The Weekly View

in Worship

Sunday, March 17, 2019

This Sunday - Acoustic Sunday

Dear St. Luke Community, 

As we move into our second Sunday of Lent, I invite you to continue following the Lenten devotions through SFTS. Today’s, written by Rev Scott Clark, describes so well the Celtic approach to life with God. 

In her book The Celtic Way of Prayer, Esther de Waal describes the prayers that she and others have gleaned from the written and (mostly) oral traditions of the Celtic world.  Those prayers reflect a world where folk “feel God before them and by their side, and at their back, throughout the day, and throughout the night.” With God that close, the prayers ask God to bless the work at hand, God present in it, with trust that each part of life, “however humble, however mundane, can be handed over to God, or performed in partnership and with the cooperation of God.”  De Waal sums it up this way:  “[These blessings and prayers] do not beg or ask God to give this or that. Instead, they recognize what is already there, already given, waiting to be seen, to be taken up, enjoyed.”

Let this be an invitation for all of us to practice more of this way of living. It is life changing. It may not be life changing in one grand moment of epiphany or transfiguration, but rather in a moment by moment holiness, where the presence of God infuses God’s self into the very core of our being because the life we live is no longer separate from the God we worship. And my best understanding of this way of life begins by listening with our whole self all the ways God speaks through every sense. 

This Sunday, we listen to Jesus speak in a kind of lament; How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:31-35) 

Can we will ourselves to live under the loving protection, guidance, and mothering that Jesus is offering? You bet we can. And like everything worth doing, it takes practice and a great deal of listening for all the ways God is calling for us in love. 

See You Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. - Next Sunday we will be holding a Transgender Education for Faith Community event after worship. But really it’s an education for anyone who is curious about what it means to be transgender and other gender identities we hear about. Invite your neighbors. You also won’t want to miss the Rev Janie Spahr preach. I will be in worship with you and look forward to Jamie's wisdom and warmth.

Please click here for more information.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend

Acoustic Sunday ~ Sunday, March 17th 10:00 AM
On the 3rd Sunday of each month, join us for our acoustic guitar service, where we blend secular popular songs and modern hymns that are easy to sing.

Transgender Education for Faith Communities ~ March 24th after Worship in St. Luke Bayview Room
We welcome Jordan Decker and the Rev D.r Janie Spahr. Jordan Decker is a nationally and internationally known speaker and educator on Trans Youth Suicide prevention and responsible for developing Trans Heart Line, a non-profit organization that educates and advocates for transgender humans in faith communities. Rev Dr. Janie Spahr created the Spahr Project to continue educating the church on the intersectionality of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, as we move forward to advocate for justice and love. Creating safe and caring places for transgender people and their families in both church and society is one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities for the Christian faith, community life and church growth today. What does it mean to be transgender, cisgender, or gender fluid? What might it be like to have the experience of feeling as though God doesn’t love you because you feel you were born “wrong.” Come gain insights, language, and understandings. Invite neighbors, family, and friends.

During Worship that Sunday Janie Spahr will bring The Word as we worship God. I look forward to welcoming Janie back to the St Luke sanctuary.

For Janie and Jordan’s full bios, you may visit this event on our website.

Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, April 1st 
GROUP B  - The first Monday of the month. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Bischoff at   or 415.233.3406 for more information.

Palm Sunday Service ~ Sunday, April 14th, 10:00 AM

Maundy Thursday ~ Sunday, April 18th, 6:00 PM
All are welcome to attend this simple shared dinner of soup and bread, prayer and reflection as we join around the table in the Bayview room. Please RSVP with Joanne 

Traditional Easter Worship ~ Sunday, April 21st, 10:00 AM
Service and children’s egg hunt to follow worship.

