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.

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, March 3rd

10:00am - Morning Prayer

BULLETIN

 St. Stephen’s has an in-person worship service every Sunday at 10am. We alternate between Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist. We are not live-streaming Morning Prayer services at this time. All Holy Eucharist services are live streamed. Links to the bulletin and YouTube video are provided for all Holy Eucharist services.

From the Rector

Dear friends,

Happy first day of March! In like a lion and out like a lamb. . .  Coincidentally, that’s what we liturgical Christians have this year. In Year B, we read from the Gospel of Mark (and just a bit of John’s too) and St. Mark’s symbol is a winged lion--in like a lion. Easter is the last day of March--out like a lamb.

Today, March 1^st, is also the patron saint of Wales, St. David’s Day. On this day you can be assured that the folks in Wales are celebrating!

Other happenings in March include, International Women’s Day, Daylight Savings Time, Vernal Equinox, St. Patrick’s Day (when the Chicago River is safely dyed green), Ramadan begins, and Holy Week (between Palm Sunday and Easter Day). We will also be able to see The Full Worm Moon on the morning of March 25^th.

There’s a lot going on in March! Maybe this is a good time to pause and reflect on how this season of Lent has been so far for you.  I am loving Lent this year. By eliminating one activity, I have spent so much more time in prayer and self-reflection. I didn’t even realize how much I was missing it. That’s me. How about you? Where have you been on your ‘journey’ these last couple of weeks? 

I hope that these days are particularly meaningful for you, but of course we can’t time our mindful days with Lent, so it’s okay if you’re not really feeling anything special right now – it’s okay if you’re not up to reflecting. Don’t try too hard or feel guilty if you’ve already broken your fast. God knows you and loves you! Maybe just letting God love you is Lent enough.

Blessings and peace in this Holy Lent, 

 Karen+

Come and join us during the lent season. 

We have a beautiful space to worship.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Soup and supper for Lent:

This is a pot luck that will alternate with St. John’s on Wednesdays at 6:00pm.

March 5^th at St. John’s

March13th at St. Stephen’s

March 20^th at St. John’s

Hope to see you there!

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

Diocesan Newsletter



Read about what’s going on in the diocese! Click below to subscribe to the diocesan newsletter that is emailed every two weeks.

A prayer for peace in the Middle East.

God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis. Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

(by The Reverend Said Ailabouni Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL.) 

You can help . . .

If you are interested in making donations to help with the relief efforts in Israel/Palestine, here are the links that were included in Bishop Lucinda's letter:

https://j-diocese.org/wordpress/

https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=d91c439a3d&e=bcc1702497

Pray for the people of Maui and the destruction and loss caused by the fires.

Donations for relief efforts in Maui and the Diocese of Hawaii can be made to:

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/a-cup-of-cold-water.html

Join Education For Ministry - EfM

Please consider joining EfM! Education for Ministry (EfM) is a life-changing and unique college-level program in theological education based on small-group study and practice. Weekly seminars are designed to prepare lay persons to live out by word and deed the promises made at baptism: to love God, serve Christ, and proclaim the Gospel. EfM seminars take place online during the pandemic. 

More about EfM:https://theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry/

If you are interested in joining EfM, please contact the ECR Diocesan Coordinator, Katy Dickinson: katy.dickinson@gmail.com

Wednesday Book Group

Weekly Wednesday Bible Study

 11:00am, at St. John’s 

Learn about the Book of Revelation!

The last book of the Bible is more than a foretelling of doom. Come and explore what it's all about! Books are $20 ea. See Rev. Karen if you're interested.

Updates and opportunities!

We have space available to rent. If you know of any non-profit agencies or schools that need a space, let them know that St. Stephen’s has space. 



While it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the space ourselves, we need the income and so hope to find a new renter. 

Our church, parish hall, and our beautiful grounds, including the labyrinth are all great venues like for a variety of special events like receptions, birthday parties, quinceaneras, etc. Please encourage friends to consider St. Stephen’s as a venue for their special event!  

To reserve a space or ask question, contact the office, office@ssitf.org or click on the link on our website https://www.ssitf.org/facility-rentals. 

Spread the word and pray for St. Stephen’s!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Sunday, March 3rd, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, March 10th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, March 17th, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, March 24th, Holy Eucharist

Kudos:

• St. Stephen’s, our Soup Supper host this week,. 
• All the Soup Chefs – Susan, Wanda, Ruth, and Rev. Karen.
• Wanda, our coffee hour host last Sunday.
• Jessica for leading worship this Sunday.

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:

408-781-1826

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.

Editor's Note  

Have an announcement?

Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to: kristenvdm@yahoo.com, by Thursday, 10am each week. 

Kristen van der Molen