Return to StMattsAustin.org Home Page

The Weekly Word
November 16, 2003
Assigned Vestry Members for November: David Harakal and Susan Robertson

Welcome to Our Guests! 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. 219 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.

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.

Personal 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.

The Good Samaritans Ministry offers love in the form of a hot meal for you and your family if you are in the hospital, sick, or recovering from adversity. In addition, other pastoral care services are available if you will just call the church office, 345-8314 with your needs and requests. In case of emergency, St. Matthew’s clergy may be reached by calling 771-0680.

*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 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 today immediately after the 10:30 service.

Receive weekly info and breaking parish news by subscribing to St Matt’s email. Just send a blank email to: StMattsEmail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com then respond to the confirmation email.

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

The Fall 2003 Discovery Class will continues today at 9:00 a.m., in B-14, taught by the Rector and Seminarian Tim Watts. An interesting class at a convenient time! If you desire to know more about the Episcopal Church and St. Matthew’s and/or you wish to be confirmed in December when Bishop Daniels visits, then this class is a must. A sign up sheet is available today at the Visitor’s Table in the Commons.

Adult Sunday School – the Second Session – continues today at 9:00 a.m.
In addition to the Discovery Class you may attend:
  The Bible – Content and Context in B-18 –Lectio Divina led this morning by
      The Rev. Susan Barnes
  Christianity & Popular Culture in Huffman Hall – taught by Jay Robison
  Unearth Your Talents in B-21 – taught by Bonnie Coleman

*TODAY We want to hear from you!  The Congregational Involvement and Assessment Subcommittee of the St. Matthew’s Music Committee wants to know how music enhances your worship and other church activities and how we can improve.  Each Sunday you will see a survey in your bulletin.  The surveys are cumulative; each week a new question will be added (5 questions total).  You can respond by (1) filling it out and turning it into our box in the Commons, (2) posting your response on St. Matthew's website (stmattsaustin.org) or (3) e-mailing your response to:  rraynolds@austin.rr.com   And/or, you can speak with one of our members:  Anne Matthews, Bill Kahlke, Dan Henshaw, Kate Canby, Reid Morgan, Sue Kinney.  Multiple responses are welcome!

*TODAY St. David's Bookstore will be in Huffman Hall this morning for your shopping pleasure. It is a great opportunity to select Advent and Christmas gifts as well as good books.  Please stop and shop with them. For information, please call Rita Eccles.

*TODAY For children who are readers! Available in the Commons beginning today, children may use a write-on/wipe-off booklet that follows the Rite II, Eucharist, order of service. Because it is published by the Scottish Episcopal Church, it is not identical to our service; however, it provides explanations on an age-appropriate level that we think will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Holy Communion. Call Barbara Pitts, 345-8314 x 221, with questions.

*TODAY The Associate Vestry will meet today, November 16 after the 10:30 service in B-18/19.

TODAY Preschool and Kindergarten Children –Please join with other Level I families today immediately after the 10:30 a.m. service for visiting, lunch and fun at Peter Piper Pizza, 13376 N. 183.

*TODAY The November Ultreya will be this evening at 6 pm at the Episcopal Seminary (ETSS), in  Howell Hall (dining hall). Bring a snack to share. Parking off 32nd Street, entrance on 32d Street off Duval.

*TODAY The Xplorers, a fellowship/study group for young adults, would like to invite you to come see what we're all about. TODAY we start a series of discussion and PBS videos on Luther and the English Reformation, led by Xplorer Will Lutz, who can make any political or historical topic come to life! We'll also have our potluck lunch after the 10:30 service in Huffman Hall as usual that day (visitors/newcomers most welcome! Don't worry about bringing a dish --   lunch is on us!). Contact Heather Walter, 627-6938, or Kristi Robison, kristi_robison@gsdm.com, for details or more info.

*The third Friday of every month from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm is Parents' Night Out. This Friday night, November 21, parents are given the opportunity to bring their children to the nursery and leave the campus to take care of business or have dinner or what ever they feel like doing.  The evening is limited to 10 children and the fee per child is $5.00 for the evening.  Parents must leave a pager or cell phone number with nursery workers before leaving their children.  Please contact Tracey Nichols at 331-0653 to reserve a space. We look forward to having your children spend the evening with us!

*Tuesday, November, 18 our regular Third Tuesday schedule. Jewish/Christian Relations Group will meet in Room B-14 at 7:00 p.m. Although we are mainly about our Jewish/Christian relations, we all bring with us our experiences with the various expressions and the many interpretations of each of these; plus our contacts with some of the many other religions.

*HEROIC CENTURY exhibit in Houston (trip is filled).  An e-mail giving information on the trip has gone to trip registrants.  If you did not receive it, please get a copy from JoAnn Cage or R. C. Thompson after the 10:30 service or from the church office the first of the week.  Questions: rcthompson@austin.rr.com or 795-0736.

*Following the Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, November 26, a reception will be held in the Commons to treat our guests from Triumphant Lutheran Church. If you would be willing to bake cookies, brownies, or finger desserts, please call Louise Waddill at 343-7696 or email lwaddill@austin.rr.com Your Hospitality Committee thanks you!

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND OUTING: Why not consider spending a long week-end, 28-29-30 Nov. at Well Springs, a retreat/ranch located not far from Wimberly and Blanco, Texas. Join the Extended Family Community of St. Matthew's for the week-end, noon Friday through lunch Sunday. Share in a custodial fee and food costs. Individual rooms with 2 beds available plus "bunk" rooms for kids. Bring your own linen. Great atmosphere, room for hiking, bike riding or even time for a nap. Come to our organizational meeting, Sunday, 16 November at 4:30-6:30 pm, Huffman Hall, to share in pizza and planning. Or call Dyke Miller at 794-9032. Submitted by Dyke Miller

Helpful Reminder to Parents of Children, age 3 yrs. - 3rd grade - Children who arrive at church after 10 a.m. need to remain with their parents for coffee time and for the beginning of the service.  Once the service has begun, an acolyte will process down the center aisle and lead all interested children to Chapel. If your child is new to Chapel, feel free to attend as well! Questions? Please call Barbara Pitts, Children's Minister: 345-8314, x221.

Thanksgiving Eve Service, Wednesday, November 26, 7:15 p.m.
Members of Triumphant Love Lutheran Church will be with us here at St. Matthew’s as we continue this Thanksgiving tradition of holding joint worship.   Plan to be here for this service as we count our blessings.
The food baskets and offering collection will be given to
El Buen Samaritano.



Copyright© 2002 St. Matthew's Episcopal Church