Sunday, November 17th, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
This Sunday is Acoustic Sunday. We have some great songs lined up for you including Drift Away. One of you sent me the song in a text one morning a few weeks ago. I’m guessing that’s how that person was feeling in that moment.
The opening two lines;
Day after day I'm more confused
Yet I look for the light in the pouring rain
How often do you feel that way? Confusion is both a blessing and a curse. Much like following Jesus himself. Jesus reminds us of this in this Sunday’s scripture; Luke 21:5-19.
It’s a dire passage filled with doom, and then towards the end a word of reassurance in verse 19; By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Looking for the light in the pouring rain is a lovely way of saying that no matter how confused, no matter how lost, we continue to search for Jesus who speaks to us; both internally and in the world. The more we can endure the confusion, the seemingly hopeless conditions around us, the closer we can come to our God who is with us in it, speaking to us like a light in the pouring rain.
It takes listening, it takes opening up to possibility, and sometimes it’s just a choice; a choice between allowing the dark circumstances to pull is into isolation or choosing to come closer to God. To endure is to grow in depth, in resilience and in wisdom. Jesus promises to give us wisdom in verse 15, but I imagine that just can’t happen unless we are willing to search for that light no matter how heavy the down pour.
And the last lines of that song;
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along makin' me strong
See you Sunday,
Nicole
Outreach and Deacon Ministry
All are welcome to attend
St Luke’s November Food Drive Barrel ~ San Francisco-Marin Food Bank - Fill a Plate This Thanksgiving. Many families, homeless or not, won’t go hungry this Thanksgiving thanks to our help. St Luke will collect all varieties of canned proteins/meats: Beans, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, Chicken, Turkey, Beef. You may also donate funds using the green envelope and with the notation FOOD DRIVE. $1 = 2 Meals! When you fill an empty plate, you ease a worried mind and you improve nutrition to help kids eat healthier. Every food item and every $1 changes lives. Please give generously.
Ritter Center Christmas Gift Barrel ~ Ritter Center Adopt-a-Family Christmas Gift Barrel
Ritter Center serves Marin families and individuals who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. This year St. Luke will be providing gifts for both children and adults, as we have adopted two families and five elderly adults for Christmas. Look for the signup board in the narthex - simply take a tag from the board and bring back an unwrapped gift to the office by Tuesday, December 10th. St. Luke volunteers will deliver our gift-filled barrel to Ritter Center on Friday, December 13th.
Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, December 2nd, Group B
The first Monday of each month Group A or Group B is assigned a meal item to provide.
KIVA.ORG ~ St. Luke’s Women’s Association has supported KIVA for many years and they will be a Deacon’s Ministry in the Fall. 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.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
THANK YOU to our Weekend Willing Workers ~ Erich, George T., Dennis, Mike A., Jim T., Kathleen, Lee Sweeney, Kurt and Claudionei.
With their help, lots was accomplished! Wood chips were spread from the back of the Sanctuary down the hill and around our main sign on Bayview Dr. The Memory Garden got some special attention from George and Lee. Thank you all for your time and effort!
St. Luke Stewardship Sunday ~ THIS SUNDAY, STEWARDSHIP 2020
A Wonder-Full Life Giving Your Time, Talents and Treasure a special day to consider in assessing your commitment to St. Luke and its ministry in 2020.
Pizza and Theology ~ Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 6:30 PM
Creekside Pizza Professor Greg Love from SFTS (now the Graduate School of Theology at Redlands) will lead this meaningful and sometimes challenging conversation both November and December. (11/19 &12/17 6:30 pm) Please reserve your spot by emailing Nicole.
St. Luke Women’s Association Annual Christmas Tea & Program ~ Friday, December 6th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
FREE~ invite your friends & family to enjoy St Luke’s Holiday cheer. The afternoon includes Tea, Coffee, Sweets, and Savories with a Music Program and a RAFFLE.
First Annual St. Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ Sunday, December 8th, 4:00 PM
Join us for the First Annual St. Luke Presbyterian Christmas Concert, This is Christmas! featuring St. Luke members and friends as they share their gifts in song, music and a few surprises along the way. From classical to contemporary, there will be something for everyone in our decorated sanctuary. Following the concert, there will be a reception with complimentary beverages and appetizers in the Bayview Room.
Tickets are $30. You may buy tickets after service during fellowship and online at https://stlukepresthisischristmas.eventcreate.com Net proceeds will go to benefit St. Luke Presbyterian Church and its outreach ministries.
St. Luke 's Men's Group ~ 2020 dates TBA
Please direct questions to John Lenser at H-415.485.4333, C-415.446.8418 or
Celebrate Christmas with St. Luke
Advent Sundays:
December 1st ~ HOPE
December 8th ~ PEACE
December 15th ~ JOY
December 22nd ~ LOVE
December 18th ~ Wednesday 7:00 pm Blue Christmas service.
December 24th ~ Tuesday 5:30 pm Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Cider and Cookies prior to service.
Ongoing Events
All are welcome to attend
Bible Study - Wednesdays at 9:30 AM
St. Luke Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Women's Spirituality Group - Thursdays at 9:00 AM
Deacons Meeting - 2nd Tuesday, November 12th, 6:00 PM
Pizza and Theology - 3rd Tuesday, November 19th, 7:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, November 26th, 10:30 AM
Session Meeting - 4th Tuesday, November 26th, 7:00 PM