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 31st

10:00am - Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen's



BULLETIN

(LIVE STREAM)

 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,

Here is Bishop Lucinda’s Christmas message for this year:

Christmas Message 2023



This year, thoughts of peace have been in our hearts and minds with even greater intention than in some years past. The news of these times is filled with images and stories as wars rage in places like Ukraine and Gaza, and the world seems overcome with the darkness of violence. In quiet moments of reflection, I wonder what it could look like for our world to turn away from violence in any form, and to turn toward peace.

Our Christmas story tells us that at the time when Jesus was born, the world was also in turmoil of war, and people spoke of many things that we speak of now. Even before then, people yearned for the Prince of Peace to come into the world, as we know from the Isaiah, who prophesied 8 centuries before Jesus’ birth. He tells us this: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given….he shall be called Prince of Peace.”

God heard the cries of humanity, and God responded lovingly and unexpectedly, coming into the world as a fragile being, in a nowhere place, to unknown people. The images that are replayed in our nativity scenes on display in our homes serve to remind us that there was no earthly power in evidence that quiet night in Bethlehem--just Mary and Joseph, a couple of shepherds, some animals, and at the center of it all, a tiny baby.

The humility present in that scene allowed for the glow of peace, barely perceptible, to grow in the hearts of those gathered and overcome the darkness of the world.

As followers of this child Jesus that became the Savior, we yearn for peace, we pray for peace and at times we even proclaim peace. And this calls for each of us to be agents of that very thing that we long for.

Let us, then, promise ourselves and each other, that we will be agents of peace in all that we say and do. In our families, may we devote ourselves to repair breaches of trust and model kindness toward. In our congregations, may we practice mutual love and respect in our meetings and conversations. In our communities, may we speak in tones that are compassionate and caring. Let peace be both a promise of our hearts and a guide to our actions.

The Diocesan Staff and my family and I hope that you will join us this Christmas Season as we pause at the manger and pray with our whole hearts for God’s peace in our world.

Christmas Blessings and peace to you,

 Karen+

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.

From the diocesan Social Justice Committee:

Prayers for Peace

As we see the death and destruction happening in Gaza and Ukraine, and so many other places in the world, our hearts break for the children, the families, the old people... all those who are losing lives and homes and loved ones. Let us bring our compassion and our concerns to God together. We would be delighted to have you join us.

The Social Justice Committee cordially invites you to participate in a brief online prayer service during lunchtime. The service will take place at 12:30 pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month throughout Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. The first session was held on December 6, and there will be several more sessions on January 3, February 7, and 17.

Click the link to join: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82914293327?pwd=Zy9jY2lxd3ovNThEVmJrSGhyQXZsZz09

Meeting ID: 829 1429 3327

Passcode: 242297

   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 THE DATE!

January 6th

^Epiphany Dinner

Come join us!

Food will be served starting at 6:30pm

Menu:

Spaghetti and sauce (both meat and vegetarian)

Garlic Bread

Salad

Epiphany Cake

Bring a bottle of wine to share if you want!

Cost: $5.00 per person (Children under 12 are free!)

Please RSVP to thorsrud@sbcglobal.net

**Also, we will be collecting baby diapers and formula to donate to Santa Maria for distribution. **

SAVE TEHE DATE!

January 28th

^

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 31st, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, January 7th, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, January 14th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, January 21st, Morning Prayer, 10:00am

Poem from the Garden

Kudos:

• Jane for doing our bulletins.
• Jessica for directing the Christmas Pageant this year.
• Janet and Susan (the Altar Guild) preparing the church for Christmas Eve. 

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