December 16- December 23, 2007
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.
*Items marked with an asterisk (*) are run for the first time today.
*Youth News: Tonight, Sunday December 16th at 5:15 pm the youth group and the choir will host community caroling! We will begin the evening with a brief child friendly celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Huffman Hall. Afterwards we will have some snacks and practice some of the carols. Then we will venture into the neighborhood to spread the Christmas spirit throughout our community. We will conclude at 8:00 pm in Huffman Hall. For more information concerning the youth group please call The Rev. Kevin Schubert at 512-345-8314 ext. 232 or e-mail, kevin@stmattsaustin.org
Advent, 2007, will feature the premiere of the Advent Noon Concert Series. "This week Thursday, December 20 concert will David Small and a company of musicians will present the last concert Thursday, December 20 at 12:05 p.m Don't miss these wonderful choral offerings during the Advent season!
Have you ever thought about running for Vestry?
Please prayerfully consider running for vestry. It is important that the vestry be made up of different age groups with varying experiences that represent the parishioners of St. Matthew's. This is a great way to truly get involved in the life of the church while serving in a leadership role. Each year five new vestry members are elected as five "retire." It is a three year commitment. New members will be elected on Sunday, January 6, 2008 a the Annual Meeting. The requirements to run for vestry and the application are on the St. Matthew's web site. If you have questions please feel free to contact Vickie Blumhagen, Tom Canby, or Merrill Wade.
*Alternative Gift Market Continues You still have a chance to purchase Alternative Gifts for your friends and family! Located on the Welcome Table in the Commons of the church are shopping lists or on the St. Matthew’s website www.StMattsAustin.Org. You may fill out, envelopes to put your shopping list and check into, and cards you may take with you. Please either place the completed envelope into the offertory plate during the service or drop the completed envelope by the church office during regular business hours. Please make the checks payable to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and indicate which ministry you have designated your funds to in the memo line of your check. For further information regarding the Alternative Gift Market contact The Rev. Kevin Schubert at 512-345-8314 ext. 232 or e-mail kevin@stmattsaustin.org.
*Give the gift of you! - What the IHN families need most is you. Someone to encourage. Someone to cook dinner. Someone to run to the store. Someone to do laundry. Someone to just be there. We've started sign ups for our host week of Dec 30th to Jan 6th. We'll be out in the Commons or you can contact Amy Novak (795-8089, amy_m_novak@earthlink.net) or Sharon Lowe (345-1990, sharonylowe@yahoo.com)
*Youth News: Wednesday December 19th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm the High School youth group will Bowl Over Finals Week. The group will meet at AMF Showplace Lanes (9504 NIH 35, 78753) for a night of bowling! The cost of the bowling will be provided to the youth, but everyone should bring some money if they would like anything to eat or drink. Pick up will be at AMF Showplace Lanes. For more information concerning the youth group please call The Rev. Kevin Schubert at 512-345-8314 ext. 232 or e-mail, kevin@stmattsaustin.org
No Sunday School Classes for Children/Youth, Dec. 23 and 30th
Out of consideration for family holiday
schedules, Sunday school
classes for children and Youth will not meet on December 23 and 30.
We will resume all classes on January 6, Epiphany Sunday.
Children’s Ministry
St. Nicholas is here! St. Nicholas himself, Bishop of Myra, made a special presentation to the children in their Sunday School classes today. Bishop Nicholas lived in Turkey and was known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Our traditions of Santa Claus and giving gifts at Christmas time were born out of the legends surrounding the true St. Nicholas. Special thanks to Hink Johnson for playing St. Nicholas for the children today!
*Season for Celebration, Season for Mourning At this time of year there's a festive focus as we celebrate with family and friends. It's only natural that grief comes, too, as we notice those who are absent--whether through separation or death. After the main service on Sunday, December 23, I invite all who wish to join me for a simple liturgy of prayer, remembering friends and family whom we miss. We will gather in B-18 for a bit of refreshment, Then, weather permitting, we will move out to the Memorial Garden , the beautiful place where the remains of many of our faithful departed have been laid to rest for this brief time of prayer. All who feel moved to join are welcome. By Susan Barnes
The 20’s & 30’s Group at St. Matthew’s
For those of you who are in their twenties and thirties (or those who wish they still were) come and enjoy a Christmas Party Thursday December 20th from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. The event will be held at Kevin Schubert’s house 3307 Garden Villa Lane, Austin TX 78704. We will be exchanging a white elephant gift (gag gift). So please bring a wrapped gag gift to participate. Bring an appetizer and any kind of beverage you would like, sodas and water will be provided. Children are welcome to attend! If you would like more information about this group or would like to be included on the group e-mail list, please contact The Rev. Kevin Schubert by phone (512-345-8314 ext. 232) or e-mail (kevin@stmattsaustin.org).
A Message from the Kitchen Guild
*THE
FRIDGE IS SHRINKING.
Because use of the kitchen and fridge have increased a lot, we have
limited storage space available, especially in the fridge. Please read on:
1. Shelves are designated and labeled for groups
that use the kitchen as often as weekly. Please do not put anything on those
shelves.
2. We provide Ranch and Italian salad dressing; only one
bottle of each should be opened and stored in fridge; if you want another kind
of salad dressing, buy it for yourself and take what is left home with you;
don’t store it in the fridge.
3. DO NOT BUY BOTTLES OF CATSUP, MUSTARD, OR MAYO. We
provide individual packets of these condiments for your use; they are stored in
the pantry. The individual packets are more sanitary and do not take up
valuable space in the fridge.
4. We provide individual packets of oleo that are kept in
a plastic tub in fridge; use these and do not buy large containers of oleo. Before buying
butter, look in the freezer. Submitted by
*End of Year Contributions: If you plan to give a gift of stock to St. Matthew’s
this year, please, if possible, initiate the gift to our account before
December 15th so that the entire transaction can be completed in
2007 and posted to your contributions record. Please contact my office for
transfer instructions. The last Sunday of the year is December 30th.
Contributions postmarked December 31st will be attributed to your
contributions record for 2007. All other gifts should be received in the office
by Monday, December 31st for inclusion in your 2007 contributions
record.
Dave Bowman, Business Manager, David@stmattsaustin.org
Guests are Coming -- Opening Our Doors. The Interfaith Hospitality Network families will arrive December 30 and stay with us until January 6, Epiphany, the time the Kings were traveling to see the baby Jesus. Let's give these families the best gift, Hospitality. Sign ups will begin next week, December 2, at the Alternative Gift Market and continue each week in Advent. Also, we will have 2008 calendars for sale featuring the cherubs of the Networks, the children that are so resilient as they cope with their family's housing search. Any questions contact Amy Novak (795-8089, amy_m_novak@earthlink.net) or Sharon Lowe (775-4774, sharonylowe@hotmail.com).
Baptisms on January 13, 2008 If you or one near you (adult or child) desires to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the next opportunity will be Sunday, January 13. Please notify Betty Mitchell in the Church Office, and she will contact you to gather the needed information. 345-8314 x 215 betty@stmattsaustin.org
St.
Matthew’s Gratefully Acknowledges
Commemorative Gifts to
St. Matthew’s Permanent Endowment Fund:
To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Cammie Simons Springer by
Nancy Boyd
Mary Nell Frucella
Patrick and Sharon McBurnette
Bob and Glenda Reames
To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Charles Canby and Joe Cauble by
Nancy Boyd
To the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for Hink Johnson by
St. David’s Children’s Ministry, grateful for the visit of St. Nicholas of Myra at St.David’s Episcopal Church.
To the Glory of God
and in Loving Memory of Sophie Matthew’s,
Charles Barnes, the Rev. George Wilson and John Harvey,
given
anonymously.
If you desire to honor or commemorate a loved one, the envelopes styled “Permanent Endowment Fund” are provided in the seat back in front of you.
ECW 2008 Annual Women’s Spiritual Retreat Registration Deadline is Dec. 21, 2007. All registration forms and fees must be submitted by the deadline. Please obtain a registration form from the registration table in the Commons after the Sunday worship services, from Barbara Haynes in the church office, or from the www.stmattsaustin.org website. The retreat will be held at Camp Allen on Feb 15-17, 2008. Our guest speaker, Kathleen Whitten has touched many as she has shared God’s Word. Her topic is DEEP DOWN CHANGE. This is a great time after the holidays to rejuvenate body and soul and to prepare for the Lenten season. For additional information please contact Debbie Marshall (ph: 926-5424) or Kathy Morris (ph: 918-9373).
Add
Insulation to Save Dollars, Increase Comfort,
and Save the Environment
Take advantage of rebates potentially worth more than $1500 from Austin’s gas and electric utilities to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Higher efficiency means less expended energy and less pollution. In the process you get a more comfortable home and lowered utility bills. The Power Saver Program sponsors commercial service providers to audit your home’s energy efficiency. The utilities then provide rebates through a process administered by Austin Energy. See the ESC Programs page for a full list of items accepted for reuse and recycling.
Pull Tab Ingathering - Bring all the pull tabs you have collected to church on Dec. 23rd. We will collect them and see how a little thing can make a lot of difference. The tabs will be given to the Austin Ronald McDonald House to be sold, with all proceeds going directly to them. After the 23rd, please continue to save the pull tabs. A large house will be available at all times to receive what you have collected. If you have not gotten your "small house", they are available on the Environmental Stewardship Council table in the Narthax.
Don't forget to pick up two or three canvas tote bags after church today. Use them for groceries, Christmas stockings, stocking stuffers, when shopping, when toting, whenever. Use your imagination and the uses are infinite. We can all do our part to take care of the gift of God's earth.