Church Office & Preschool Hours
The church office is CLOSED on Mondays, and OPEN from
8am to 1pm,
Tuesday - Friday.
Preschool is in session Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 am.
The Church & Preschool will be CLOSED the week of November 20-24 for Thanksgiving Week.
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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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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 Rev. Ernest Boyer
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"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God." - 2 Cor. 9: 10-12
It is so very appropriate that Ingathering Sunday comes just four days before Thanksgiving. As this text from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians makes clear, generosity and thanksgiving are virtually interchangeable. To be truly grateful for all that we have been given leads naturally to a desire to share the rich abundance of all that we have received with others - to share our love, to share our time, to share our resources.
The Greek word that Paul uses, which is here translated as "thanksgiving," is eucharistia. It is from this that we get our English word Eucharist, which in fact means thanksgiving. The truth is, we are a Eucharistic people, that is, a people of thanksgiving - a people of gratitude, which is another possible translation of eucharistia. To be a people of gratitude means that gratitude is more than something we just notice now and then. It is a way of life. It is to live each day in deep appreciation of every moment that God has given us, every opportunity for growth, every person who crosses our path, and every chance to serve and give back some fraction of all that we have received as part of this miracle that we call life.
It seems so right then, that we should precede next week's official day of Thanksgiving with this Sunday's day of generosity - our day of ingathering of pledges. It is the day of "your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us."
Finally, as we approach this season of generosity and thanksgiving, I just want to add how much I thank God for every one of you. Even in the short time I have known you, you have all - each and every one of you - enriched my life immeasurably. Thank you.
Peace and grace,
Ernie
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This Sunday, November 19, 2017
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THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017
24th Sunday After Pentecost
8 am Holy Eucharist, Prayer A (no music)
Music: Suzanne Zhu, and Bell Choir
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
CELEBRATION SUNDAY
HARVEST & STEWARDSHIP INGATHERING
with
POTLUCK FOLLOWING THE 10AM SERVICE
(see below for additional details)
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A Message from Junior Warden Tom Good on Stewardship
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STEWARDSHIP
by Tom Good
Why do I pledge? I feel it is a commitment that I make to God, that really helps me trust and understand that God is really in control. It is not just about giving money to the church so we can pay a Rector or a bill. Our money really is not ours anyway, it is God's that is entrusted to us, we are to be stewards of it. At a time when our world is in such turmoil, being able to support a faith home with a generous gift of our treasure supports that commitment to God. Being a member of a faith family helps give us the spiritual strength we need. Knowing we are with friends of like mind, and being able to enrich our spiritual journey each and everyday comforts us. What if St. Stephen's wasn't there anymore?
St. Stephen's is where I began my journey as a Christian and have grown in God's love, as I have traveled on my own Spiritual journey. The church is our spiritual home where we are nourished each week to go out and face the world in our daily lives. Each of us has experienced Christ in different ways at St. Stephen's. As our Mission Statement states we are to "seek to know Christ, to share Christ and to serve Christ!" What if St. Stephen's wasn't there anymore?
Our "Journey to Generosity" begins at home, St Stephen's. As members of a faith family it is vital that we give to support this community, with our Time, Talent and Treasure. It is between us and God what we give, we are facing a very challenging year in 2018. There will be some who are moving on in our personal lives and some who are unable to continue giving of their time and talent. It is a time in the life of St. Stephen's for new people to pick up some of these roles. Although the pledge support is crucial to St. Stephen's survival, the gifts of time and talent are also crucial! How can, and will you contribute moving forward?
Tom Good
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A Message from the Treasurer
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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN FOR 2017
by Julie Zintsmaster
The second letter of our 2017 Stewardship Campaign was mailed last week to 66 families along with a Pledge Commitment Card.
Please prayerfully discern how you can contribute towards the future of our faith family.
Our Harvest and Pledge Ingathering Celebration will be SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19.
Don't hesitate to let me know if you have questions.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL -- JOIN US
NOVEMBER 19
Our Sunday School curriculum this year is
SparkHouse!, 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: Monica Moniz
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CELEBRATION SUNDAY
November 19, 2017
Stewardship Ingathering and Potluck Brunch
This St. Stephen's tradition is an acknowledgement and thanksgiving for the whole range of God's gifts: food, shelter, health, employment, friendships, and family.
On the last Sunday before Thanksgiving we convert the worship hall into a dining room.
We will celebrate the end of our Stewardship Campaign by presenting our 2017 Giving Commitments during the Offertory along with food donations for Outreach.
A festive potluck brunch will follow the 10 am service.
Please bring your 2017 Giving Commitment forms and a dish to share for the potluck according to the first letter of your last name:
A-F Salad
G-R Dessert
S-Z Main Dish
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HARVEST INGATHERING
Food Offerings for Outreach
In supp
ort of our Celebration Sunday on November 19, w
e ask that you bring in food offerings for distribution to Santa Maria Urban Ministries and St Julie's
Food Pantry--non-perishable, traditional Thanksgiving dinner items such as cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned yams or corn, or other items that are a tradition in your home. All of these donations will be brought to the altar on Sunday November 19 for a special blessing, and delivered the next day.
We are grateful to students from Calero High School Life Skills class for the decorated boxes that we will use for the distribution.
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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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LA POSADA AT ST. STEPHEN'S
When: Saturday,
December 2, 2017
5:30 PM
Where St Steph
en's Church
Beginning in the Parish Hall
What: Outdoor Posada Procession
Mexican Potluck Dinner
Pinata
Christmas Carols
St. Nicholas
"La P
osada" is a wonderful Advent
event that comes to us from Latin American tradition. We process to each door around the outside of our church building. The story we enact along the way represents the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced in finding lodging when traveling to Bethlehem. Children and adults go from house to house (door to door) singing a traditional song requesting lodging (posada). In each house, the owner responds with a refusal, until they reach the last door, where the owner recognizes Mary and Joseph, and allows them to come in. Their finding lodging is followed with a celebration-a Mexican potluck dinner!
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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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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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ANGELS OF ST. STEPHEN'S
Thank you,
Renee Brown, for arranging for your neighbor,
Tim, to wash the windows on the outside. They sparkle now and let in so much more light.
Thank you,
Tom Good, for coordinating the volunteers to set up tables and chairs in the nave on Friday evening for our Celebration Sunday.
Thank you,
Frances Steitz, for providing the centerpieces for Celebration Sunday, and
Ann Little for assisting with the set up.
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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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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GIFT CARD PROGRAM...
by Janet Thorsrud
Hey my friends,
The next order date deadline for Gift Cards is December 10. Fill out your order forms and give them to me between now and then.
The gift cards keep your identity safe as no credit card info is used and it helps raise money for St. Stephen's without costing you anything extra. With your help, we have made our goal to give back $2000 to St. Stephen's buy using this program.
Deacon Robin asked us last week to help out our neighbors in the North Bay by buying gift cards for Target and Home Depot. There is a supply problem with Safeway gift cards right now so they are not available at this time.
See you Sunday!
For information, contact Janet Thorsrud:
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