Strive to Tithe Tip: When you tithe, you’ll experience true financial freedom as a good manager of everything God has entrusted to you.

We Love 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

Priority One: 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.

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

Can’t come to Church? We’ll Come to You! If you are unable to come to church and would like Holy Communion brought to you on Sunday, please call Jim Sparks at 345-7757.

Thanks For Wearing Your Nametag! If you need a new nametag please see Dedee Norman at the Welcome Table in the Commons right after church.

*Visitor’s Orientation will be held every other week. At that time one of the priests will meet with you to greet and answer questions you may have. If you are visiting today and would like to know more about St. Matthew’s and what it has to offer you, please gather at the front of the sanctuary NEXT WEEK immediately after the 10:30 service.

*Women of St. Matthew's: There's still time to register for the ECW 101st Diocesan Annual Meeting at Camp Allen, Nov. 1 and 2. Registration forms and brochures about are at the back of the church and also available online. If you've never been to an Annual Meeting before, you have a real treat in store -- workshops, exhibits (and shopping), worship, and great speakers. St. Matthew's ECW is the host chapter and Jo Ann Grandjean is the chair. We'd love to have a big turnout from St. Matthew's and still have areas where help is needed. Registration forms and money should be sent to Peggy Ryder. Don't miss it!

*Thank you for helping the Garcia Family. Some of you were most generous in helping out the Albert Garcia family. If you would like to contact Albert or Jennifer, you may reach them at 267-0352.

Nursery/Youth Garage Sale Fund Raiser, Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 a.m. Noon in Huffman Hall. Proceeds benefit the St. Matthew's Nursery and the Youth Group. Bring donated items to Huffman Hall in the office next to the infant nursery. Help! Volunteers needed to assist with the sale. All volunteers get first "dibs" on garage sale items. Need at least 5 adults to help. Contact Tracey Nichols at 331-0653 or ldncars@austin.rr.com

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 3, simply fill out a card in the Commons. Completed cards may be dropped in the offering plate or left in the designated basket in the Commons. If you prefer, you may email your names to betty@stmattsaustin.org Names received through 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 30 will be printed.

The next time Baptism will be offered at St. Matthew’s will be on Sunday, November 3, All Saints’ Sunday. If you or your child desire to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, please give Betty Mitchell a call in the church office, 345-8314 x 215. The next scheduled baptism day will be January 12, 2003.

Construction on our new, custom-designed sound system is underway. Last Monday work began on the installation of the new system. This work will take 3-5 weeks to finish. The sanctuary will be in various states of construction throughout the process.

Mom's Ministry St. Matthew's cordially invites all Moms who need a mid-week break to come make new friends, meet with old, and get spiritually recharged for one of the toughest jobs around. The group has just started back up again this fall and meets every Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 in Room B-14. Childcare is provided, the class is free, and if you miss breakfast you can grab a snack. We are planning to read some books by Joseph Girzone (best known for the Joshua series) and discuss them. For more details contact Marilyn Wright at 401-8382 or email mjwright@austin.rr.com

*Attention St. Matthew’s Blood Donors: We have just given away the last coupons in our blood bank file and the recipient is very grateful for the additional help. If you happen to donate blood soon, may we please have your coupons to build up our supply once again? Please drop your coupons by the Church Office or place them in the Offering Plate. Your donation coupons have been a blessing and as always, we thank you, thank you, thank you.

Join the 40 folks who have already signed up!

Inquirer’s Class October 23 - December 4

Wednesday evenings, 7 - 8:15

Child Care Available - Sign up in the Commons

or call Dedee Norman, 345-8314 x 215

Need more information? www.StMattsAustin.org