Church Office & Preschool Hours
Beginning December 4, the church office will be open from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Starting December 4, our preschool will be in session Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
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VOLUNTEER AT SANTA MARIA URBAN MINISTRIES
by Janet Thorsrud
On December 22nd, Genie, myself, Rowena, Melissa and Ann will be helping distribute Christmas gifts at SMUM. As we have been directed by our deacon to " get out there", St Stephen's will have a more "hands on" contribution.
Starting January 6th (yup that's Epiphany) there will be an opportunity to help with SMUM's food distribution. The 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, hopefully 5 of us will car pool together to help with this project.
Now that doesn't mean you have to sign up for the whole year!!
I will take a group once a month and get the other day signed up with a driver plus 4 more people.
Our youth can also help with these events.
We will be boxing up food for families.
Everyone should be there by 8:30 am so boxes are ready by 9. Work is done by noon, so maybe have lunch together. Hang out with your friends.
I am taking sign ups for January. I will drive on the 6th. Just let me know what day you can help and if you can drive on the 20th.
Party on!
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Support St. Stephen's with mini-fundraisers
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MATCHING DONATIONS
Do you know if your company does donation matching? Many companies will match what you give to St. Stephen's up to a certain amount. If you don't know if your work place will do this just go and ask the HR department what their policy is for matching to a non-profit organization.
You can pick up a form in the office on Sunday from Julie Zintsmaster, or send her an
email
and she will send a form to you.
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More about....
MATCHING DONATIONS
Just checking in with anyone whose company makes matching donations. If you're having any problems or are being told that your company won't give to a church, how about the labyrinth fund or the community garden? Both are in need of funds to move forward.
We need around $30,000 more to complete the labyrinth fund. If you need more information on this ask Edy.
Our community garden needs to be expanded to give the senior residents more spaces to plant. We hope for new raised planter boxes for persons who can't get down on the ground. Also it would be helpful to have sidewalks and water stations for people who need to use a walker.
Just ask. That's the first step.
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PURCHASE MELALEUCA PRODUCTS
Contact Susie Good for information about Melaleuca Products--high quality, concentrated, eco-friendly products that contain no toxic ingredients or harsh chemicals.
Susie's contact info:
Phone: 408-375-0680
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GOODLIFE USA VIP HOTEL SAVINGS CARD
This is a new fundraising opportunity to support St. Stephen's. Donate whatever and whenever you want and receive a card worth $200 in discounts. Save money on hotels and resort stays through GoodLifeUSA.
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 Please see the "Angels of St. Stephen's" article for our Thank You's this week.
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A Message from The Reverend Ernest Boyer
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"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)
The first candle we light in the Advent wreath - the one we lit last Sunday - has traditionally been understood to symbolize hope. That is because hope is so central to the Advent season. Hope is something very different from wishful thinking: it is not at all the same thing as simple optimism. I've heard the distinction described this way: faced with a difficult situation, someone who is optimistic will anticipate that everything will turn out just as they would like it to . . . and so everything will be OK. A person with hope deals with the situation quite differently. A person with hope knows that everything will work out just as God wants it to, which may be very different from what they themselves want . . . and yet, even so, everything will be OK. These two responses are actually worlds apart.
As the above quote from Hebrews makes clear, hope is not only central to Advent, but to faith itself. The two are intimately connected. Faith is in fact nothing other than the trust we place in our hope of the fulfillment of God's will for us, our confidence in a divine plan which is infinitely greater than anything we can conceive or imagine, but which we know is based, above all else, on God's unconditional and all-embracing love for each and every one of us.
It should not be at all surprising then, that nurtured by our hope and assured by our faith, the second candle of wreath - the one we light this coming Sunday - should symbolize the peace that comes from this, the deep and abiding surrender of all anxiety that results from knowing that we are entirely in God's hands.
Hope, Faith, and Peace - these are what these two weeks of the Advent wreath are holding before us. They are the aspects of this season which our tradition is especially encouraging us to seek out and to cultivate as we anticipate the Savior's birth.
Hope, Faith, and Peace, what could be more wonderful! May you know all of them in the days ahead!
