St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 21st, 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 21st, Easter Sunday
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10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
It is here! Holy Week! As promised, this article will talk about some of the wonderful symbolism of the Holy Saturday Service.
We start with a dark church. We go outside and light a new fire. The Pascal candle is then lit from that fire. Then we process into the church, lighting candles from the flame. The Deacon stops 3 times and says "The light of Christ" And we all respond with "Thanks be to God" Then Genie Lee will sing the Exsultet. If you miss the service, you can read the Exsultet in the prayer book. Here is a preview:
This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land.
This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.
This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. ...How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled with God.
This new light is actually a perpetual flame. A sanctuary candle is lit from that flame on Saturday. Every Saturday of the year, the altar guild lights a new sanctuary candle from the previous week's candle. That candle won't be extinguished until the following Maundy Thursday and the process starts anew on Holy Saturday.
Then there are several readings - from the creation story through the gathering of God's people. We renew our baptismal vows. We get to say the "A" word again and often.
This is so beautiful. I hope you can attend.
By the way - our vigil at the altar of repose, our own little Gethsemane - is full! Thanks to everyone who signed up! Remember, we will have books and the labyrinth to help you stay awake with Jesus.
This is such a blessed time! I hope you are able to participate in one way or another during this Holy Week. Then comes Easter and a pot-luck brunch, the flowering of the children's crosses, and an Egg Hunt. It is a wonderful family time and I cannot wait to share it with you!
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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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!
In addition, the Transition Committee is inviting everyone to submit questions they would like to see asked of the candidates. Questions should be submitted to
realepiscopalwalkabout@gmail.com, NLT April 26th
The Walkabouts Schedule
- Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - SCV Deanery, St. Timothy's+
- Monday, May 6, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - SLO Deanery
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - Monterey Deanery
- Thursday, May 9, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - SCV Deanery, ECA*
+
Mountain View
*
Episcopal Church in Almaden
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
Woo Hoo! We got a load of dirt. Work is able to continue on building the planter boxes that were put together during Hands and Hearts Sunday.
The planter boxes are lined with card board boxes that were picked up from SMUM to line the bottom of the beds to kill the weeds and grass. This keeps the weeds from getting any sunlight.
Work is progressing with wood chips being laid down to make an easy path to the planter boxes and to cut down the weeds and grass for our wonderful mowers.
We still need more wood. If you know of anyone taking down a fence, let me know. Marvelous Maria and myself will get it picked up.
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COMNG SOON TO ST. STEPHEN'S
A GOODWILL TRUCK IS
COMING TO ST. STEPHEN'S
TO COLLECT DONATIONS!
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
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By popular demand, the white board is 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:
-Altar Guild for the tremendous amount of work that they need to do for Holy Week.
-All who participated in the Lenten book study.
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Food for thought. . .
April is Military Child Appreciation Month and
Autism Awareness Month. Stay tuned for more thoughtful voices!
"Military kids are like dandelions: they bloom
where they are planted"
- fb.com/themiliatrywifeandmom.com
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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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