St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 12th, 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 14th, Palm Sunday
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10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Message From Rev Karen
I think we take verbs for granted sometimes, or maybe we just don't think about them much, especially when they relate to God. This week our Lenten Book group talked about the verbs we might associate with God, for example God loves, or God cares. We discovered something interesting that I think is worth sharing.
This week we read about Minda Cox and she had a lot to share about how God has acted in her life and how she imagines God in action. As a group we started out by naming verbs we sometimes associate with God - what we notice in our own lives, and in the world around us. Both the morning and evening groups came up with 13 verbs, though not all were the same. Then, we went through Minda's story to find the verbs she used to name what God does, or how God acts. Minda came up with a whopping 37! What a difference! We wondered what that might mean, if anything.
It's important to know that Minda was born without arms or legs. Her motoric limitations don't get in the way of her living an extremely active life - and credits God for everything. We wondered if Minda's physical limitations had anything to do with her keen awareness of what God does, how God acts, and how God keeps her moving forward. When we go about our days, do we take time to notice God in action? We had a great discussion! I invite you to give that some thought. In this last week before Holy Week, take some time to notice all that God is doing with, for, and around you. Here are just a few of Minda's to get you started:
God. . .leads, shelters, grieves, shares, creates, loves, teaches. . . .
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Break-in at church
The Church was broken in to Wednesday night. Someone broke the glass on one of the parish hall doors. Thankfully nothing was stolen and no one was hurt. A police report has been filed and window replaced. Please be diligent in locking inside doors, between the parish hall and the office, and the door leading into the church from the new hallway, as well as all exit doors.
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Prayer Vigil Sign-ups needed!
There are many slots that remain open for the prayer vigil that begins after the Maundy Thursday evening service through Good Friday noon. This is a very holy time - try it, you won't regret it. The disciples had a hard time staying awake for Jesus while he prayed. We can do better!
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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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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
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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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)
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Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - SCV Deanery, St. Timothy's, Mt. View
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Monday, May 6, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - SLO Deanery
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Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Monterey Deanery
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Thursday, May 9, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - SCV Deanery, ECA
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
Keep
buying Gift Cards!
St. Stephen's
earned
$160
for April.
Now is the time to get your gift cards for those Grads/Dads/Brides & Grooms on your late Spring and early Summer calendar. Next Gift Card orders will be due on Sunday, May 5th.
-
Janet Thorsrud
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ST. STEPHEN'S
Thanks to the Calero students for returning the tables
and chairs to the parish hall.
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WHAT'S COMING UP AT ST. STEPHEN'S
GOODWILL DONATION TRUCK
COMING TO ST. STEPHEN'S
DATE: Sunday, May 5th,
TIME: 9am-3pm
Please Donate:
- Clothes, Shoes, Accessories
- Small Household Items
- E-Waste
- Electronics
- Books
Please do NOT donate:
- Furniture, MattressesBaby Strollers, Car Seats
- Large AppliancesAutomiobile Parts
- WeaponsExercise Equipment
- CarpetingConstruction Debris (Lumber, Concrete, Bricks, etc)
- Pet-related ItemsHazardous Waste (Chemicals, paints, insecticides, oils, flammables, alcohol, etc)
- Items over 50 lbs
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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.
Call Ann Little
@ 408-226-9763
or
Janet Thorsrud
@ 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:
-Rick for hanging the Holy Week Services banner.
-Ryan and Barbara Kelly for picking up chairs from New Creation church next door
-Rick and Gabriel for returning them.
-Ryan for mowing the grass before the memorial service Saturday
-Susan and Nancy for transforming the church from Lent to Easter and back again all in one day!
-Susan's beautiful table decorations for Saturday's reception.
-All who helped clean up after the reception.
-Janet for making a delicious meal for the Communications Guild meeting. Don't you want to join the Guild?????
-John for keeping the Friday Journal coming from afar.
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Food for thought. . .
April is Military Child Appreciation Month and
Autism Awareness Month. Stay tuned for more thoughtful voices!
"It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is essential."
-Hans Asperger
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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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