Sunday, February 16, 2020
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
Remember that expression you probably heard as a child: it’s for your own good? Some might call it tough love. Others might call good parenting. I remember agonizing over discipling my kids when they were little by not allowing them to participate in playdates because of their behavior. Other times I had no problem expressing tough love, especially when I knew it was the best way to teach them about making a different choice next time. It was for their own good, I’d tell myself.
This Sunday Jesus is expressing some pretty tough love. (Matthew 5:21-37) Some of it is just bizarre, if I may be so bold. But when read in the context of when it was written, we can look past the specifics and begin to look at what the intention of these teachings might be. Like many of Jesus’s teachings, these verses speak to how we should be relating to one another. Jesus seems to be saying, it’s one thing to follow the rules, but when you follow the rules in one area of your life and then make some lousy choices in other areas, it’s not enough. It’s not enough to follow the law, you also have to keep in check what’s in your heart and how you treat those around you. It’s for your own good: that is, it’s for your own goodness. The good that’s in us, given to us by God is like anything else that is living and breathing. It needs water and light. It needs nurturing and sometimes it needs discipline. It’s for our own good when God gets tough and says, that’s not enough, you can do better, and you should, for your own good, and the good of those around you, which for Jesus are one and the same thing. Love God, love others. (Matthew 22:37-39) Love one another as I’ve loved you. (John 15:12) Treat others the way you want to be treated. (Luke 6:31) We can do better. And it’s for our own good.
See you Sunday,
Nicole
Outreach and Deacon Ministry
All are welcome to attend
Manna Bags ~ Sunday, February 23rd
Over the next two weeks, St. Luke’s Outreach is collecting the following items to fill and distribute “Manna Bags” to the unsheltered population in Marin:
• Socks ( the #1 requested item)
• Protein bars
• Mini toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
• Tissue packets
• Ziploc gallon bags
We have already purchased rain ponchos and mylar blankets, and will also include a list of Marin resources and services in each bag. Our goal is to fill and distribute 150-200 bags, which we will assemble during worship service on February 23rd.
Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, March 2nd, Group A
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
Sunday School Substitutes needed ~
Our Sunday School coordinator, Deb Bennet, is doing a great job of preparing lessons for our teacher, Devon. We need folks who are willing to occasionally step in to teach a lesson. The lesson will be prepared for you. Please email Nicole at
if you’d like to have some fun one Sunday and support our Children’s ministry.
Acoustic Sunday ~ THIS SUNDAY and March 15th, 10:00 AM
A relaxed service with guitars, piano, and percussion where we blend secular popular songs and hymns.
Pizza & Theology ~ Tuesday, February 18th, 7:00 PM
Join us at Creekside Pizza & Taproom, 638 San Anselmo Ave. S.A., for pizza, beverages and engaging theological discussion.
First Presbyterian Church San Rafael Annual Crab Feed ~ Saturday, February 22, 5:00 PM
A festive feast of all the crab, salad and pasta you can eat, PLUS live dinner music and after-dinner entertainment by Marylou’s Apartment. Proceeds support this year’s Mission Trip (see below). Tickets are $55 per person, $25 for ages 16 and under. Reservations a must ~ Contact Ralph Purdy,
Fat Tuesday Pot Luck Feast ~ Tuesday, February 25th, 6:00 -7:30 PM
The night before Lent begins, this traditional celebration brings rich and delicious food together in the community. Please sign-up on the board in the Narthex to bring 1 of the following to feed 10; 3 Entrées, 3 Salads, 3 Breads and 3 Desserts. Bring your own beverage of choice.
Mariner’s Interfaith Sunday ~ Sunday, March 1st, 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’s Chorus will bring the gift of music for this special occasion. Please make your reservation for the annual brunch ($15 per person) at the Loch Lomond Yacht Club by emailing Deb Bennett at
.
Mission Trip Opportunity with SRFPC ~ April 19th-25th
This year the mission is going to Omaha, Nebraska. The work will be guided by Omaha Rapid Response and includes removing and replacing studs, installing insulation and drywall, etc., no construction experience is needed. Please email Ralph Purdy at
.
Men’s Cursillo Weekend ~ April 23rd-26th
This is a weekend that will deepen your spiritual journey, deepen relationships and lead you into new friendships that could last a lifetime. For more info, please email John Bischoff at
St. Luke Men's Group 2020 ~
Mark your calendars! Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of every other month at 6 PM. Please email John at
if you’d like to offer assistance to the hosts.
March 3rd - John Bischoff
May 5th - Michael Baranowski
July 7th - John Lenser
Sept. 1st - Terri Mech
Nov. 3rd - Michael Antieri
St. Luke Presbyterian Church Officers 2020
Elders
Class of 2020 ~ Wayne Dickinson, George Tuttle, Beth Potillo- Miller, Erich Miller
Class of 2021 ~ Ada Endress, John Bischoff, Michael Baranowski, Carlene McCart
Class of 2022 ~ Gladys Gilliland, John Lenser
Deacons
Class of 2020 ~ Rosalie Weigle
Class of 2021 ~ Marcia Lenser, Claudionei Penha
Class of 2022 ~ Wendy Quek, Jean McKechnie
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, March 10th, 6:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, February 25th, 10:30 AM
Session Meeting - 4th Tuesday, February 25th, 7:00 PM
St. Luke’s mission: To practice love by following Jesus.
Learn more at www.stlukepres.org
Facebook ~ St. Luke Presbyterian San Rafael
Reverend Nicole Trotter ~
Office Admin., Joanne Trifoso ~
Office Phone: 415-454-2705, Office hours: M, W & Th: 10-1 & Tues: 1-4
Sexton, Carlos Araujo ~ Sunday 8:00 AM-Noon