St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church

FRIDAY JOURNAL March 27th, 2020
 

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.
            
Sunday Services: March 29, 2020

 
        
           
The 10:00 service will be via video on our website Sunday morning at 10:00
 

Sunday Worship

It's been a long time since we've been able to worship together in person.  I've been happy to hear that some of you are worshiping at the 10:00 service virtually!

I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, and participate in the liturgy with the bulletin.

It's simple.  All you have to do is go to our St. Stephen's website ( www.ssitf.org ) and scroll down to see the video.  I will send a separate email with a link to the bulletin.


Virtual Coffee Hour!
Sheltering at home doesn't have to keep us from fellowship after church.  We can do that virtually too! Just click on this link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8133230963
 to join the Zoom meeting at 11:00!


This is a new recurring section of our newsletter. In this time of uncertainty, don't be afraid to ask questions.  Email Rev. Karen at revkaren@ssitf.org . We might not know all the answers, but even that can help sometimes!  I'll let others know the questions I've been asked (without naming who asked them) and give the best answer I can.
Lenten Book Study
Dust Bunnies in the Basket: Finding God in Lent & Easter  
by Tim Schenck

Please feel free to join us on Thursday mornings via Zoom from 10:00-11:00. Rev. Karen will send out an email with the link on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

Growing in God's Grace
Do you have a photo of you in childhood or young adulthood (baby years through early 20's)? Well it's not too late to submit it for our Parish Hall bulletin board!

The Sunday school students have been learning about Jesus as he grows up, and we'd also like to show YOU as you were growing in God's Grace.

Please make sure not to label with your name on the front. That way we can all have fun guessing who everyone is!

Copies only please (and can be on regular paper; doesn't have to be on photo paper) since we'll need to put glue or staples on it.
Submissions accepted through March. Any questions, please ask Rowena:  heyrufus@heyrufus.com or text 408-317-8262.
GIFT CARD ORDERS  &
Fundraisers

  
CPK is on next Thursday from noon
until 8, take out only of course.
 
To place your order call direct.
408 225-7188 and chose option #3.
 
The manager is very happy we will
be working with them.

 




Poem from the Garden

At 4:30pm last Saturday, Janet and Trygve and the 
Reverand Karen and Deacon Robin and I went to church 
to record a full service  you can find here. After,
I went to check in on the community garden. I saw 

a grey-haired woman I did not know clipping fava beans from 
Mrs Lu's beds. I rehearsed in my head what I wanted to say, not 
wanting to be unfriendly but also really not wanting my 
90-year-old friend's 蚕(蠶)豆 (cándòu) to be snatched.

"Are you a friend of Mrs Lu's?" I asked. She turned around, a
smile on her familiar face: "I'm Diane Lu's daughter." I grinned: 
"Welcome!" We chatted and she said her mother talks all the time 
about the kind parishioners she's met in the garden. We 

then recorded a video telling her how much we missed 
her. We waved 'bye, a white bag of beans hanging from her thin wrist.

Food for thought. . .

"Every hand that we don't shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise."                                                                         Rav Yoseph



-Maria, Janet, Trig, Jessica, and Robin for helping make and post the video of our service last Sunday.  
-All who made phone calls this week to check in everyone
-All who are doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19


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.
  


Contact information for Rev. Karen:  
 
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826

Contact information for Deacon Robin:  
 
Email her at Dcn. Robin, deacon@ssitf.org; Phone: 650-450-0656.



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

St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139

 

STAY CONNECTED: