St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL December 20th, 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: December 22nd
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
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Message from Rev. Karen
There are only four more days until Christmas which means there are still four more days of Advent. I think of Advent as a sort of pause button in December. We are bombarded with everything Christmas before December arrives and so, being able to press the pause button, as often as I like, is a welcome break. Whether it's my daily Advent devotion, or just thinking about the awesomeness of God and what God has done for us all, or lighting my advent wreath - the pause button is my friend. But for me, the line between Christmas and Advent starts getting a little blurry about now.
I went to a Messiah Sing this week and the flood gates opened. Limping through "For unto us a child is born. . .unto us, as son is given" and stomping through "Halleluia - Lord of Lord and Prince of Peace", with a small chamber orchestra in a room full of people I've never met but who are as excited as I am about Handel's "Messiah" put my toe over the proverbial line!
Together, we will all be taking a little step over the fuzzy line between Advent and Christmas this Sunday with Lessons and Carols. It is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and yet we will be singing and hearing some beautiful Christmas music. Is it going too far? Should we wait until after Christmas to do Lessons and Carols? Should we wait to sing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come" when, following our liturgical calendar, Jesus hasn't even been born yet? I don't think so. In my humble opinion, the sacred music of Christmas can't be contained within the 12 days of Christmastide!
That said, it's important to keep in mind that we are still waiting with great anticipation for something so incredibly profound. That God would come to be with us in human form is an amazing, awesome, mind-blowing love. It's worth waiting for. It's worth pondering and preparing for a little longer.
I hope that you are as excited about our Lessons and Carols service this Sunday as I am. The Bell Choir and other instrumentalists will be making beautiful music! We will indeed cross the line and rejoice at the birth of Christ! We will also light the fourth Advent candle - because it is still Advent!
As you walk in the doors Sunday and get your bulletin, take an imaginary pause button from the imaginary basket in front of the baptismal font. Take it home with you and use it often in these few remaining days of Advent. I certainly will!
As we anticipate the coming of our Savior together, and in the midst of the last minute frenzy of being ready for gift giving and celebration, may God's peace be with you!
Advent blessings,
Karen+
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CALLING ALL RINGERS AND SINGERS
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Bell and Voice Choir will rehearse after the 10:00 service this Sunday!
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This Sunday, Dec 22
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10:00am Service
Don't miss this festive service!
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Thanks to all who have already sent in your pledge for 2020. With the hustle and bustle of Christmas upon us, filling out a pledge card can easily get overlooked. We have reached just under 73% of our goal, which means we have a way to go. This is a gentle reminder that, if you are planning to make a pledge this year, please either place your pledge in the offering plate, mail it, or hand it (in a sealed envelope) to Eric Samson, Edy Unthank, Susan Zaballos, or Rev. Karen. We need to know your intentions in order to create a budget for next year.
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I Witness
Living Inside the Stories of Advent & Christmas
b
y Kate Moorehead.
Many of us have heard the story of Jesus' birth, but have we lived inside it? Enter the story of salvation with open hearts and minds to experience the miracle of Jesus through the eyes of witnesses: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and others.
These daily devotionals offer a companion through the seasons of Advent and Christmas and urge us to keep reading, keep listening, keep learning. The story of Christ's birth can be both familiar and new in each re-telling.
Join us Wednesday mornings at 9:30 through Advent!
** We will not meet on 12/25 or 1/1, but will resume the following Wednesday.
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Bishop Consecration Update!
Tickets can now be reserved online. There is no cost for tickets, however you must reserve a ticket in order to attend. Seating is limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit the Bishop Consecration page at RealEpiscopal.org
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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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Vestry Report
Your vestry met on December 12.
Here are the highlights:
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Liaison report given by the Communications Committee - they are working on making the St. Stephen's website more user friendly
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Stewardship update - currently at 76.2%
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Community Garden - review of proposed contract. At this time the labyrinth project was also discussed.
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Annual meeting date has been set at January 19
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Vestry Retreat date has been set at February 1. This is for the 2020 vestry members. If you are interested on serving on the vestry, please speak to Karen or Edy
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Still need servers for the Christmas Eve services. Please let Edy know if you are interested (need readers and servers at the altar)
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We will celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, January 5.
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Here is the closing prayer for this meeting:
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given
We would be silent now, Lord and expectant ...
That we may receive the gifts we need so that we may become the gifts others need
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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.
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Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas . . .perhaps. . .means a little bit more!"
-Dr. Suess
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-Dan and Andy for working on the broken light in the parking lot
-Suzanne for her beautiful music
-all who supported the Armadillo Willy's fundraiser
-Rowena and Monica for coordinating the children's pageant
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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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