There’s no substitute for blood. It’s our body’s transport system carrying oxygen to our organs and taking away the waste. It flows, it surges and energizes, our bodies literally pulsate with this extraordinary lifeforce every minute of every day. The current hit film
The Children Act, from the novel by Ian McEwan, illustrates the power of our beliefs about blood and its meaning. In Christianity, the shedding of Christ’s blood — meaning the giving up of life itself — has no less effect than the redemption of the world.
“If you prick us, do we not bleed?” asks Shakespeare’s Shylock as a way of saying that our blood should unify and vivify our connection with one another across religious, ethnic, and national divides. A similar sentiment can connect us with every blood-filled creature on the earth, among them our friends living with HIV in Honduras. We’re privileged this Sunday to have the Rev’d Pascual Torres speak to us about the ministry of
Siempre Unidos. Welcome to St Stephen's.
See you in church!
Father Ellsworth
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ALTAR FLOWERS
21st October 2018
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The flowers at the altar are given by
Janice
&
Lance Dalzell-Piper
in loving memory of
Anne and Pip Dalzell-Piper
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THE RECTOR'S BIBLE STUDY
2nd
&
4th MONDAYS (except 10/22/18),
NEXT ONE | 12th NOVEMBER, NOON
ONE THURSDAY PER MONTH,
1st NOVEMBER
, 6:00p - 7:00p
The Rector offers two Bible studies this month. Please contact Elizabeth Gravely [
elizabeth@ststephenschurch.org] to indicate studies you will attend, so that food can be planned in advance.
Lectionary Study
2nd
&
4th Mondays | 12:00a – 1:00p
Began 8th October
& continues on
12th November (none on 10/22/18) with simple lunch. Study of the upcoming lectionary lessons.
Growing Old and Growing Up
1 Thursday per month | 6:00 – 7:00p
Began 11th October, and will continue on
1st
November
with simple supper and topical, relevant study.
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THIS WEEK
CHILDREN
&
YOUTH
We are looking for volunteers to help greet, set up, and teach. If you are interested please contact David Hirsch:
PreK —
First
Godly Play | Victoria Ellsworth
“The Ark and the Temple” | 1 Kings 5 – 8
Today we will learn about Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem that contained the Ark. All of the people helped to build the temple, and as it began to grow, the people were amazed. The King asked God to make this the place for people to pray and to find justice.
Next Week: Exile and Return | 2 Kings
Second —
Fifth | Anna Hirsch
David C. Cook | Bible in Life
God is Able to Save | Genesis 8. 1 – 9. 17
By connecting the life experiences of children to the story of Noah during and after the flood. We will learn that God keeps His promises and can save us in any situation.
Next Week: Following God's Direction |
Genesis 11. 31 – 12. 9
Sixth —
Twelfth | David Hirsch
Lord of the Rings
Heart Defense Part II | Frodo and Boromir
Frodo is a great example of how to defend against sin. We will look into scripture to find out how to implement those defenses into our everyday lives.
Next Week: Freedom in Christ |
Gollum and Smeagol
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21st OCTOBER, 10a
Parishioner Janet Brown will interview Fr. Pascual Torres during the 10:00 o'clock service. Please come show your support for Siempre Unidos, St Stephen's Mission in support of the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Honduras.
This mission utilizes effective medical treatment and comprehensive social services, thereby helping to limit the spread of the disease. Additionally the work at Siempre Unidos fights the associated stigma with HIV education, testing, and advocacy to those who are most vulnerable and at risk.
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NEW MEMBERS MIXER
21st OCTOBER
FOLLOWING THE 10a SERVICE
Mimosas and quiche will be served and you will learn about all that St Stephen’s has to offer. All visitors and potential members welcome! If you’d like a reminder email, please contact:
office@ststephenschurch.org
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THE RECTOR'S NEW MEMBER'S INQUIRER'S CLASS, PART II
Come learn what it means to be an Episcopalian and/or refresh your knowledge about the rituals and practices at St Stephen’s. This follows the mimosas and quiche New Member welcome at coffee hour.
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ANASAZI LUNCHEON
FRIDAY, 26TH OCTOBER, 11:00a
PLEASE RSVP TODAY
Please join Anasazi for a slideshow of photos taken during the 1906 earthquake. Come meet Richard G. Torney, great grandson of Lt. Colonel George Henry Torney who took the photos in 1906. Lunch is $5.
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ST STEPHEN'S ALTAR GUILD
WINS THE DIOCESAN AWARD FOR
BEST SACRISTY IN THE DIOCESE!
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PLEDGE APPEAL 2019
Pledge appeal packages were mailed on 4th September. If you have not received yours, pledge cards can be
downloaded by clicking this link
,
or contact the office.You can fill out, scan and email to
office@ststephenschurch.org
or send by mail to St Stephen's Church, PO Box 97, Belvedere, CA 94920.
We need your help to plan St Stephen’s future by submitting your pledge card as soon as possible.
Currently pledges total
$494,870 or 73% of
the goal. Please know that whatever amount you pledge is sincerely appreciated. By simply making a pledge of any amount, you cast your heart and thoughtful support for St Stephen’s and the church community you want it to be.
