St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL November 26th, 2021
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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: November 28th, 2021
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Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent! There is a changing of the vestments and the Advent wreath will be out. Thank you Altar Guild folks! The gospel might not be what you’d expect – the Good News might not pop-out right away.
As a heads up, read Jan Richardson’s blessing:
“A blessing for traveling in the Dark”
Go slow
if you can.
Slower.
More slowly still.
Friendly dark
or fearsome,
this is no place
to break your neck
by rushing,
by running,
by crashing into
what you cannot see.
Then again,
it is true:
different darks
have different tasks,
and if you
have arrived here unawares,
if you have come
in peril
or in pain,
this might be no place
you should dawdle.
I do not know
what these shadows
ask of you,
what they might hold
that means you good
or ill.
It is not for me
to reckon
whether you should linger
or you should leave.
But this is what
I can ask for you:
That in the darkness
there be a blessing.
That in the shadows
there be a welcome.
That in the night
you be encompassed
by the Love that knows
your name.
(Jan Richardson, “Circle of Grace)
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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10:00 am indoors at St. Stephen’s |
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PLEDGE INGATHERING!
Since we’re indoors, don’t forget your mask. We continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s.
Click below for links to the service and bulletin.
Coffee hour following the service. Bring some cookies to share!
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A Future with Hope – your help is essential! |
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As you know, throughout COVID we’ve been in a kind of exile, away from our church and friends. Now that we are beginning to re-gather, we can look back and see that God never abandoned us. We figured out how to worship with few resources and faithful helpers. Our vestry continued to meet in order to take care of our church through the storm. The community garden continues to flourish, our labyrinth was finished and the landscaping begun!
Surely God has been faithful - and is not done with us. We have reached 25% of our goal. This Sunday Nov. 28th, we will gather our pledges with thanksgiving, asking for God’s blessing over them. If you have not yet, please fill out a pledge card and bring it with you. If you’re not going to be in town, you can drop it off at the church and it will be included with the ones we’ve already received. Your commitment, no matter the amount, is vital to our future with hope. Thank you for your generosity!
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Bible Study
Wednesday, Dec. 1st.
11:00am - in person at St. John’s.
We will be discussing Chapter 6 (12/1) Please join us any time!
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Blankets
We are starting to make
blankets again this year
for the needy. If you are
able to help please contact
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Gift Card Orders
we earned $180 in gift card orders
will be Dec 5th.
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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.
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Poem from the Garden
We're building wheelchair
accessible beds
in the community
garden, to the specs
laid out by two of
our volunteers who
use them. They're 3 feet
high and under 3
feet wide, with 5 feet
between the beds so
they can turn a large
wheelchair. We'll lay the
hardscaping next, large,
flat, and accessible.
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Food for thought:
“You see things and say “Why?” But I dream things that never were, and I say, “Why not?”
-George Bernard Shaw
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Kudos to:
-Janet and Susan for Altar Guild leadership and planning ahead for Advent and Christmas.
-The bell choir for preparing for Christmas Eve.
-Those of you who’ve already sent in your pledge-cards.
-All who attended St. John’s last week for Bishop Lucinda’s visitation.
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Contact Information for Rev. Karen.
Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:
(669)270-7479
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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 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.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen: |
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: (669)270-7479
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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
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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