Lenten Series & Soup Suppers

is a six-week study focusing on six signposts that will guide us into a deeper understand of God’s Truth. The six weekly topics include defining truth; evidence for God and creation; the Bible; the existence of evil; Jesus; Christianity; and other religions. The course will coordinate with weekly Sunday sermons. As we explore the truth of Christianity, we will also learn that what we believe about God and truth will affect our daily choices, the path we take in life, and our final destination—for eternity. Six short video lessons in home small groups will feature appearances by leading scholars, personal testimonies, historic sites in Israel, and dramatic scientific evidence.

We are asking that Lenten season home study groups be formed to meet weekly for six sessions starting the week of February 26th. Each meeting will include time for a soup supper or snack (supplied by the group), a five-to-eight minute video, 20 minutes of discussion led by a group facilitator, and prayers. Maximum meeting time will be limited to 90 minutes.

Course cost is $35 per small group (for leader supplies). There is no book to buy, and there are no reading assignments. This series will provide a time of fellowship, discussion, and prayer during the season of Lent this year.

Be a host home or decide to attend a small group in your neighborhood - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

Fundraiser Dinner – February 2, 2012

Place: House of Chu
5365 Camden Ave
San Jose, CA 95124

Date: Thursday, February 2nd

Time: lunch 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
dinner4:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Proceeds to St. Stephen’s Church are calculated on net sales, for dining in or takout orders.

You need to bring this flyer with you, and include with your bill.

Please distribute copies of the flyer to neighbors and friends. They are all invited, and all count toward earning money for St. Stephen’s while enjoying some great Chinese food.

Click here to read and print the flyer.

Sweetheart Breakfast Update

Sweetheart Breakfast changes to Valentine’s Coffee Hour!

Other worship activties on Saturday, February 11th require that we NOT hold Sweetheart Breakfast that day. Instead, we are planning a Valentine’s Day focus to our coffee hour on Sunday, February 12th.

Bible Study to Begin – The Book of Revelation

Bible Study: Revelation 

In this Kerygma Bible study course, the author James Walther brings deep insight to a very challenging book. Studying Revelation in context clarifies its message to an early church facing severe crisis. Its relevance for today is not in prophetic visions, but in its affirmation of victory and hope.

The Details:

• 14 Sessions, 90 minutes each
• Tuesdays; the session repeating at 9:30 am and 7:00 pm
• Classes suspended during Lent for a church-wide study
• First Session January 24, 2012
• $26 per person for Resource Book and handouts.
• Bring your own study Bible
• Facilitator: Father Ken

Here is the link to the Course Sign-up Sheet

2012 Epiphany Feast Photos

View our photo gallery.

January 14 Diocesan Conference – Stewardship of our Story

What are our stories? How do they hold our experiences, identities and values? How do they hold or relationships with Jesus? How can our stories help us look outward to those around us?

You are invited to explore these questions in an all-day conference with the Rev. Eric Law, Founder and Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute for Competent Leadership in a Diverse Changing World.

We encourage everyone to attend this conference, presented by the Conference Education Resource Team (CERT) at St. Paul’s in Salinas. The conference will run from 9:30 AM – 3 PM. The registration fee will be $25 until January 13 and $30 at the door.

Our conference leader, the Rev. Eric Law has been a consultant and trainer for building inclusive community for over 20 years working with all denominations in the US, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe. He is an Episcopal priest, a composer of church music, a photographer and playwright. He is the author of 6 books.

For more information please contact Ann Wright at annwright6@comcast.net or send your registration to JoAnn McClain at Mission House: joann@edecr.org or 831-394-4465
Click here for more information.

The Feast of the Epiphany – Jan. 6

January 6, 2012

Dinner at 6 pm
Service at 7 pm

The Feast of the Epiphany &

The Epiphany Twelfth-Night Party

PRINTABLE FLYER – Click here

Click here to sign up for the dinner and to view the most current list.  We need the men of our parish to sign up to help, and we need to know how many people are coming, so we can provide enough food!!

Bring the family, and invite a friend.

Advent Reflection Event

Don’t miss the last two Silent Reflections. Renee has offered to continue providing her Reflections up to Epiphany. The last Friday Event is this Friday, 12/30. A sixth Reflection will be offered for your private devotionals, leading up to our Epiphany Event on January 6th.

___________________________________

Weekly Themes for Reflection:

1. Week of Nov 27: ‘What do You Desire?’  Advent Reflections week one
2. Week of Dec 4: ‘The Visitation’ Advent Reflections week two
3. Week of Dec 11: ‘The Journey to Bethlehem’ Advent Reflections week three
4. Week of Dec 18: ‘The Birth, Shepherds, and Angels’ Advent Reflections week four
5. Week of Dec 25: ‘Simeon’s Canticle’ Advent Reflections week five
6. Week of Jan 1: ‘The Magi’ Advent Reflections week six

Advent is a time of waiting. Although we know the coming Gift on Christmas, this part of the season is a pregnant, expectant time, a looking forward to the True Miracle from God.

During the weeks of Advent there will be an opportunity to reflect on a particular theme for the week. The theme of the week allows us to ponder, reflect, meditate, pray and ‘wait’ together as a community. These selections, out of many, are meant to draw us deeper into the Story of Advent.

Each Sunday there will be an insert in the bulletin, on the website, as well as in the Friday Journal, that will give you a guide for reflections for the week. On the reverse of this flyer are some suggestions on how to ponder the mysteries individually, as a family, and with your children.

On Friday night, the sanctuary will be open from 7-8pm for a time of sacred silence. This is a time out of the busy, sometimes noisy, season our culture has created. Use some, or all, of this silent time to pray, ponder the weekly theme, and simply ‘BE’ with the Lord as you need.

2011 Advent Reflections Overview

A CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday Dec 17th
6—10 pm  A CHRISTMAS PARTY for all ages
Fun, food, fellowship, games, maybe dancing, maybe carols…
Dress—Party Clothes Cost—around $5-10 per person shared cost for food.
Bring your own beverages

RSVP by Dec 17 at 2pm to Susie Good

La Posada – Sat. Dec. 3 at 5:30 pm

When: Saturday, December 3, 2011 at5:30 PM
Where: St Stephen’s Church
Beginning in the Parish Hall
What: Traditional Posada with Mary and Joseph searching for lodging in Bethlehem, a potluck Mexican theme dinner and a visit for the children from St. Nicholas, followed by Carol singing.

“La Posada” is a wonderful Advent event that comes to us from Latin American tradition. We process to each door around the outside of our church building. The story we enact along the way represents the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced in finding lodging when traveling to Bethlehem. Children and adults go from house to house (door to door) singing a traditional song requesting lodging (posada). In each house, the owner responds with a refusal, until they reach the last door, where the owner recognizes Mary and Joseph, and allows them to come in. Their finding lodging is followed with a celebration–a Mexican potluck dinner!

Bring warm clothing and a Mexican dish to share.
Come share in the fun of La Posada.

Advent Reflections – Week One

Amidst the noise and busy-ness of this time of year, Renee Brown is inviting us into a quiet space each week during this Advent Season. She has prepared a different flyer of reflection topics for each week of Advent. The opportunities for response are varied, depending on what meets your spiritual needs and your scheduling.

The flyer for Week One is attached.

• You are invited to read the flyer during this week, and ponder the thoughts Renee has offered as you begin each day.
• You are invited to come to St. Stephen’s on Fridays at 7:00 pm, for (up to) one hour of quiet reflection with other people travelling on this journey. The St. Stephen’s Worship Hall provides the space for this thoughtful reflection: no sermon, nor a Mass; Renee is creating the space for you to escape the bustle of the world for an hour, and to reflect on the real content of this season.
• You can comment on this message, and enter into conversations with others about these reflection topics.

We hope you participate, find refreshment, and feel closer to the One God who sent us His Son.

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Ken and Renee Brown

Invitation to ‘under 35 crowd’

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to gather the “Under 35 Crowd” in our diocese; that is, those who are aged between 18 and 35, for an initial gathering to get to know one another.  As with other minority groups in our church, it sometimes helps to get people within a particular demographic “in the room” together to meet and organize.  I hope you will join me (and yes, I am too old, but I am the bishop, and therefore, the chief gatherer!) for a hike, Bible Study, lunch and planning conversation on:

December 17^th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm., meeting at St. Luke’s in Hollister, carpooling to Pinnacles National Monument for a five mile hike, midway through which, we will have Bible Study using the Lectio Divina process.  Our hike will be easy to moderate at a pace which will allow all of us to stay together as a group.  Tennis shoes or hiking boots will be OK to walk in with layered clothing.

After the hike, we will return to St. Luke’s for lunch and conversation.  If you wish to just come to lunch and not come on the hike, you are welcome to do that, too.

Please RSVP to Mary Beth Powell at marybeth@edecr.org until November 27.  From November 28 forward, please RSVP Jo Ann McClain at joann@edecr.org or 831-394-4465 by Wednesday December 14^th so we know how much food to prepare for lunch.

Please join us!

Blessings,

+Mary

PS:  To view the invitation on Facebook click HERE.   Go to the new Facebook Group: Young Adults in the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real for information and conversation about the event!

Jims Closet Outreach

We are planning a “Jim’s Closet” Outreach trip to an area homeless shelter on Sunday to distribute clothing and coats to those in need.

After the service and brunch on this Sunday we are planning to sort and load clothing and coats, then we will re-assemble at the church later in the day (around 4:30) to depart for the homeless shelter to distribute the clothing.

We are asking for volunteers to help with either activity or both.

This is the perfect time to help your fellow man by providing clean clothing and coats to those without a roof over their heads or adequate food and clothing.

Please come help this Sunday after the brunch or later at the shelter or both!!  It will change your life!

We will also make an announcement at the Sunday service as well.

Many Thanks,

Tony Pecora & Larry Lee

View photos from January 2011 clothing drive.

Celebration Sunday Is Here

Dear Members and Friends of St. Stephen’s;

This coming Sunday, November 20, is Celebration Sunday!  On this day we celebrate Thanksgiving, In-Gathering of foods for the needy in our community, and the offering of our Pledges of financial support to St Stephen’s for 2012.

The church will be transformed into Cafe Stephen’s for this grand event.

Please bring a brunch dish to share, according to the your last name:

• A-F      Salad
• G-P     Dessert
• Q-Z     Main Dish

Please also bring your donation of canned goods / dry goods which will be distributed to St. Julie’s Food Pantry and Santa Maria Urban Ministries before Thanksgiving Day.

We need volunteers to help transform the worship space, help in the kitchen, reset the worship space, and clean-up. If you are able to help in any of these ways, please consider;

Coming for setup at 5:00 pm on Saturday, Nov 19

Coming to help with food preparation at 9:30 am on Sunday, Nov 20

Staying following our Brunch, to clean up, and return our worship space to our more traditional arrangement.

The following Sunday, November 27, is the beginning of Advent.  We will be “greening” the church – putting out decorations –  during coffee hour. Please bring cookies to share – coffee, milk, hot cider, hot chocolate, Christmas music, and good cheer will be provided. This is a very festive Coffee Hour as we decorate the church for Advent.

Fall Festival – Saturday, Oct. 8

10am—4pm

Get your Christmas shopping done early!

Decorate your home for the holidays!

Enjoy owning beautifully hand crafted items!

Food Available

Music

Raffle Prizes

VENDORS:

African Artifacts – Sales support Orphanage in Kenya
Clever Container
Crocheted Items
Dove Chocolate
Handcrafted Jewelry
Hey Hey Gourmet – spice blends
Miche Bags
Pampered Chef
PartyLite
Premier Designs Jewelry
Princess House
Scentsy candles
Scrapbooking
Tastefully Simple
Thirty One gifts
Tupperware
Various Handcrafted Items

Bring friends and neighbors  Printable Flyer
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95139
408-629-1836

St. Francis Pet Blessing 2011

Visit our photo gallery.

St Francis Day Pet Blessing – Saturday, Oct. 1

Our annual outdoor pet blessing is this Saturday, October 1 at 4:00 PM, under the Oak Tree.

• This short liturgy (about 15 minutes) includes a blessing on each animal brought to the service.
• A Certificate of Blessing is provided for each pet.
• The service is followed by fellowship with juices and animal cookies for humans, and treats for the animals.

This is a very fun event. In recent years we have had 15-20 humans and 10-15 animals attend. Everyone has a great time!! Please come share in the love that St Francis had for animals and for all of God’s creation.

