St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 22nd, 2019
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We the people of Saint Stephen's in-the Field
Seek to know Christ, to share Christ, and to serve Christ,
recognizing his presence in all people, and reaching out in love
to each other and to the world around us.
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Sunday Services: March 24th, Lent
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10 am* Holy Eucharist
Nursery Care
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*Come early
this Sunday!
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*You don't want to miss the prelude!
As many of you already know, Genie
Lee is moving soon. This Sunday may
be the last time she'll be singing with the
Joyful Noise Band before she moves, so
she has generously agreed to sing a few
pieces before the service. What a
wonderful treat this will be!
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Message from Rev. Karen
This week, the Lenten Book Study group read about Jeffrey Queen, an Episcopal priest, who experienced a health crisis that landed him in the ICU. While there, he had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing before him. He made a promise to her that if he recovered, he would seek her out and give thanks for her assistance in Jesus' healing of his body. Well, he did eventually recover fully, and he kept good on his promise.
Jeffrey made a pilgrimage to two different Marian Shrines known as "Our Lady of Walsingham". One in Norfolk England, also known as "England's Nazareth" and the other in Sheboygan Wisconsin, of all places. If you're interested in learning more about the history of these shrines, or even visiting, here are two websites that Jeffrey suggested:
www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk
or
www.gracesheboygan.com
.
There were several sentences that resonated with both the morning and evening group. We discovered that many of us had highlighted some of the very same passages! Here are just a few:
Yet the pilgrim road Jesus walks - and that we walk as his disciples - always leads to
resurrection.
The pilgrim road leads to many destinations - places of healing, forgiveness, service and
also to rest and refreshment. . . it can also lead to companionship
and friendship.
We should sit up and take notice that Jesus calls us friends and not servants.
It is necessary for us to "bring Mary out of the shed." (we can't stow her away after
Christmas.)
She [Mary] instructs me as she did the servants at the wedding at Cana in Galilee, "Do
whatever Jesus tells you."
Am I ready to accept the call? Can I readily say yes, just as Mary did when she replies to
God's call to the pilgrim road. . .?
As you can imagine, we had lots to talk about! I've really been enjoying our conversations and look forward to more next Tuesday. Stop by and join in the conversation!
At a time when people are being killed for their religious beliefs and when fear and anger are being spread like butter on toast, may we remember that,
"We are pilgrims on a journey,
We are travelers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load." (YSB, pg 62)
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Memorial Service for Kim Westfall
The service will be here at St. Stephen's in-the-Field on Saturday, April 6
th, at 2pm.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Reception for Kim Westfall Memorial
As Kim and Margo's church family, we are planning to prepare the refreshments for the reception following the service. If you can help out, the plan is for finger foods. Please let me know what you would like to contribute to the reception. Thank you for caring and sharing.
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
led by Janet Thorsrud
Can we count on you to help?
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call Janet at (408) 281-0628,
if you can help.
Also, give a call, if you'd like a ride.
Address: 778 Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
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Lenten Book Study:
Are We There Yet?
Pilgrimage in the Season of Lent
We are reading stories by different authors who share stories of pilgrimage in search of healing and wholeness, bearing witness to pain, reuniting with birth parents, and more. Through their stories we will journey together toward Jerusalem, "being open to the miracles of love and life, awestruck by the One who is both our journey and our destination."
Two sessions are being offered:
Tues 10:30-11:30am and
Tues 7:00-8:00pm.
The next class is Tues. March 26
th
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It's not too late to join in! Only one book left!
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Hearts & Hands
from Dcn Robin & Janet T
This week is H&H Sunday: (+)
At the parish Hearts & Hands planning meeting in January, we decided on the following projects:
Project coordinators volunteered for all projects.
Please pray and consider which project(s) you would like to help with.
This is a chance for us to live out our Christian calling to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus out in the world, and to do this together. Please join us!
(+) The items needed for the manna bags are still a little short. We have plenty of socks
(
WOO HOO!
) but still NEED some food items.
- RAISINS,
- TUNA & CRACKERS,
- PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS<*>
- <*NOT gold fish crackers please, as these crush very easily.>
- TOILET PAPER and PACKETS OF TISSUE are also needed.
The pile of items to bag and distribute is awesome! Please help if you can.
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What's Happening at St. Stephen's
The community garden "before" shot
Working on the garden center path
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Gift Cards
Gift card orders brought in $125 this month.
Next orders will be due on April 7th.
-Janet Thorsrud
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Join us as we paint the world!
We would love to have you join
us
each
Friday at 10:30 in the
parish
hall.
@ 408-226-9763,
for more information.
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NEEDING PRAYER SUPPORT?
Prayer is one of those things we often think about, might feel inadequate about, believe in but might be unsure how to proceed. How we pray is sometimes unique to each of us. The Church provides help in many ways. If you find yourself in need, of any kind (emotional, physical, spiritual, guidance, etc) consider how St. Stephen's can support you:
* there is a Biddings book at the back of the sanctuary where you can write in things before the service starts
* there is a prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
* there is prayer at the altar every Sunday, where we all join you in the privacy of your need with the Priest
* there is a kneeling prayer station at the side of the church with candles, prayer book, all available anytime, not just Sundays
* turn to your neighbors and friends in church to share what's on your heart, ask for support in speaking to God about your needs (and tell them the updates next week!)
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
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Bishop Search Update!
Would you like to know more about the candidates for our next Bishop of our
The walkabouts (when the candidates visit the different deaneries) are coming up in May. Dates will be made public soon - stay tuned!
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Angel's List is Back!
Back by popular demand, the white board is back up and much help is needed. If you see something that needs doing, add it to the list. The angels in our midst will get the job done, and we are all angels! Please take a look at the list and see what you can check off.
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INFLUENCER TRAINING CANCELED
The Influencer training that was scheduled for the next two weekends has been canceled. We need more time to get more people signed up. Training will be rescheduled for a later date. Questions or comments? Contact Chris at 831-236-0008 or
hall.christineb@gmail.com.
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
[
-Trig for putting up our new first aid kit AND for fixing the large riding mower!
-Maria for making a huge dent in the cleanup of the inside of our church.
-Ryan for mowing the overgrown lawn.
-Andy and Verne for continuing the wall project - almost done!
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Small books of common prayer
Small books of common prayer are on the table by the piano to be taken home for yourself or to give to friends and family.
Help yourself to this gift for you and others.
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Food for thought. . .
March is Women's History Month - look for
quotes
from some amazing women this month!
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa
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San Jose Symphonic Choir Concert in March
This the same Choir that several of us enjoyed during the Christmas Season, under
the St. Joseph's Cathedral Basillica Dome. The dome helps to create a near-perfect acoustic environment for this beautiful sacred music from Hummel & Beethoven.
Our own Genie Lee will be performing once again, in this 100-voice ensemble.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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Contact information for Deacon Robin:
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Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included,
to: jhnltl50@gmail
.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Thanks, John
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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