Weekly Word

The Weekly Word

August 11, 2002

Please take this Announcement Sheet home with you.
"Healthy congregations foster a caring spirit and encourage a confident tone. At the heart of their life is the gospel of Christ's steadfast love, given in God's word and the sacraments." Peter Steinke

A warm welcome to our visitors! We pray that your visit to St. Matthew’s will richly bless you and that you will come back again. Please fill out the Welcome Card located in the chair slot in front of you. Place the information portion in the offertory plate and affix the name tag so that we may identify and welcome you. And we have a special gift for you so please stop by the Welcome Table in the foyer after the service. For information about St. Matthew's, call Dedee Norman at 345-8314 Ext. 229 and visit our web site at www.StMattsAustin.org

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 comfortable, soundproof room upstairs for adults who wish to keep their babies with them during the service.

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, St. Matthew’s clergy may be reached by calling 771-0680

Would You Like to Receive Holy Communion in Your Home? 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.

Don’t be left in the Dark! To receive emails of parish-wide event reminders and information updates, subscribe to the Communications Commission Email Notification Service by sending a blank email to

StMattsEMail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Were you out of town? Did you miss the Weekly Word? Simply go to our website, and get the information you’ve missed! www.StMattsAustin.org

Did you wear your nametag today? If you need a new one please see Dedee Norman at the Welcome Table in the Commons right after church.

*Items marked with an asterisk* are being run for the first time today.

*today The Daughters of the King Prayer Box will be in place after the 10:30 service. The blue prayer request cards, located near the box, are for your use in requesting intercessory prayers of the Daughters of the King. The box will be located in the West side entryway near the Tape Ministry. A poster located with the box gives specific information for anyone who would like to make a prayer request.

*today OPENING OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE ARTS Planning Committee meeting in Room B-13 after church. AND Arts Festival Tee Shirts are available in the Courtyard for $10

*today ADULT EDUCATION, The Rev. Merrill Wade, "My Experiences of the Episcopal Church" 9:00 a.m. in Huffman Hall

*today Parents of Children Age 3* through 3^rd Grade – Immediately following today's services, please go to the Courtyard and sign your child up to attend an August Orientation Class before Fall Sunday School begins on September 1. We have wonderful new changes coming this fall, so you and your child will want to attend a 30-minute small group session that at will serve to familiarize him or her with the new routine! (*3 years old by this September 1.)

*Outreach Commission wishes to thank Pat Boon and her late husband, Bob, for the ongoing provision of the tract rack. When you find inspiration there, thank Pat! The regular monthly meeting for Outreach will be Thursday, August 15th at 5:30 p.m. in B-14. Visitors welcome.

*Deadline for the September issue of The Word is next Friday, August 16. Please send your articles (500 words mas o menos) to betty@stmattsaustin.org

*ADULT EDUCATION On Sunday, August 18 at 9 a.m., all interested adults and high school students are invited to meet in Huffman Hall to discuss what is necessary to put together a quality fall educational program. Keith Miller will lead the discussion to: (1)Take a look at what we, personally, really want to happen at St. Matthew’s, why we came here, why we stayed, and what kind of "house of love" we want to have as a parish family. (2) To isolate the goals in our mission statement, and make sure that our education program moves us toward those goals by providing classes, materials, outside speakers, and continuing communication opportunities that will enhance our knowledge and abilities to actually accomplish our parish goals. (3) To look very briefly at some of the educational models we have to choose from. Please join us. Child care will be provided for infants and toddlers and an exciting Treasure Hunt is planned for the older kids.

ADULT EDUCATION Council will meet at noon next Sunday, August 18 in Room B-13, to discuss the results of all the previous discussions and the survey, and to make plans for the school year. Please bring a sack lunch.

MENS’ FELLOWSHIP Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 21 5:30 p.m. in Huffman Hall. Bar B-Q dinner $6 per person. This will be a re-organizational meeting for the remainder of the year. Your input will be important for future meetings. Rev. Merrill Wade and others will have comments for future meetings. Sign up in the Commons today or call the Church Office, 345-8314 to make your reservation.

