The Weekly View

Sunday, October 21, 2018

This Sunday - Acoustic Sunday

Dear St Luke Community,

When my kids were little, they would qualify what it was they wanted before they even asked. “Mom, just listen. Mom, hear me out. Mom, just say yes.” 

In Sunday’s scripture, James and John say to Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (10:35) Basically, they’re saying, “just say yes to what it is we’re about to ask because we don’t think you’re going to like it.” 

James and John were fishermen. They didn’t make a lot of money. They didn't have a lot of influence over what happened. And now they want seats next to Jesus when he’s glorified, they want power, they want influence. We can hardly blame them for wanting any of that. 

But Jesus, again and again in  Mark’s Gospel, flips the norms upside down. Twice he’s said, the last shall be first. He’s told them they must be like children and in this Sunday’s scripture he says;

“You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.”  

So greatness and power for God and Christ look very different than it did back then and it looks very different from how we understand power today. Can we redefine power for ourselves so that it aligns with God’s definition? How do we understand the life-affirming potential of the power of service as against the power of domination? 

There’s only one song to be sung after the sermon this Sunday. Here’s a preview.

You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody

Gotta Serve Somebody, by Bob Dylan

See you Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. I’ll be on Study leave for worship planning and Adult Ed from Monday, Oct 22-Sat Oct 26th. Dan White will be covering Pastoral care along with our dear Deacons. 

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend

Bible Study Series ~ No class 10/24 but will resume on Wednesday, Oct 31st, 9:30 AM  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursday. Oct 25th, 9:00 AM

St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ Tuesday, Oct 23rd, 10:30 AM
(3rd Monday & 4th Tuesday, Sept. to May).

Session ~ Tuesday, October 23rd, 6:30 PM

St. Luke Men's Group ~ Tuesday, Nov. 6th, Location TBD

St. Luke Women’s Association ~ Thursday. Nov. 8th, 1:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE~ December 7th 1:00-3:00, Christmas Tea & Program.

Deacons ~ Tuesday, November 13th, 6:30 PM 

Committee Meetings ~ Tuesday, November 13th, 6:30 PM 

Pizza and Theology ~ Tuesday, November 20th, 6:30 PM
Creekside, San Anselmo. 

Sunday, October 14, 2018

This Coming Sunday and Fundraiser Update

Dear St Luke Community,

Once upon a time was a man who did everything right. He followed the commandments and because he had been taught that if he did this God would reward him, he believed that his wealth was a direct result of his loving righteously. But something was missing. He wanted more. He wanted eternal life. Eternal life is a good life, a meaningful and purposeful life, filled with character and quality that would last a lifetime. So we went to see a Rabbi, the one they called the Messiah, who took one look at this man and loved him and said this to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” (Mark 10: 21-22) 

Once upon a time was another man, by the name of Francis who was born into a wealthy family. After much conflict, war and time in prison, he started spending time by in an abandoned church eventually sleeping there each night. His father accused him of disregarding his responsibilities as guardian of the family business. So the father took his son to the village court. Francis put up no fight and agreed with his father, stripped off his fine clothes and stood naked, claiming God as his new Father. 

The title for this Sunday’s sermon is Give it Up. I won’t be asking you to give up your possessions, but I will ask you what in your life have you made so important that it gets in your way of complete dependence on God? Do you feel entitled to what you have as though you’ve earned it because you did everything right like the man in the first story? Is there a difference between enjoying your wealth and being so attached to it you live in fear of losing it? Can you understand eternal life, the good character and quality of life as given by God as ultimately offering more security than property? I think we can, and we do. Until we forget. We almost need daily reminders to give it up and hand over all desires to the God we call Lord because there is nothing of higher value in this life or the next than what is given to us through a life lived in Jesus Christ.

FUNDRAISER UPDATE & THANK YOU
Our St Luke Community Fundraiser was a success once again! The setting, food, music was all outstanding. But most of all, the community came together to help support the good works of St Luke which relies on the participation of its members and friends. There was a spirit of kindness and joy in the air as people of all backgrounds, ages, and political persuasions shared food together with common purpose. With deep gratitude for all of you who showed up, brought friends and contributed to making this year another success. 

The dinner brought in $17,200 and the silent auction brought in $7,200 for a grand total of $24, 400. We met our goal and couldn't be more grateful. 

This Production was made possible by the following;
John Lenser- CEO, Director and Chef
Michael Baranowski- Realtor by day, Master Chef by Night
Laura Hislop- Silent Auction Magician
George Livingstone- MC and All Around Good Guy
Erich Miller- Music Engineer and Unsung Hero
Leigh Ann Antieri- Ambiance Extraordinaire
Carlene McCart- Assistant Director and place card expert

And of course, to everyone who set up, cleaned up, and showed up!

Thanks Be to God,
This has been a St Luke Production.

PS-Mark your calendars for next year. The first Sunday in October! 

Most Gratefully,
Nicole

Announcements & Upcoming Events

Blessing of the Animals ~ Sunday, October 14th, 11:15 AM Following Worship on St. Luke’s Lawn. Everyone is invited to bring their pets or their pets’ picture to the annual Blessing of the Animals. Refreshments and guitar music. Meet your neighbors!

