Sunday, September 1, 2019
This Sunday
Dear St. Luke Community,
This is one of those Sunday’s where the scripture really speaks for itself. Jesus is instructing his followers on table manners and humility. (Luke 14: 1-14)
I have a fun story to tell you this Sunday about a picture of some dinner plates I posted on Reddit (an anonymous social media site) that found a way to 6,500 people who upvoted it. (liked it) While I don’t want to give away the whole story, it became clear to me that they were liking the idea behind the post and not the picture itself. The idea is related to this Sunday’s text in some way that I’ll connect for you on Sunday, but suffice it to say it has to do with hospitality. Hospitality at the table or in the home, banquet, and world is more than the offer of something to drink when someone comes over. Radical hospitality, in the eyes of God, is a way of life. To move through the world with a spiritual welcome sign is to move through with humility, curiosity, warmth and yes, kindness. But not just towards your neighbor who waves to you from the driveway or towards the person who receives you into their home, but towards the people who are on the margins, the people in need, the people who are searching for someone to help them.
Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adore the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own. - Henri Nouwen
See you Sunday,
Nicole
September 1st : Guest Musicians ~
Kelsey McIvor has just begun her senior year at San Marin High School. She is heavily involved with her school's music program, playing in the jazz band, jazz combo, jazz choir rhythm section, and rock band. She also is a member of the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra and regularly plays for her church's contemporary praise band. Kelsey hopes to study international relations at a four-year university next year with the hopes of working for the United Nations one day.
Courtney McIvor is a Sophomore at San Marin High School enrolled in the STEM program and is heavily involved in the music program. She has played French Horn for three years and has played with the Crescendo Orchestra and Marin Youth Symphony. This summer she toured with the Marin Youth Symphony where she visited Prague, Vienna, and Budapest and is looking forward to playing with them again this year.
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, September 9th, Group A
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.
6th Annual Pedal for Protein ~ September 22nd – 28th, Let's ride!
Supports food bank pantries & projects to help feed hungry people in Northern California. Organized by The Hunger Task Force of the Presbytery of the Redwoods, 100% of all donations go to food projects. PEDALFORPROTEIN.COM. for information.
Ongoing Events
All are welcome to attend
Bible Study - Wednesday, September 4th, 9:30 AM
Deacons - 2nd Tuesday, September 10th, 6:00 PM
St. Luke Choir Rehearsal - Wednesday, September 11th, 7:00 PM
Morning Women's Spirituality Group - Thursday, September 12th, 9:00 AM
Pizza and Theology - 3rd Tuesday, September 17th, 7:00 PM
St. Luke Women’s Bridge - 4th Tuesday, September 24th, 10:30 AM
Session - 4th Tuesday, September 24th, 7:00 PM
Upcoming Events & Announcements
All are welcome to attend
Summer Music Series ~ September 8th, Erich Miller, Percussion
Fall Speaker Series ~ September 8th, 15th, & 22nd after worship.
Professor Greg Love returns for a Fall Speaker series on” "The Change Toward Wholeness.” Both the New Testament and psychology speak of a person’s change from brokenness toward wholeness. But how does that change happen? Do we just “set our mind to it, and make the changes”? Or is it more difficult . . . and if so, why? Further, what is God’s role in creating this change in us, and what is our role? This three-week series looks at how we change, comparing and contrasting the views from neurobiology, psychology, and spirituality. It will look at two opposing views of how we change (theology and science that suggests only God can change us; versus theology and science that says we have capacities within us to change, they just need help); and a possible third way that transcends those two views.
Gregory Love is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary and The Graduate Theological Union. A native of the Northwest, he graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a BA in Modern European History and Religion, and a minor in Sociology. He received his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. His most recent book, Love, Violence and the Cross: How the Nonviolent God Saves Us through the Cross of Christ, investigates the relation between religion and violence. Dr. Love also brings neurology, evolutionary biology and psychology, and sociology into conversation with the world religions’ ancient wisdom traditions to investigate how change toward wholeness is possible for individuals. Dr. Love has a sixteen-year-old daughter, Claire. He loves to backpack, travel to new countries, meet friends for coffee, and make his daughter laugh.
St. Luke 's Men's Group ~ Tuesday, September 17th, 6:00-8:30 PM
John Bischoff will host, 1 Bracken Ct., San Rafael, 94903. We socialize and dine. Bring friends, it’s a great opportunity to introduce them to St. Luke and the Men’s Group. Upcoming on Tues., Nov. 5th, Michael Antieri will host. If you have any questions or would like to assist the above hosts, contact John Lenser at H-415.485.4333, C-415.446.8418 or email
Acoustic Sundays ~ September 22nd
A relaxed service with guitars, drums, and keyboard where we blend secular popular songs and modern easy to sing hymns.
St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction ~ October 6th, 6:00 PM
St Luke’s Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Auction. The dinner will St. Luke’s version of “Gala”, black and white without the tuxedo. We will celebrate with gourmet food prepared by Janet Abrahamson and Michael Baranowski. In addition to great food and fellowship, anticipate great music and a silent auction. If you’d like to contribute to the silent auction please contact Laura Hislop
. More to come - save the date!
St Luke’s Christmas Concert ~ 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.