The Weekly View

Sunday, February 3, 2019

This Sunday 

Dear St. Luke Community,

This is a big Sunday. All Sundays are big as we worship God, but we will also be gifted with the enjoyment of receiving five new members. We are most grateful to God for the presence of the entire St Luke community and our hearts sing with thanksgiving as people feel called to deepen their commitment through membership or make official what they've already been experiencing at St Luke. To do so on a Sunday when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper makes it all the more meaningful as we remember and affirm our experience as one body in Christ.

Following worship, we gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting. All are welcome to attend. Members will vote on our annual budget, the election of new Elders and Deacons as we listen to reports from committees and chairpersons. There will be a light lunch provided.

In Worship, we hear part two of last week’s scripture. Jesus came home to preach in the synagogue. It was his inaugural moment and he read from the beloved prophet Isaiah. All went well and this week we pick up from where we left off. By the end of the reading, the crowd wants to throw Jesus from a cliff. (Luke 4:21-30) What happened? How did we go from “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.”(vs 22) to “…all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built so that they might hurl him off the cliff” (27,28) in just 5 verses? 

We’ll explore the answer to that and more this Sunday.

Yours in Christ,
Nicole

Deacon Ministry

All are welcome to attend

First Presbyterian SR April Mission April 7 – 13, 2019
We are invited to go along on First Pres. annual 2019 Mission trip. They are still working out the details but their tentative plans are below. April trip dates are April 7 – 13, 2019. We fly to the work site on Sunday, April 7, do home rebuilding Monday through Friday. We fly home on Saturday, April 13. We are looking at three sites in Texas that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey: Corpus Christi, Houston, or Rockport. The work assignments include putting up drywall, taping and mudding, tongue in groove flooring, framing, painting, and roofing. Construction experts guide volunteers every step.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend

St. Luke Progressive Dinner Saturday, March 16th 6:00 PM -9:00 PM 
There are 12 spaces available first come first serve at $50 per person. Appetizers at Mech’s home at 5:30. The main entree at the Endress’ home at 7:00. Dessert at the Gettler’s home at 8:15. To reserve a spot contact Joanne at 415-454-2705 or  

St Luke Annual Congregational Meeting February 3rd after service, Bayview Room
Expected discussion items; Election of Elders & Deacons, Review & Approval of Pastor's Salary, Review and Approval of Annual Budget, Committee Annual Reports. You are encouraged to attend and participate. If you have any questions or would like more information prior to the meeting please email   .

Mariner’s Interfaith Sunday ~ March 3rd 10:00 AM
We gather in worship with the men and women who have shown their dedication in service to the ships and safety that preside over our cherished sea. The St Francis Yacht Club’s, Sons of the Sea Men Choir will bring the gift of music for this special occasion.

Fat Tuesday Feast ~ March 5th
The night before Lent begins, this traditional celebration brings rich and delicious food together in community. Location TBD.  A good time for neighbors and children to come and get to know one another. Email

Upcoming Cursillo Weekends ~
Women's Cursillo Weekend - May 2-9, 2019
Men's Cursillo Weekend - May 16-19, 2019

Applications online at marincursillo.com 
Cursillo Church Representative:
John Bischoff
415.456.7906

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend 

Bible Study Series ~ Wednesday, Feb. 6th, 9:30 AM 

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursday, Feb. 7th, 9:00 AM

Deacons and Committees ~ Tuesday, Feb. 12th, 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM

St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ Monday, Feb. 18th & Tuesday, Feb. 26th, 10:30 AM

Pizza and Theology ~ Tuesday, Feb. 19th, 6:30 PM Creekside, SA

Acoustic Sunday ~ February TBD

Session ~ Tuesday, Feb. 26th 7:00 PM

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Sunday, January 27, 2019

This Sunday 

Dear St. Luke Community,

Our two scriptures for this Sunday place importance on the tradition of reading from “books.”

Nehemiah 8:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21. 

Our Bible is a collection containing many books within it. What is our relationship with these books? While some of us read from the Bible daily, others don't have one. If we were honest about it, we might find everything from love to skepticism to caution around its writings. 

And yet the Bible lives as the center of our faith. Especially for the reformers who placed their primary focus on the “the Word.” In Protestant churches, you'll often find the pulpit front, center and elevated because of the reformers elevated importance placed on the written Word. This came to be in conjunction with the invention of the printing press. Gone was the stained glass to allow more light for reading.

Our Protestant tradition holds slogans, one of which is; sola scriptura (Lat. “Scripture alone”). A slogan of the Protestant Reformation indicating that the church’s authority is only the Holy Scriptures and not ecclesiastical traditions or human opinions. This was called the “formal principle” of the Reformation, or the “Scripture principle.” 

Did you know that Presbyterians have a reputation for being intellectual in their approach to faith? 

Intellectually approaching the Bible is one way to read. And that can be fun. But so can reading with the heart. Placing yourself in the story, as you would any good book. Asking what it must have been like to be them, to live like them, to feel like them. And the more we do that the more we realize with new eyes that we are them. In the particulars of their experiences live a universal truth for all of us.