Blessings,

Ken +

Prayer Service Against Cancer – Friday, September 23, 2011 – 7:30 pm

Click here to print the flyer.

The greatest tool we have as a church is prayer. Come join us for the evening as we pray for everyone who has a relationship with this disease – patient, spouse, family, friend, care-giver, and medical personnel. We will also pray to stamp out this disease.

We will also provide the Sacrament of Unction: the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands for healing. And at the end of the service, we will offer our praises to God because even Job spoke well of God during his ordeal.

Invite your friends and your family and let’s join the battle the best way we as a church can – in prayer. You will leave this evening knowing you are a beloved child of God who wants you well.

Friday, September 23, 2011 – 7:30 pm

For more information contact the Rev. Judi Sato at:

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.

San Jose, CA 95139

Map

408-629-1836

ssitf@sbcglobal.net

Parish Work Day ~ September 10th ~ This Saturday

THIS IS A REMINDER OF OUR PARISH WORK DAY. WE NEED YOU!!

Come and Join In this Site Clean-Up before Family Fun Day, and our Fall Worship Activities

September 10^th; 1:00 pm ç This SATURDAY

Drinks provided

Projects:

• Clean around the parking lot; including oleanders, berry bushes
• Weed the flower beds along the parking lot
• Trim the oak tree
• Trim the scrub trees on the Hillside
• Move the BBQ grill

Tools to Bring:

• Hedge trimmers
• String trimmers
• Pruning shears
• Gloves
• Long handled weeders

Drinks included, to fuel our way through the yard work.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Lars Samson, Tom Good, Father Ken

Family Fun Day – September 11

To our church and preschool families…

You are all invited to this very fun event this coming Sunday.

We will kick off the Fall season of parish activities this Sunday with a fun BBQ following the 10 am service (approximately 11:45 am).

Come and enjoy a great Sunday afternoon of fellowship:

• Water Slide – bring bathing suits and towels
• Field Games
• Face Painting
• Cotton Candy & Sno Cones
• BBQ Hot Dogs and Hamburgers
• Drinks

Sunday ~ September 11 ~ 11:45 am

Great Food ♦ Great Friends ♦ Great Time

Suggested donation is $5 per person, $15 max per family, under 2 free

2011 Family Fun Day Sign Up

Water Slide-Field Games-Face Painting

Cotton Candy-Sno Cones

BBQ Hot Dogs-Burgers-Soda

Live Music

Y’All Come!  ●  Bring a Friend

Great Food ● Great Friends ● Great Time

Sept 11^th 12pm – 4pm

Suggested donation $5 per person; Maximum $15 per family, under 2 free

And if you can help, Click here for the Sign Up Sheet

Photo Directory Aug. 19 & 20

This summer we will be producing our next Photo Directory, so please mark your calendars for August 19th & 20th!!

Schedule your photo session online.  CLICK HERE

We will have some great savings available:
For a donation of 1 or more non-perishable items you get $5 off a portrait package
For registering online you get $10 off a portrait package
If you are over 65 you save an additional 20% on a portrait package

If it turns out you will not be available during those times – do not despair – we can find another place to take your photos.

For more information email Rev. Judi or call the church office at (408) 629-1836.

8th Annual Golf Tournament – Monday Aug. 8

DATE: Monday, August 8, 201

PLACE: ALMADEN COUNTRY CLUB

6663 Hampton Drive
San Jose, CA 95120

TIME:

11:00 am Registration
1:00 pm Shotgun Start
5:30 pm No Host Cocktails
6:30 pm Dinner

DETAILS:
The fun and entertainment will include:

• Golf at the prestigious Almaden Golf and Country Club
• Contests
• Closest to the Hole Prizes
• Dinner
• Live Music
• Awards
• Raffles
• Silent Auction
• and much more…

Big Sur Family Campout, Aug. 26 – 28

Our family campout at Big Sur is happening again this year on the weekend of August 26-28. Camp for the whole weekend or just one night. We rent out the private group campground, Santa Lucia, owned by All Saints Episcopal Church in Carmel . The campground is located right on the Big Sur River and has flush toilets, picnic tables, BBQ pit, fire ring and a large sink.

Saturday night we will have a potluck dinner, where you provide your own meat to grill and bring a salad, side dish, appetizer or dessert to share. We will roast marshmallows and have s’mores around the campfire that evening.

