From the Rector

Dear friends, 

My stomach is still quite full.  As always, I ate way more than I could comfortably manage yesterday.  But today is a new day. The day after Thanksgiving is many things to many people -  Native American Heritage Day, Black Friday, nap day, decorating day, the day the relatives go home, etc.   The day after Thanksgiving is not, however, the day thanksgiving is over!   Whatever your plans today, be safe, have fun, offer to God a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for those who are suffering, especially as the holidays are upon us. 

I hope to see you this Sunday where we’ll light the first candle on our Advent wreath!

Grace and peace,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Nov 27th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. John's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

  BULLETIN

  St. Stephen’s church doors will be open every Sunday for worship. In-person services will continue to alternate with St. John’s but the live-stream from services at St. John’s will be projected at St. Stephen’s. Come to St. Stephen’s every Sunday!

2022 Pledge Campaign

It is time for our Annual Pledge Campaign and your support is vital. Our theme this year is ‘More Than Enough’. Please prayerfully consider what you can pledge this year and bring your card to church next Sunday, mail it, or drop it off at the office. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

A message from Jessica. . .

&

A message from Susan. . .

Bible Study

Acts: Catching up with the Spirit 

We are doing a six-week study on the book of Acts with Biblical scholar, Matt Skinner.

Tuesday evenings via Zoom at 7pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87517609914

Wednesday mornings at 11:00am, in person at St. John’s.

Volunteers Needed!

Santa Maria needs pantry volunteers to box groceries between 9:00am and 11:30am on weekdays. It’s a gratifying way to make a big difference in the lives of others. Call Santa Maria Urban Ministry at 408-292-3314. You must be at least twelve years old to volunteer. 

Poem from the Garden

The toyon called

Hollywood are dripping

with berries, scarlet 

against evergreen

leaves; the lime green passion 

fruit vines are twining 

through the chainlink fence 

behind them. Small birds

pick at the fallen 

evening primrose seeds, 

dropped by the thousand 

over the summer,

waiting for those red 

berries to ripen. 

“Looking behind I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward I am filled with vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength. Looking within, I discover peace. “

-Quero Apache Prayer

Kudos to:

-The vestry for a lovely lunch after our service Sunday! Thanks for the Janet and Susan for all the prep and set up, and to Andy and Rob and everyone who helped take down and clean up!   

-To all who were able to bring or send in your pledge cards!