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The Weekly Word
October 2, 2005
LOVE LETTERS: “I love the rituals, the beautiful music and the reverence of the service. I love the people – the priests and the nurturing spirit of all the family of the church. I love the outreach of St. Matt’s.”
[Note: The Love Letter 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 soon. 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 Barbara or Betty at 345-8314 and visit our web site at www.StMattsAustin.org
The
Church Offers Nurturing, Experienced, Child Care for children who are infants 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 Betty Mitchell 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 you 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.
Today is Good Faith Sunday
which means the loose offering and designated checks will be placed in the Good Faith Fund. Your generous gifts enable us to help many people who need financial help to get through a crisis. All gifts are sincerely appreciated.
*Our Sincere Thanks to those who turned in their pledge cards last Sunday! As of Tuesday, September 27, 180 cards were received for a total of $720.000. This is very encouraging, but it is not enough to fund the projected budget for 2006. If, by chance, you have not made your pledge, Pledge Cards are located on both credenzas in the Commons for your convenience. You may place your card in the alms basin or leave it in the Church Office.
*Now that we have settled into a routine for the fall season, please check the website (www.stmattsaustin.org) on any ministries in which you are involved to make sure they are properly updated. To find the page of your ministry on the Home Page, select the Web Site Contents button. Send any corrections/updates to Jeri Muhich at jerim@stmattsaustin.rr.com
*TODAY Sunday, October 2, Don’t forget – the Newcomers Council planning meeting is today in Room B-14 after the 10:30 a.m. service. Anyone who wants to join in the planning for the November 6 “Get Acquainted Lunch” is welcome to join us. Snacks are provided by Council members For additional information, contact Betty in the Church Office at 345-8314 x 215 or betty@stmattsaustin.org
*The Coffee and Conversation get together planned for this afternoon at Pat Boon’s house has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 4, in Room
B-6 immediately after church. Visitors and new members will want to watch for the announcement as we get closer to that date.
*All members of the Community of Hope are requested to attend the monthly Circle of Care meeting on Thursday, October 6 from 7 until 8:30 p.m. in Room B-18. Questions? Call Bob Ascott at 257-9328
*Young at Heart/Senior Activity Center “First Friday” luncheon/speaker series will meet on Friday, October 7, at 11:00 a.m. in Huffman Hall. Our
featured speaker is David Peek, a Senior Champion of H.E.B., Far West, who will present “Medicare Prescription Program”. The program will be followed by a covered dish luncheon at noon. Please bring a dish to share -- casserole, meat, vegetable, salad, bread, dessert or whatever and partake of food and fellowship.
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October 8 is the date for an outstanding conference: Aging Well: Mind, Body, Spirit. Co-sponsored by Good Shepherd, Resurrection and All Saints’ Episcopal Churches, this is designed for older adults and those who care about them. Expert speakers will conduct workshops on several pertinent subjects. Sign up today in the Commons! For details and registration information, hit www.stmattsaustin.org/2005octagingwell.pdf call Lucy Boyea at 345-8314 x 226.
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TODAY The Discovery Class taught by Merrill Wade and Susan Barnes Class continues. Did you miss it? It is not too late to enroll. Call Betty Mitchell at 345-8314 x 215 or email her at betty@stmattsaustin.org to register This class is specifically for those new to St. Matthew's, new to the Episcopal church, or who just want to get to know us better. The class will meet at 9:30 in B-18 on Sunday mornings through October 23. Confirmation Sunday with Bishop High will follow on October 30. Curious? Come join us!
YOUth Confirmation: Youth considering confirmation may participate in Sunday afternoon classes in preparation for Bishop High’s visit on Oct. 30. These classes will be held from 12:00-2:30 on Oct. 16 & 23. Please contact Barbara Pitts for more information: 345-8314 or bpitts@StMattsAustin.org.