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CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
The Daily Office:
Evening Praye
r is said at
5:00p Tuesday and Thursday
SAVE THESE DATES
St Stephen's Holiday Faire
10th November from 10a - 3p
11th November from 11a - 1p
Parish Retreat
26th - 28th April 2019
OCTOBER
21 Fr. Torres, interviewed by Janet Brown, at the 10:00 o'clock service
21 New Members Mixer, 11:15a
21 Rector's St Stephen's 101, pt II, 11:30a
22 Knitting Ministry, 10:30a
22 Vestry Meeting, 7p
26 Anasazi Luncheon, 11a
27 Diocesan EM/EV License Training, 9a
28 Paul's Letter to the Romans, 11:30a
28 Sign for All Saints Remembrances
NOVEMBER
1 The Rector's Bible Study, 6 - 7p
4 All Saint's Sunday
11 Interview with George Brown
(tentative)
12 Growing up
& Growing Old, Noon - 1p
14 Explorer's to Novato Miwok Museum,
Blackie's Pasture at 10a
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ADULT BIBLE EDUCATION
28th OCTOBER, 11:30
Paul's Letter to the Romans, Chapter 8.
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EXPLORER'S CLUB
NOVATO MIWOK MUSEUM
14th NOVEMBER
|
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SUNDAY SERVICES
8:00a
Contemplative Eucharist
10:00a
Holy Eucharist
St Stephen's Choir
Sunday School
10:00a
PreK – 5th Grades
PreK –
1st
2nd – 5th
Drop off begins at 9:45a
Youth Group
10:00a
Middle
&
High School
Childcare Provided
9:45a – 11:30a
infants through age 3
Confessions are heard by appointment
with the Rector
COFFEE CONNECTIONS
This Sunday
Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
21st October
Team 12
Next Sunday
Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity
28 October
Team 14
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ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY
NAMES FROM THIS YEAR TO BE REMEMBERED
If you have a recently deceased family member or friend who died between October 2017 and October 2018, and you would like to have them remembered on All Saints' Sunday (4th November) during the service, please sign the list that will be available in the narthex on
Sunday, 28th October. Please write as clearly as possible so the names are spelled and pronounced correctly. Or you may send your name by email to
dee@ststephenschurch.org
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St Stephen's Loves Children!
Dogs love St Stephen's Too!
Above: Church project created by
Grace Richmond.
Doggie pal, Sophie Ellsworth, created by God.
Below: Godly Play Class
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ST STEPHEN'S COFFEE TEAMS
All St Stephen's' parishioners are placed on a coffee team to build relationships with the St Stephen's community. The coffee hour fare ranges from simple to gourmet and both styles are equally and fully appreciated.
If you have not yet been placed on a coffee team, please let Koko Peters know. Help is needed!
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THE DAILY OFFICE
Evening Prayer is said at 5:00p,
Tuesday
&
Thursday
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HEALING PRAYERS
Every Sunday
Intercessors at the Mary Corner will await those who desire anointing. After receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, if you desire healing prayers for yourself or for a loved one, make your request know to a healing minister in the Mary Corner (near the entrance to the church.) Your request is kept confidential unless you indicate that it needn't be.
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OLDER
&
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
FINAL LICENSING TRAINING at ST STEPHEN'S, 27TH OCTOBER,
10a – 2p
Last call to register for the Eucharistic Minister and Eucharistic Visitor Self-Training. Links for the training can be downloaded with this link:
The Diocese requests that all licenses be renewed every three years. The final Diocesan-led
licensing training
will be held at St Stephen's on
27th October from 10a-2p.
The official registration link for the final licensing training and certification is available through the
Diocesan website with this link
. Questions? contact
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CHRIST CHURCH SAUSALITO CAMPBELL HALL
SUNDAY, 21st OCTOBER
3p - 6p
Harvest Wine Tasting
&
Auction Live Music & Delicious Food
|
ST STEPHEN'S ONLINE DIRECTORY
The St Stephen's Directory is now ONLINE!
To protect parishioner information, access to the private information needed to logon is granted by calling or emailing the office.
This Directory is for the use of parishioners only and is not to be shared with the general public.
PRIVACY POLICY
If you wish to opt out, please send an email with
DIRECTORY SS OPT OUT
in your subject line. Let us know in the email if you want to opt out of the entire directory, just pictures, and/or snail mailings.
office@ststephenschurch.org
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SOURCES FOR GIVING
Food Bank Barrel
Classroom level and Hall
Tiburon Thrift Shop
Volunteers Needed - 2 hour shifts
Thursdays and Saturdays
10a – 1p and 1p – 4p
June Campbell 415.797.6142
Jennifer Henerlau
415.608.3239
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HURRICANE RELIEF DONATION INFORMATION
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YEAR'S MIND
Please assist Father Ellsworth to compile the names and dates of the death of family members whom you would like to be remembered in prayers at the altar on, or close to, the anniversary of their death.
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ST PAUL'S CHRISTIAN CONVERSATIONS IN MARIN
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
FIRST WEDNESDAYS
7p-8:30p
Fr. Ellsworth will attend the conversation,
Who is My Neighbor?
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