That is something to celebrate this Sunday Sunday as we worship God and hear The Word. 

See you Sunday,
Nicole

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Sunday, January 13, 2019

This Sunday 

Dear St. Luke Community,

This Sunday is Acoustic Sunday and I look forward to being reunited with our full group of acoustic musicians this Sunday.

More importantly, this is the Sunday we remember our Baptism in witnessing Jesus’s baptism as told in the Gospel of Luke.

One of my favorite moments in my years of delivering children’s messages came when asking a room full of toddlers, who were baptized as infants, for a show of hands from those who remember the day they were baptized. Every hand would go up enthusiastically as though they would win a prize.

In sharing that story, one adult responded that maybe they did remember, and that’s it’s only us old fogies who lose sight of the memory over time.

In our tradition, we understand Baptism as an outward sign of an invisible grace. God loves us long before we are capable of expressing love, in the womb. God claims us and calls us by name. Baptism is deeply personal. 

But baptism is also communal as it incorporates us into a much larger body of Christ’s as we love God in community, one another, and affirm one another’s baptism in covenant. Baptism is communal.

Let’s explore in song and in ritual remembering our baptism this Sunday as we raise our hands in enthusiasm (like children) at the very thought of remembering a most sacred ritual and experience.

See You Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. Below are some of the lyrics from the hymn you will hear as you come to the baptismal font in remembrance…

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

Deacon Ministry

All are welcome to attend

Deacon Ministry ~ January 2019
San Rafael CARE Team is collecting coats and other “warm things” to distribute. Please bring any of the following and leave in the office:
Sleeping bags, Warm jackets and hooded sweatshirts, Beanies, Gloves, Socks, Raingear and Ponchos, Shoes

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, January 26th, 8:00 AM to Noon
GG Mission: To bring hope to families in need. When a family transitions from homelessness or crisis into a 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. Look for information about this month’s families in the following weeks. Bring donations to St. Luke on Saturday, January 26th between 8:30-10:30. Use the green pew envelope (write GG) to donate today. For information visit GG’s website at gratefulgatherings.org/upcoming-gatherings-2/ 

January 26th’s families:
Family #1 ~ Mom Maria, Natasha, 16 and Alexander, 14.
Maria, a single mom, works full-time at a local Marin market. Natasha is an artist and Alexander an athlete. Their life changed dramatically when a fire destroyed their apartment and all they owned.  They were temporarily homeless but are now in a new apartment, thanks to help from North Marin Community Services. Several kind families from Natasha's school pitched in to buy new mattresses, along with a few other necessities. Much is still needed.

Family #2 ~ Mom Jennifer, J.J. 8, Hannah, 9, and Samuel, 10.
Two of the children have recently been enrolled in special services. Fleeing domestic violence, Jennifer returned to Marin where she reconnected with her church family. After being homeless for a few weeks, Jennifer’s pastor helped the family find their current home.  Jennifer worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant but is currently on disability. She’s working on her GED and plans to return to work.

First Presbyterian SR April Mission April 7 – 13, 2019
Last week’s presentation by First Pres. member Ralph Purdy and St. Luke member Carlene McCart informed us of an annual Mission trip organized by First Pres. We are invited to go along on their 2019 trip. They are still working out the details but their tentative plans are below. April trip dates are April 7 – 13, 2019. We fly to the work site on Sunday, April 7, do home rebuilding Monday through Friday. We fly home on Saturday, April 13. We are looking at three sites in Texas that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey: Corpus Christi, Houston, or Rockport. The work assignments include putting up drywall, taping and mudding, tongue in groove flooring, framing, painting, and roofing. Construction experts guide volunteers every step.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend

2019 Initial Offering ~
Please use the yellow pew envelopes for your $30 Per Capita. Please write “Per Capita” on the envelope and on the memo line of your check. Your initial offering helps cover St Luke’s payment to the Presbytery for each member.

Pizza and Theology ~ Tuesday, January 15th 6:30 PM
Creekside Pizza, San Anselmo. We’ll ask questions and give opinions over theological subjects and scripture. Email 

St Luke Annual Congregational Meeting February 3rd after service, Bayview Room
Expected discussion items; Election of Elders & Deacons, Review & Approval of Pastor's Salary, Review and Approval of Annual Budget, Committee Annual Reports. You are encouraged to attend and participate. If you have any questions or would like more information prior to the meeting please email   .

Mariner’s Interfaith Sunday ~ March 3rd 10:00 AM
We gather in worship with the men and women who have shown their dedication in service to the ships and safety that preside over our cherished sea. The St Francis Yacht Club’s, Sons of the Sea Men Choir will bring the gift of music for this special occasion.

Fat Tuesday Feast ~ March 5th
The night before Lent begins, this traditional celebration brings rich and delicious food together in community. Location TBD.  A good time for neighbors and children to come and get to know one another. Email

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend 

Bible Study Series ~ Wednesday, January 16th, 9:30 AM

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursday, January 17th, 9:00 AM

St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ on Monday, January 21st, and Tuesday, January 22nd, 10:30 AM (3rd Monday & 4th Tuesday, September - May). 

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