Sunday, December 1, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
This coming Sunday we enter into the season of Advent. This marks the beginning of the liturgical year. The sanctuary will be adorned in it’s Advent blue and the Advent wreath will see the lighting of the Hope candle.
We honor 300 years of the beloved hymn Joy to the World. As we “prepare Him room” in the sanctuary we also do so in our hearts, our lives and in the world. The joy we cultivate is not the same as the happiness we’re being sold in how to books and podcasts. Joy is born from something deeper and is gifted by God. While we can’t fabricate joy we can cultivate joy by placing God in the center of everything we experience.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy….(Psalm 98:7.8)
As we wait during Advent, we do so actively. We stay awake (Matthew 24:36-44) and live our lives with a new perspective on this one precious life gifted to us each hour of every day. God is about to be born again into our lives as a vulnerable baby. Get ready to embrace Him, hold Him and nurture Him into being all over again, with joy.
With great thanksgiving for each one of you,
Nicole
Outreach and Deacon Ministry
All are welcome to attend
St Luke’s November Food Drive Barrel ~
St. Luke will collect canned proteins/meats: Beans, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, Chicken, Turkey, Beef. You may also donate using the green envelope and with the notation FOOD DRIVE. $1 = 2 Meals!
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.
Street Chaplaincy Dinner ~ Tuesday, December 17th
This is our first call for volunteers to help serve on the evening. If you’re interested in serving, please email Michael Baranowski at
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Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
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 and online at https://stlukepresthisischristmas.eventcreate.com Net proceeds will go to benefit St. Luke Presbyterian Church and its outreach ministries.
Pizza and Theology ~ Cancelled for December-will resume in January.
Celebrate Christmas with St. Luke
December 1st ~ HOPE
December 8th ~ PEACE
December 15th ~ JOY
December 18th ~ Wednesday, 7:00 PM Blue Christmas Service
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 5:00 PM 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, January 14th, 6:00 PM
Pizza and Theology - 3rd Tuesday, January 21st, 7:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, January 27th, 10:30 AM
Session Meeting - 4th Tuesday, January 27th, 7:00 PM