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend 

Bible Study ~ Wednesdays, 9:30 AM 

St Luke Choir Rehearsal ~ Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM

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

Pizza and Theology ~ 3rd Tuesday of the month, Mar. 19th, 6:30 PM, Creekside, SA

Session ~ 4th Tuesday of the month, March 26th 7:00 PM 

Deacons Meeting ~ 2nd Tuesday or the month, April 9th, 6:00 PM

Acoustic Sunday ~ Note change to 4th Sunday, April 28th, 10:00 AM

Posted by Nicole Trotter with
in Worship

Sunday, March 10, 2019

This Sunday 

Dear St. Luke Community,

This Sunday will be our first Sunday in our Lenten Season. This Lent I invite you to take time and listen to your life. We like to separate and compartmentalize our spiritual life from the rest of our life, as though to love God with all our heart, soul and strength means only on Sunday, or when we pray. But God asks for our whole heart, in all we do. This theme of “One Whole Life” is the lenten theme for the San Fransisco Theological Seminary’s Lenten Daily Devotions. As Chaplain Scott Clark writes;

Celtic spirituality leans into this deep sense of integrity and connectedness:  We live one whole life in the sense that everything we do is connected to everything we pray: "There is no separation of praying and living; praying and working flow into each other, so that life is to be punctuated by prayer, to become prayer."  We also live one whole life in the sense that we are connected to each other and all creation:  "Everyone sees themselves in relation to one another, and that extends beyond human beings to the wild creatures, the birds and the animals, the earth itself." (quotes from Esther de Waal, The Celtic Way of Prayer).

I invite you to follow the Seminary daily devotionals by signing up using this link.

This Sunday we will begin with unpacking what it means to trust that we are held and protected under the wings of God. (Psalm 91:1-4, 9-12) Jesus knew this protection most personally while tempted in the wilderness. (Luke 4:1-13) What are our temptations today? What threatens our ability to live out God’s love in our life and in the world? What breeds fear and insecurity? What false promises do we fall for when we know in our bones it’s not right, but maybe it’s easier? And how can we listen more acutely for God’s wings which promise to protect us from all those temptations that keep us from loving God with our whole self and whole life.

See You Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS THE SATURDAY. SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD…or you will miss worship.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend

Acoustic Sunday ~ Sunday, March 17th 10:00 AM
On the 3rd Sunday of each month, join us for our acoustic guitar service, where we blend secular popular songs and modern hymns that are easy to sing.

Transgender Education for Faith Communities ~ March 24th after Worship in St. Luke Bayview Room 
We welcome Jordan Decker and the Rev D.r Janie Spahr. Jordan Decker is a nationally and internationally known speaker and educator on Trans Youth Suicide prevention and responsible for developing Trans Heart Line, a non-profit organization that educates and advocates for transgender humans in faith communities. Rev Dr. Janie Spahr created the Spahr Project to continue educating the church on the intersectionality of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, as we move forward to advocate for justice and love. Creating safe and caring places for transgender people and their families in both church and society is one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities for the Christian faith, community life and church growth today. What does it mean to be transgender, cisgender, or gender fluid? What might it be like to have the experience of feeling as though God doesn’t love you because you feel you were born “wrong.” Come gain insights, language and understandings. Invite neighbors, family and friends.

During Worship that Sunday Janie Spahr will bring The Word as we worship God. I look forward to welcoming Janie back to the St Luke sanctuary.

For Janie and Jordan’s full bios, you may visit this event on our website.

Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, April 1st 
GROUP B  - The first Monday of the month. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Bischoff at   or 415233-3406 for more information.

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.

Palm Sunday Service ~ Sunday, April 14th, 10:00 AM

Easter Sunday Service ~ Sunday, April 21st, 10:00 AM

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend 

Bible Study ~ Wednesdays, 9:30 AM 

St Luke Choir Rehearsal ~ Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Deacons Meeting ~ 2nd Tuesday or the month, Mar. 12th

Acoustic Sunday ~ Third Sunday of the month, March 17th, 10:00 AM

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

Pizza and Theology ~ 3rd Tuesday of the month, Mar. 19th, 6:30 PM, Creekside, SA

Session ~ 4th Tuesday of the month, March 26th 7:00 PM 

Posted by Nicole Trotter with
in Worship

Sunday, March 3, 2019

This Sunday 

Dear St. Luke Community,

This Sunday is St Luke’s 33rd Annual Mariner’s Sunday. This long-standing tradition at St Luke brings with it special music by the Sons of The Sea Choir. Rabbi Henry Schreibman will be joining me in bringing the Word and we are blessed to have so many seafarers fill our Sanctuary. There will be shuttles to help those who may need to park on the street. There is a luncheon to follow at Loch Lomond.

