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

Excellent, Experienced Child Care for Your Young Children is Offered from 7:45 a.m. until 12:15 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.

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. Thanks for faithfully wearing your nametag each and every Sunday.

*It’s Time to Sign Up for Children’s Communion Class! Classes begin in January for second, third, or fourth graders who are ready to participate in "formal" communion instruction. For more information, refer to your December issue of The Word or call Barbara Pitts, 345-8314, x 221.

*December 22 is the day of the Old Fashioned Christmas Party at 3:00 p.m. in Huffman Hall. Join in a festive time of singing Christmas songs, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. Play games, decorate the tree and read a Christmas story. This special event for adults and children of all ages is planned and produced by the Associate Vestry.

*The Flower Guild will "green" the church starting at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 23. We cordially invite any and everyone to come and help move potted poinsettia plants and put up Christmas greenery to decorate the Sanctuary. We hope to be done by 6 or 6:30 p.m.

*Our Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant will be held during the 4:00 p,m. Christmas Eve Service. If you have children among family or friends visiting during the holiday, they are welcome to join our parish children as shepherds or angels! Costumes can be provided from home or picked up upon arrival at church at 3:30. All children are also invited to join in singing the anthem and music is in the Advent Take Home Packets.

*A Note of Thanks from Babs Clendenin, Rita Eccles and LuAnn Barrow: Thanks to all of the wonderful people who contributed Bells and Ribbons and gifts for the new processional banner. We hope the sounds of the bells and the sight of the beautiful ribbons give joy to our congregation on festive occasions for a long time to come.

Exciting Opportunity In Spiritual Formation At Camp Allen. Trinity Church Wall Street is sponsoring a week-long conference featuring national leaders in spirituality, April 7-11. Several members are already planning to go, and your clergy urge you to seize this opportunity. Act quickly! The event was sold out at Kanuga Conference Center last year. For information and registration forms log on: www.campallen.org/html/spiritualformation.htm.

St. Matthew’s Lenten Women’s Retreat, March 7-9. Susan Barnes will lead a women’s retreat at Camp Allen, featuring the labyrinth and an appearance by Cynthia Clawson. The total cost (double occupancy) is $175. A deposit of $75 will guarantee your place. Contact the church office.

Vestry Nominations are now being accepted for the five places being vacated. Complete information on qualification, requirements and nomination forms may be downloaded from www.StMattsAustin.org Completed forms must be signed and turned into the Church Office. Vestry election is on January 12, 2003, at the Annual Parish Meeting. We currently have received eight nominations.

Two Alternate Delegates to the Diocesan Council Meeting in Houston, February 6-8, will be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, January 12. If you would like to represent our parish, please submit a brief bio to the church office as soon as possible. Also, two new members of the Special Gifts Committee will be elected. If you would like to be considered, please let us know ASAP by sending in a brief bio sketch. Contact Jack Eccles 345-7396 or betty@stmattsaustin.org