St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL July 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: July 14th
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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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Message From Rev. Karen
Dear friends in Christ,
When Bishop Mary was here a few weeks ago, she mentioned a book called "Sleeping with Bread; Holding what gives you life.". Co-written by three authors, Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, and Matthew Linn, it's about a spiritual practice called "the Examen".
The Examen is a simple process of asking yourself (alone or with a group) two simple, but potentially powerful and transformative questions at the end of each day: For what moment am I most grateful? For what moment am I least grateful?
Thinking about these questions reveals God's presence in all of life - the good and the challenging or even downright awful. The small things and the big things. The mundane and the extraordinary.
The book points out that there are many ways to ask the same questions:
"When did I give and receive the most love today?
When did I give and receive the least love today?"
"When did I feel most alive today?
When did I most feel life draining out of me?"
"When was I happiest?
When was I saddest?"
I was recently asked "What are you celebrating today?" I had to think hard on that one because it had been a particularly bad day, but I did come up with something - and it reminded me that, even though I had to dig a little, I can find something to celebrate - thanks be to God. The other question that I also needed to answer along with the first was, "What am I not celebrating today?". It's important to answer both.
I encourage you to give the Examen a try every day this week - preferably with someone else.
Tell me about your experience, over coffee, in my office, or under the oak tree. Or better yet, let's do the examen together!
God's grace and peace be with you,
Karen+
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Summer Book Group
Our summer book group will begin Tues July 16
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(10:30-12:00) We will be reading
"Gifts of God for the People of God": Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church."
by Furman L. Buchanan.
Please see or send an email (revkaren@ssitf.org) to Rev. Karen if you are interested.
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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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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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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
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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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16
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Annual Golf Tournament!
Sept 10th, 2019
Save the date for our 16
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Annual Golf Tournament at Cinnabar Hills. Registration forms are already in the back of the church. Take a couple extra for friends and neighbors who enjoy golfing or eating or both!
More to come . . .
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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
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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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This is an excerpt of a sonnet written by Emma Lazarus in 1883. The entire sonnet is inscribed on a plaque mounted inside the pedestal are the words that are inscribed on a plaque mounted inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
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-Our newest bread bakers: Kaylie, Melissa, Gregg
-all powerful prayers on the Prayer Chain
-Lay Eucharistic Visitors who bring communion to those who cannot be at church on Sunday.
-Our vestry
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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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