. Matthew's Tuesday, November 20th, in B-18 at 7:00 p.m. At this and the regular Dec. meetings we will be learning more of the Islamic faith as expressed by their women. Dr. Elizabeth Fernea, Professor Emeritus, UT Austin and a specialist of Middle Eastern Studies, will be our guest speaker. All are invited. This is a program offered under the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM) of which St. Matthew's is one of the many sponsors. Jim Newman 345-0544

*Thanksgiving Potluck In Huffman Hall. Will you be alone for Thanksgiving or would like to share a meal? Join the Miller Extended Family for a Huffman Hall Thanksgiving meal, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the 22 nd. Give us a call at 794-9032 and tell us who is coming and what you can bring to share. If you cannot bring anything but yourself that is fine too. Give Dyke Miller a call by noon, Tuesday, November 20th.

*Enjoy Wellspring Wessendorff Ranch For the Weekend. Come and share the weekend (11/23 -11/25) with the Extended Family community of St. Matthew's. We will plan some group (fun) activities but the rest of the time will be open for your choice - walks or hikes, reading, watching sun rises and sets, napping, eating! Wessendorff Ranch is near Wimberly, Texas under 90 minutes in driving time. There are bunk rooms and bed room available. Bring your own bedding, however. The expense will be to share in the custodial fee of $210 and food costs - all prorated. Make up your mind in a hurry, by noon, Tuesday, November 20th. Contact Dyke Miller at 794-9032 for more information or to register.

*Help! We just lost a helper for Children’s Chapel. I am looking for a primary chapel helper on 4th Sundays and a youth chapel helper on 2nd Sundays. And we still need a Children’s Chapel presider on 3^rd Sundays. Thank you! If you have questions or are interested, please contact Heather (345-8314 ext. 221).

*Angels Wanted. Thanks to the Angel Tree Project, a ministry of Prison Fellowship, we once again have the opportunity to assist in providing Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison. Won’t you consider "adopting" a child or two and providing a toy and item of clothing for them this year? For details, look for Millie Roden or other Outreach helpers in Commons by the Christmas tree.

*Mission Trip with Steven Tighe (El Paso) is being planned for the week after Valentine’s Day. This trip will be for four days in order to build a house or church. Details will be forthcoming. If you think you might be interested in joining the team, please let Holly Decherd know at 328-3944 or at h4golf@swbell.net

*The Jewish-Christian Relations Group announces their November 20th meeting that will be held at St. Matthew's. A video prepared by our December guest speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Fernea, introduces us Westerners to the importance of Islamic dress. All are welcome. Jim Newman, 345-0544

*Thank you to all who participated in the illuminating Education-hour program last Sunday on Islam. The questions you submitted in advance were extremely helpful. Matthew Mengerink addressed as many of them as time and the limitations of his own knowledge allowed. (he being an Anglo-American computer specialist!). If you are interested in his suggeted reading list, please call Betty Mitchell in the church office or email betty@stmattsaustin.org\

*The December Prayer Calendar is available for pick up in the Commons. Please take one home for your family to use during Advent and Christmas. And if you would like to help with the January issue, please call Carol Blaine at

502-0550.

The Search Committee needs your help and your frequent flyer miles. If you have enough frequent flyer miles for a round trip, and you will not be using them, we would love to talk with you. We will begin to travel in the not-too-distant future. Please call Woodie Jones at 327-8460 (h), 495-6300 (w) or email him at jwoodfinj@aol.com