Peace and grace,
Ernie
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A Message from Senior Warden Genie Lee
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Dear St. Stephen's Family,
This Sunday, December 10, 2017, is the Second Sunday of Advent. The Rev. Ernie Boyer, our Interim Pastor will preside over the 10:00 am service. There is no 8:00 am service this Sunday. This Sunday is Lessons and Carols and Suzanne Zhu will provide music for the service. There will be 9 readings with 9 hymns. You will not want to miss this Sunday because we get to sing our favorite Christmas hymns.
The Vestry and Rector Search Committee will have their third meeting with Joanna Shreve and Ernie Boyer after the 10:00 am service this Sunday to work on our "To Do" list for Bishop Mary. We will also have a discussion about our financial situation and how it affects our future calling of a priest. We will begin our meeting at 12:00 pm at Janet Thorsrud's house. Lunch will be provided (thank you Janet).
The voice choir had their first practice Wednesday night. They have 2 more Wednesday night practices (7:00 pm) and possibly one Saturday practice. It is not too late to join us.
December has already begun. We had a Posada on Dec. 2nd and had a great time. We had a good turn out and the participants behind the doors were very realistic as they would not let Joseph and Mary in to rest because "there was no room". Music was provided by guitarists as we sang Christmas carols. This procession was followed by a Mexican potluck with delicious food. Then to top the evening off, we had a special visitor, Saint Nick, who told us the story of St. Nicholas. He then gave everyone gold doubloons (made of chocolate).
Our church was decorated last Sunday, Dec. 3rd, with greenery and a Christmas tree. Yummy cookies and hot cider/hot chocolate were enjoyed by all. The church now looks very festive and helps to get us in the Christmas spirit. Thank you to all who participated in the Posada and the Greening of the church.
Bishop Mary will be at St. Stephen's to visit and provide the sermon on Dec. 17th for the 10:00 am service. There will not be an 8:00 am service that day. We will have a potluck after the service to welcome Bishop Mary.
On Christmas Eve at 10:00 am, the children will perform their Christmas Pageant. There is no 8:00 am service this day. Make sure that you arrive a little earlier than usual so you can get a good seat. This is a very popular service for parents. Later that day, at 4:30 pm, is our late Christmas Eve service. The bell choir and voice choir will perform and Suzanne Zhu will accompany us on piano. Jack Steitz will play his traditional Silent Night on harmonica at the end of the service. We will not have our traditional incense this year for the late service. Please mark your calendars because you are not going to want to miss any of it.
Please keep the vestry, the
Rector Search Committee, and Rev. Ernie Boyer in your prayers. The vestry is working hard to keep St. Stephen's operating smoothly. Ernie Boyer will work hard to help our congregation get through our transition smoothly and prepare us for calling our new permanent Rector. Ernie has had positive feedback from Bishop Mary and Cannon Brian Nordwick regarding our progress from the 2 meetings we have had so far with Joanna Shreve and Ernie. We still have some work to do, which is ongoing and will continue even after we call our new priest. Please pray that God will guide us and that we will have open hearts and minds as we make decisions for the church during this transition.
It is still not too late to turn your pledge cards in for the Stewardship Drive. You can place them in the plate for offertory on Sunday or you can mail them to the church office. Thank you for all of you who have already turned your cards in. Remember, no matter how large or how small, each pledge matters. Our budget for the year is greatly influenced by your pledges. St. Stephen's cannot continue to prosper without your commitment.
Transition Update: The Rector Search Committee has finished the OTM and Church Profile and the vestry has approved both. Both have been sent to Bishop Mary and Brian Nordwick for review and approval. Bishop Mary has let us know that there will be a delay in approval until we make progress in our work on our "To Do" list, which we created at the Retreat by Bishop Mary in October. Once they approve it, then they will send the OTM and Profile out to the community to advertise our opening. The Diocese will screen and do background checks for all prospective candidates. They will send the search committee the candidates that qualify.
Reminders: Please bring in dry food for the
Food Basket for St. Julie's and pocket change for the
Food for the Poor Jar.
Please look at the
Angel Board to see if there are any tasks that need to be added or tasks that you want to volunteer to do.