*Did your family or group adopt a landscape area? Clean Up Day, Aug 24, is a great opportunity to rally your troops to come out and work on your area. If you would like to adopt an area, a number of newly planted beds are available.

Summer is the growing season. Our landscape plants (and weeds) have been growing. We need many hands to make light work of the trimming and weeding. Scheduled start is 9 a.m. with lunch by the Holy Smokers. Early birds (8 a.m.) are welcome since all work north of the sanctuary needs to be done by 10a.m. to respect the DOK Quiet Day. Please contact Amy Tuvell (346-0656)

*QUIET DAY: Daughters of The King will hold a Quiet Day on Saturday, August 24, in B-18. We are fortunate to have Heather Kohout of The Seton Cove Spirituality Center to lead a day of reflection, contemplation and quiet time with Our Lord. Registration at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:00 a.m. A sandwich lunch will be available for $5.00. The day will conclude with Holy Eucharist celebrated by our own Chaplain, The Rev. Susan J. Barnes.. In order to provide lunch we must know by Tuesday, August 20 if you plan to attend. Call Louise Waddill at 343-7696 or email lwaddill@austin.rr.com Childcare is available if you call Tracey Nichols at 331-0653 by August 11.

*THE HOLY SPRIT LIVES! Come to the Ministry Fair on August 25th and see for yourself. It's coming, mark the date. Plan time to be here between 9 and 10:30 a.m. or following the 10:30 a.m. Service. LOOK for the Ministry Fair and the Holy Spirit in Huffman Hall that day! This is the only time of the year when All the Ministries of St. Matthew's are assembled in one place. It is your time to select how you will give back your Time and Talent in response to God's calling. Don't miss this event! Submitted by Dyke Miller

KAIROS Peggy and Steve Ryder will be serving on the team for KAIROS at the Boyd Unit in Teague, Texas, on September 11-15, 2002. Prayers, cookies and written agape are needed. Ways you can help, Cookie Instructions, and Guidelines for Written Agape, and other information can be found at: www.jrsys.com/kairos/Boyd/ Please pray for the team, candidates, and about ways you might be part of this powerful Christian ministry.

*A new Community of Hope class is forming for those who feel called to pastoral ministry. Classes will begin Saturday, Sept.14, 9 until 3 and will meet on Monday nights from Sept. 23 through Nov. 2. For details on class topics, consult August issue of The Word or the St. Matts website: stmattsaustin.org For more information contact Cynthia Wilson 346-6870, w8300@yahoo.com or Jo Anne Cage 346-5203, marjocage@aol.com Register by calling the church office 345-8314. Fee $40-scholarships available. Class size limited to 15.

HOLY BAPTISM The next Baptism Sunday for our parish will be September 29. If you or your child wish to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, please contact Betty Mitchell in the church office 345-8314 or email her betty@stmattsaustin.org

*Club 345 Swim Party pictures are now available!! Please look for them (and feel free to take one or two of them) in the church Commons. These pictures will also be on the website.

LAREDO BUS TRIP 2002 It’s that time again! The St. Matthew’s Laredo

trip is scheduled for October 19-20 at a LOWER cost of $110. This includes bus and hotel but does not include meals. The first 50 to send their checks to Margaret Parker, 3631 Kentfield Road, Austin, 78759, will have their reservation made. Checks will not be cashed until October 1. Questions? Call 345-0495. Would you believe I have discovered another good shopping deal?

Make ConneXions! Join ConneXions Dinner Groups beginning this fall. About ten people – couples and singles – are assigned to one of nine dinner groups that meet monthly for good food and Christian fellowship. Meals can be brunches, lunches, picnics, swim parties or dinners. One of the longest running activities at St. Matthew’s. New groups form in September and March for a six-month cycle. For questions or to join, call Leslie or Bill Kjellstrand, 331-2121 or email: stmconnexions@hotmail.com. You will automatically be re-enrolled for the next cycle unless you call or email the Kjellstrands.

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