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.