St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL July 26th, 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: July 28th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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Editor's Note: For further instructions, see
"New Instructions For Access To Server Schedule" below.
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
Greetings St. Stephen's family! I miss you all so much. I am going to try to come to church this Sunday. I have felt your prayers during my absence.
So I had a hospital stay and now a new normal to adapt to. Things have changed but I am pain free. I am fighting an infection and on a lot of meds - so energy level is not quite up to par. Also my sleeping habits have been modified forever. So much to learn. But most importantly, I am here and I cannot wait to celebrate God's presence in our lives with you soon.
In the midst of all this, I have some humorous stories. Do you watch The Big Bang Theory? My last days in the hospital, a Spanish Mrs. Wolowitz moved in next door. She was so loud, the nurses had to come and close the door to our room whenever anyone was in the room with her or we could not even talk! It was very funny. I had texted my daughter about it and one time when she came to visit, she was pretty amazed to hear this loud, scratchy voice. I will always remember her.
When I was leaving the hospital, Calvin came and stayed in my room while my daughter went to pick up my meds. My roommate has no grandchildren (she has grand dogs ) But in comes Calvin and gives a running commentary of life in general. My roommate whispered. "OK, now I want grandchildren!" Calvin did not even notice my new apparatus until much later in the day.
God wants us to laugh and rejoice. I think he provides these opportunities for us to see His rays of light even in the darkest hours. I had such wonderful nurses caring for me. They were like angels - making me comfortable and always making me laugh. Laughter is a wonderful gift. And while I am at home with doors open for fresh air, I can hear birdsong - over the gardeners, over the traffic. Sometimes I feel as if it is a gift just for me from God. Reminding me that I have so much to be thankful for. So much to look forward to.
Another gift - while I am recuperating, I cannot vacuum. Cannot lift more that 10 pounds. Also cannot drive - but hopefully that will be reinstated when I am done with all of the meds. Did I mention that I hate to vacuum? I am also on a special diet - no more fast food for me. But maybe a healthier me.
Calvin and Ella come over often. Ella is not walking yet but she crawls like a champ to anything you hoped she would not see. I cannot pick her up so no babysitting for awhile. Calvin brought over his book about the body and I explained to him how I got sick and how the doctors made me better. After the explanation, he was ready to move on to something else. No fascination there!
So I need to move on as well. I used to get annoyed at a commercial on TV that spoke about a "new normal". It is so much more that that. It is a new opportunity to enjoy life and to celebrate the wonders that God presents to us continually. We are all so blessed!
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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16
th
Annual Golf Tournament!
Sept 10th, 2019
Save the date for our 16
th
Annual Golf Tournament - Tues, Sept. 10th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Registration forms are in the back of the church. Take a couple extra for friends and neighbors who enjoy golfing or eating or both!
**Themed baskets for the raffle are needed! Please consider creating a themed basket (do it with a team, with another friend, or on your own). Contact Dot Remson for more information
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Summer Book Group
Our summer book study meetings are on Tuesdays mornings from 10:30am-12:00pm. We are reading
"Gifts of God for the People of God": Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church."
by Furman L. Buchanan.
There are a couple of books left, but you can easily purchase one online. You are welcome to drop in anytime!
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Diocesan Conference on a Spiritual Response to Climate Change
How can we best respond to the crisis facing life on the planet-our island home? On Saturday, September 14, please join us at St. Paul's/San Pablo Episcopal Church in Salinas for a conference on the stewardship of creation at a time of climate change (9:30 am-3:00pm). Participants will receive information on the latest scientific understandings of the causes and effects of global warming, will explore how caring for the Earth is an integral part of living as the Jesus Movement, and will leave with practical tools to put their care into action. Together, we can do more as a body than any of us can do alone. To register, copy and paste this website into your browser. Be sure to register for the Conference (not the retreat)
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Advent Group Ministries
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Maybe you can help!
Advent Group Ministries is a Christian organization serving at-risk youth. Their all Christian adult staff often come from out of state and are in need of rooms to rent. If you have a room and want a bit of income ($600-700/month or so) please contact Renee Brown who works for this ministry.
rbrown@adventgm.org
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Lainie and Kaylie Moniz are playing in the production
Legally Blond
at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose.
Confirmations and Celebration! Show times:
Saturday, July 27. . .7pm
Sunday, July 28. . . . .6pm
Friday, Aug 2. . . . . . 7pm
Saturday, Aug3. . . . 2pm
Sunday, Aug 4. . . . . .1pm
Save a date, go as a group and carpool!
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ECW's MARY LOU THOMPSON RETREAT
Friday, August 16
4:00 p.m
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to
2:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista
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GOING DEEPER SPIRITUALLY
Our Retreat Leader,
Pastor Mary Blessing, Rector of St. Philip's in Scotts Valley, has prepared an enriching program coupled with opportunities to engage in quiet time, spiritual reflection, and several sacred sessions to enrich us in going deeper spiritually.
We will begin with a special Friday evening offering by our own
Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves
and end with an interactive gathering with music and worship which celebrates our unique gifts in the midst of the Body of Christ. For more information, contact
Jane Pomeroy
, Vice President of Diocesan Episcopal Church Women
, at
jane.pomeroy@gmail.com
or call 408-263-8485.
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How can I help?
Back pack season is almost here! SMUM is changing things up a bit this year. To receive a backpack you have to register and then the back packs will be picked up with their box of food. No special to pick up.
SMUM is asking for gift card donations. They say Target is best. Please remember them when the next gift card order is due on July 14
th
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From the photo's you can see the way produce is distributed has also changed. Now fruits and vegetables are set up in the open and everyone can pick what they want. Makes the boxes of food they pick up much lighter and easier for the loading crew as there is less to pack into the boxes. The atmosphere resembles a farmers market.
Come and check it out any first or third Saturday of the month.
Don't forget to order gift cards!!
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Village House Volunteers
The shelter has moved to Cathedral of Faith at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave for the month of July. Pastor Robert indicates they can use some volunteers to help with their operation while many are away on vacation. As always, they especially need folks to help with overnight shifts. Working just one shift for the month can have a big impact! Find out more and and see how you can help by clicking on the link below:
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Scrip gift card orders
We have many ways to help others with this month's gift card orders. SMUM is starting their back to school backpack drive and they have requested Target gift cards to be used by the children and their families. School supplies can be bought with the gift cards but also items like new shoes and clothes.
By purchasing gift cards from St. Stephen's allows us to do things like buy bus tokens to be added to the Manna bags we make and distribute to the homeless.
So far we have collected $450 Jo-Ann gift cards to purchase material for blankets that are given to Deacon Kathey Crow for her ministry of working with the homeless students at San Jose State.
Orders are being collected this Sunday with the next order being placed on Aug 25
th
to be received in time for the golf tournament.
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We are in need of ushers, lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and Altar Guild members. These are wonderful ministry opportunities for both extraverts and introverts, male and female, young and not as young as they used to be, and all who seek to serve God and God's church. Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries! See Rev. Karen or Susan Zaballos if you are interested in learning more.
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We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.
-Madeleine L'Engle
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-Jane for help with the golf tournament mailings
-Dottie Chin for her ministry as a Eucharistic Visitor.
-Jessica for providing coffee hour goodies last Sunday
-Edy for writing Warbles from your Sr. Warden
-all who clean up the kitchen after coffee hour on Sundays
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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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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:
evan.bryan1@gmail.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Evan Bryan
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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