St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL December 24th, 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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Friday, Dec. 24th - today!
Christmas Pageant & Holy Eucharist
4:30pm at St. Stephen's
Sunday: December 26th, 2021
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9:30 AM Holy Eucharist
at St. John's
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Dear Friends,
We’re not quite there yet. Maybe Mary has just gone into Labor – a long one. Birthing is not easy and it was especially not easy for Mary, considering her circumstances!
After asking you to send in a picture of a crèche you might have at home, I received a few pictures, all of which you can see below. They’re all quite different. Some have faces, some don’t, but of course, Mary, the God-bearer, is always there.
As you scroll through and enjoy the pictures, think about Mary. What do you think she might have been thinking and feeling? Then go back to the top and scroll down again only this time thing about Joseph. Imagine what he might have been thinking and feeling. Then imagine Mary and Joseph together in today’s context. Where might they be? What might they be feeling? What might their conversation be?
Personally, I think that’s worth thinking about throughout the year. What do you think?
Advent blessings and deep peace,
Karen+
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Worship This Friday and Sunday:
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CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT & HOLY EUCHARIST
TODAY, 10:00 at St. Stephen’s
Since we’re indoors, don’t forget your mask. We continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s. Future service dates are on our website: www.ssitf.org.
Click below for links to the service and bulletin.
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Sunday, Dec. 26th, Holy Eucharist
9:30 at St. John's
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Did you know . . . . .
December 24 is also the anniversary of the first radio broadcast ever? It was made by Canadian-born electrician and chemist Reginald Fessenden on the coast of Massachusetts in 1906. He opened the broadcast with a short speech, played “O Holy Night” on his violin, read from the Gospel of Luke, and ended with “Merry Christmas.” Ships out on the Atlantic reported receiving the broadcast from miles away.
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Bible Study
WE ARE TAKING A TWO WEEK BREAK.
Our next session will meet
Wednesday, Jan. 5th
11:00am - in person at St. John’s.
7:00pm - via Zoom using the following link:
We will be discussing Chapter 9 (1/5/22) Please join us – even if you haven’t attended previous sessions!
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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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Poem from the Garden
In the past two years,
nearly a dozen
dozen people have
been served gracefully
by the tiny homes
development near
to our campus. They've
found new homes, repaired
relationships, kept
out of the rain, read
donated books, and
found a missing piece,
or maybe I should
say: a missing peace.
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Food for thought:
“We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness.”
-Richard Rohr, What Mystics Know
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Kudos to:
-Janet for distributing toys, food, and blankets to Los Poseos.
-Janet for ordering gift cards.
-The Altar Guild for getting ready the church ready for Christmas Eve.
-The Bell Choir for getting ready to ring gloriously on Christmas Eve.
-Our lectors and extra readers for the next two services.
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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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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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