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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 ABOUT PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

*Directory Updates: There were many incorrect emails in the directory that went with the Annual Report/ Directory.  The emails for the database have not been kept updated because we weren’t publishing them.  In order to have an accurate directory for the Pictorial Directory, starting today following each service there will be a copy of the directory in the Commons.  Please check your listing for accuracy and make changes or additions as necessary.  You may also email your corrections to Office@StMattsAustin.Org , with “Directory Update in the subject line”.  They will be updated in the database.  The deadline for updating the directory will be February 10^th.  Submitted by Barbara Haynes

*Group Pictures for the Pictorial Directory: Merrill talked to the photographer, Harlan Harris, who will take the individual and family pictures for the directory.  He is willing to have the groups sign up with him, the photographer, for your group pictures just like you will sign up for your personal pictures.  Mr. Harris will be in the Commons beginning February 17 to begin making appointments.  If you have any questions, please contact me.  Babs Clendenin, ba69claus@aol.com, or call795-8854

*Activity Pictures: Barbara Haynes has set up a box marked activity pictures in the office opposite her office.  Please drop your pictures (not more than 6 right now) off before February 17, Thanks, Babs.

Take Magazines & Books to Library for Reuse

Once you have read your magazines, take them to public library so others can read them. They also take soft and hard cover books. See “Get Organized” for details.

The Environmental Stewardship Council meets today after the 10:30 service in B-14. Anyone is welcome to attend. There will be opportunities to learn and get involved.

Other Adult Education Opportunities

*Breakfast during the Education Hour: today at, 9:15 a.m. the Sunday School and Adult Education classes will meet in Huffman Hall for breakfast.

*You are invited to join Fr. Joe DiPaola’s Bible Study Class that meets each Thursday at 10:00 a.m . in Room B-14." In addition to Bible Study, we have a number of other events and activities planned."

Thursday Noon Study Group: A study of Judaism is beginning Thursday at Noon in Room B-14.  This is part of a series of discussions about world religions.  Come and enjoy the conversation and fellowship. Contact Susan Barnes, 345-8314, Ext 217, or email Susan@StmattsAustin.Org

Straight Talk from the Rector – Parts 4 and 5 – Sundays, February 3 and 10, 9:15AM in Huffman Hall.  Our Culture of Anxiety and Busyness (continued) – after a brief summation of the first three classes I taught in January, I will teach two classes that focus on seeing and living our lives through the lens of the Kingdom of God that Jesus boldly preached and ultimately died to embody. In his book, Hope Against Darkness, Franciscan priest Richard Rohr asserts that “the mind can only take pictures using the film with which it’s been loaded.”  He adds that “our inner myths determine what we do and don’t pay attention to, what we consider significant and what we ignore.”  I believe we all need to challenge our “inner myths”, strongly defended assumptions about ourselves, whether we are too grandiose or too self-critical.  I will borrow ideas from Richard Rohr, Thomas Merton and especially from Brian McLaren and his excellent book, The Secret Message of Jesus.  If you are open about thinking more deeply about your place in the world, I believe you will benefit from these classes.  As a component of these classes, Kathy Dugat will make a brief presentation on how to apply these concepts in your family setting, especially if you are rearing children in your home.  If you were not present for the January classes, you are encouraged to listen to the January 6 and 13 talks on the web at www.stmattsaustin.org/sermon.htm .

*Creative Challenges and Crises" continues!  Meets in B-18 as we move into the modern era with  our survey of the challenges and crises that have molded the church  throughout the centuries.  On February 3, The Very Rev.  Durstan McDonald, Dean Emeritus of ETSS, His topic: Is the Elizabethan Settlement Imperilled?:   Join us  for this lively and informative class. Submitted by Susan Barnes

*Contemplative Alternative to the Super Bowl!  Be still and know that I AM February 3, 5:15, St. Matthew's Sanctuary Contemplative Eucharist.

Spring Art Pilgrimage
with Susan Barnes, Thursday March 27

There are two landmark shows in Fort Worth, and we're organizing abus trip to see them.    It should be a very jolly outing!  We'll start at the Kimbell, /Picturing the Bible: The Earliest Christian Art/, then in the final week at its only venue.      Then to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, a handsome new facility by the celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando*.   * We'll have lunch at the Modern, and see the retrospective of the contemporary sculptor, Martin Puryear, organized by the National Gallery of Art.  In my opinion, both Ando's building and Puryear's sculptures have an abstract simplicity and beauty that is inspiring.  We'll leave the west parking lot at 7 a.m. and return by 7 p.m.  Total cost, including lunch and museum admissions is $80($8.00 less for seniors, who get a discount at the museums).   Space is limited to 50.   To reserve your spot, make a $35 check out to St. Matthew's, memo Art Trip, and let Susan know susan@stmattsaustin.org you've done it!    That deposit, which pays for the bus, is non-refundable.