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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church

FRIDAY JOURNAL January 31st, 2020
 


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 Services: January  26th

 
        
           
8 am         Holy Eucharist  




10 am         Holy Eucharist  
                   
 
          
 
 
 
 

 
(click above to access Server Schedule)  

GROWING IN GOD'S GRACE

Do you have a photo of you in childhood or young adulthood (baby years through early 20's)? Well we want a copy of it for our Parish Hall bulletin board!

The Sunday school students have been learning about Jesus as he grows up, and we'd also like to show YOU as you were growing in God's Grace.

Please make sure not to label with your name on the front. That way we can all have fun guessing who everyone is!

Copies only please (and can be on regular paper; doesn't have to be on photo paper) since we'll need to put glue or staples on it.
Submissions by February 16, if possible. Any questions, please ask Rowena:  heyrufus@heyrufus.com  or text 408-317-8262.
JUST A LITTLE MORE HELP NEEDED!!

The frame for out banner has been repaired and mounted - thank you Dan!  Now it needs to be hung up. After the 10:00 service would be nice - hint hint.  Please consider helping.   
Fourth annual blanket making gathering

The women of St. Stephen's know how to share time, talents and funds to get thing done!

Donations are made by using gift cards throughout the year to purchase the polar fleece at Jo Ann's fabrics.  We get a very good price for the material due to the diligence of Sherrie Hughes, who keeps an eye out for sales.

We were able to make 46 blankets this year compared to 39 from last year.  The news reported that there are 4000 homeless San Jose State students. We are helping some of them to stay warm in their cars where many of them sleep.

After the blankets are blessed, Deacon Kathey Crowe will distribute the blankets on campus where she has her ministry.

Many thanks to the wonderful women who make this happen.


Training for Eucharistic Ministers, Chalice Bearers, Lectors, and Lay Eucharistic Visitors is on Feb 16 th , following the 10:00 service. 
Please see Rev. Karen or Dcn. Robin if you have questions or are interested in serving in one or more of these ministries.
The Episcopal Church in Almaden (ECA)
(6581 Camden Ave, San Jose CA 95120) 
will be hosting our Village House guests starting 
January 4, 2020 through February 3, 2020. 
We are a small church that has hosted ladies for two years and have felt God's calling to support this outreach event. 
But we need some of your help to fill some of the slots. 
You will feel good having helped these ladies during the 
cold weather in January. Thanks for all you do!



GIFT CARD ORDERS

Gift card orders are due this Sunday the 26th.  This  order will include any items needed for Valentine's  Day.

Blessings

Janet 
             
 

Poems from the Garden


Sandeeth, DeShawn and Arike and I
spent Tuesday morning planting prickle-edged 
green toyon and soft-sweet grey-leafed black sage
in the emerging front native garden. 

Why plant the toyon, called California
Hollywood because the colonialists 
who found it high in the Los Angeles hills 
thought it was the red-berried British bush?

Because next Christmas we'll have bunches of 
our native scarlet berries to greet us,
bright in the winter chill. Why plant black sage?
Because our church is a dry oak woodland

and planting native habitat will feed 
hungry things who evolved to eat their seeds. 


If you are interested in a garden bed or want to come help plant this week, text Jessica at 650-804-9044 and she'll find a good time to work together in the garden.
Food for thought. . .

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


 

-All the women who helped make blankets Wednesday night and to Janet for another amazing meal including grasshopper brownies!
-Dan for fixing the frame for our banner
-All who purchase gift cards to help us earn money


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.
  


Contact information for Rev. Karen:  
 
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826

Contact information for Deacon Robin:  
 
Email her at Dcn. Robin, deacon@ssitf.org; Phone: 650-450-0656.



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

 

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