St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL September 3rd, 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: September 5th, 2021
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Dear Friends,
I’ll be in San Diego by the time you receive this. I’m looking forward to presiding a marriage ceremony for friends. I’m straying a bit from writing a message and thought I’d share this wonderful prayer reflection from Henri Nouwen:
“Dear Lord,
Today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and down in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life, by your love I am sustained, and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love . . .O Lord, sea and love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know there is ebb and flow but the sea remains the sea. Amen.”
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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10:00 am indoors at St. Stephen’s
**We welcome The Rev. Bruce Bramlett who will preside the service while Rev. Karen is gone.**
We also welcome Suzanne, our pianist, back!
Our service will be indoors, with masks. We continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s.
Everyone is welcome to attend all services!
They 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.
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COFFEE HOUR
After the service you bring goodies.
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Pray for the conflict in Afghanistan.
Holy God, we pray for peace in Afghanistan, especially for those whose lives were lost in the most recent bombing that killed at least 90 Afghans and 13 service members outside the airport in Kabul where thousands were hoping to escape. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus, the true peace-giver. Amen
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O God, our refuge and strength,
our help in times of trouble.
Have mercy on the lands
damaged by fires.
Have mercy on the lands
where the weather has destroyed livelihoods. Protect those who evacuate houses, and strengthen those who rebuild hope so that entire communities may face the future without fear.
Amen.
(prayer from Episcopal Relief and Development)
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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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It’s done!! Our gratitude is too deep for words for the Labyrinth Guild who, with their collaborative, and strenuous work, have finished the labyrinth! The taking down of the yellow caution ribbon and stakes was not the celebration I dreamed about, but it was a joyful, even emotional moment. When asked what they learned they said they never expected it to take so long. They learned that creating a labyrinth is much more complicated than it looks, that it requires blood, sweat, and tears, and that the joy of seeing it finished is priceless. Come to church Sunday and see it, walk it, reminisce about Edy, and give thanks! |
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The Path; A Journey Through the Bible
We will be studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation one chapter at a time. This is your opportunity to learn more, dig deeper into scripture, and understand how the stories all tie together to tell the overarching story of God’s love for God’s people.
Classes will meet weekly on Wed at 11:00am and via zoom at 7pm. The classes will begin Sept 22nd if books come in. The price of the book is discounted based on how many books are purchased. The will not be more than $15.00. Please contact Rev. Karen via email if you if you are interested in taking this course or if you have questions.
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GOODWILL is coming to St. Stephen’s again!
Save up your donations for the Goodwill truck that will be stationed in our parking lot on Sunday, Oct. 16th. A specific list of items that are not accepted will be provided but for now, remember that they do not accept furniture. More to come!
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Poem from the Garden
The evening primrose
stalks arc and wobble
in late summer, their
yellow blossoms turned
to brown husked horns, chock
full of seeds. They may
look dead to us, but
to the green birds born
above the belltower
they are an open
buffet when there is
little else to eat, a
place to perch and thrive.
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Food for thought:
“You rarely have time for everything you want in this life so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are.”
-Fred Rogers
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Kudos to:
-Andy for attending Rev. Bruce Bramlett this Sunday.
-Wanda for taking care of the roses.
-Nancy McGuinness and Susan Zaballos for assisting in the service on 8/22
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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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We grieve today with those who grieve over Afghanistan, the people who call it home indeed, the people exiled or suddenly having to leave, and the men and women from other countries who have made sacrifices in recent years in the cause of that country's future.
We remember with renewed sadness the loss of lives of military personnel during the years of this country's involvement in Afghanistan, conscious of the questions that must today be troubling the minds of those in our community who were bereaved, those who were wounded on operations, and those who were forever changed by experiences suffered there.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the peace-giver, we pray, AMEN.
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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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