Families of Children & Youth … Do You e-mail? So do I! And you should be getting e-mail from me. If you have a child between 3-years (by this Sept. 1) and 5th grade, then you should have received a “test” e-mail from me this week. If you have a 6th-12th grader (or if you are a 6th-12th grader), then you should be receiving a weekly e-mail from me. If you are not on my “lists,” please let me know by e-mailing me at bpitts@StMattsAustin.org. Thanks, Barbara Pitts
*Moms
and Tots will not meet on October 10th due to Columbus Day
holiday. We meet every Monday
from 9:15-10:30. For more information contact Marilyn Wright @ 401-8382
or mjwright@austin.rr.com.
Calling all St. Matthew’s Women The Women’s Story Circle meets next Sunday at noon in Huffman Hall. Hear Diane Sparks tell her story, “When the Highway of Life Detours into a Dark Alley”. Light luncheon will be served, $5, childcare is available. For reservations, email cmynes@austin.rr.com or call the church office. AND – MEN—while your wives/partners are at the story circle, meet in the Commons after church and enjoy Lunch With the Boys at Luby’s. Visitors and Newcomers are especially welcome!
*Legacy Society continues to grow. The Reverend Susan Barnes and Larry and Debbie Simons have all qualified as members of the St. Matthew's Legacy Society. Membership is open to all those who include St. Matthew's in their estate plans and wills. If you have provided a bequest to St. Matthew's but have not notified the Church, please notify Dave Bowman, St. Matthew's Business Manager. You will not be asked the amount of your bequest.
Help Daughters of the King Help St. James Episcopal School St. Cecilia’s Chapter is collecting Campbell’s labels to redeem for free merchandise, equipment, and educational materials for St. James Episcopal School. 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. Also the Dora, Batman, Goldfish & Jimmy Neutron soups are the bonus labels this year (5 pts each). To date over 1,680 points have been collected among the area churches. Questions? See Mary-Lynn Polk.
*Boy Scout Troop 511 will once again be selling Holiday Greenery at St. Matthews on the mornings of Sunday October 9th and October 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The items being offered will be similar to those last year -- beautiful fresh wreaths, door swags, table centerpieces, and much more! If you are interested in buying greenery but are unable to order on the above dates, please contact Boy Scout Kyle Pence by phone (512/342-7074 on weeknights between 7 - 8 p.m.) or by email (alh@austin.rr.com) and he will be glad take your order. We will be taking orders until October 27th. Thanks for helping support Boy Scout Troop 511!!
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YOUTH NEWS
Youth Band practice is today at 2:30 in Huffman Hall. All band members and singers are asked to be present with their equipment. If you play an instrument (guitar, drum) or sing, and would like to participate, please plan to join us.
Celebration of Creation and Youth Exploration: Wednesday, October 5th. The youth would like to invite the whole church family, and their pets, to a special prayer experience in honor of St. Francis Day. The prayer experience will begin at 6:30 in the church courtyard. After the prayer experience there will be a reception for everyone (including our pets). All pets need to be properly leashed/contained/restrained.
Fall Youth Ministry Training Days: Saturday, October 8th. This is an excellent youth ministry training opportunity, sponsored by the Diocese of Texas, that we are hosting. Call the youth office for details (345-8314).
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TRADITION AT ST. MATTHEW’S:
THE 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!
TODAY: Contemplative Eucharist in the Sanctuary
Next Week: October 9 Contemplative Eucharist in the Sanctuary
Outreach in Action:St. Matthew's Response to Katrina
We are continuing to work closely with Texas Interfaith Disaster Response to assess how St. Matthew's can most affectively help evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. One of the biggest needs right now is furniture. The St. Vincent de Paul Store needs usable furniture. Donated furniture will be made into "family packs" and given free of charge to evacuees. Donations can be dropped off at their 1327 So. Congress location from 9:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. According to TIDR, helping evacuees is a long term project and could potentially last two years.
