Sunday, September 15, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
Parables, if you recall, were used by Rabbis as a way to wake up the listener, get them thinking and open up the possibility of various interpretations. Yet this Sunday we hear two parables that have been preached pretty much the same way for centuries now; the parables of the lost sheep and coin. (Luke 15:1-32) Usually, the interpretation is the same; we’re lost, God searches for us, finds us and we repent.
But as New Testament Scholar, Amy-Jill Levine, points out ~
That audience (meaning Jesus' audience) would not think that the man who lost his sheep, the woman who lost her coin, or the father who lost his older son were symbols for God. This is because God doesn’t lose us. Nor would they think of the sheep and the coin as examples of repenting, because sheep and coins don’t repent. In our reading, the three stories are connected. The first two stories set up the third. The main message is about counting, searching for what is missing, and celebrating becoming whole again.
This idea of becoming whole again is a continuation of last weeks theme. It’s also in keeping with Greg Love’s three weeks after worship series, “Change Towards Wholeness.”
I do hope you can join us for worship and stay after worship to hear Greg Love (Even if you missed last week).
See you Sunday,
Nicole
Outreach and Deacon Ministry
All are welcome to attend
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.
Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, October 7th, 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.
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. PEDALFORPROTEIN.COM. for information.
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, September 10th, 6:00 PM
Pizza and Theology - 3rd Tuesday, September 17th, 7:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, September 24th, 10:30 AM
Session Meeting - 4th Tuesday, September 24th, 7:00 PM
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
Fall Speaker Series ~ SUNDAY & 22nd after worship.
Professor Greg Love returns for a Fall Speaker series on” "The Change Toward Wholeness.” Both the New Testament and psychology speak of a person’s change from brokenness toward wholeness. But how does that change happen? Do we just “set our mind to it, and make the changes?” Or is it more difficult . . . and if so, why? Further, what is God’s role in creating this change in us, and what is our role? In this three-week series, Love brings neurology, evolutionary biology and psychology, and sociology into conversation with the world religions’ ancient wisdom traditions to investigate how change toward wholeness is possible for individuals. We will look at two opposing views of how we change (theology and science that suggests only God can change us; versus theology and science that says we have capacities within us to change, they just need help); and a possible third way that transcends those two views.
Gregory Love is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary and The Graduate Theological Union. A native of the Northwest, he graduated from Pacific Lutheran University. He received his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Love has a sixteen-year-old daughter, Claire. He loves to backpack, travel to new countries, meet friends for coffee, and make his daughter laugh.
St. Luke 's Men's Group ~ Tuesday, September 17th, 6:00-8:30 PM
John Bischoff will host, 1 Bracken Ct., San Rafael, 94903. We socialize and dine. Bring friends, it’s a great opportunity to introduce them to St. Luke and the Men’s Group. Upcoming on Tues., Nov. 5th, Michael Antieri will host. If you have any questions or would like to assist the above hosts, contact John Lenser at H-415.485.4333, C-415.446.8418 or email
Acoustic Sundays ~ September 22nd
A relaxed service with guitars, drums, and keyboard where we blend secular popular songs and modern easy to sing hymns.
St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~ October 6th, 6:00 PM
St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction. The dinner will St. Luke’s version of “Gala”, black and white without the tuxedo. We will celebrate with gourmet food prepared by Janet Abrahamson and Michael Baranowski. In addition to great food and fellowship, anticipate great music and a silent auction. If you’d like to contribute to the silent auction please contact Laura Hislop
. More to come - save the date!
St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ December 8th, 4:00 PM
It’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays! Save the date for the first annual St. Luke Christmas Concert, 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 complimentary reception with beverages and appetizers in the Bayview Room. Be sure to invite friends and family, and start the Christmas season with music and friendship. All proceeds will go to benefit St. Luke ministries and church.