The Weekly View

Sunday, July 21, 2019

This Sunday

Dear St. Luke Community, 

Acoustic Sunday this Sunday as we welcome talented musicians and incorporate traditional hymns with secular contemporary and Christian songs. 

This Sunday we also begin our Summer Sermon Series, “Upon Request” where I take requests from you on scripture and/or topic you’d like to hear more about. 

This week in worship, I’ll respond to this request from Laura Hislop. “I’d like a sermon on worrying and why we shouldn’t.”

I’m sure I’ve preached on it before, but because I consider myself a professional worrier, I’m more than grateful to preach on it again. The entire worship will be built around this theme as each song is introduced with accompanying scripture and reflection.

I hope you can make it to worship and invite your friends.

Next Sunday, the 28th we look at Mary Dill’s request on John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” That’s a scripture many of us struggle with and I look forward to wrestling with God on that one.

There’s one more slot available so if you have a topic and/or scripture that you’d like to hear more about, please email me.

See you Sunday,
Nicole

outreach and Deacon Ministry

All are welcome to attend 

St. Vincent’s Call for Assistance ~ On July 2nd Kathleen M. received a call from Raphael at St Vincent’s whom she had met at a Grateful Gatherings event. He told her a story of a family of 5 with 3 kids: Lilly 2, Byron 5 & Karen 9. They had one bed in their home but GG couldn’t help so St Luke put out an email and sure enough, Mike Hislop said he saw it and knew this was something he could do right now for those kids.  Moved by Mike’s generosity, Joanne T. provided new sheets & blankets, Kathleen and Michael B. provided 4 new fluffy pillows. The smile on the children’s face when Kathleen and Michael delivered the bunkbed & bedding on July 11th was priceless.  We can’t help every time but we were able to help this time! It was awesome.

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, July 27th 8:00 AM-12: 30 PM
GG Mission: To bring hope to families in need. We help furnish homes when a family transitions from homelessness or crisis into a new home. Information about this month’s families is on the GG website gratefulgatherings.org. Bring donations to St. Luke 8:30-10:30. Use the green pew envelope (write GG) to donate today.

Mill Street Meal Providers ~  Monday, August 5th, Group B
The first Monday of each month Group A or Group B is assigned a meal item to provide (fruit, milk & bread, main, salad, vegetable, dessert). The volunteers bring a different food item every other month. Please contact Stacy Bischoff at for information.

Street Chaplaincy ~  August 20th
This is our first call for volunteers to help serve on the evening. John Lenser will be leading the charge and be the go-to on the evening. Once John has finalized his menu, another email will go out with food needs for the evening. If you’re interested in serving, please EMAIL Michael B. at

KIVA.ORG ~ St. Luke’s Women’s Association has supported KIVA for many years. KIVA is a San Francisco based non-profit that offers individuals or groups the opportunity to make a $25 or larger loan in many countries. KIVA will be a St Luke Deacon’s Cause in the Fall.  

6th Annual Pedal for Protein ~ September 22nd – 28th, Let's ride!
Supports food bank pantries & projects to help feed hungry people in Northern California. Organized by The Hunger Task Force of the Presbytery of the Redwoods, 100% of all donations go to food projects. Fundraising Goal: $60,000 YTD raised is $1500. “Gal. 6:9 Let us not become weary from doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” PEDALFORPROTEIN.COM. for information.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend 

Acoustic Sundays ~  THIS SUNDAY, 10:00 AM
A relaxed service with guitars, drums, and keyboard where we blend secular popular songs and modern easy to sing hymns. Upcoming Aug. 18th & Sept. 15th.

Greener Church? ~ Would you like to see St. Luke do a better job of being conscientious concerning recycling? Are there other ways you’ve observed we can do better? As God’s called caregivers of this planet, we can always do a little better. Please email Nicole if you’d like to help.

Summer Book Club Rev. Trotter will be reading Holy Envy, Finding God in the Faith of Others, by Barbara Brown Taylor. She invites others to purchase the book and join her for a discussion and social time over brunch on August 25th. (Place to be determined) If interested please email Nicole.

Summer Sermon Series “Upon Request" ~  July 21st, 28th & August 4th
Rev Trotter will preach upon request. Perhaps there’s a scripture, topic or question you’ve wished to hear addressed in a sermon. Just email Nicole your request and there’s a good chance it will be the topic of one of those Sunday sermons.

Ongoing Events

All are welcome to attend 

St. Luke Groups ~ The following ongoing groups will resume in September: Bible Study, St Luke Choir Rehearsal, St. Luke Women’s Bridge, Morning Women's Spirituality Group, Pizza and Theology, Session and Deacons. 

Save The Date

All are welcome to attend 

Fall Speaker Series September 8th, 15th, 22nd after worship. Professor Greg Love returns for a Fall Speaker series on ‘The Change Towards Wholeness.” Looking at opposing views of how we change.