Genie Lee
Senior Warden
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This Sunday, December 10, 2017
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THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2017
Second Sunday of Advent
NO 8am Service
10 am Holy Eucharist, Prayer C
Week 2 Advent Wreath Candle Lighting
Music: Suzanne Zhu
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
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SUNDAY SCHOOL -- JOIN US
DECEMBER 10
Our Sunday School curriculum this year is
SparkHouse! It is aligned with the current lectionary. Students will have songs and activities that correspond with what their parents and grandparents are hearing in church each Sunday.
Our dedicated teachers are excited to share this new curriculum with students. Bring a friend!!
Teacher this week: Barbara Kelly
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A Message from the Treasurer
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2017 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN FOR 2018
by Julie Zintsmaster
Our pledge ingathering was held on Sunday, November 19.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE A FINANCIAL PLEDGE FOR 2018!
Of the 66 Stewardship letters mailed:
- 37 families have responded with a commitment for 2018 totaling $102,932
- 26 of those families increased their pledge from last year.
Our goal is $127,000.
It is not too late to mail in a pledge card, complete one at church this coming Sunday, or send an email to the treasurer: julie@ssitf.org.
Pledge commitments are important so the vestry will know what it can count on to build a budget for the year.
If it works better for you to make a one-time donation, we can include that amount as support for 2018. Any commitment, large or small, will help us reach our goal and enable us to continue our ministry in south San Jose.
If St. Stephen's in-the-Field is important to you, we need your support.
THANK YOU !!
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ADVENT BIBLE STUDY
by Edy Unthank
Have you ever wondered why the magi chose the gifts they brought to baby Jesus? Our 4 week Advent study addresses this question. Also it helps you to investigate what gift you personally bring. What a Gift! is a course I downloaded - so your cost is only a small donation of $5 to cover the reproduction of this course.
We will meet at church at 10am on the following Tuesday mornings: Nov 21, Nov 28, Dec 12 and Dec 19
If you are interested in having a small group study in the evening, just contact Edy Unthank at edyunthank@yahoo.com
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BISHOP MARY WILL VISIT ST. STEPHEN'S ON  SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
On December 17th, Bishop Mary will preside and preach at our 10 am service (no 8 am service that day). Afterwards we will have a pot luck meal to welcome Bishop Mary. The current plan is to convert the Worship Hall to a dining room, as we have done for past events.
We will need help with setting up and cleaning up. Please let Gregg Hall or Tom Good know if you can help.
Please bring a dish to share. In order to have a good variety of choices, we ask that you pick a dish from the category that corresponds to the first initial of your last name.
A-F Dessert
G-R Main Dish
S-Z Salad
Volunteer Dates & Times:
Saturday, Dec 16, 10:00 am
Set up Worship Hall with tables and chairs
Sunday, Dec 17, 9:00 am
9:00 am -- Help with last minute set up of beverages & food
After event -- Help with clean up and putting the Worship Hall back together
Thanks and we look forward to
seeing you all there.
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ANGELS OF ST. STEPHEN'S
Continued thanks to the students of Calero High School Life Skills Class for raking leaves under the oak tree and spreading more mulch in the community garden.
Janet Thorsrud has been working with them to make our property look neat and tidy -- and it's working !!
If you see a need, please call the church office at 408-629-1836
so we can add it to the list.
CALLING ALL ANGELS !
LET'S KEEP ST. STEPHEN'S SHINING
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LEAVES, LEAVES, AND MORE LEAVES......
Our dumpster is overflowing with leaves. If you can take a large plastic bag of leaves home to recycle, it would help us immensely. Julie Z. can provide the plastic bag -- and even help you fill it with leaves. Our monthly rate for trash pick up only allows for one dumpster load per week. Until the leaves have all fallen, we will continue to have this need. Many thanks !!
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PRAY FOR THE RECTOR SEARCH
 COMMITTEE
Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, we, the people of St. Stephen's ask for your blessings on the members of the Search Committee. Bless them in their meetings, in their deliberations and in their discernment. Keep their hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit and to wherever You will lead them in this process.
Guide them in their deliberations while they prepare the St. Stephen's Profile which will be posted to the National Office of Transitional Ministry (OTM). Please allow this process to be completed with ease and joy.
We trust you and we know that you will bring us the best possible Rector for St. Stephen's as you have done for us before. Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your blessings on the Search Committee and this congregation.
AMEN
Please pray daily for our Search Committee......
