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 3rd

10:00am - Morning Prayer, RITE II

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,

Are you ready? Not for Christmas, but for Advent – our time of preparation for and expectation.

Are you ready? Not to decorate the tree and put up lights – but to get out your Advent candles.

Are you ready? Not to check of your list of gifts to be bought – but to check off the daily devotions you can do online with the Adventword 2023 online Advent Calendar.

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church describes Advent as The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” 

The truth is the business of preparing for Christmas can easily overshadow the mindfulness of preparing for the coming of Jesus. I encourage you to embrace this season of waiting, watching, and preparing. I will have Advent Wreath Prayers for you to take home for lighting your Advent wreath up to Christmas day. If you don’t have an Advent ‘wreath’ at home, you can be creative am make one yourself. All you need is 3 blue candles, a pink candle, and a white candle. The picture you see here is of my Advent candles – obviously not a wreath. 

Are you ready – for 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

Community Solutions

Holiday Giving Program

Bring the new and unwrapped gift items to St. Stephen’s by Friday, December 8 at 12:00pm.

Any questions, call Janet Thorsrud at 408-2891-0628.

THANK YOU

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.

Thank you to all who have already sent in their pledge cards for 2024! We have to start working on our budget for next year, so if you haven’t already, please bring or send in your pledge card. Right now we have met roughly 30% of our goal to, at a minimum, match last year’s pledges. Our tree needs quite a few more leaves. As you know, every little bit helps and we are deeply grateful for your generosity! Please keep in mind that it’s never too late to make or increase your pledge. If you have any questions about pledging, please contact our Treasurer, Andy Lief.

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

Diocese of El Camino Real Advent Retreat

December 2nd, 10:00am-3:00pm

^{St. Francis, Willow Glen} 

 You are invited to a diocese-wide Advent Retreat and we hope you will join us! You are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal or computer, if you are someone who enjoys writing while reflecting. Lunch will be provided, and there is a $10 suggested donation to help with the cost of lunch, but this is not a required contribution. The retreat will end by 3pm. The theme of the day is “The Mysteries of the Season of Advent” and the retreat will be led by the diocesan Advent Retreat committee. 

Questions? 

Please email Canon Martha at canonmartha@realepiscopal.org. 

To register, please click HERE

SAVE THE DATES!

Friday December the 8^th at 7 pm

Labyrinth walk with Christmas carols.

We will have a short service on the labyrinth followed by hot beverages and treats rounded out with carols sung around the piano – feel invite others!

December 24^th

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



 Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist and Pageant, 4:30pm 

All are welcome!



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 3rd, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, December 10th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• 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

Poem from the Garden

In lieu of a poem this week I’d like to share one of the prayers one of my mentee in Gaza posted on Facebook earlier in the month. I thought it was really poignant. The Arabic is first and then the Facebook automatic translation is below.



اللهم إنا نسألك بإسمك الأعظم ووجهك الأكرم يا من تعيد للمريض صحته يا من تستجيب دعاء المضطر ومن بيده الشفاء والداء والدواء يا من تحيي العظام وهي رميم اللهم إنا نسألك أن تشفى عمر زيارة فإن عجزت حيلتنا فقدرتك أعظم وإن أغلقت الأبواب فباب رحمتك أوسع يا كريم يا رب بشرنا بعافيته يا من تحيي العظام وهي رميم أحيي العافية في جسد زوج أختي عمر Omar Ziara عمر محتاج دعوات كل اللي بحبوه

O Allah, we ask you in your greatest name and your most generous face, O you who restore health to the patient, O you who respond to the supplication of the helpless, and with his hand healing, disease and medicine Oh who revives bones and they are pine Oh God, we ask you to heal Omar Ziyara If we fail, your ability is greater, and if the doors are closed, your mercy is wider, O Generous O Lord, give us good tidings of his health, O the one who revives the bones, and it is a relic of my life Wellness in the body of my sister-in-law Omar Ziara Omar needs the prayers of all those who love him

— Israa K. Moussa, November 7, 2023

“The root of joy is gratefulness. It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”

                                               -Brother David Steindl-Rast

Kudos:

• Susan for painting new Advent Banners.
• Jessica and her mom and Alex for fixing up the kids room in the back of the church.
• Susan for leading Morning Prayer 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