The Weekly Word

December 11, 2005

To Know Christ, Grow in Christ and Share Christ’s Love.

 

LOVE LETTERS: “The love of Christ manifested through the services and the people.”

 [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 Think past Christmas: On January 1 Interfaith Hospitality Network families arrive to call St Matt’s home for one week. Can you come spend some time supporting them as they search for a new home? Be an evening host -- you can watch Bowl Games here as well as at home. Be an overnight host -- we have nice airbeds now. Be a dinner host -- help cook a yummy hot meal.  Signups after service TODAY and Dec 18 or call Amy Novak (795-8089

 

*TODAY The Associate Vestry will meet in B-18 at 12:00 noon.

 

*TODAY Newcomers Council Members and Council “Wannabes,” come to our last meeting of the year after church today in Room B-14.  We will review 2005, plan for 2006 and enjoy lunch together.

 

TODAY Youth, grades 6 –12, December movie night! Sunday, 6 –8:30 p.m., come to the Youth Building to watch the movie Santa Claus The Movie (from the '80s), have free pizza and a good discussion. Feel free to bring friends! Contact Jay and Kristi Robison, 339-4063, if you have questions or need info.

 

*NEXT SUNDAY Adult Education in B-18 at 9:30 a.m.– Marty Novak will teach an interesting class on “Joseph and the Siblings of Jesus” 

 

The Daughters of the King regular meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 6:00 in B-14.  In honor of the season, The Rev. Susan Barnes will lead us in a meditation on the Magnificat.  Come a few minutes early for time to visit over cheese and crackers.  Contact:  Diane Sparks at 345-7757 diane_sparks@sbcglobal.net

 

*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.

We are heading out to lunch together next week (Dec. 18) after the 10:30 service to Brick Oven. Meet in the Commons and we'll carpool or follow each other over. We are always happy to have new folks and visitors! For more information, contact Heather Walter, 627-6938, or Kristi Robison, kristidoglady@yahoo.com.

Club 4-5 goes to the new movie release of The Chronicles of Narnia on December 19, with ice cream afterward. To get your 4^th or 5^th grade child in on the fun, send your check for $10/child by Tuesday, December 13, to Marti Price, 3702 Hillbrook Drive, Austin, TX 78731. For details, check your Club 4-5 email or contact Marti at pricegals@aol.com.

 

*A Gift to Our Children: Thanks to the Children’s Council for providing each family with the 2005 edition of The Seek ‘n’ Find Advent Devotional Book. Also available are extra copies of the Sounds of Christmas Advent Calendar given to children by their Sunday School teachers. Both of these gift items can become part of your family’s Advent traditions and are available in the Commons.

 

*The registration balance of $85.00 is now due for the Women’s Spiritual Retreat, February 3-5 at Camp Allen.  Space is still available for a total cost of $170.00 for adults and $90.00 for teens.  Single rooms are $200.  For more information contact Diane Sparks at 345-7757 or diane_sparks@sbcglobal.net

 

*For our youngest children during the service: Children feel included in the worship service when they better understand what is happening. Look for a basket in the Commons where you will find new board books, such as Colors I See in Church, and Things I Do…, and …I Hear in Church …. As Advent gives way to Christmas, more board books will be introduced. These are visual feasts for your youngsters while you are involved more directly in worship. What added pleasure for your child, if you snuggle and whisper with them during communion and help them find in our environment, what is shown in the book.

 

*No Experience Required! Training Available! Volunteer Now!

We are in urgent need of several volunteers to serve as money counters on Monday mornings. Our current team has faithfully been on duty for a long time and has earned a well deserved break. Three counters serve for about two hours each Monday. If we had six volunteers they could rotate Mondays so that the work was well divided. Contact Dave Bowman in the church office, 345-8314 x 213, if you are interested in helping.

 

*We recently received this happy announcement:  “By the grace of God, The Right Reverent Barry Robert Howe, Bishop of West Missouri, will ordain Ray Reid Morgan III, to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s one, holy, catholic Church, at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, St. James’ Episcopal Church, Springfield, Missouri.”  If you would like to drop a note of congratulations to Reid, his address is P. O. Box 1938 , Ozark, MO 65721

 

*A BIG thank you to Danny Henshaw and Sherm Strance! They installed a shower and washer/dryer in the Youth Building. It will greatly enhance our hospitality with the families we welcome each year through the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Thanks, too, to Marilyn Cole and Steve Brock, who donated the washer/dryer.

 

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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 Fr. Jim Williams

Next Week, December 18  Youth Led Eucharist in the Sanctuary

 

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Outreach In Action

 

 

Angel Tree Christmas, is an outreach project developed by Prison Fellowship Ministries.  Angel Tree works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas Gifts.  Church members can buy two modest gifts for a child and give them in the name of the parent.  Most of the children, who range in age from infant to sixteen years, are needy.  Gift requests have included, jeans, coats, shoes and pajamas.  An age-appropriate gospel booklet is included as a gift from our church.  Last year, St. Matt’s gave seventy five children a gift of love and hope! 

