Friday Journal - Friday, October 29th, 2021

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

FRIDAY JOURNAL October 29th, 2021

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: October 31st, 2021

10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

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From the Rector

Dear Friends,

As we prepare for Halloween with candy (hopefully chocolate!) and costumes, if you do that sort of thing, here’s some historical information behind the tradition and All Hallows’ Eve. The Episcopal Church even has a service from The Book of Occasional Services for that day. Read on. . .

“The popular name for this festival is Halloween. It was the eve of Samhain, a pagan Celtic celebration of the beginning of winter and the first day of the new year. This time of the ingathering of the harvest and the approach of winter apparently provided a reminder of human mortality. It was a time when the souls of the dead were said to return to their homes. Bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits. Samhain was a popular festival at the time when the British Isles were converted to Christianity. The church “adopted” this time of celebration for Christian use by observing All Saints' Day on Nov. 1, and All Hallows' Eve on the evening of Oct. 3.”

(https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/all-hallows-eve/)

Happy Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve, and All Saints Day!

Blessings and peace,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

10:00am indoors at St. Stephen’s

Since we’re indoors, don’t forget your mask. We continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s.

Everyone is welcome to attend all services!

Services will also be live streamed so that if you are not physically at church, you can participate from home.

Click below for links to the service and bulletin.

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

BULLETIN

Coffee hour following the service.

A Future with Hope!

That’s our theme for this time of year. Being good stewards of our resources is how we give back to the church and give thanks to God for the abundance we have in time, talent, and treasure – all three. If you haven’t by now, you will be receiving a letter and pledge card in the mail.

This is the time to prayerfully think about how much of your treasure you can offer to God through St. Stephen’s. COVID hit us all very hard in many ways, and yet we know God has plans for us and that we do have reason for hope (Jeremiah 29:10-11). Every little bit you give is part of what gives us hope for our future. Thank you for your generosity!

Bible Study

The Path; A Journey Through the Bible

11:00am - in person at St. John’s.

7:00pm - via Zoom using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88517396112

Please join us any time!

Gift Card Orders

It’s time to think about who to give gift cards for Christmas. There are many to choose from and St. Stephen’s gets a percentage of every card purchased!

Janet is ordering cards today so please call or email her (thorsrud@sbcglobal.net) ASAP to place your order!

Cardboard needed!

Please bring in all that cardboard you know you’ve been wanting to get rid of! The landscapers (Jessica & Co.) need it for weed control on the embankment.

Poem from the Garden

Today we planted

strawberries in the

front bed and two new

desert willows in

the median. The

strawberries will bloom

white, then red berries

will form; the willows will

bloom a deep, heartsblood

burgundy, like the

center of the flames

at Pentecost, which

is the inspiration

for that bed's colors.

Food for thought:

“Do the good that is in front of you, even if it seems awfully small.” -Sharon Salzberg

Kudos to:

-Janet for coordinating our gift card fundraiser.

-Jane for her ability skill to get things done under pressure.

-Jill for quietly assisting with technology behind the scenes.

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:

(669)270-7479

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 prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality).

* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.

Please submit prayer requests to Rev. Karen.

Contact information for Rev. Karen:

Email her at: revkaren@ssitf.org

Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: (669)270-7479

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

Visit our website

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

7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139