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The Weekly Word
November 17, 2002
Strive to Tithe Tip:
The ability to tithe has more to do with faith than with income.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 Child Care is 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.
Need a Shoulder for Support? 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
Home Delivery of Holy Communion 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.
For a Weekly Update on Parish Activities, Simply Subscribe to the Communications Commission’s Email Notification Service by sending a blank email to StMattsEMail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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.*Items marked with an asterisk* are being run for the first time today.
*today
we welcome our guest preacher, The Very Reverend Durstan McDonald, Dean Emeritus of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.*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. Susan Barnes at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the 10:30 service for a brief orientation.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
St. Matthew’s Stewardship Ingathering continues. Many pledges have been received and we are extremely grateful for your continued support. There are, however, quite a few families who have not yet pledged. Could you please drop your blue pledge card in the plate this morning? Look for a blue card near where you are sitting or on the credenza in the Commons. Knowing what you plan to give will be of considerable help in planning the church budget for 2003.*today
The Xplorers, a fellowship/study group for young adults, invites you to join us after 10:30 church today for a potluck lunch (visitors, no dish necessary!) and a discussion about religion and politics, led by a group member who works in politics/journalism. We are continuing this study for one more week due to popular demand! Visitors and newcomers most welcome! Our next two-week study will be an informal look at Episcopal history. For more information: Robisons, 339-4063 or kristi_robison@gsdm.com or Sommervilles, 996-8913.*today
Cursillistas Note - It Happened! A Last Minute Candidate: Mary Brooks (Sponsor Bob Ascott) is the St. Matthew's candidate for Cursillo # 198 which will hold the Closing today at Camp Allen, All Saints Chapel, at 4 p.m. Since we did not get to send Mary off last Sunday, today would be a good time to join her at Closing or come to the Cattle Company in Elgin tonight at 7:45 p.m. to share in a meal and welcome her to the Cursillo Community. As Mary works in Ft. Worth during the week, she will be unable to attend the Ultreya in her honor on Monday, November 18 so we will NOT have a St. Matthew's Ultreya on the 18th. Instead plan to come to the Convocational Ultreya on Sunday, November 24, 6 p.m. at The Church of The Good Shepherd. Submitted by Dyke Miller*The Jewish-Christian Dialog Group will meet on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. in B-14. This month’s speaker will be our rector, The Rev. Merrill Wade.
*The Outreach Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting, Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m. in B-14. A visitor from a post-prison ministry is expected to make a presentation. Visitors welcome. Holly Decherd 328-3944
*There will be an Adult Ed Council meeting on Sunday, November 24 at noon in B-14. We will be finalizing plans for classes for the remainder of the school year. Please be sure to attend.
*Now that installation of the new sound equipment is complete, sound quality checks will begin next week. If all goes as planned, the new sound system will be operational and enjoyed by all on Sunday, November 24.
*The Rev. Susan Barnes is teaching an adult education class on Spirituality with a four-part study of prayer. This class meets on the second Tuesday evening of each month. The text is: In God’s Presence: Theological Reflections on Prayer. If you would like to attend the remaining three classes (Tuesday, December 10, January 14, and February 11, at 6:00 p.m.,) and buy the book, ($13) please call Barbara Haynes in the Church Office by Tuesday, November 19. For complete information please see www.stmattsaustin.org
*The Children's Council and Outreach Commission are joining together to encourage a St. Matthew's program for this holiday season of giving. Won't you plan today to join our Family to Family effort in reaching out to one of St. Matthew's projects:
El Buen Samaritano: food basket
Honduras Mission: children's vitamins (no iron)
Angel Tree: adopt inmate's child(ren) for Christmas gifts
Safeplace: baby items; socks, books or toys
Watch for more information about this exciting opportunity!
Episcopal Relief and Development calls your attention to the fact that this Thanksgiving season, 14 million people are living on the brink of starvation. The ERD stands ready to address the food crisis and each dollar can help save a life. As you celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday, please help provide food for people across southern Africa and other parts of the world. Please mail your donation to Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o Hunger Relief, P. O. Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101
Do you have a prayer request that you would like to send out in your own words? Would you like to receive email prayer requests sent out by others? Subscribe to the St. Matthew's Email Prayer Network by sending a blank email to: StMattsPrayers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To post a prayer, type your prayer in an email to: StMattsPrayers@yahoogroups.com You can unsubscribe at any time.
El Buen Samaritano’s Food Pantry is running low! Remember to bring your non-perishibles to church and place in the big basket in the Commons. All contributions are welcome and special requests are listed in the Weekly Word at the top of the calendar page. Muchas Gracias!
Thanksgiving Eve Service
at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church
9508 Great Hills Trail
Wednesday, November 27, 7:15 p.m.
