St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL February 8th, 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: February 10th, Epiphany
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
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Well, I did not get to see Ella and Calvin this week. I was not feeling well anyway, but Calvin had been throwing up for a couple of days prior to my scheduled visit. He is fine now, but with 2 medical procedures coming up within 5 days - I decided to pass on a visit. Calvin and I had a Facetime chat and I hope to be able to resume my regular routine next week.
So much is happening within our small community right now. It is wonderful to have a close-knit group to share prayers and support during difficult times. I know that you get an opportunity to read Warbles twice a month but remember that there are others who are struggling and suffering in our St. Stephen's family right now. The prayer chain is confidential, so I won't share names and circumstances with you here, but continue prayers for members of our community.
Just remember that God is always with us. We need to not hesitate like Adam in the Michelangelo painting. Adam does not quite reach out far enough to touch the hand of God. Sometimes I like to think of that painting as a snapshot. Maybe seconds later Adam extended his hand and accepted God's grace.
I read a daily passage from
Jesus Calling
faithfully. Often the message is that He is right beside us. We only need to acknowledge His presence. He is there to guide us through the troubled waters of our lives, to share our joys, to comfort us in difficult times. He is there to share that Peace which we can only receive from Him. Sometimes it is difficult for us humans to 'back off' from the idea that we are in control. Difficult to ask for assistance. Difficult to remember to pray.
Since my diagnosis last June, I am trying to remember more often. Trying to invite the Holy Spirit into every aspect of my life - not just for support, but also for thanksgiving. Not all kidney cancer patients are given the time that I have been given. Sure, I struggle sometimes with the effects of the treatments, but there are so many good times -great times!
All the times I have with Calvin and Ella are gifts. The time I spend with all of you is a gift. Joyfully received and appreciated.
So I invite you to acknowledge the Trinity surrounding you. If you are not in need of support, then give thanks. If you are in need of support for anything - pain relief, sorrow, decision making, etc - just ask! Ask for support for others. Ask for great weather. Give thanks for butterflies. There is no request that is too big or too small.
The power is the recognition that He is there beside you. That recognition brings Him joy which He then shares with you! That is a gift of beautiful grace and love.
Love to all.
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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Eucharistic Visitor Training
Please come!!
Have you ever thought about bringing communion to anyone who isn't able to come to church?
Have you ever just wondered what it's about?
We see Genie and Edy receive a communion kit right after communion, and as a parish, we send them out to visit someone. Have you ever wondered how they have a communion service in someone's home?
Come, get some of your questions answered!
Come to be officially trained as a Eucharistic Visitor.
Come just to explore, and then pray about if this is something you feel God is calling you to do.
It's a rewarding and blessed ministry - and it's fun!
When:
This Sunday, February 10, 2019
Where: St Stephen's worship space
Time: After you get your coffee and donuts
Deacon Robin
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
on
Saturday February 16th,
led by Janet Thorsrud? & Ann Little?.
Can we count on you to help?
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call Janet at (408) 281-0628,
or Ann at (408) 226-9763, 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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St. Stephen's star word for '19 is . . .
TRUTH!
This is our word to ponder together - share your experiences with one another. If you didn't get a star word for yourself, you can pick one out this Sunday. I look forward to hearing from you about your word and how it is speaking to you this year!
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Karen + |
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-Andy and Vern for starting work on the office wall tomorrow.
-Our new vestry
-Everyone on the Prayer Chain who faithfully pray for people's special needs and concerns
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Join us as we paint the world!
A teacher at heart. Water-coloring for
6 years. Love to teach others how to paint! Thank you for allowing me to express my joy
of watercolor to nice people here!
- Dana Renfand
We would love to have you join us each Friday at 10:30 in the parish hall.
Call Ann Little @ (408) 226-9763 for more information.
Dana, our wonderful water color
teacher
and Edie, one of her students.
Students actively engaged.
Some samples of the lesson of the day.
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Diversity Sensitivity Training
(for all congregation leaders)
The diocese is hosting a Diversity Sensitivity Training event at St. Timothy's in
Mountain View on Feb 23, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This one day training will
meet the requirements for "anti-racism" training for all lay licenses and for local
parish leaders (vestry, etc. . .). Pre-registration is required by Feb 15th. Email
line; include your full name and church affiliation in the email. A $20 donation
will graciously be received on the day of the event to cover cost of materials and
lunch.
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Let our love blanket the world!!
The fruition of our blanket making work/party was blessed by Rev Karen plus the whole congregation to help Deacon Kathey Crowe in her ministry to the homeless students at San Jose State University. Kathey has 12 beds in use by a few of the homeless students. Now she has warm, blessed blankets to hand out to them plus more who come to her but must sleep in their cars. Keep them in your prayers as we work with Kathey to do more.
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Gift Card Orders!!!
We made
$127 with gift cards
this month!! The next order
Gift cards can be used for lots of things! Groceries... we got you covered. Gas... we have that too! Movies, travel, toys, clothes you name it you can use gift cards to buy them. All while helping out the budget at St. Stephen's. The more you use this program the more we make.
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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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Hearts & Hands
from Dcn Robin
SAVE THE DATE! Our next
Hearts & Hands
day at St Stephen's!
- Sunday, March, 24, 2019, Hearts & Hands Sunday (one service).
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Impressions of a Field Trip
It's been a while since we have been on a field trip. On February 20th (Wed) we will journey to San Francisco's de Young Museum to see the Monet and Gauguin exhibit and then on to the Legion of Honor to see the Jewels of the Maharajas. We will have lunch at the de Young and decide to have dinner out or just return back to San Jose as we get closer to the day.
Monet, well known for painting water lilies from his garden at
Giverny in France produced more than 50 painting mainly from
1913 through 1926. These are called his "late years" where you
can see his style change due to failing eye sight.
Gauguin: a spiritual journey.
This exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum displays his paintings,
wood carvings and ceramics from this self-trained former stock-
broker on his quest to discover his own spirituality and that of
other cultures he encountered.
East meets West: Jewels of the Maharajas include showstoppers such as the 17.21-carat Arcot ll diamond. This collection has exquisite jewelry and precious objects from the seventeenth century to the present including pieces of historical importance.
For more information check the websites:
+ deyoungmuseum.org
+ legionofhonor.org
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Influencer Training - The Power of Influence
Have you ever struggled to get others to adopt something new - even when it was good for them? Why are people so resistant to change? How can they be so stubborn?
What if you could help anyone change in a way that would improve their lives and yours! Think of all the people whose behavior you wish you could change..
- Your neighbor keeps parking his motor home in front of your house
- Your team members show up to meetings late
- Your son has spent the past 2 years since graduating high school in your basement
- Your sister is not managing her diabetes well and you're worried about her health
Influencer training provides a systematic way to address our influence problems. Using the best of social science, it provides principles and strategies to help you think about your influence challenges.
Influencer Training is fun! It uses a combination of live training, compelling videos, and a written toolkit to aid learners. You will engage in extensive in-class practice, group discussions, and personal planning.
Would you like to attend this training course? The training lasts two days. It's scheduled for Saturday, March 23 from 9 - 3 and Sunday, March 31 from 12 - 6. The class is limited to the first 20 people to Email or call me. Sign up today!
eMail: Hall.christineb@gmail.com
Ph#: 831-236-0008
Chris Hall
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Food for thought. . .
After Harriet Tubman escaped alone and made her way through Maryland, Delaware, and across the line into Pennsylvania and freedom, she said:
"When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven."
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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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