To volunteer call Janet Williams at 244-6908.

 

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*A Katrina Christmas……St. Matthew’s is in the process of creating a Christmas experience for our three “adopted” Katrina families. Sally Byrom has agreed to coordinate this project.  We would like to provide a gift for each family member.  There are many ways to help. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please email Marti Price at pricegals@aol.com

 

A THANK YOU AND AN OPPORTUNITY

To: St Mathews Episcopal Church
    Dear St. Mathews,  Thank you so much for sending your missionaries to help me.     They were an  answer to my prayers. I didn't know where or how to even start cleaning up.I prayed for God to give me the strength to get through it.  My prayers were answered through your church.  - I met Armando (Ruiz), Allen (Keith), Jim (Dettmann) and O.J. (Garcia) in Lumberton, they followed me home. I know Rev. Mary had warned them not to be overwhelmed by the devastation. I think they were still surprised but it didn't intimidate them. They hit the yard running.
    They immediately started sawing and burning. They worked for two and a half days , from seven in the morning till dark, only stopping to eat. There were at least sixty five trees down. Every time I thanked them for coming, they thanked me for letting them come. Some of my family came to help . All of us felt it was such a blessing to work with. them. We prayed together, worked together and ate together . It was a wonderful testimony to God.
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me be a part of this
wonderful ministry at your church. One of my daughters lives  in Hutto. I hope to visit her and we will come to thank you personally.
    God Bless you all,  Carol Hilliard

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    I think this letter speaks loudly and clearly.  There is still a need.  We are planning another trip January 13-15 to the Silsbee area to help with repairs and clean-up.   If you would like to join us, please call Susan Robertson 453-4115 or email her at srobertson44@austin.rr.com. 

 

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You and your family are invited to an

 

Old Fashioned Family Christmas Party

Next Sunday, December 18

3:00 p.m. in Huffman Hall

 

We’ll make decorations and trim our Christmas Tree;

we’ll sing your favorite carols and enjoy homemade treats;

and we’ll share the warmth of hot cocoa and good friends.

There will be craft tables for the kids and the

traditional story time with Jolly Old St. Nicholas!

3-4 p.m. Kids’ crafts, tree trimming, cocoa, treats

and sharing of holiday cheer.

 

4 – 5 p.m.  Story time with Old St. Nicholas and

 Christmas sing a long with Tim Smith

Sponsored by the Associate Vestry

 

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Annual Parish Meeting News

 

Sunday, January 8 should be a red letter day in your new calendar!

That is the day of the Annual Parish Meeting and Chili Cookoff.

It is now time for you to get your chili cookers organized and be thinking of how you will WOW the judges this year!  If you plan to enter the competition this year, call Jack Eccles at 345-7396

 

On January 8, members will elect:

5 new members to the Vestry

2 delegates to the Diocesan Council and

5 members to the Endowment Committee

(formerly named the Special Gifts Committee).

Nomination forms are available today in the Commons.

Stop by the Visitor Welcome Center credenza today, pick up a nomination form, read through the requirements to hold office and prayerfully consider the possibility of running for one of these positions.

 

Endowment Committee membership increased.
The Vestry at its November 29 meeting approved a proposal by the Endowment Committee to increase the Committee from seven members to ten.  It is expected that increasing the size of the Committee will broaden the scope of experience and expertise available to the Committee and help increase support for St. Matthew's endowments.  Currently, the seven-member committee is composed of six elected members, plus the Senior Warden who serves ex officio.  Under the ten-member proposal approved by the Vestry, there will be nine elected members, plus the Senior Warden.

 

Election of members to the Endowment Committee.
With the Vestry-approved increase in the Endowment Committee membership from seven members to ten, there will now be nine elected positions.  The Senior Warden (who already serves ex officio on the current seven member Committee) will serve ex officio as the tenth member.  In order to retain the system of staggered terms for members of the Committee, one of the new positions will be for a full three-year term, the second new position will be for a two-year term, and the third new position will be for a one-year term.  A member of the Committee can be elected to serve two consecutive terms.  The terms of two members on the current seven-member Committee are also expiring, so there will be five positions on the Committee up for election at the 2006 annual parish meeting on January 8.  If you would be interested in serving and would like to find out more about the Committee's work, please feel free to contact any of the Endowment Committee members, who are Mike Affleck, Jack Eccles, Larry Simons, Mark Monroe, Tony Hatheway and Bert Hooper.

 

At the Parish Meeting, an up to date, revised directory of St. Matthew’s members will be distributed.  Please stop by the table in the Commons this morning to check your directory listing for accuracy.   Directory errors cost us money – please stop by and be sure yours is correct!

 

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