St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~ October 6th

St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ December 8th, 4 PM
St Luke’s Christmas Concert followed by a reception in the Bayview room.

Summer Music Series ~ Guest Musicians
July 28~ Christopher Pilcher, Bass Baritone
August 4~ Ann Davis Nilsson, Piano
August 11~ Hymn Sing
August 18~ Acoustic Sunday
August 25~ Diane Yermack, Mezzo Soprano
September 1~ Courtney and Kelsey McGiver, Horn/Stringed Bass
September 8~ Erich Miller, Percussion
September 15~ Acoustic Sunday

Posted by Nicole Trotter with

Sunday, July 14th, 2019

This Sunday

Dear St. Luke Community, 

Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:3-7)

Those are some big words. Read them again. That’s Jesus speaking to his followers whom he is sending out ahead of him. That charge to us today hasn’t changed. As followers, we’ve been called to spread the Gospel. One would think, as long as we’re spreading love, nothing could go wrong. We can think we are doing and saying all the right things when it comes to loving God and others. But at the end of the day, there will be those who disagree, who resent you, who fight with you and even accuse you of heresy.

That’s why I love this line….if someone does not share in your peace, it will return to you. (vs6) Which means not only is your intention still intact but so is the peace with which you came. We do that sometimes. We think that we’ve wasted our time, wasted our energy when we discover our intentions have been unwelcome at best, despised at worst. But according to Jesus, peace returns to you. Perhaps that’s because that “peace” that wholeness, doesn’t really belong to us. God’s peace, which we all have in us, is meant to be given away. It’s meant to change the world by being expressed in what we do, how we live. No one, no matter how vehemently they deny or disagree, can take that away.

Peace be with you,
Nicole

Deacon Ministry

6th Annual Pedal for Protein ~ September 22nd – 28th, Let's ride!
A ride for a cause! Supports food bank pantries & projects to help feed hungry people in Northern California.  100% of all donations go to food projects. The ride is organized by The Hunger Task Force of the Presbytery of the Redwoods. For information and to donate go to pedalforprotein.com  or imathlete.com/donate/PedalforProtein5.

KIVA.ORGSt Luke’s Women’s Association has supported KIVA for many years. KIVA is a San Francisco based non-profit that offers individuals or groups the opportunity to make a $25 or larger loan in many countries. KIVA will be a St Luke Deacon’s Cause in the Fall.  

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend 

Summer Sermon Series “Upon Request" ~ 
For three Sunday’s July 21, 28th and August 4th, Rev Trotter will preach upon request. Perhaps there’s a scripture, topic or question you’ve always wished you could hear addressed in a sermon. Just email Nicole your request and there’s a good chance it will be the topic of one of those Sunday sermons.

Acoustic Sundays ~  July 21st, 10:00 am
A relaxed service with guitars, drums, and keyboard where we blend secular popular songs and modern easy to sing hymns.

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, July 27th 8:00 AM-12: 30 PMGG Mission: To bring hope to families in need. When a family transitions from homelessness or crisis into a 3 new home in the Bay Area, we help them furnish it. We believe that families can thrive when they have a safe and comfortable home. On Saturday, July 27th, we’ll once again be helping two more Marin families. What we need is donations of goods and furniture (either new or gently used, depending on the item.) Of course, cash donations through our website (address below) for new mattresses and other needed items are always welcomed. View the list of items needed, read about the families & sign up for donations google gratefulgatherings.org, open HOME and click on UPCOMING GATHERINGS. Please bring donations to St. Luke on the morning of Saturday, July 27th between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Your donations are tax deductible.

Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, Aug 5th  GROUP B 
The first Monday of each month Group A or Group B is assigned a meal item to provide (fruit, milk & bread, main, salad, vegetable, dessert). The volunteers bring a different food item every other month. Please contact Stacy Bischoff at for information.

Ongoing Events

All are welcome to attend 

St. Luke Groups ~ The following ongoing groups will resume in September: Bible Study, St Luke Choir Rehearsal, St. Luke Women’s Bridge, Morning Women's Spirituality Group, Pizza and Theology, Session and Deacons. 

Save The Date

All are welcome to attend 

Upcoming Acoustic Sundays ~ July 21st, August 18th,  September 15th

Fall Speaker Series September 8th, 15th, 22nd after worship. Professor Greg Love returns for a Fall Speaker series on ‘The Change Towards Wholeness.” Looking at opposing views of how we change.

St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~ October 6th

St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ December 8th, 4 PM
St Luke’s Christmas Concert followed by a reception in the Bayview room.

Posted by Nicole Trotter with

Sunday, July 7, 2019

This Sunday

Dear St. Luke Community, 

This Sunday Rev Trotter is on vacation. Elder Beth Potillo Miller is in charge of the service with Liturgist Elder John Bischoff and Music Director Rebecca Viebrock.

