St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL January 10th, 2020
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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: January 12th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
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Reflections
"Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night, and the mountains in reply, echoing their brave delight. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo."
This first line from one of my favorite Christmas hymns brings to my mind amazing images: Angles, raising their heavenly voices in song, rejoicing in the birth of Jesus.
It has been such a blessing to hear all of our voices raised in song, praising the coming Lord. Lesson and Carols had so many of us participating and sharing our musical talents, in voice, or with an instrument. It was wonderful to hear the Bell Choir again. The 11:00 Christmas Eve service again was filled with music, bringing such joy.
The other evening, I was sitting in my living room watching TV. I suddenly heard music coming from somewhere. At first, I thought it was my husband watching TV in the back room, but then realized it was coming from outside at the front of my house. I peeked out the front curtains, and saw a line of people with musical instruments, standing on the sidewalk, playing Christmas carols. I quickly went out my front door and stood on the porch, listening. There were all ages, from children, to teenagers, to older adults. Some of their instruments were draped with Christmas lights. In the break between two carols, I asked where they were from. "Oh, just around" one woman answered. They played several more carols and then started to walk further down the sidewalk bidding me a Merry Christmas. "Merry Christmas" I replied. "You have made my evening so very special."
Music can do that. It has the amazing ability to bring people together. When voices are raised together in song, or people are playing instruments together, there is a connection to each other. We are all singing sweetly through the night, rejoicing in the birth of our Lord.
Peace,
Susan
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Bishop Consecration Update!
Tomorrow is the consecration of Bishop-Elect Lucinda Ashby! If you don't plan to attend, you can watch it on
Youtube - just search for "Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real.
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Mark your calendar now-
ANNUAL MEETING!
Sunday, Jan. 19
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, 2020
Following the 10:00 service
Please plan to attend - we are church together!
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Wednesday, Jan. 29
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At Janet Thorsrud's house
6pm - Dinner is served!
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Pledge statements from 2019 that were not picked up have been mailed.
If you have been meaning to make a pledge to St. Stephen's, it's not too late! Our annual meeting is next week and we are finalizing a budget for your approval.
There are still pledge cards in the back of the church. Thank you for your generosity!
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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!
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GIFT CARD ORDERS
We made $180 from the gift cards
in Dec. and $1,963.70 for the year.
The next order will be on Jan 26th.
We made $75 by dinning out at
Armadillo Willy's.
SMUM would like Target cards to distribute for the holidays. If you are able this order will be used for the Thanksgiving exchange and the Nov order will be used for the Christmas exchange. Help if you can.
Our annual blanket making workshop will happen in January again.
Blessings
Janet
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This is a season of many boxes and the community garden needs cardboard! So if you have Amazon boxes, shipping boxes, any kind of plastic boxes in any kind of condition, drop them off in the community garden and Jessica will put them to work.
and also if anyone in the congragation would like a garden plot in the community garden let us know.
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Food for thought. . .
The St. Stephen's in-the-Field STAR word for 2020 is JOY!
The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with
Joy.
-Henri Nouwen
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-All who took down the greens after church Sunday.
-All who brought food for our potluck Sunday
-Sherrie for making another beautiful and delicious Epiphany cake.
-Jessica and her gardening friends
-the Prayer Chain team
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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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