Cost is $10 a person per night and kids under 5 are free. Day use is $8 per person per day if you aren’t camping. Reservations and fees need to be collected by Sunday, August 14th. Please call or email Andy or Ruth Lief if you want to go or have any questions.
Email: rlief@hotmail.com , andy@scounty.com Phone: 408-225-8688.

Labor Day Weekend Camping

Join us for Labor Day weekend ( Sept 2nd through Sept 5th) camping at the Colma Resort.

UPDATE:

Only three families have signed up for this camping trip. Janet must confirm the reservations by this weekend. If you are interested in this campout, contact her right away to let her know, either by e-mail or telephone.

The cost is $15 per person per night.

This is tent camping on the south fork of the American river. White water rafting  is available if our members let me know they are interested. Not sure how much that will cost but will get back to you.

Feel free to contact me for more information.

Janet Thorsrud – click here to send an email

Home: 281-0628

Pentecosts Day 2011 Photos

View Our Photo Gallery

This Sunday – Annual Sunday School Picnic

Sunday, June 12, 2011
(following our 10 am service)

The 10 AM service is our last Family Sunday until Fall;
Student / Teacher Recognitions;
Pentecost Day (WEAR SOMETHING RED!)
Baptisms & Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Come celebrate the beginning of summer and the completion of Sunday School for 2010-2011.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, salad, chips, cake, plenty of drinks!!
Live music by guest vocalists; Dick and Charlotte House

Enjoy FOOD, FUN & GAMES for all.

This is NOT a pot-luck: No need to bring your own food to this picnic.

$5 per adult; $3 per child; children under 5 yrs old are free.

Dick and Charlotte House Music at our 10 am service & their concert at 3 pm this Sunday, June 5

• Songs of Inspiration
• Two Guitars
• Two Unique Voices

Let their soft gospel melodies refresh your spirit and soul in this afternoon concert.

Don’t miss this very beautiful hour of grace-filled song.

June 5, 2011 3-4 pm

St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.

• Invite your friends and neighbors
• Free will offering
• Fellowship with lite refreshments follow the concert

ECW Honored Women’s Day

Dear Members and Friends;

It is my delight to announce Julie Zintsmaster as my nominee for this year’s Honored Woman from St. Stephen’s, San Jose. She will be recognized by the ECW at their luncheon to be held on May 21^st.

Julie always makes time from her busy schedule to provide many hours of service to the church, with boundless energy and always with a cheerful spirit, anywhere she sees a need. Among our many gifted women at St. Stephen’s, I am happy to acknowledge the special gifts Julie generously shares with this faith family.

Here is information on the ECW luncheon. I encourage the ladies of our parish to attend!

Ken +

Saturday, May 21^st

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church

125 Canterbury Drive, Aptos

Early bird discount by April 29th. Registration deadline by May 13th. The registration form is HERE. For more information: contact ECW President Wanda Bryan at Wandadon@earthlink.net or (408) 226-5593.

Conference with Diana Butler Bass – May 14

Dear Members and Friends;

The Diocese is sponsoring a wonderful conference entitled Shaping a New Spiritual Awakening with Diana Butler Bass on Saturday, May 14, 2011, from 9am to 3pm at St. Paul’s, in Salinas. This conference will look at the shape of the emerging reformation of faith in North America. If we get a group of five or more from St. Stephen’s, the cost is only $10 each instead of $20. Fr. Ken and Rev. Judi are planning on attending.

If you are interested in going please contact Karen Cuffie as soon as possible as the group rate is only good until May 9th. Checks should be made payable to St. Stephen’s and then we will pay the Diocese. For further information you can check out the flyer or visit http://www.edecr.org/event_detail.php?i=411.

God Bless,
Rev Judi

Easter Sunday Service and Brunch

This coming Sunday at 10 am is the main Easter Day Service. 

Please remember to bring flowers for the Flowering of the Crosses, and a dish to share for Sunday Brunch following the service.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt
after the service, so bring children’s Easter baskets. If it is raining, there will be weather-appropriate hiding places…

Please bring a dish to share as follows;

Last name A-I:        Salad or hors d’oeuvres
Last name J-R:       Main dish
Last name S-Z:       Dessert

We need assistance setting up for the Brunch. We had 131 people last year attending the service and brunch. If you can help for a few hours on Saturday, or on Sunday morning, or with clean-up following the Brunch, please click on
this link and sign up! We would love your help!
Volunteer Sign-Up List

Parish Work Day: April 9th: This Saturday

THIS IS A REMINDER OF OUR PARISH WORK DAY. WE NEED YOU!!