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend

Bible Study Series ~ Wednesday, Oct 17th, 9:30 AM  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursday. Oct 18th, 9:00 AM

St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ Monday, Oct 15th, 10:30 AM 
Tuesday, Oct.23rd 10:30 AM (3rd Monday & 4th Tuesday, Sept. to May).

Pizza and Theology ~ Tuesday, Oct 16th, 6:30 PM
Creekside, San Anselmo. 

Session ~ Tuesday, October 23rd, 6:30 PM

St. Luke Men's Group ~ Tuesday, Nov. 6th, Location TBD

St. Luke Women’s Association ~ Thursday. Nov. 8th, 1:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE~ December 7th 1:00-3:00, Christmas Tea & Program.

Deacons ~ Tuesday, November 13th, 6:30 PM 

Committee Meetings ~ November 13th, 6:30 PM 

Sunday, October 7, 2018

This Sunday 

Dear St Luke Community,

If you were to ask me, and no one has, I would call this Sunday one of our High Holy days. World Communion Sunday is richly beautiful in its meaning and symbolism through the sacrament of Holy Communion, or as we Presbyterians like to call it, The Lord’s Supper. Churches of many denominations all around the world will be celebrating communion as a reminder of our ultimate union in Christ. It comes on the heels of last Sunday’s message about our common goals uniting us and superseding what divides us. That’s a message we can’t hear enough in our current social and political climate. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

That’s a tall order, but it lives at the very core and purpose of a life lived in Christ. You don’t even have to be a Christ follower to get behind Paul’s unifying call for peace. Peace begins with us, internally, through an open heart that receives from God all it needs to bring that same peace into the world. If anger at the injustice of the system drives you to make a change, make it with grace, make it with kindness, make it with a strong voice, and an open hand in receiving from God all you need to heal what’s broken in the world.

Extend a Hand: A Meditation for World Communion Sunday
by Safiyah Fosua

 If I really had faith the size of a mustard seed,
What would I do? 

Would I wave a hand to hurl Mount Kilimanjaro into Lake Victoria
Just to prove that I could?

If I really had mustard-seed faith, what would I do?

Would I start by extending a hand of peace
To the church across the street
Whose sign says something different from mine?

Would I start by extending a hand of peace
To the Ol' G that terrorizes the old people down the street?
Or to the grizzled homeless man who sits on the corner with a sign?

Would I start by extending my hand of peace
To those who brawl on schoolyards
And to those who brawl on battlefields
In search of a future with hope?

Maybe I could begin by just taking my hand of peace
Out of its hiding place
Long before the moment
That I cup my hands to receive Communion.

 Amen.

See you Sunday,
Nicole 

Announcements & Upcoming Events

Grateful Gatherings ~ Saturday, October 6th, 8:00 AM to Noon
A non-profit, that provides furniture & household goods to people transitioning out of homelessness & poverty. For a list of needs visit https://gratefulgatherings.org/. To see the list of items needed, read about the families and sign up for donations, go to https://tinyurl.com/y764tuo7. Bring donations to St. Luke on Saturday, Oct. 6th between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. Please use the green envelope to donate Sunday.

Here are the two families we'll be helping ...
Family 1 is Mom, Alicia, her teenage son Ahmarik (18), and her 2 little daughters Dani (1) and Maya (2). Alicia and her children are new to California. Born and raised in Louisiana, Alicia’s been juggling motherhood and working while getting her AA degree over the last few years.

Family 2 is Mom Regina and her three children: son Rennan (16)—daughter Marina (11) and baby Samuel (4 mo). Regina recently returned to Marin County from out of state. Regina now has a part-time job as an Administrative Assistant.

For questions email: 

St Luke Annual Fundraiser ~ Sunday, October 7th at 6:00 PM
This year, wear your beads and bangles to St. Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner celebrating New Orleans with Zydeco fillet mignon, shrimp jambalaya, and pecan pie. Not to be missed and invite your friends now!

Blessing of the Animals ~ October 14 12:00 PM on St Luke’s Lawn
Everyone is invited to bring their pets or their pets’ picture to the annual Blessing of the Animals. 12 noon on St Luke’s law. Refreshments and guitar music. Meet your neighbors! 

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend

Deacons ~ Tuesday. Oct 9th, 6:30 PM  & November 13th, 6:30 PM

Committee Meetings ~Tuesday. Oct 9th, 6:30 PM  & November 13th, 6:30 PM 

Bible Study Series ~ Wednesday, Oct 10th, 9:30 AM  

Morning Women's Spirituality Group ~ Thursday. Oct 11th, 9:00 AM

St. Luke Women’s Bridge Group ~ Monday, Oct 15th, 10:30 AM
Tuesday, Oct.23rd 10:30 AM (3rd Monday & 4th Tuesday, Sept. to May).

Pizza and Theology ~ Resumes Tuesday, Oct 16th, 6:30 PM
Creekside, San Anselmo. Thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Please email: 

Session ~ Tuesday, October 23rd, 6:30 PM

St. Luke Men's Group ~ Tuesday, Nov. 6th, Location TBD

St. Luke Women’s Association ~ Thursday. Nov. 8th, 1:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE~ December 7th 1:00-3:00, Christmas Tea & Program.