St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL June 28th, 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: June 30th
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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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Reflections
At our Vestry meetings, we always start by sharing where we have seen God since our last meeting. We then have a period of reflection, led by Karen. At our last meeting, Karen read an excerpt from an article that dealt with the author's image of God. We then discussed if we see God as a male or a female.
The Lord's Prayer was the first prayer that I ever memorized. It starts with "Our Father", so growing up, my image of God was as a male. My father is a male, so it made sense for my young mind that God "the Father", is a male. The first time that I heard a parishioner refer to God as "She", it surprised me. The idea of God as a female had never occurred to me.
If you have read "The Shack", you know that the author portrays God as a black female. The author, who's article Karen read from also sees God as a strong, black female. I think that God will be for us, whoever we need him to be. If we need a mother, God will be female. If we need a father, God will be male. I don't think he can be defined or limited by gender or race. His face will appear to us in our prayers in the form that will help us the most, to open our hearts to him. There is no wrong image.
God loves all his children as a father and a mother. God the Father. God the Mother. God meets us as we, individually, need to be met. God is there to hear us and love us in all forms.
Peace,
Susan
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Confirmation and Celebration!
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Summer Book Group
I would love to do another book study over these lazy days of summer and suggest two books to consider:
"Sleeping with Bread"
(Bishop Mary mentioned this book in her sermon Sunday)
and "Gifts of God for the People of God": Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church."
I will have both books available for you to look at this Sunday and a sign-up for which you would be most interested.
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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
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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"The moment God is figured out with nice neat lines and definitions, we are no longer dealing with God."
-Rob Bell
,
Velvet Elvis: Repainting Christian Faith
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-Kaylie and Melissa sharing their confirmations with us.!
-Susan, Margo, for their leadership in coordinating the lunch on Sunday for Bishop Mary's visit.
-Janet, and Nancy for creating beautiful spaces for worship and fellowship Sunday.
-All who brought delicious food and helped with clean up.
-The vestry for staying late to talk with +Mary.
-Susan for the beautiful painting we gave as our St. Stephen's gift to +Mary
-Dan for completing the electrical work in Rev. Karen's office.
-Calero students for helping spread mulch
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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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