As part of St Luke’s Summer Music Program, our quest musician this Sunday is Violinist Ruth Koenig.

Ruth was born in Michigan and earned her Bachelor and Masters of Music Degrees from the University of Michigan. She moved to California where she met and married Ron, her husband of 47 years. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Before her retirement, Ruth taught orchestra for 30 years. She currently plays violin with the American Philharmonic Orchestra in Santa Rosa, and in Lucas Valley Chamber Orchestra.

See you Sunday,
St. Luke

Deacon Ministry

6th Annual Pedal for Protein ~ September 22nd – 28th, Let's ride!
A ride for a cause! Supports food bank pantries & projects to help feed hungry people in Northern California.  100% of all donations go to food projects. The ride is organized by The Hunger Task Force of the Presbytery of the Redwoods. For information and to donate go to pedalforprotein.com  or imathlete.com/donate/PedalforProtein5.

KIVA.ORG ~
St Luke’s Women’s Association has been supporting KIVA for many years. KIVA is a San Francisco based non-profit that offers individuals or groups the opportunity to make a $25 or larger loan in many countries of the world. The loans are made to people working in retail, clothing, services, agriculture, and food.  It is determined how much the recipient needs to start or expand a business, and then people can sign up to provide the loan amount. (It takes many people to fund one loan.) The recipient pays the loan back in a pre-planned manner. We have made 24 loans in 22 different countries and all have been repaid then we’ve loaned the money again.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend 

Summer Sermon Series “Upon Request" ~
For three Sunday’s July 21, 28th and August 4th, Rev Trotter will preach upon request. Perhaps there’s a scripture, topic or question you’ve always wished you could hear addressed in a sermon. Just email Nicole your request and there’s a good chance it will be the topic of one of those Sunday sermons.

Summer Book Clubs ~
Rev Trotter will be reading Holy Envy, Finding God in the Faith of Others, by Barbara Brown Taylor. She invites others to purchase the book and join her for a discussion and social time over brunch on August 25th. (Place to be determined) If interested please email Nicole by July 12th.

Summer Special Music Program ~ June 23rd to September 15th
June 30th – St Luke’s Women’s Choir
July 7 – Scripture and Hymns (Communion)
July 21 – Acoustic Sunday
July 28 – Christopher Pilcher, Bass-Baritone
August 4 – Communion
August 18 – Acoustic Sunday
August 25 – Diane Yermack, Mezzo-Soprano
September 1 – Courtney and Kelsey McGiver, Horn/Stringed Bass
September 8 – Erich Miller, Percussion
September 15 – Acoustic Sunday

St. Luke’s Men’s Group ~ Tuesday, July 9th, 6-8:30 PM
John Lenser home, 511 San Pedro Cove. The topic of discussion is disaster preparedness, what each of us can do to at a community level and our household level.  The “big one” is coming… Michael Baranowski will talk about CERT(Community Emergency Response Training). Bring friends, it’s a great opportunity to introduce them to St. Luke and the Men’s Group. Questions? Contact John Lenser H-415.485.4333, C-415.446.8418 or email

Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, July 8th  GROUP A 
The first Monday of each month Group A or Group B, consisting of 12 volunteers in each group, is assigned a meal item to provide. The volunteers bring a different food item every other month. This is a terrific way to get involved with a small commitment every other month dropped off at Mill St in San Rafael.  Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Bischoff at or 415-233-3406 for more information.

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, July 27th 8:00 AM-12: 30 PMGG Mission: To bring hope to families in need. When a family transitions from homelessness or crisis into a 3 new home in the Bay Area, we help them furnish it. We believe that families can thrive when they have a safe and comfortable home. On Saturday, July 27th, we’ll once again be helping two more Marin families. What we need is donations of goods and furniture (either new or gently used, depending on the item.) Of course, cash donations through our website (address below) for new mattresses and other needed items are always welcomed. View the list of items needed, read about the families & sign up for donations google gratefulgatherings.org, open HOME and click on UPCOMING GATHERINGS. Please bring donations to St. Luke on the morning of Saturday, July 27th between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Your donations are tax deductible.

Ongoing Events

All are welcome to attend 

St. Luke Groups ~ The following ongoing groups will resume in September: Bible Study, St Luke Choir Rehearsal, St. Luke Women’s Bridge, Morning Women's Spirituality Group, Pizza and Theology, Session and Deacons. 

Save The Date

All are welcome to attend 

Upcoming Acoustic Sundays July 21, August 18th,  September 15th

Fall Speaker Series September 8th, 15, 22 after worship. Professor Greg Love returns for a Fall Speaker series on ‘The Change Towards Wholeness.” Looking at opposing views of how we change.

St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~ October 6th

St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ December 8th, 4 PM
St Luke’s Christmas Concert followed by a reception in the Bayview room.

Posted by Nicole Trotter with

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