Search Committee Members:
Ann Little, Co-Chair
Janet Thorsrud, Co-Chair
Marie Rose Bianco
Susie Good
Anthony Francis
Chris Hall
Eric Samson
Bjorn Samson
Ruth Lief
Julie Zintsmaster
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ST. STEPHEN'S PRESCHOOL
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd
San Jose, CA 95139
WHERE LEARNING IS FUN......
TELL YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS -- WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR 2, 3, OR 5 DAYS PER WEEK
Class Times
8:30 am - 11:30 am
(M-F)
Extended Day 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
We provide a nurturing environment that prepares children for Kindergarten academically, socially, and emotionally based on Christian values.
Visit our website
or call 408-629-1843
for more information.
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ECW 16 Days of Activism
Campaign
November 25 - December 10
Many in the Church have set the issue of violence against women and girls as a priority. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church has passed many resolutions on this issue, and Episcopal Church Women continue this annual "16 Days" observance.
We encourage people - women and men, girls and boys - to mark the 16 Days campaign by using these prayers and reflections every day during this period in personal or corporate prayer and worship.
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FROM DEACON ROBIN...... 
National Broadcast of
The Sultan and the Saint
To be shown on PBS
A True Story of
Muslim-Christian Peacemaking during the Crusades
Narrated by Academy Award Winner
Jeremy Irons
Movie Trailer
Duration: 56:46 STEREO TVPG-V
Upcoming Broadcasts:
- KQED 9: Tue, Dec 26, 2017 -- 8:00pm
- KQED 9: Wed, Dec 27, 2017 -- 2:00am
- KQED Plus: Wed, Dec 27, 2017 -- 10:00am
- KQED Plus: Sun, Dec 31, 2017 -- 10:00am
- KQED World: Sun, Dec 31, 2017 -- 6:00pm
The Franciscan Action Network, a national Catholic group,
aims to organize 500 viewing parties on the night of
December 26th along with the broadcast.
You can participate!
To host a viewing party at your
home, church or mosque visit:
Deacon Robin attended a preview of this movie
last April and highly recommends it.
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Advent explained .
.. in two colorful minutes
What is Advent all about? How is Advent different than Christmas? In a brand new version of its classic video, Busted Halo explains the significance of this special season in the Church and why the experience of waiting, hope, and preparation is still so important in our lives today. Visit Busted Halo to
view and download the colorful video
.
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UPDATE ON RELIEF EFFORTS FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRES
by Deacon Robin Poppoff
Bishop Barry, Canon Andrea, Margaret Dunning, and other clergy and staff of the Diocese of Northern California continue to work closely with Episcopal Relief & Development. The organization has approved a grant for the diocese's fire relief effort and disbursement of that money will begin this week.
Donations can be made to the Bishop's discretionary fund. Click here for online donation options and mailing address for checks.
Please support Episcopal Relief & Development's response to the wildfires in California by donating to the
U.S. Disaster Fund
and pray for all those impacted. We add our prayers for those impacted by the Bear Fire, in addition to firefighters and personnel battling the fire.
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EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY RECENT DISASTERS
Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with church partners after disasters, equipping them to meet needs of those most vulnerable in their communities. Currently, our staff is responding to areas devastated by multiple Hurricanes, and watching developing tropical storms. Because of our strong diocesan partnerships, Episcopal Relief & Development is ready to assist in the recovery of the impacted areas for as long as necessary. You can help provide critical relief to affected communities by donating to our Hurricane Relief Fund.
Episcopal Relief and Development:
Healing a Hurting World
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GIFT CARD PROGRAM...
by Janet Thorsrud
This Sunday will be the last gift card order for this year. Jubilant Julie has fixed the problem with the link for the Script order form so that BOTH pages will now print. Still no Safeway gift cards. Hopefully they will have their problem fixed by the New Year.
I talked to Alfonso at SMUM today. They are looking for $25 gift card donations to be included in their gift distribution. I will hand out your cards to you on the 17th when the Bishop is visiting. Let me know then what cards you want to go to SMUM.
I have to duck out very quickly after church this Sunday so please have your order and check ready if you can. We have order forms in the back of the church if you can't print the forms out online. Christmas is almost here!!! Be ready.
See you in church.
For information, contact Janet Thorsrud:
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