From the Rector

Dear friends, 

Hope, Peace, Joy, and . . .

We’ve lit the first three candles of Advent and this Sunday we will light the fourth – the Love candle.  Hope, peace, joy, and love.  In these last few weeks, where have you experienced these words?  

I read a story about a family that recently moved to a new state.  The candle of hope led them to reflect on their own hopes as they navigated the unfamiliarity of their new surroundings.  They made a list of things they hoped would happen soon – have new friends, new jobs to help pay for college, find a new church, comfort in their homesickness.  Then they prayed and made space to listen to what God was impressing on their hearts and minds.  They asked that their hopes would match God’s hopes and that they would be able to tell the difference. 

In this last week of Advent, I hope that you will take time to reflect on each of the four candles of the Advent wreath.  Make a list, draw pictures, sing a song, dance – let the Spirit move you so that when it’s time to light the Christ Candle, your heart will be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love - ready to sing, ‘Oh come let us adore him . . .’ 

Advent blessings,

 Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Dec 18th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. Stephen'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!

2023 Pledge Campaign

  Our Annual Pledge Campaign isn’t over and your support is vital. Our theme this year is ‘More Than Enough’. Based on the story of Jesus feeding a crowd of 5000 with a scant two fish and 5 loaves of bread. It’s amazing what we can do as a church with the resources we have. Anything you give is helpful

Once again, the Vestry is asking that you please prayerfully consider what you can pledge this year. Your commitment is how we prepare a budget for next year, which impacts our ministry of worship and mission. If you have any questions, please contact our Treasurer, Andy Lief.

A message from Jessica. . .

&

A message from Susan. . .

Mark your Calendars

Sunday 12/18, 10am – Lessons and Carols at St. Stephen’s.

Saturday, 12/24, 4pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at St. John’s.

Sunday, 12/5, 8:30am – Christmas Day, spoken Eucharist.

Friday, 1/6, TBD – Epiphany Dinner at St. Stephen’s.

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.

Having food and fun with the Wednesday morning bible study group!

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 grasses in the

basketball garden

are blooming-up green

again. I grew them

from seed in the past

three years and hope they

will self-seed between

the parking lot and

the blackberry bush

a waving meadow,

soft enough for new

babies to fall in

and strong enough for

our birds to nest-build.

- Jessica Dickinson Goodman

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of.  There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person,”

-Fred Rogers

Kudos to:

-Andy, Trig, Monica, and Kaylie for offering their musical gifts for our Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve services.

-Jim for clearing all the leaves away from the office area next to the play yard.