Come and Join In this Site Clean-Up Before the Holy Week Activities

This Saturday April 9^th at 1:00 pm

Drinks provided

Projects:

• Clean and trim along the chain link fence
• Trim juniper around large oak tree
• Trim hedges around parking lot
• Spray weeds under oak tree and planter box areas

Tools to Bring:

• Gloves
• Hedge trimmers
• String trimmers
• Pruning shears

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Lars Samson

Plant Sale – Saturday April 9

It’s that time of year again. Everything is growing and maybe needs to be divided. What do you do with the extras? You can share with your friends and neighbors at the St. Stephen’s plant swap. Start potting up any extras so they have time to take root. Even if you don’t have plants to share you can still participate. There will also be a chance drawing for an orchid. Hope to see you there on April 9th from 8 till 10.

WHAT: Plant Sale / Swap

WHEN: Saturday April 9 from 8am – 10 am

WHERE: St. Stephen’s in-the-Field

If you need more information, please contact Janet Thorsrud.

Bishop’s Visit: Pot-luck Brunch: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS!

Dear St. Stephen’s Members and Friends;

Be sure to set your clocks FORWARD before going to bed Saturday night. Don’t miss this Sunday’s service at 10:00 am DST!  To see all the trivia you would ever want to know about Daylight Saving Time, check out this site: http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html

Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves is visiting St. Stephen’s this Sunday. We will have Confirmation for Carly Cooper, and Reception into the Episcopal Church for Emil Baggs.

There will be no 8 am service this Sunday. Please come to the 10 am service and join in the celebration!

Following the service will be a potluck brunch with Bishop Mary and Deacon Robert Seifert.

Please help provide pot-luck items for the brunch as follows:

If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a dessert to share.
If your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a brunch item to share

We will be setting up the nave with round tables and chairs at 4 pm on Saturday.  We could use some extra hands to get all of the tables and chairs placed.  Also, it would be nice to have some simple decorations on the tables for this nice brunch.  Please come after 4 pm on Saturday to help. We also need some of you to stay afterwards on Sunday to clean up and to reset the nave for services during the week. If you can help with the setup and cleanup, please respond to Edy (edyunthank@yahoo.com). We do a great job and have a wonderful time at Café St. Stephens.

What a great time for Bishop Mary to visit us. DON’T MISS THIS!!

Fun-Raising Dining at Sweet Tomatoes – Wed. March 16

St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Parish Preschool
Take the family to dinner to help us purchase new riding equipment!

Place: Sweet Tomatoes on Bernal

Date: Next Wednesday, March 16th

Time: from 5 pm to 8 pm

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You need to bring this flyer with you, and include with your bill.

Please distribute copies of the flyer to neighbors and friends. They are all invited, and all count toward earning money for St. Stephen’s while enjoying some great Mexican food.

Click here to view and print the flyer.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes ~ Ash Wednesday

Tuesday, March 8th at 6:30 pm the Youth and the Men of St Stephen’s will be preparing the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner.

This tradition symbolizes the ‘last hurrah’ before the start of Lent, using up all the sweets and flour before people commit to a more austere food style during Lent. It is a fun event. I for one never had chocolate chip pancakes until I went to a St Stephen’s Pancake Dinner. A suggested donation for the event is $5 per person, or $15 maximum per family.

The following day, March 9th is Ash Wednesday. There will be services for Imposition of Ashes at 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. The 7:30 pm service will include a Reconciliation liturgy. These services mark a fitting solemn start to the season of Lent. Please note that due to these other Wednesday services, there will not be a 10 am Wednesday Holy Eucharist on March 9th.

Blessings,

Ken +

Sudanese Youth Opportunity, Join us for a gathering on Feb. 27

Sudanese Youth Opportunity (SYO) is hosting a gathering at Episcopal Church of Almaden on Sunday, February 27 at 3:00 pm.
Our presentation will include a discussion led by local Sudanese on Southern Sudan news and student updates from our scholarship coordinator,
Sandie Mueller.  Refreshments will be served.  Everyone, especially those sponsoring students through SYO, is invited to attend.
SYO supports students from the Southern Sudan who are attending boarding school in Kenya, coordinated by Peter Nyok.

