The Weekly Word

July 24, 2005

 

LOVE LETTERS:  “Acceptance:  People with a common purpose and a wonderful youth ministry.”

 

[Note:  The quotes printed here each Sunday are randomly selected from remarks written by parishioners in response to the question, “What do you like most about St. Matthew’s.”  ]

 

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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. From there, step out to the porch and enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold glass of lemonade with the church family. For information about St. Matthew's, call Dedee Norman at 345-8314 Ext. 219 and visit our web site at www.StMattsAustin.org

 

The Church Offers Excellent, Experienced, Child Care for children ages infant to four years of age.  Because of the small number of children who attend the 8:00 a.m. nursery, all children ages infant to years of age four are in the Education Building nursery beginning at 7:45 a.m.   At 9:00 a.m., children below two years old are taken to the Huffman Hall Nursery (located on the parking lot side of the hallway) and children from two to four years are cared for in the Education Building nursery.  Both the Huffman Hall and the Education Building nurseries close at 12:15 p.m.  There is also a comfortable, soundproof room in the church balcony (sanctuary) for adults who wish to keep their babies with them during the service.

 

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.

 

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 the church office at 345-8314.

 

If you attend church but are unable to walk to the altar for Holy Communion, please notify an usher and the communion elements will be brought to where you are seated.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

The August issue of The Word is now online! www.stmattsaustin.org

 

TODAY Coffee and lemonade will be served on the front porch after the 10:30 a.m. service.  Plan to hang around for a few extra minutes, enjoy a cool drink and visit with new friends and old!

 

HopeArts Festival, July 14-31: Launched in 1998 as a celebration of visual, poetic and performance art, the HopeArts Festival is based out of Hope Chapel.  The community is comprised of people from many congregations and locales, inviting believing artists and art-lovers to join in the conversation.  For information, log on:   http://www.hopearts.org/festivals/af2005/index.htm.

 

*IS CURSILLO IN YOUR FUTURE?  “Each Cursillo is made up of different rectors, speakers and participants, so each weekend will have its own ‘personality.’  The speakers request the hymns to inspire their talks and the music director (different each time) chooses the rest of the music, which is usually a blend of traditional and contemporary, meant to enhance the Cursillo experience.” Cursillo weekends for the remainder of 2005 are: August 4 – 7 and November 10 – 13.  How about YOU?  Want to attend?  Contact Father Joe, Steve Ryder or Dyke Miller.  Reprinted in part from the June issue of Texas Episcopalian   Submitted by Dyke Miller

 

2005 Discipleship Journey (Omega Week) July 25 – July 31 The second week of the Discipleship Journey to Emery House near Boston. Please remember in prayer these people as they prepare for the second part of the journey: Kat Price, Hannah Brock, Asya Congor, Ellie Byrom, Chelsea Murphy, Dillon Denney, Nathaniel Murphy, Jay Robison, Kristi Robison, Sarah Neely and Phil Webster.  

 

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Outreach Commission ministry:  The Caritas pantry runs low as folks go on vacation and food drive quantities go down.  Please help the food pantry by bringing the following basic food items: peanut butter, sugar, cereals, oatmeal, pastas, breads and dry box items. Collection baskets are in the Commons.  To learn more about the Outreach Commission and the ministries that fall under its umbrella, go to the Breezeway on Sunday, August 14, at the Seven Acre Showcase.

 

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Daily Evening Prayer in the Cauley Bell Tower Chapel Continues every night at 6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer is led by a lay reader of the church.  Lasting 12-15 minutes, the service involves the reading of a psalm, a scripture lesson and includes prayers and intercessions for the church and the world. If you might like to become an Evening Prayer reader, meet with Scott Murphy in the Chapel on Sunday morning, August 14, at the Seven Acre Showcase.

