Weekly Word

The Weekly Word

September 1, 2002

Please take this Announcement Sheet home with you.
"Healthy congregations are always working on clarity, whether clarity of
beliefs, direction or responsibility. Healthy congregations are clear about
what is and what is not beneficial to their well-being. Healthy congregations stay healthy because their immune responses are clear and direct." P. 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

Quality Care for your Children is available from 8:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. 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 you hit the wall and life's challenges take center stage, 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 answered "Yes" – We Thank You! If you need a new nametag 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 Visitor’s Orientation will be held this morning. If you are visiting today and would like to know more about St. Matthew’s and what it has to offer you, please gather with The Rev. Merrill Wade at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the 10:30 service for a 30 minute orientation.

*today A New Adult Education Class Begins This Morning at 9:00 am Merrill Wade begins a six-week course on the Synoptic Gospels, a comparative study of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Please bring your Bible (preferably the Revised Standard, the NSRV or Jerusalem version. Contemporary paraphrased Bibles are less useful for this setting.) The class will meet in Huffman Hall. The full compliment of adult classes will resume October 13.

*today (and every Sunday) Prayer Teams are available during Communion at Prayer Stations on either side of the sanctuary. One station is located on the east side, by the windows, and the other station is on the west side in the gallery. Prayer requests and discussion are completely confidential.

*today The Newcomers Council will meet today after church in B-14 to plan the Parish Wide New Member Luncheon scheduled on October 6. We welcome anyone who wants help with this event.

*today COME ONE, COME ALL! If not to Opening Our Hearts To The Arts committee's last meeting today after church (in B-13), then FOR SURE, FOR SURE to Friday night's barbecue and performance and Saturday's Mexican brunch, art exhibits, readings, workshops, children's program, English high tea, and art auction. Come celebrate God's co-creativity with us!

*If you participated in Clean Up Day last Saturday, a million thanks! If you forgot to take your yard tools home, please call Amy Tuvell at 346-0656 and she will tell you where they may be picked up.

*YOUNG AT HEART (all church members age 50 and over - do dues, no duties, just bring a covered dish) meets Friday, September 6, in Huffman Hall. At 11:00 is our joint meeting with Senior Activity Center for a speaker. At 12:00 is the covered dish luncheon. Questions? Call Billie or R. C. Thompson, 795-0736.

St. Matthew’s Observes September 11 with Three Services. 7:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 12:00 noon Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayer, and 6:00 p.m. with Music, a Sermon, and Holy Eucharist. Come reflect with us on this special day of remembrance.

The Austin Civic Orchestra kicks off its fall season with a concert honoring the heroes lost and fallen on September 11, 2001. Please come Sunday, September 15, at 3:00 p.m. to St. Matthew’s sanctuary. Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors and students, $3 children. Tickets available at the door. For more information please visit www.austincivicorchestra.org or call 990-8ACO,

The ECW Diocesan convention needs HELP! We are hosts this year! Volunteers are needed for paste work on putting the "Goodie Bags" together. It’s quick, easy and if ya’ll come it won’t take long. On September 18 we need you at 1:00 p.m. in Huffman Hall. If you can bring Elmer’s clear glue, or contribute some cash to the glue fund it will be greatly appreciated, as will your help. Please call the Church Office, 345-8314, to get on the volunteer list.

The Parish Community of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church will join with the The Rev. Merrill Wade, on Monday, September 23, 2002, with the Celebration of his New Ministry as our Rector. (See Book of Common Prayer p.559) The service, with The Rt. Rev. James Brown, begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by a reception in Huffman Hall. We hope you will be with us to celebrate this joyous occasion.

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

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?

Adult Education - Huffman Hall

The Rev. Merrill Wade will teach a six-week course on the Synoptic Gospels, a comparative study of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Please bring your Bible (preferably the Revised Standard, the NSRV or Jerusalem version). The full compliment of adult classes will resume October 13. Watch for details!

Youth Education

6^th grade meets in the first room to the left in the church office building.

7^th – 9^th grades meet in the Chrysalis Cottage

10^th – 12^th grades meet in the Agape Youth Building.

Children's Education

8:55: Levels 1-3 sign-in with parents in the Commons

9:00 - 9:10: Levels 1-3 Sanctuary Service

Level 1: 3 Years – Kindergarten	9:15 in B-17
Level 2: First – Third Grades	9:15 in B-16
Level 3: Fourth & Fifth Grades	9:15 in Ed. Bldg. Breezeway
Level 4: Sixth Grade	9:00 – Office Bldg.

St. Matthew’s Day Has Just Become a Two-Day Event!

Here is the Schedule for your Datebook…

Sunday, September 22 One Church Service at 10:30 a.m.

Festival Eucharist with Special Music

Parish Picnic in Huffman Hall with lunch by the Holy Smokers and Children’s Activities.

Presented by the awesome Associate Vestry.

Monday, September 23 Celebration of a New Ministry

at 6:30 p.m. with Bishop James Brown presiding

A reception in Huffman Hall will follow the service.