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Rector's
Corner
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On Monday, my family was lucky to be in Texas to enjoy the Solar Eclipse. It was a trip seven (yes, seven!) years in the making.
A solar eclipse is an incredibly evocative experience. There were some around us who were giddy with excitement, many were watching in stunned silence, others were moved to tears. This was my second journey into the path of totality, so I tried to enjoy the moment and enjoy the experience of seeing stars and planets during mid day.
Throughout the three and half minutes of totality, I was reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:12) Certainly, the eclipse was an awe-filled reminder of our Creator and the design of our universe.
As wonderful and amazing as a solar eclipse is, we should remember that God’s presence isn’t just known in the superlative—even the tiny blossom and blades of grass reflect the glory of God.
-Matt
Special thanks to Foster Brewerton for his picture of the Eclipse from Dallas, Texas.
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Sunday’s Bulletin
Click the button below to download the bulletin.
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Parish Cycle of Prayer
The parish cycle of prayer allows St. Stephen’s to pray for each member of the parish family in alphabetical order.
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Ian Bradshaw & Mary Sue Hutchins, John & Betsy Donnelly, Ruth Harrington, Heather Lawrence, Karen Patera, Lucy Shin, Beverly Webb
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Prayer List
The prayer list names those parishioners and neighbors who have been commended to us in prayer.
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Kesha & Rowan Barrett, Nathan Barrett, Bill & Cathy Byerly, Jan Christensen, Anne Droese, Erik, Rose Eng, Karen Englehart, Kathleen Faraday, Warren Gutzwiller, Pam Hall, Liz Hansen, Pat Hunt, Nyla Imberg, Jaci Jernstedt, Cat Jurichko, Karen Kenny, Ronnie McCloskey, Cliff & Nancy Pinder, Laura Seidelman, Merle Silverman, Todd Smith, Roxanna Trutner, Marilyn Van Story.
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Sunday School
It was lovely to see so many families on Easter Sunday! This week we will continue to celebrate the Easter season in Sunday School.We will be talking about how surprised the disciples were when Jesus returned and discuss how Jesus is always with us. Our faith is something we can use to comfort us in our own times of need.We will also talk about the best ways to comfort others. We will be making cards and posters to bring cheer and happiness to the residents of Lafayette Gardens, a local assisted living facility.
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Vacation Bible School
Will be held June 10-13
from 9-12 each morning. It is open to children 3 years old through 3rd grade. We would love to have your 4th and 5th graders join us as Jr. counselors. There are sign up forms available in the office and parish hall. Please get in touch with Tracie Nelson if you have any questions. She can be reached at
(925) 254 3770 x103.
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SPRING FESTIVAL
Come join us Sunday, April 21 from 3 - 6PM for our first annual Spring festival.
The Friar’s will be roasting a spring lamb with all the fixings. We’ll have have vegetarian options for discerning palates. We request that you RSVP your intentions for that day and if you feel inclined, please contribute to help cover costs.
The recommended contribution is $20 per adult and no cost for kids.
Please BYOB, we’ll provide soda’s and water for the event.
We hope to see you all!
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The Parish Retreat is an opportunity for community, fellowship, and exploration. The Bishop’s Ranch is a place of beauty and renewal, and we invite parishioners of all ages to join us for a spirit-filled weekend of conversations, laughter, and rest.
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Agenda
Friday, May 3
4-7PM Arrival and Check in
5-7PM BYOB Dinner
7:30PM Opening Session
9:00PM Compline
Saturday, May 4th
8AM Breakfast
9AM Program:Children/Youth/Adult
Noon Lunch
1-5PM Free Time
5:30PM Reception
6:30PM Dinner
7:30PM Campfire
9PM Compline
Sunday, May 5th
8AM Breakfast
10AM Eucharist
Noon Lunch/Check Out
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Parish Life would like to extend a huge THANK YOU for all the support and work you have done over the past six week leading up to Easter:
…For the hands that stuffed the eggs with Easter candy. Your help resulted in 1,100 stuffed eggs for the egg hunt! That’s a record!
…For your attendance at the Great Vigil of Easter and contributions – small bites, set up and clean up—at the Easter Vigil party afterwards –it was a memorable and successful evening of worship and celebration!
…For the many donations towards Easter Flowers. Your generosity made the church beautiful with flowers: at the altar, the font, at the Chapel altar, in the Narthex and outside the front door entrance to the church. On Easter Sunday, St. Stephen’s Church extended a beautiful welcome to the over 300 worshipers who attended that morning!
Speaking of Parish Life, who are those ‘Parish Life Committee’ members? They include Elizabeth Caldwell, Janet Maimone, John Hunt, Maggie Boscoe, Jo Ellen Peterson, Diana Clark, Carol Benninghoven, Alison Eddy, Gerry Powers-Ross, Susan Muenchow, Karen McGuinn and Jan Spieth. We are always looking for new members to help plan and implement parish fellowship events throughout the year. If you’re interested, talk with us!
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PARISH LIFE
The Bouquet Ministry:
The Bouquet Ministry is resuming at Easter! Teams are forming to
arrange bouquets from altar flowers after Sunday services. It’s simple to
do—training is provided if desired. The bouquets are taken to parishioners who
cannot attend church. Interested in this rewarding flower ministry and want to
know more? Please speak with Myrna Wolf (925-298-5071).
St. Stephen’s Book Club:
St. Stephen's Book Club will meet in the Parish Hall at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23 to discuss "Furious Hours" by Casey Cep. Coffee and refreshments will be served before the discussion. Please join us whether or not you have read the book! For further information, call Barbara Wackett at 925-256-9675.
Your help is needed at the Spring Festival !
The Friars are planning a fabulous menu for the feast on the 21st but they need our assistance with decorating and setting the tables, and doing a modest clean up afterwards. Join us as we gather to get the party going, then sit down with friends to enjoy the feast- it’s a great way to end a Sunday afternoon. Talk with any Parish Life Committee member to sign up or call Lyn at the office.
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OUTREACH
SPRING DRIVE Benefits Bay Area Crisis Nursery (BACN):
For the next 5 weeks, St Stephen’s will be collecting donations to support Bay Area Crisis Nursery in Concord. This nonprofit works to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing emergency needs and services to local families; these include free childcare and childcare items and help with developing long-term childcare plans. Right now the nursery urgently needs toddler-sized diapers and powdered formula. Your gift of new or gently used baby items, or a donation to BACN via St Stephen’s, will help a child and their family to flourish. More information online (https://bayareacrisisnursery.org), or from Betsy Donnelly, Gerry Powers-Ross or Carol Benninghoven.
FOOD BANK WORK DAY:
Friday, April 19
St. Stephen’s next visit to the Food Bank in Concord will be on Friday, April 19 from 1 to 3pm. This event will provide good conversation and the satisfaction of helping a worthwhile cause - Guaranteed! Contact Betsy or John Donnelly for information.
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