 

We need to be intentional about it.  We need to be continually aware of its importance to the future of St. Matthew's, and we need to respond accordingly as we are able.  We are talking about the St. Matthew's Permanent Endowment, which is an ideal vessel to enable St. Matthew's to continue and expand its many religious and charitable activities that serve the Austin community and beyond.  Commemorative gifts, bequests during our lives and testamentary gifts of funds and other assets added to the endowment will, over time, grow to be substantial.  The Permanent Endowment is a means for you to participate in St. Matthew's future.  For additional information, contact Bert Hooper, or any member of the Special Gifts Committee.  Learn more about the Special Gifts Committee work at Seven Acre Showcase on August 14.

 

*Our beautiful Altar Flowers don’t just happen – each week faithful members of the Flower Guild shop at the wholesaler for flowers, design the arrangement, and build it.  And now, they need help from YOU!  Chairman Harriet Houston is asking for several new volunteers to call her to serve on the Flower Guild.  She will teach you the art of arranging, no extreme talent required – just be willing to give a bit of your time to help beautify our Sunday morning altar.  Call Harriet at home 345-6736 or her office, 458-6244.  Look for their demonstration at the Seven Acre Showcase on August 14!

 

AND, if you would like to dedicate an altar arrangement in memory of someone or to mark a special occasion, simply go to the Flower Chart on the bulletin board in the Commons and write your information on the date you choose.  The suggested minimum donation for flowers is $50, payable on the Sunday you designate. 

 

Help Daughters of the King Help St. James Episcopal School  St. Cecilia’s Chapter, Daughters of the King, is joining other local chapters in collecting Campbell’s labels to redeem for free merchandise, equipment, and educational materials for St. James Episcopal School.  We invite anyone interested in helping with this worthwhile project to join us.  A collection box has been placed on the East credenza in the Commons.  Beside the box is a list of eligible products or you may see the list online at www.labelsforeducation.com.  Besides Campbell’s soups, products such as Pace’s salsa, V-8 juices, Prego pasta sauces, Pepperidge Farm stuffing, rolls, etc., Goldfish crackers, and Franco-American SpaghettiOs are also eligible.  Questions?  See Mary-Lynn Polk.

 

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10:30 Sunday School continues year-round for children 3 yrs -- 3^rd grade.

During the summer, these children are invited to participate in activities related to the day's Gospel,

by signing in before the church service at our

Kinney Outdoor Chapel.

 Children will be brought into Church at the Peace.

 

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A TRADITION AT ST. MATTHEW’S

OUR SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Each Sunday evening there will be a service

in the Sanctuary at 5:15 p.m.

Some days it will be Contemplative Eucharist, some days it will be Youth Led Worship.  It may be Compline, it may be Taize music or a Healing service.  Whatever the service, it offers you an additional opportunity for Sunday worship at St. Matthew’s.  And to fit into your family schedule, we will do our best to complete the service in 45 minutes.  Please join us!

Tonight’s Service:  Contemplative Eucharist with Rev. Susan Barnes

 

Next Week, Sunday, July 31:Contemplative Eucharist

with Rev. Susan Barnes

 

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Seven-Acre Showcase

(formerly known as Ministry Fair)

 

Sunday, August 14, 2005

8:45 – 10:15 a.m.

 

Over 50 ministries will be represented at this fun morning! Come and enjoy a small-bite progressive breakfast

as you roam about the campus learning

more about who we are, what we do, and how we strive

 

To know Christ and to make Him known.

 

At the end of our summer break, plan to be here as early as 8:45 a.m. to visit the numerous educational, hands-on exhibits set up by the various ministries of the parish.

 

Prizes will be awarded in several categories

so come have some fun with us on August 14!

Sponsored by your Associate Vestry

 

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Save the Date! You are Invited!

 

Fall Music Kick-Off Workshop and Lunch

 

Who:     Anyone who enjoys singing

When:   Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where:        St. Matthew’s Choir Room

Why:      To have fun making music together and to learn more about your singing voice

 

Choir participation is

neither a pre-requisite nor an obligation!

 

RVSP for lunch to Tim Smith, 345-8314 x 227

(Leave Tim a voice mail message)

Or email  tsmith@stmattsaustin.org