Vickie Blumhagen and Anne Matthews
St. Matthew's Task Force Coordinators
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Safeguarding God’s Children
TRAINING UPDATE:
TODAY! St. Matthew's, Sun., Oct. 2,
12:00-3:00 pm
St. Matthew's,
Tues., Oct. 11, 6:00-9:00 pm
St. Michael's,
Oct. 18, 9:00 am -12 noon
St. Matthew's, Sat., Oct. 29, 9:00 am -12:00 noon
TO ATTEND, PICK UP A FORM FROM ST. MATTHEW'S -OR- PRINT IT FROM WWW.EPICENTER.ORG.
PLEASE PRE-REGISTER.
SCREENING UPDATE:
Send an e-mail to R.C. Thompson to schedule an interview before Nov. 1, 2005. R. C. will send you dates and times from which to choose: rcthompson@austin.rr.com Thank you, and may God bless you, for your part in helping us create and maintain the safest possible environment for all children and youth entrusted to our care.
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St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Adult Education Programs
For Fall 2005
Updated 9/27/05/bcm
“To Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Share Christ’s Love”
“What Does it Take for Forgiveness and Reconciliation to Happen?” taught by Keith Miller Oct. 2 and 9, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. in Huffman Hall
This class, taught in six sessions, will examine the way Jesus presents the attitudes, awareness and courage necessary to hear another person’s pain, to face the effects of our own behavior on others, and to enter the process of spiritual transformation that slows us to move from needing to be right, to wanting to receive God’s kind forgiveness and love.
Discovery Class taught by The Rev. Merrill Wade and Susan Barnes
Each Sunday morning through October 23 -9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Room B-18 If you are new to St. Matthew’s or would just like to know more about the Episcopal church, this class is for you. To prepare individuals for Confirmation, the Rector will teach this class for six weeks. On October 30, The Rt. Rev. Rayford High will be here for Confirmation.
Contemplative Spirituality taught by Sharon Lowe and Jim Duncan
Sunday mornings 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Room B-14
The goal of this class is to share life experiences as Christians listening to each other and connecting them to the larger story of Christianity. We seek to accomplish this through prayer, meditation, reflection, dialog, witness and the study of scripture, poetry and works by contemplative spiritual writers.
Bible Study taught by Joe Behen and Clive Smith
Sunday mornings 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. in Room B-21
The goal of this study of Scripture is to gain a greater understanding of our relationship with the Lord through study of the story of God’s reaching out to His chosen people as given to us in Scripture. In addition to the words of Scripture itself, fairly extensive use will also be made of study aids. The format of this study is not that of lecture but of group study. Participation in discussions is always optional but encouraged. Topics of study will by decided by the group, with deference to topics that give some logical flow to the material over time.
The History Corner taught by Marty Novak, Sunday, October 16 9:30 a.m. Huffman Hall - "Jesus Confronts the Temple System - The Background to Matthew 21-22" Marty Novak will speak on the historical and cultural context underlying the Gospel of Matthew's account of the Holy Week confrontation between Jesus and the leadership of the Jerusalem Temple.
Sunday November 20 - 9:30
a.m. Huffman Hall - "Bishop Ussher and the Dating of Creation"
Archbishop James Ussher (1580-1655 A.D.) is best known today for his Biblical
dating system in which, among other dates, he calculated that the world was
created on October 23, 4004 B.C. Ussher's dating system was widely
adopted in the early Episcopal Church and was reproduced in the margins of King
James Bible translations from 1701 A.D. through the early 20th century.
Marty Novak will speak on the basics of Ussher's dating system, with emphasis
on how Ussher's starting presumptions affected his calculations and the use of
his calculations by modern "Young Earth" creationists.
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Bob Lively’s
Sunday Evening Relationship Course
Continues -- now meeting downstairs in Room B-18
This new and cost-free course for singles and couples is entitled,
“Breaking New Ground…A Course in Making Your Relationship Work.”
The class involves voluntary homework and meets on Sunday evenings from 6:15 until 7:45 throughout the fall semester. The focus of this fun and informative experience is to invite individuals to think and perhaps behave in new and more functional ways in the cause of making relationship systems more open and communication patterns far more honest.
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