September 1, 2022

Sunday we welcomed Siena Kaleh into the church and the mission we share through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The baptismal waters remind us who and whose we are. That we are beloved bearers of God’s own image and we belong to Christ.

As we welcomed Siena, we heard Jesus speak of what it looks like to invite and welcome people to the table. Jesus gives instructions on how we are to conduct ourselves when we arrive at a banquet, and for those of us who get to throw a banquet, Jesus reminds us who and how we should invite.

We throw a banquet every Sunday morning. Or rather, God throws a feast and asks us to help host and steward. We gather around a table where we bring nothing and are fed with the only thing we need – the body and blood of Christ that bring us to life and transform us for life with God.

How are we stewarding God’s banquet? Who are we inviting to the waters of life? Who are we calling to God’s table to taste and see that the Lord is good?

We have been given the gift of invitation. We can invite people to come and find hope that will not leave or abandon them. We can invite people to receive grace not because they deserve it, but because God gives it. 

I invite us, dear church, to consider what sorts of invitations Jesus is calling us to give to his table and who we are being called to invite. In Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus encourages all who host a meal to invite those who cannot pay us back, to invite the people who have been told they have no place or are show they are not welcome.

Who do you hope finds a place at God’s table? 
Who do you hope we invite to find their place at Spirit in the Hills?
Who will you share God’s invitation with today?

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Drew