Sunday, February 24th, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
This Sunday is Acoustic Sunday and we have more musicians playing this Sunday than we can fit around the table. It’s an embarrassment of riches. We’ll also witness a baptism this Sunday with joy and thanksgiving.
Our scripture Luke 6:27-38 is another challenging one...love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return…Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you…(35, 37, 38)
This is so much easier said than done. The first question we can ask ourselves is: who is my enemy?
One way to approach these verses is to understand what we are not being asked to do. Jesus does not say to stop standing up for what is just and right. Jesus doesn’t say to stay silent. What he seems to be saying is to keep a lid on the emotions which cloud the way God intended for us to live together, peacefully as part of the kingdom. Enemy means more than the annoying Uncle at the dinner table whose politics you disagree with. It implies irreconcilable hostility, proceeding out of a "personal" hatred bent on inflicting harm.[1]
Perhaps the scripture summed up comes in this verse: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (36)
God is asking us to transcend our own understandings of how this life works and trust instead in Him. We have no problem wrapping our hearts around the idea of an all-loving God until we imagine God asking us to love the way God does, even those who intend to cause us harm. It just doesn’t make sense to us. Perhaps that’s what God means when we are told repeatedly to die to ourselves in order to find new life in God.
It takes a deep trust (and practice) to show love, mercy, forgiveness to someone who wants to hurt you or those you love. Especially when anger clouds all judgment. This is our God. The One we worship and the One we trust more than ourselves.
See you Sunday,
Nicole
[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/2190.htm
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
Crab Feed ~ This Saturday, February 23rd at 5:30 PM
$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.
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
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 700-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 AM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ Tuesday, Feb. 26th, 10:30 AM
Session ~ Tuesday, Feb. 26th 7:00 PM
Deacons and Committees ~ Tuesday, Mar. 12th
Acoustic Sunday ~ March 17th, 10:00 AM
Pizza and Theology ~ Monday, Mar. 19th, 6:30 PM Creekside, SA