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Dear Mt. Tam Church,

I pray that you all had a meaningful and peaceful Thanksgiving! As we now turn our hearts toward the Advent season, we are reminded that this time invites us into a sacred rhythm of preparation—not just for Christmas, but for the arrival of hope, peace, joy, and love in our lives.

This Sunday at 10:30 a.m., we will gather for worship on the First Sunday of Advent. Our theme for the day will be preparation—making space in our hearts, homes, and community for the light of Christ to shine. This is a wonderful opportunity to center ourselves in this busy season and reflect on what it means to prepare for God’s presence among us.

As part of our worship, we will also have the chance to extend that light outward. This Sunday’s offering will be shared with our friends at the Marin County Food Bank, a vital organization working to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Your generosity will directly support neighbors in need during the holiday season—a true expression of the spirit of Advent.

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m., whether in person or online. Let us come together to prepare our hearts, light the first candle of Advent, and begin this holy season with purpose and hope.

Take care,

Pastor Luke

Dear Mt. Tam Church, As we approach Thanksgiving, our hearts naturally turn to gratitude. Yet, how often do we find ourselves weighed down by the negatives in our lives or the brokenness in the world? This Sunday at 10:30 a.m., I invite you to join us in worship as we explore Philippians 4:4-9 and reflect on the transformative power of focusing on what is good, noble, and praiseworthy. In a world that so often pulls our attention toward what is wrong, how might our lives—and even the world around us—change if we began by recognizing the good? Together, we’ll consider how God calls us to see and celebrate the beauty, hope, and possibilities that surround us, even in the midst of challenges. This is a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for a season of thanksgiving. Whether you’ve been attending for years or are new to our congregation, we can’t wait to welcome you into a time of joyful worship, meaningful reflection, and connection with one another. In Gratitude and Hope, Pastor Luke

Dear Mt. Tam Church,

I hope this week has been kind to you.

I want to invite you to worship this Sunday, where we’ll dive into a message titled “Moving Beyond a Transactional Faith” based on Hebrews chapter 10.

Many of us, as Christians, can find ourselves slipping into a mindset where we think we have to “do something” or hold the “right belief” to earn God’s grace or favor. But the early Christians held a truly radical conviction: that God’s grace has already been given freely to us through Christ. Our actions and beliefs, then, aren’t about earning God’s love—they’re about living in gratitude, a response to the gift that’s already ours. In all of known religious history, this is a revolutionary belief that we need to remind ourselves of regularly.

I look forward to exploring this with you on Sunday.

I also want to take a moment to thank Pastor Kim for being with you all last Sunday while I was away in Seattle. I know you join me in being grateful for the warmth, wisdom, and spirit she brings each time she’s with us.

Looking forward to seeing you in worship and journeying deeper together.

Take care,

Pastor Luke

Dear Mt. Tam Church,

I hope this message finds you well! This Sunday, as my family and I head north to celebrate Stephanie’s birthday, I invite you to join a very special worship service at 10:30 a.m., either in person at the sanctuary or via our live stream—where I’ll be worshiping with you remotely.

Leading worship this week is Rev. Kim Montenegro, who is no stranger to our church and always brings a powerful word. She will conclude our fall sermon series, The Stories that Surround Us, with a message entitled The Wolf and the Lamb. Drawing from Isaiah 11:1-6, Rev. Kim will guide us in reflecting on the radical vision God offers:

a world where strength and gentleness coexist, division is reconciled, and true peace reigns. It’s a timely and profound word for our lives today.

I encourage you to bring a friend and an open heart as we celebrate this vision of hope together. I’ll see you online or in spirit!

Take care,

Pastor Luke

Dear Friends,

This weekend, our church family will gather for a special and sacred time of worship at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate All Saints Sunday. It is a day to remember and honor the beloved saints who have gone before us—the loved ones who have shaped our lives and the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.

You are invited to bring a photo of a loved one who has passed away. These photos can be placed on the altar before worship begins or during the singing of our first hymn. Together, we will create a beautiful and holy space of remembrance.

Our worship will center on the promise of God’s eternal presence as we reflect on Revelation 21:1-6. This powerful vision speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, where God will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more. We will remind ourselves of the hope we have in the life to come and the deep assurance that God is always with us, both in this life and the next.

I hope you will join us in this meaningful time of honoring, remembering, and finding comfort in God’s promise.

In Peace and Hope,

Pastor Luke

Dear Friends,

This Sunday, we will continue our sermon series, The Stories That Surround Us, drawing inspiration from the stained glass windows in our sanctuary.

Our message this week centers on the powerful imagery of water throughout the Bible. From Jesus walking on water, to the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters at creation, to Jonah in the storm and the parting of the Red Sea, these stories affirm God’s presence and power over the chaotic waters of life. In times filled with uncertainty and turbulence, this Sunday’s message will remind us of the promise that God rises above the chaos and holds us steady—just as Jesus did for Peter when he began to sink.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m., either in person or via our live stream, as we reflect on how God’s steadying hand continues to guide us through life’s storms.

Take care,

Pastor Luke