Sermon – April 22, 2012 – Easter 3B

Posted on Apr 28, 2012

Third Sunday of Easter : 10:00 AM
The Reverend Ken Wratten

Topic: It’s Your Transformation, Too

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Scripture Lessons (Revised Common Lectionary)

Posted in Sermons

Rector’s Journal: 2012 April 27

Posted on Apr 27, 2012

Pew Chair Re-upholstering I am very grateful to all of you who have already contributed to this very badly needed upgrade of our pew chairs in the Worship Hall. Our present chair coverings are literally falling apart. The capital campaign for re-upholstering of these chairs is progressing very well. All 44 kneelers have been paid for, and 61% of the chairs have been paid for. We have about $3,500 remaining to be raised. This investment will be appreciated by generations of worshippers at St. Stephen’s. The company we are working with has asked if we can be ready by late May for the work to be done. They can complete the entire project in one week, between Sundays. What a transformation that will be! They are working on calculating a small discount for us, if we can release the work to them for their late May timing, when they are working at another church in the Bay area. Click here for the contribution form. Please send your completed form and your donation to the church office.

Forward Day by Day The May through July issue of this daily reflection booklet is available now at the church. There is no charge to you for this wonderful aid to daily prayer.

Need a House Sitter? Dean Richard Lief will be in the San Jose area June 18-25 for the celebration of his and Carolyn’s wedding anniversary. He has asked if anyone may need house sitting that week. His hope is that this would defray his housing costs, and help someone to have a dependable couple watching their home. If you can help, please contact him at rlief@aol.com.

Blessings,

Ken +

Posted in Rector's Journal

Meet the Vestry: Karen Cuffie

Posted on Apr 27, 2012

Senior Warden

I, like many others, am not a “cradle Episcopalian.” My first encounter with the Episcopal Church was while I was in college. Being a music major and having the organist/choir master at Trinity Church as a professor was the catalyst for this discovery and “love at first sight” encounter. My combined love of God, the liturgy and Book of Common Prayer, and sacred music moved me deeper into my faith as an Episcopalian and I’ve never looked back! Through various relocations and vocations (music teacher, Air Force administrator, and mother) I’ve had the pleasure of worshipping in several Episcopal churches on the East coast, most of which would be considered “high church”. Moving to the West coast was difficult, but this community, exuding love and grace, was instrumental to our adjustment. I felt welcome from the first day I visited and knew that this was where our family belonged. Again, I’ve never looked back! With five kids in tow, one with special needs, I wasn’t involved in any ministries for the first couple of years but, as our children have grown I’ve been able to get more involved. Taking on the role of music director was a huge leap of faith. It was a call that I needed to answer, not knowing the magnitude of the blessings I would receive. Serving on the vestry and having the honor of being Sr. Warden has also been extremely rewarding and I am grateful for the opportunity. The icing on the cake has been answering a call to ordination for which this St. Stephen’s community has been instrumental. I am deeply thankful for your support.

Karen Cuffie

Posted in Vestry Journal

Update on Fund Raising for Our Sudanese Orphan Students in Kenya

Posted on Apr 26, 2012

We are pleased to report that our St Stephens community provided over $1,000 to support our Sudanese students, with over 25 members of our church making contributions.

Working with ECA, we met 100% of our goal for shopping funds for our Sudanese students. As a result of your generous contributions all 23 of the students in our program will be receiving new school items (shoes, socks, track suits for P.E., book bags, uniforms) before they return to school on May 8.

Peter Nyok is traveling from Southern Sudan to visit the students and will participate in procuring the items.

Thank you for your generous support of our Sudanese students and their needs for school supplies.

I am always amazed at the spirit of generosity and giving in our community.

All of you are truly making a difference in the world and in these young orphan’s lives. They are the future leaders of Sudan!

View recent school photos:

High School Students:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Ed1269Mueller/201203SYOSunflowerSecondaryAcadNairobi

Primary Students:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Ed1269Mueller/201203SYOSunflowerJrAcadKapenguria

Kindly,

Carol Pecora