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, December 17th

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.

Sunday, Dec 24, 10:00am

St. John the Divine

Sunday, Dec 24, 4:30pm

Christmas Eve Candle Light service with Pageant

From the Rector

Dear friends,

I adopted a new little dog about two weeks ago. Scooter is 12 yrs old and 13lbs. He’s a very sweet little guy – gentle, cuddly, hardly barks at all, is house trained, and loves to go on walks and rides in the car. We’ve bonded quite well. I think we’re a pretty good match. Now that he’s been with me for a little while, he’s beginning to show more of his personality and I’ve learned that he can be quite stubborn when we go on walks. Sometimes he wants to go in a different direction from the one we’re headed in – so he just stops. When I call him or give a little tug on the leash, he will not budge. He pulls hard on the leash but I just stand there and wait him out. It’s like a battle of wills. He eventually does give in and we continue our walk. I do get a little annoyed sometimes and mutter things under my breath but also love our walks and I love him.

I can be strong willed, and annoying, and want to go my own way too. Thankfully, God is patient, and probably a little frustrated too, and loves us for sure

We have just a little more waiting to do this Advent. Ten days until Christmas. Ten days until Emmanuel – God with us – is born. Love is on the way!

Advent Blessings and peace to you,

 Karen+

AdventWord is an online Advent calendar that has a daily prompt from a word out of the Sunday Scripture readings. When you subscribe (it’s free and all you have to give is your email address) you receive the word for the day with an image and meditation.  

You can even share your own reflection with the online community if you feel so moved.

I’ve already signed up, and I know some others have signed up as well. I hope you will find time for these reflections as you prepare for Jesus’ coming.

Click on the link below to learn more and subscribe.

https://adventword.org/#how_it_works

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.

Advent around the Diocese of El Camino Real

Find out what’s happening in our diocese for Advent HERE.

   IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

It is for good reason and it isn’t necessarily . . . for good reason. As the year comes to a close, it is the vestry’s responsibility to do the hard work of looking at the end of year finances and putting together a budget for 2024. We need all the information we can get to do this work and you can help! Two of the main things we need to know involve your intentions - whether you intend to fulfill your pledge for this year and whether you intend to make a pledge for 2024. Everyone’s situation is different. You might not know if you’ll be able to do either at this point. A yes, no, or I don’t know yet, would be helpful.  If any of this applies to you, please let Andy know.

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

SAVE TEHE DATE!

December 24^th

Lessons and Carols, 10:00am, St. John’s



 Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist and Pageant, 4:30pm 

All are welcome!

SAVE TEHE DATE!

January 21^st

^

Annual Meeting after the service.

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, December 17th, Morning Prayer. 10:00am
• Sunday, December 24th, Lessons and Carols, 10:00am, St. John’s
• Sunday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist and Pageant, 4:30pm, St. Stephen's
• Sunday, December 31st, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, January 7th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am

Poem from the Garden

Kudos:

• Our vestry.
• Jim for building new doors for the storage shed.
• Andy and Suzanne for playing piano for our services.
• For Janet and Susan coordinating our Advent Labyrinth Walk.

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