The Weekly Word

October 9, 2005

 

LOVE LETTERS: “I love the people; its like being part of a very large and loving family. I also love the Spirit’s presence, the numerous ministries of the church, the Youth and the Staff.”

 

[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 Boy Scout Troop 511 will once again be taking orders for Holiday Greenery at St. Matthews on the mornings of Sunday, October 9^th and October 23^rd   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 to take your order. We will be taking orders until October 27^th. Thanks for helping support Boy Scout Troop 511!

 

*TODAY Calling all St. Matthew’s Women The Women’s Story Circle meets today 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.    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!

 

*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.

 

*Fall Service Blitz and Field Day is Monday, October 10th, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm!  Join with youth from other Episcopal churches for a day of meaningful service, good food, learn to play cricket and rugby, and listen to a great band.  All youth grades 6-12 are welcome to come and bring their friends.  Permission forms are required.  Everyone should plan to meet at the Rock Garden Picnic area.

 

*The Daughters of the King will meet Tuesday, October 11 at 6:00 in B-14.  Jim Newman will tell us about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.  The program will be first with a short business meeting to follow.

 

*Youth Council's next meeting is Thursday, October 13, 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the youth building. Interested adults and students always welcome! Contact Phil Webster in the church office or Kristi Robison, 339-4063 or kristidoglady@yahoo.com

 

*On Thursday, October 13th, at 7:00 PM, St. James Episcopal Church, 3701 MLK Blvd. , Austin, will be hosting the Hurricane 'Katrina' Benefit Concert.  Outstanding local musicians, such as Catavento, the St. James Volunteer Choir Department, Laura Freeman and Company, and the Suzi Stern Group, will present a musical jambalaya consisting of some breezy Brazilian, Gospel, Blues, Folk, and Jazz.  Donations will be taken and all money raised will go to assist local efforts to aid Austin evacuees with housing, housing needs, and food.  Any checks written should be made out to St. James Episcopal Church, and then designated to Katrina Relief.  Operation Move Inn and the Capital Area Food Bank are the designated recipients. Wine, soft drinks, water, and snacks will be served "on the house" during intermission. St James’ hopes many of you will be able to attend, and will be generous with your contributions.  If unable to attend, but wanting to participate, the checks may be sent to St. James and they will be included in the benefit total.

 

*Deadline for the November issue of The Word is Friday, October 14.  Please send your articles (500 words max) to betty@stmattsaustin.org

 

*Young adults! Are you looking to connect with friends and fun at St.
Matt's? Xplorers may be for you. The Xplorers is a fellowship group for
young adults that meets for social times and does service projects together.
Our next event is bowling together Saturday, October 15, 6:00 p.m. at Highland Lanes. Bring money for shoes, lanes and food—and friends! We are always happy to have new folks and visitors! For more information, contact Heather Walter, 627-6938, or Kristi Robison, kristidoglady@yahoo.com.

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*Adult Education Note: Next Sunday, October 16, the Bible Class will not meet but instead will gather to hear Marty Novak teach in Huffman Hall at 9:30 a.m.  His subject will be “Jesus Confronts the Temple System – the Background to Matthew 21-22”  Marty will address the historical and cultural context underlying the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the Holy Week

Note: Marty will teach again on Sunday, November 20.

 

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*Celebration is next week, October 16th!  Join us for a special youth-led, youth-designed Eucharist at 5:15 in Huffman Hall for the whole church family.  At 6:00, all youth grades 6-12 are invited to stay for subs and for some great big games until 7:30.  There is no cost for this event, but be sure to bring a friend.

 

*Men’s Fellowship Welcomes Longhorn Great Jerry Sisemore.  Our speaker for the October 20, dinner at 6:00 p.m. in Huffman Hall, is former Longhorn All-American and Hall of Famer, Jerry Sisemore.  The Holy Smokers will provide a great BBQ dinner and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew will be our host.  All men are invited to attend.  $6 for dinner.  Sign up in the Commons today!

 

*Our Sincere Thanks to those who have completed their pledge cards.  As of October 4th, we have received 212 cards including 34 new pledges  representing total pledges of  $816,095.21.  This is an exciting early response.  We are eagerly awaiting approximately 100 pledges not yet received.  If you need a  Pledge Card, they are located on both credenzas in the Commons or call the church office to have one mailed to you.  Please place your completed Pledge Card in the offering plate on Sunday, or bring it to the Church Office. 

 

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 5^th grade, then you should have received a “test” e-mail from me this week. If you have a 6^th-12^th grader (or if you are a 6^th-12^th 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

 

*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

 

*There's a New Kid on the Block . . . Well, actually, it's an old kid with a new name.  That's right.  The Vestry at its October meeting approved changing the name of the St. Matthew's Special Gifts Committee to the St. Matthew's Endowment Committee.  This was proposed by the Committee as being more descriptive of the Committee's role and its activities.  But the job description is the same, and there wasn't any "downsizing" or change in the duties of the Committee.  All Committee members are still on the job ready to serve you.

 

*Goin' South of the River for Thanksgiving -- A new IHN church, Metropolitan Community Church, off South First Street, is hosting for the week of Thanksgiving but they need some extra volunteers. The have a very small support church, Taiwanese Presbyterian that will supply a few volunteers but anticipate needing some more because it is a holiday.  If you can share some of your Thanksgiving week with the IHN families, cooking for a meal, visiting as an evening host or sleeping over, call Amy Novak (795-8089) who is assembling the St. Matthew list to share with MCC’s primary coordinator.

 

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.

 

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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

with Chuck Huffman, Celebrant

Next Week: October 16  Youth Led Eucharist in Huffman Hall

 

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Outreach in Action

 

You are cordially invited to Give to a

St. Matthew's

Kitchen Shower

honoring 40 Katrina/Rita evacuees at the

Huntington Meadows Apartments (at 290 & Decker Ln.)

St. Matthew's is working with St. James' Episcopal Church (laundry shower) and All Saints Episcopal Church (cleaning supply shower) to help these families who are still moving and settling into their apartments. While the hurricanes are not always the top news story, the evacuees needs are tremendous. Please bring any of the suggested items (new or gently used) below to Huffman Hall on or before Sun., October, 16th. Our next focus will be "adopting" two families. God bless!

 

- Set of dishes

 

- Set of cups or glasses (plastic or glass)

 

- Cookware (frying pan, sauce pans, cookie sheets, etc.)

 

- Set of flatware

 

- Disposable items: ziploc bags, sponges,
   paper towels, dishwasher detergent, etc.

 

Questions? Contact Vickie Blumhagen, Susan Robertson, or Anne Matthews.

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AND…If you have new or gently used furniture to donate, please bring it to Huffman Hall by Oct. 16th (on the south end behind the partitions) and we will see that it goes to those who need it the most!

 

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Safeguarding God’s Children

 

TRAINING UPDATE:

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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