St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 5th, 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: April 7th, Lent
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10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Reflections
"What a friend we have in Jesus." How many times have I sung those words? Probably too many to count, yet I don't think I ever thought about a key word of the sentence: friend. Jesus is my friend? I have thought about him as the son of God, who gave his life for our sins. I have thought of him as a teacher, a confessor, a miracle worker, but friend?
A couple of weeks ago, while reading the chapters for the Lenten Study Class, a particular passage stood out to me: "We should sit up and take notice that Jesus calls us friends and not servants. We are not only called into friendship with Christ Jesus-we are also called into friendship with fellow pilgrims we meet along the way."
This epiphany that Jesus is my friend as well as my savior has changed the way I pray. It has strengthened my relationship with him, made it even more personal. Aren't our good friends those that we go to when we need support, when we need a shoulder to cry on, when we just want someone to listen and hear us? But also, we go to them when we want to share our joy and thanksgivings. How wonderful to know that Jesus, the son of God, wants me to be his friend, and he mine.
What a friend we have in Jesus.
Susan
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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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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 Ann 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 the stories of different authors who share their pilgrimage experiences 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. April 9th
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Hearts and Hands Service Sunday
- this says it all:
These words came from the thanksgivings you offered after the last Hearts &
Hearts Sunday! Watch for this image to reappear as we get close to the
next one!
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Bishop Search Update
Walkabout dates have been announced!
Everyone in the diocese will have an opportunity to meet all five candidates for bishop during a series of "Walkabouts" held the week of May 5-10. Childcare will be provided at each location. Teenagers are welcome to attend the sessions as active participants!
The Schedule (locations will be announced soon)
- Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - SCV Deanery
- Monday, May 6, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - SLO Deanery
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Monterey Deanery
- Thursday, May 9, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - SCV Deanery
In case you are not able to attend one of the sessions, there will be at least one room video recorded at each Walkabout session. Video will be made available online after all Walkabouts
have been completed.
Would you like to know more about the candidates for our next Bishop of our
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Gift Cards
Next Gift Card orders will be due this Sunday, April 7th.
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Janet Thorsrud
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Needed: A volunteer with a truck
Oak Hill cemetary trims palm trees every year before Palm Sunday.
I would like to have a volunteer to pick up some palm branches for decoration. We need a minimum of 4 branches.
NOTE: The palms get trimmed the week before Palm Sunday. Best bet is to go on Thursday 4/11 or Friday 4/12.
Let me know if you can help.
Thanks,
Edy
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Pot-luck Brunch
Plan to come and share in our Easter Brunch
What to bring?
Please bring a dish to share
as follows:
Last name A-J:
Main Dish
Last name K-R:
Dessert
Last name S-Z: Salad
How to help:
Saturday, 4/20 - 11:30 am (approx. 1 hour)
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Move preschool furniture to make as much room as possible in the parish hall;
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Set out the round tables with chairs in the parish hall; table cloths, center pieces, dishes, silverware, etc.
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Place tables to set out on Sunday morning
Sunday morning, 4/21 -- 8:30 am
(Ann Little, lead)
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Set out tables and chairs on the patio outside;
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Set out extra tables outside around the oak tree (weather permitting);
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Organize food as it comes in
Sunday after brunch
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Clean up kitchen; put away tables & chairs in shed, leaving some in the parish hall for next Sunday's coffee hour
If you can help at any of these times,
please contact
Ann Little by email , phone, or sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall
Thank you!!
Ann Little, Parish Life Liaison
annlittledesigns@gmail.com
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We need your help
An important part of welcoming members and visitors is the job of our Usher/Greeter team. We also present the oblations (bread & wine) and collect the donations and pledges at communion.
Our team is in need of new recruits and we are hoping you will consider joining us. Information and training will be available after services on Sundays. We serve one Sunday a month and are flexible with availablity.
There is always a way to serve your church and church family and we hope this might be the ministry for you.
Thank you, Ann Little
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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.
@ 408-281-0628
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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Angel's List is Back
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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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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-The many who have helped freshen up the church - inside and out!
-Dan for:
- fixing one of the torch stands and
- hanging the light fixture in the hall.[
-Calero students and their teacher Linda - they are all so
awesome!
-Andy and the entire 'village' that has worked to finish the wall, including painters (Maria , Evan, Janet)
-Rick Eswine for hanging the Holy Week Banner
-Ann and Susan for planning the reception for the memorial
service for Kim Westfall
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Food for thought. . .
April is Military Child Appreciation Month and
Autism Awareness Month. Stay tuned for more thoughtful voices!
"If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not.
Autism is part of what I am."
"I am different, not less."
-
Temple Grandin
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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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