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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

Dear Mt. Tam Church,

This Sunday, I invite you to join us for a meaningful time of worship at 10:30 a.m., either in person or via our live stream. We’ll be continuing our sermon series, “The Stories that Surround Us,” where we draw inspiration from the beautiful stained glass windows that adorn our sanctuary.

This week, we’ll be reflecting on the window that depicts Jesus feeding the multitudes. We’ll explore John’s account of this story and consider how, in community, our gifts can be multiplied through God’s Spirit to care for both our local neighbors and the wider world.

I look forward to gathering as we reflect on the ways God’s abundance flows through us when we come together in faith.

Take care,

Pastor Luke

Dear Mt. Tam Church,

I warmly invite you to join us this Sunday for worship at 10:30 AM as we begin a new sermon series titled “The Stories that Surround Us.” In this series, we’ll explore the beauty and meaning behind our sanctuary’s stained glass windows, drawing inspiration from them for each week’s message. I’m excited to share these stories with you and reflect on the deeper lessons they offer.

Following worship, we will hold our annual Church Conference at noon, with the honor of having our District Superintendent, Rev. Sun Hee Kim, presiding. Please make plans to attend this important gathering as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future of our church.

Additionally, please keep all those affected by the recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Milton, in your prayers. Many have lost homes and livelihoods. If you would like to learn how the United Methodist Church is responding and how you can support these efforts, please visit [this link].

I look forward to gathering with you this Sunday for worship, reflection, and fellowship.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Luke