WHAT: Sudan Referendum Discussion & Update on Our Students

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3:00 pm

WHERE: Episcopal Church of Almaden, 6581 Camden Avenue, San Jose, 95120

RSVP: Please reply to carol@sudaneseyouthopportunity.org if you plan to attend.

Our students attending Sunflower Junior Academy

SudaneseYouthOpportunity.org

Lenten Series & Soup Suppers

‘God is Closer Than You Think’ is the title of a study series from best selling author John Ortberg.

The Spirit of God is available to you and me: flowing all the time, welling up within us, quenching our unsatisfied desires, overflowing to refresh those around us.” Ortberg’s suggestions—to believe that God is in everything, to seek him in the daily and mundane, to learn to recognize and encourage God-inspired thoughts, to look for him in the people you meet and to obey his promptings, provide us with a series of ideas and activities to begin to change the way we see God in our lives.

For the season of Lent we are asking that home study groups be formed to meet weekly for six sessions starting the week of March 13th. Each meeting will include time for a soup supper or snack (supplied by the group), a five minute video, 20 minutes of discussion led by a group facilitator, and prayers. Maximum meeting time will be limited to 90 minutes.

Course cost is $35 per small group (for leader supplies). There is no book to buy, and there are no reading assignments. This series will provide a time of fellowship, discussion, and prayer during the season of Lent this year.

Be a host home or decide to attend a small group in your neighborhood by signing up at church, on-line at www.ssitf.org, or by contacting Margo Westfall (mmwca@aol.com).

Lenten Series & Soup Suppers Sign Up Sheet

Sweetheart Breakfast Photos

View fun photos from our annual St. Stephen’s Valentine’s event.

Fund-Raising Dining at Chevy’s

Last Monday, we had over 40 people dine at Chevy’s with a coupon requesting that 25% of the dinner cost be donated to St. Stephen’s from Chevy’s!

We will keep you posted on our next “FUN & EASY” local restaurant fund-raising dining event.

View Chevy’s photos.

Open House and Art Display – Tuesday Feb. 8

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 6-7:30 PM

Come see our classroom, art work and play area!

Come and meet our teachers and staff!

Enrollment information will be available.

Registration for the 2011—2012 School Year is now open.
Students must be 3 by Dec. 3rd, 2011, and toilet trained.
Classes being offered this fall are 8:30am—11:30am on:
Monday through Friday
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
Tuesday, Thursday
Extended care is available from 7am to 6 pm

Information will also be available for our Summer Camp!
Please call Preschool Director Robin Horn or Ms. Sato at the
school office if you have any questions; 408-629-1843.

Printable Flyer

Fund-Raising Dining at Chevy’s

Dear St Stephen’s Community;

The vestry has been discussing new fundraising ideas for the parish. The 2011 Budget that was presented to the parish last Sunday includes having a monthly night out at a local restaurant. Many restaurants offer a portion of the proceeds to churches.

Vestry member Janet Thorsrud has arranged for our first dining event.

Place: Chevy’s on Almaden Expressway

Date: Next Monday, February 7th

Time: from 5 pm to 9 pm

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You need to bring this flyer with you, and include with your bill.

Click here to view & print the flyer.

Please distribute copies of the flyer to neighbors and friends. They are all invited, and all count toward earning money for St. Stephen’s while enjoying some great Mexican food.

See you there…

Janet Thorsrud & Father Ken

Classes & Community Services Survey

To the Congregation of St. Stephen’s and Friends,

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.

The vestry will use this information to set up some  worthwhile classes and community services started  to help give us better peace of mind.

Click here to take the survey.

Thanks for your time.

Janet Thorsrud
Communications Laison / St. Stephen’s Vestry Member

Ordination of The Reverend Judi Sato

On January 18, 2011 St. Stephen’s was the site of a visit by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves for the ordination to the priesthood of the Reverend Judi Sato. It was a spirit-filled, warm, exciting, musical, anointed evening.

