St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 15th, 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 17th, Lent
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PLEASE NOTE: There is no 8:00am
service this Sunday.
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Message from Susan Zaballos
Reflections
How do you hear God? When you pray, how do you hear his answer? God seems to know that I can hear him best, through the written and spoken word. I have had several instances where I have been praying for something, and the answer comes, through the lessons, or the sermon on Sunday.
Years ago, we were asked by our college age son, Aaron, to let one of his friends live with us for a period of time. I had mixed feelings about the situation, and knew it would be a big upheaval for our family. I didn't know what to do, so I prayed. That Sunday, Brian Nordwick was preaching. His sermon dealt with the scripture, Matthew 25:35-36: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." There was my answer.
More recently, I was praying about my Lenten discipline, trying to decide what I wanted to do. I was thinking I wanted to try and let go of prideful feelings, always needing reassurances that I was good enough. Sunday morning, I opened up my copy of "Jesus is Calling" and read the reflection for the day. "Stop judging and evaluating yourself for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority, sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong: it is also meaningless." Another answer.
We have to be open to hearing God 's answer in many forms. It is not always a grand gesture, but can be a quiet whispering. During this reflective season of Lent, take time to quietly listen for God. He will answer you.
Peace,
Susan
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
next
Saturday March 16th,
led by Ann Little
Can we count on you to help?
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call 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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Lenten Book Study:
Are We There Yet?
Pilgrimage in the Season of Lent
We will read 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 will be offered: Tues 10:30-11:30am and Wed 7:00-8:00pm. Sign up in the Parish Hall. Books are $7.00 ea in hard copy, or available to download on Amazon Kindle, Nook, and iTunes.
Only one book left!
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Hearts & Hands
from Dcn Robin
SAVE THESE DATES!
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Our next Hearts & Hands day is 24 March 2019
Sign-up for a Project on 3/17
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!
Leading up to March 24, as you are able, please bring in the following supplies for the Manna Bags:
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3/17 - Nutrigrain bars, peanut butter crackers, bottled water
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3/24 - small rolls of TP, razors, Slim Jims/Beef or Turkey Jerky
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We always need new, white socks, either for Manna Bags or SMUM
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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
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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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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 check the list and see what you can check off.
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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!
We would love to have you join us
each Friday at 10:30 in the parish
@ 408-226-9763, for more information.
Dana, our wonderful water color teacher and
Edie, one of her students.
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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!
The search committee has been very busy and milestones are being reached. The committee has completed the screening process, conducted interviews of candidates, and a transition committee has been convened. The Standing Committee will announce the slate of candidates to the Diocese on Saturday, March 9th. Walkabouts will begin the week of May 5th. That is, candidates will travel throughout the diocese so that clergy, delegates, and all parishioners have an opportunity to meet and listen to the candidates. The walkabout schedule has not yet been announced.
If you'd like to know more about the timeline, the committees, or the diocesan profile,
please go to: https://www.realepiscopal.org/bishops-search/
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
- Janet for purchasing a new first aid kit and posting emergency contact numbers
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- Maria for picking up a load of wood and delivering to our garden
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- our very awesome Vestry
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- Jane for her continued work on updating our website
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- All the Calero students who helped with clearing out the parish
hall to make room for upcoming events
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Food for thought. . .
March is Women's History Month - look for quotes
from some amazing women this month!
Because our STAR WORD is TRUTH:
"The truth does crush, but the instant it crushes us, it somehow puts us back together into something honest. It's death and resurrection every time it happens.
-Nadia Bolz-Weber
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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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