As we first and foremost worship God, our scripture focus is Job: 38:1-18 and Proverbs 8:22-31. This Scripture in Job comes at the end of the book when God finally shows up (out of the whirlwind) to speak directly to Job and answer him directly. Job has been suffering and getting bad advice from friends. And God essentially says, Where were you when I created the world? Were you there?

Our second scripture is about Chochma (Wisdom) who was there at the beginning. According to Wisdom, she was there at the beginning with God before God created anything else.  If God is saying to Job, essentially, you’re not supposed to have all the answers, and Wisdom was there from the beginning, then isn’t that part of our answer?  In our searching comes this beautiful paradox. Wisdom lives in the questions themselves. Wisdom lives in our longing to understand. It is a way of life, not an answer we find through acquisition. 

See You Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. - Just a reminder that Tuesday night at 6:00 we gather for a Fat Tuesday Potluck in the Bayview room to eat and enjoy fellowship together before Lent begins the next day. Please join us and invite your neighbors.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

All are welcome to attend

2019 Initial Offering ~ $30 Per Capita
Please use a yellow pew envelope for your 2019 payment. Your payment helps offsets the yearly payment St Luke makes to Presbytery of the Redwood for each member. Please write “Per Capita” on the memo line of your check.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in concert!  ~ Thursday, February 28 & Friday, Saturday, Sunday, March 1, 2, & 3
Don't miss your chance to see wonderful local singers present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in concert! Admission is free, but donations will be gladly accepted to support the Street Chaplaincy. St. Luke and other local congregations’ partner with the Street Chaplaincy to host Tuesday night Wellness Gatherings where we join the street community in worship and share a meal together. Last year's Jesus Christ Superstar was a huge hit, so reserve your spot for free at www.theatreatlarge.org Performances are February 28 & March 1 at 8 pm at First Presbyterian San Rafael, and March 2 at 8 pm and March 3 at 2 pm at First Presbyterian San Anselmo. Questions? Ask Joanne Larson   or 415-306-1085.

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.

Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, March 4th 
GROUP A  - The first Monday of the month. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Bischoff at   or 415233-3406 for more information.

Fat Tuesday Pot Luck Feast ~ March 5th, 6-7:30 PM
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

Transgender Education for Faith Communities ~ March 24th after Worship in St. Luke Bayview Room
We welcome Jordan Decker and the Rev D.r Janie Spahr. Jordan Decker is a nationally and internationally known speaker and educator on Trans Youth Suicide prevention and responsible for developing Trans Heart Line, a non-profit organization that educates and advocates for transgender humans in faith communities. Rev Dr. Janie Spahr created the Spahr Project to continue educating the church on the intersectionality of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, as we move forward to advocate for justice and love. Creating safe and caring places for transgender people and their families in both church and society is one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities for the Christian faith, community life and church growth today. What does it mean to be transgender, cisgender, or gender fluid? What might it be like to have the experience of feeling as though God doesn’t love you because you feel you were born “wrong.” Come gain insights, language and understandings. Invite neighbors, family and friends.

During Worship that Sunday Janie Spahr will bring The Word as we worship God. I look forward to welcoming Janie back to the St Luke sanctuary.

For Janie and Jordan’s full bios, you may visit this event on our website.

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.

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend 

Bible Study Series ~ Wednesdays, 9:30 AM 

St Luke Choir Rehearsal ~ Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Deacons Meeting ~ Tuesday, Mar. 12th

Acoustic Sunday ~ Sunday, March 17th, 10:00 AM

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

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

Session ~ Tuesday, Feb. 26th 7:00 PM 

Posted by Nicole Trotter with

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