Click here for a link to hear the sermon, given by Bishop Mary. There is a strong message for all of us, not just for our new priest, in this sermon.
The Bishop’s Sermon

Click here for a link to the ordination photographs. Photos on Shutterfly

Bible Study to Begin: 1 Corinthians

Set amid the intensely modern and cosmopolitan world of Corinth, where philosophy and mystery abound, Paul’s first letter to that church speaks clearly to us still today.

So many foundational and familiar scripture passages are found in this first letter to the Corinthians: “the Love Chapter”, “the body is a temple”, “the body requires a variety of members”, and the words of institution for the Lord’s Supper- may immediately spring to mind.  Don’t miss spending time with Paul as he instructs this troublesome congregation on how to “walk the talk”. 

Paul offers concrete examples of how a believer’s thoughts are affected by genuine faith in Christ. Now that Paul has fixed everyone’s sight upon Jesus Christ, his cross, and the gift-giving Spirit who inspires faith and comes through faith to make God’s wisdom known, he returns to the Corinthians’ problem of disunity. We learn having the mind of Christ affects the way we value ourselves, others, and the world in which we live. It does not generate selfishness, fear, or factionalism. Rather, it enables believers to value every contribution that strengthens the community of faith. Even more, the mind of Christ radiates humility and peace–individually and corporately.

The Details:

• 15 Sessions, 90 minutes each
• Tuesdays, with the same session repeating at 9:30 am and 7:00 pm
• Classes will be suspended during Lent, for a church-wide study
• First Session February 1, 2011
• $30 per person for Resource Book and handouts.
• Bring your own study Bible
• Facilitator: Father Ken

Register today! Call the church office (629-1836), or sign up on-line by clicking on the One in Christ image above.

January 6 Epiphany Sign-Up

January 6 is Epiphany. We celebrate this Feast Day with a delictious Spaghetti dinner, served by our parish Men’s Group. After dinner we adjourn to the Worship Hall for a service of chanted Evening Prayer. This is a short but beautiful candlelight service. After the service, a special dessert is served in the Parish Hall: the traditional Epiphany cake. In many of the pieces of cake there are placed certain small objects wrapped in waxed paper. The person fortunate enough to find a doll is crowned the King or Queen of the Epiphany season, and serves as Joseph or Mary for the next Posada (or may designate someone).

Click here to sign up instantly and view the most current list.  We need the men of our parish to sign up to help, and we need to know how many people are coming, so we can provide enough food!!

Bring the family, and invite a friend.

2010 Second Harvest Food Sort

About 12 of the St. Stephen’s community pitched in to help sort 5,000 pounds of food, which in turn will be distributed to homeless shelters around Santa Clara Valley, including St. Julie’s Food Pantry, and Sacred Heart on Alma. We worked hard, and had a great time. Click on the image below to see some photos of the event.

La Posada

On Saturday, December 4^th the church and pre-school communities gathered to celebrate La Posada. We gathered in the Parish Hall / Classroom to sing a Christmas carol, and then went into the Worship Hall as we began the Posada procession. (Due to threat of rain, we chose not to hold it outside.) We then shared a delicious Mexican potluck dinner. Then the children enjoyed swinging at a piñata, filled with delicious candy treats. Back to the Worship Hall to sing more carols, and then a visit by St. Nicholas, who told his life story, and then shared chocolate coins with everyone. Check out the photos.

Click on this image for great the photos taken by Ken Redder:

Advent Activities Calendar

The four weeks of Advent have begun:
a time filled with special liturgy and music as we prepare for Christmas. Mark your calendars and plan your participation in these great opportunities to worship together. There are lots of ways for you to get involved in these events, if you choose.

Please call Fr. Ken (629-1836) if you would like to help with any of the following activities. But most of all, we encourage your presence — and be sure to bring your friends.

Advent Activities Calendar – view & print

2010 Hanging of the Greens

On 11/28/10, following the 10 am service, our Coffee Hour was held in the Worship Hall. People brought their favorite cookies to share, and Edy Unthank and Amy Corbus provided hot chocolate, hot cider, and coffee. Genie Lee brought a collection of great Christmas music. Rod, Andy, Dottie, and Larry led the effort to Hang the Greens around the church. Andy, Jordan and Janelle erected our Christmas tree. Enjoy this great photo album of the event.