The Church Offers Nurturing, Experienced, Child Care: For the 8:00 a.m. services, the nursery for infants and children up to 4 years old is available in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery.  At 9 a.m. children below 2 years old are taken to the Nursery located down the hallway on the parking lot side of Huffman Hall.  The 2 to 4 year olds remain in Room 5 of the Education Building Nursery.  Both Nurseries close at 12:15 p.m. There is also a comfortable, sound proof room in the Sanctuary balcony for adults who wish to keep their babies with them during the services.

3 and 4 year old children have two options on Sunday mornings.  ALL children, through age 4, are welcome in the nursery on Sunday morning. Those children who are reliably potty trained and developmentally ready for a more structured environment are invited to attend Sunday School from 9:15 - 10:15 in B16 and Chapel in the Choir Room from 10:30 - 11:00.  

Thanks for Faithfully Wearing Your Nametag each and every Sunday! 
If you need a new nametag, please visit the Welcome Table in the Commons right after church.

Personal Prayer Teams are available during Communion at Prayer Stations on either side of the sanctuary.  One is located on the east side by the windows, and the other one is on the west side in the gallery.  Prayers will also be offered immediately after church by the team near the windows.  All prayer requests and discussions 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 Weekly Word deadline is Noon on Wednesdays.  If you have an article for the Weekly Word please email them to Office@StMattsAustin.Org and JeriM@austin.rr.com

Be in the know!  Subscribe to the St. Matthew's Email Notification Service.  On average, you will receive only one email per week.  The parish email keeps you informed about all the important events happening at St. Matthew's.  Subscribe yourself by sending a blank email to:  StMattsEmail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com   You can unsubscribe yourself at any time.

Today is Good Faith Sunday

On the first Sunday of each month the loose offering and designated checks are given to the Good Faith Fund.  Your generous gifts enable us to assist many people who need financial help to get through a crisis. Please make checks payable to St. Matthew’s marking “Good Faith” on the memo line.

*Senior Activity Center 1st Friday: On Friday, September 7, the Rev. Kevin Schubert will present “Journey from Christianity to Atheism and Back Again” at 11:00 a.m. in Huffman Hall.  Following the program there will be a covered dish luncheon at 12:00 Noon.  Please bring a dish to share-casserole, meat, vegetable, salad, bread, dessert or whatever.  Come and partake of food and fellowship.  For more information about the Senior Activity programs contact Lucy Boyea at 345-8314, Ext 226, or email her at lboyea@stmattsaustin.org

*Safeguarding God’s Children, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., September 4,
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1500 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin 78746.  Just in time for fall programs!!!  A "SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN" training is scheduled on Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.  Please register for this event through the EDOT website www.epicenter.org.  Training is presented by the Rev. Janne Alrø Osborne (associate@st-michaels.org or 512.327.1474).

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN AT ST. MATTHEW'S, Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-12 noon, B-18.  No one wants to believe that child sexual abuse is a problem, particularly at church.   Knowledge is the best prevention.  We can make sure that St. Matthew's and all our churches are safe places for our children if we take the time to learn how to recognize predatory behavior and stop it.   This training is mandatory for all people who work as staff or volunteers with children or youth.   Your clergy recommend it for everyone who would like to help make St. Matthew's a safe place .  Susan Barnes will lead the training.  Limit 25.  To register, email: susan@stmattsaustin.org

We're dancing!  Come join us!

Children ages 3 years (who are potty trained) through those entering fifth grade this fall are invited to join us for Sunday School in the basement of the sanctuary each and every Sunday morning from 9:15 - 10:15.  The curriculum for the first "quarter" of the fall is based on the words and lessons found in Sydney Carter's wonderful song, "Lord of the Dance." Each Sunday children will have an opportunity to hear a Bible lesson brought to life and made applicable to their own lives and remember that we have SO many things to dance for in this world!  Come celebrate with us as we explore the wonders of the world around us and the joy that comes from growing up as part of God's family.     If you have questions or need more information, please contact Kathy Dugat (343-7989 or kdugat@austin.rr.com).

Children's Sunday School classes are found in the basement of the Sanctuary building:  Children who are 3 & 4 years old, B 16.  Children who are in:  Kindergarten & First Grades, B 17.  Second & Third Grades, B 13.  Fourth & Fifth Grades, B 12 

A heartfelt THANK YOU from your St. Matthew's family to the following folks who have volunteered to teach our Children's Sunday School classes for the first quarter of the fall semester.  Thank you for helping us learn how to dance for joy! 

3 & 4 Year Olds (B16), Andrew and Dana Bushong , Carol Webb.  Kindergarten & First Graders (B17),Stefani Minnear ,Beth Nelson
Second & Third Graders (B13),James and Dana Young ,Jeff Darby
Fourth & Fifth Graders (B12) ,Kristen Braun ,Allison Dady
Substitutes: Kelly Smith ,Esther Garcia, Rita Eccles

St. Matthew’s Youth News

The participation of St. Matthew’s youth has been wonderful for the last few events we have had!  It has been great to begin building the strong bonds that hold us together as a Christ centered community of youth who are committed to celebrating God in the world!  I encourage all the youth of St. Matthew’s to join the group and celebrate with us. Due to the Labor Day holiday, we will not meet tonight.  Next Sunday (September 9) the youth group will enjoy a good time together bowling at Highland Lanes 8909 Burnet Road Austin, 78757.  We will meet at the bowling alley at 5:30 pm to bowl, eat, and have good time!  Please bring $15.00 to cover your cost of bowling, shoe rental, and dinner.  We will conclude the evening at 7:30 pm and pick up will be at the Highland Lanes.  For further information regarding the youth program at St. Matthew’s please contact The Rev. Kevin Schubert by phone at 512-345-8314 ext. 232 or through e-mail at kevin@stmattsaustin.org  

St. Matthew's Day

Sunday, September 23, 2007

10:30 AM Service followed by Lunch in Huffman Hall

What a glorious day we have planned on Sunday, September 23!  On that day at the 10:30 AM service, we will glorify God by bringing our pledge cards to the altar and offer them and all they mean to our future as servants of Christ.  St. Matthew's day is our great festival day.  We will have a glorious Eucharist, pulling out all the stops in music and ceremony, followed by our customary lunch and celebration for all ages in Huffman Hall.  We will have several guest musicians that day, including two trumpeters from the University of Texas and Charlie Eastberg (son of Mary and John Eastberg) on timpani. The service music will include some wonderful traditional hymns of the church, as well as some well-loved praise songs. 

Special thanks go out to the Holy Smokers and the work team led by Stefani Minnear, members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Daughters of the King, for preparing for this fun and happy day together.