The Weekly View

Sunday July 8th, 2018

This Sunday

Dear St Luke Community,

We will begin a four week series on Spiritual Practices. If I learned anything this past week on vacation it’s how very grateful I am for the spiritual practice of writing a sermon. While it was nice to be relieved of the pressure for a week, I noticed a downside. I wasn’t looking and listening as much for God’s voice, God’s presence and guidance. The birds didn’t sound quite as sweet and the trees didn't dance quite as elegantly as they normally do. And that’s ok. Maybe even spiritual practices need to be interrupted to develop an appreciation.

This Sunday we will look at what it means to have a spiritual desire to live with an ever growing experience of God. And all the ways we get in our own way of allowing that to happen. Psalm 139:1-18 is titled the Inescapable God and describes beautifully God’s desire to be in an intimate relationship with us. There are a million ways we get in the way of reciprocating the same desire. I have no idea how to foster desire other than through testimony. Listen to those who walk with God and over time you’ll want some of what they’ve got. I know I do. When we stop looking at the world divided up into the material and the spiritual and see God truly in all things, in all moments, that’s when the fun begins. And by fun, I mean meaning, tears, joy, laughter as all gifted.

There’s this one quote by Buechner that every Pastor uses at least once over the course of their call. I’ve used it twice. I’m hoping three times a charm. Here it is-

If I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

~ originally published in Now and Then and Listening to Your Life

See you Sunday,
Nicole

P.S. Birthday Blessings this Sunday

 

Announcements & Upcoming Events

All are welcome to attend 

Summer Sermon Series ~ Practicing Faith-July 8th-29th
Over these four Sundays, Rev Trotter will explore spiritual practices that deepen our relationship with God. Worshipping God each Sunday is only one part of what we do as disciples of Jesus Christ. God has given us every moment and aspect of our lives to grow in deeper relationship with God.

Some practices have a long history in the religions of the world. Others are as ordinary as the things we do in daily life.

Pulling from the following books in conjunction with supporting scripture, we will explore a different individual and congregational practice each Sunday.

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith, Barbara Brown Taylor
The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase

No need to purchase the books.

St. Luke Men’s Group ~ 
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 6 PM
Where: Home of John Bischoff, 1 Bracken Court, San Rafael, CA, 
415-456-7906                   

Please bring your thirst and appetite for drinks, dinner, and good discussion. Following dinner, John Bischoff will provide you with an update on progress relating to addressing CA Water Shortage Issues.  

Please RSVP directly to John at or to Joanne at the office at .

Future Men’s Group meetings: September 4^th at TBD, November 6^th at the Lenser’s. 

Pizza and Theology ~ Taking July and August off
Will resume in September on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM, at Creekside Pizza, San Anselmo. Please email Nicole .

Save The Date

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!

Continuing Events

All are welcome to attend

Bible Study Series ~ Will resume in September.

St. Luke Women’s Association ~ Will resume in September, then every other month on the second Thursday of that month at 1:00 PM.

Women's Spirituality Group ~ Will resume in September.