St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL January 8th, 2021
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Sunday Service: January 10th, 2021 |
|
|
|
Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am online |
|
|
From the Rector
Dear friends,
Normally I would begin a message to you with a question or greeting of sorts. After the anything but normal events on Wednesday in our nation’s capital, I feel the need to begin there. Wednesday will go down in history as one of, if not THE, worst days in American history. Rioters stormed the Capitol, breaching security in both the House and Senate. Many people’s lives were put in danger and, as of this morning, four people have died. I am grateful to many of our wise leaders who help us navigate such times as these. In case you do not subscribe to our diocesan weekly newsletter, I’m sharing our own bishop’s word of wisdom and encouragement here:
“The unfolding of violence at our nation’s capitol today in Washington, D.C. has astonished some, outraged many others, and not surprised a few. While we see the news as it happens, and we remain appropriately attuned to the serious nature of the attempts to disrupt orderly transition in our democratic government, it is important that we remain focused and grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Walking a pilgrimage challenges each one of us to live firmly in our faith, non-violent in our actions, and truthful in bearing witness to the fierce calling of the Way of Love.”
Epiphany blessings of comfort and peace,
Karen+
|
|
Sunday Worship
Recorded from St. Stephen’s
Our service this Sunday is Liturgy of the Word re-recorded at St. Stephen’s. The service will be posted on our website (www.ssitf.org) at 10:00 and can be viewed any time after that.
Click HERE for the bulletin
I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle as you prepare to worship.
Please send any special prayer requests and/or anniversaries and birthdays to Rev. Karen. (revkaren@ssitf.org)
|
|
Join us for Coffee Hour at 11:00 on Zoom with this link.
|
|
WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
This is an opportunity to offer our prayers of thanksgivings, for healing for ourselves and others, and anything else on our hearts. Even if you don’t have a computer, you can join the Zoom meeting with your phone.
|
|
WEDNESDAY EVENING COMPLINE
Compline, the last Office of the day. End your day with a beautiful and short liturgy. All are welcome and please feel free to share the link with friends!
|
|
Keeping the conversations going. . .and going. . .and going!
Our conversations are paused for 12/25 and 12/31.
The Rev. Jani Wild and I are facilitating Pastoral Conversations on Racism and yesterday was our 28th week of gathering to learn and talk about a broad spectrum of subjects concerning race in our country.
We follow the same format (a brief introduction followed by a short video, discussion, and prayers ) every week with a different focus. Last week we discussed reparations.
Please come join us next Thursday at 4:30. Whether it’s the 1st time or the 18th time you’ve attended, please come to learn, process, and share together in a safe space with a faith community.
Bring a friend or family member – all are welcome – by clicking the Zoom link below.
Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022
Password: 748467
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose
|
|
Thanks to last week’s liturgy assistants! |
|
Poem from the Garden
When I was in the
running to work in
the U.S. Senate,
my brother made me
a bowl of white clay
for my future desk,
to hold fruit grown in
California's fields
since DC's oranges
are small and dull. On
the side, he carved a
native oak, our hills green
for winter, a road
to a mountaintop.
For the last four years,
I've used it to hold
rainbow paper cranes,
and grown my own fruit.
From a smashed window
in the Capitol
you can see oaks too,
buckeyes, elms, lindens;
the rainbow tulips
are coming up, at
least those which survived.
The white narcissus
in the church garden
are coming up too,
where Biphonia
and the rest of the
elders can enjoy them.
They should be in bloom
by January
twentieth, at noon.
|
|
From the Episcopal “Book of Common Prayer” (p823)
Grant, O God,
that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart
[and especially the hearts of the people of this land],
that barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease;
that our divisions being healed,
we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”
|
|
Kudos to:
-the angels who cleaned up the kitchen
-the angels who helped restore our worship space
-all who sent in their 2021 pledge
-all who contributed to our Christmas Even service
|
|
|
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 prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality).
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
Please submit prayer requests to Rev. Karen.
|
|
Contact information for Rev. Karen: |
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
|
|
Editor's Note
Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to: evan.bryan1@gmail.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Evan Bryan
|
|
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
