Sunday, October 13, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
This Sunday we hear from Luke 17:11-19. This is the story of the ten lepers who call out to Jesus for healing. Jesus sends them to the priests. On their way they’re healed. But only one turns back to thank Jesus; the Samaritan. The one Jesus calls “foreigner.”
None of us have ever suffered from leprosy. But we can try to gain insight as we remember a time in our lives when we’ve experienced isolation or despair. Some of us may have experienced a kind of self-disgust so deep we’ve alienated and isolated ourselves from even those who were trying to love us back to life. While we had a choice, these ten had none.
These are the ones Jesus welcomes, heals and claims as God’s own. One of the ten turns back. Surely all ten were grateful but only one returns; the foreigner. Why would Luke (Jesus) go out of his way to point this out?
Because this is Luke’s Gospel. Again and again, Luke returns to this theme of welcoming the “other” as does the entire Hebrew Bible and the Israelites themselves. Remember when you were foreigners in a strange land. (Lev 19, Exod 22)
As Christians, we remember at the table, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” In other words; let what has been done for you by God continue to fill you up so abundantly that you have no choice but to return gratitude. Not with words but in how you live your life. Every action, every word, every deed, every relationship, every perception….you get the point. One life, one way of living.
See You Sunday,
Nicole
Outreach and Deacon Ministry
All are welcome to attend
KIVA.ORG ~ St. Luke’s Women’s Association has supported KIVA for many years and they will be a Deacon’s Ministry in the Fall. KIVA is a San Francisco based non-profit that offers individuals or groups the opportunity to make a $25 or larger loan in many countries.
Mill Street Meal Providers ~ Monday, October 7th, Group B
The first Monday of each month Group A or Group B is assigned a meal item to provide (fruit, milk & bread, main, salad, vegetable, dessert). The volunteers bring a different food item every other month. Please contact Stacy Bischoff at
for information.
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, November 11th, 6:00 PM
Pizza and Theology - 3rd Tuesday, October 15th, 7:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, October 22nd, 10:30 AM
Session Meeting - 4th Tuesday, October 22nd, 7:00 PM
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
Recap - St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~
Thank you for bringing your friends and family and inviting newcomers to St Luke, all 120 of you! And a thank you to all who were NOT able to attend but who donated to the fundraiser. We exceeded our goal of $22,000 by roughly $3000. We could not have even come close to our goal without all of you. We are so grateful to each of you.
Last week will go down as one of my personal favorites. The entire week had an air of excitement as people came together to plan, shop, decorate and cook. It reminded me of my theatre days, during tech week, when everyone involved grows more excited as we get closer to opening night. But even better is the deepening of relationships between people as they work together towards a common goal.
More folks were involved this year than last and I can’t possibly name them all. You know who you are. You’re the one who ran an errand, stayed after worship, got on the phone, got on a ladder, invited guests, spread wood chips, donated your time, talents and wares. If this were a theater, we would be thanking our Executive Producer and Director, John Lenser, who orchestrated the entire event. John kept track of everything and everyone. Janet Abrahamson brought her expertise as a chef and along with John Lenser orchestrated an amazing 5-star dinner. Janet is a perfectionist and you would have thought she was cooking for the Queen of England with her attention to detail.
To run with the theatre metaphor-Here is a silly Playbill. Producer/Director- John Lenser, Chefs- Janet Abrahamson/Creekside & John Lenser, Ticket Taker & Stage Manager- Carlene McCart, Auction Producer- Laura Hislop, Table Decorations- Leigh Ann Antieri, Set & Lighting Designers- Beth Potillo-Miller, Leigh Ann Antieri, Ada & Clive Endress, Entertainer & Ambient Music- Erich Miller, MC & Auctioneer- Michael Baranowski, Bartender- John Bischoff, Michael Baranowski, Stage Hands- Ted Vogelaar, Michael Antieri, Ken Nelson.
With Deep Gratitude and Joy,
Nicole
Men Helping to End Gun Violence ~ October 20th after worship, Bayview Room
Men Against Gun Violence was formed after the Parkland school shooting in early 2018. Eighty to ninety percent of gun violence in the U.S. is committed by men. Our mission is to build a non-partisan, non-profit group of men helping to reduce gun violence by understanding and eliminating environmental factors leading certain men to harm others and themselves.
The group was founded in Marin by L.B. Upshaw, a retired consultant and U.C. Berkeley faculty member, and former Chair of the Board of Trustees at the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Join us after worship as L.B. speaks on “Prevent & Protect”, a program that seeks to prevent gun violence in homes, workplaces, faith communities, and schools.
For further information about Men Against Gun Violence, visit their Website: menagainstgunviolence.org
St. Luke 's Men's Group ~ Tuesday, November 5th, 6:00-8:30 PM
Michael Antieri will host, 636 Biscayne Dr. S.R. We socialize and dine from 6-8:30 PM. Bring friends, it’s a great opportunity to introduce them to St. Luke and the Men’s Group. Please direct questions or if you can assist the hosts, contact John Lenser, Home - 415.485.4333, Cell - 415.446.8418,
.
St. Luke Women’s Association Annual Christmas Tea & Program ~ Friday, December 6th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE and invite your friends to enjoy St Luke’s Holiday cheer. The afternoon includes Tea, Coffee, Sweets, and Savories with a Music Program and a RAFFLE.
St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ Sunday, December 8th, 4:00 PM
It’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays! Save the date for the first annual St. Luke Christmas Concert, 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 complimentary reception with beverages and appetizers in the Bayview Room. Be sure to invite friends and family, and start the Christmas season with music and friendship. All proceeds will go to benefit St. Luke ministries and church.