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Come to the table of joy

Come to the table of joy

This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine

Come to the table of joy!

This is the penultimate Sunday of our worship series, “Come to the Table.” Our weekly celebration of the sacrament of Communion during this series has helped us remember Jesus’ life and ministry and connects us with our Christian ancestors and siblings across time and space.

There is great joy to be found at God’s table: joy in the vibrant relationships that nurture and sustain this community, joy in the sharing of our gifts and resources, joy in the journey as we work towards a more just and equitable world.

Weekly scripture – Matthew 25:14-30

We continue this Sunday with our worship series, “Come to the Table.” Today, we hear the call to dine with Jesus – an invitation that means much more than a simple eating experience. It never was simply about eating with Jesus. The table was the place where he fed people, and also challenged them to acts of hospitality that reflect God’s way. When we say “yes” to the place at Christ’s table, we accept a way of life that embraces God’s definition of love, peace, grace, and joy.

Weekly scripture – Matthew 22:1-14

“I No Longer Pray for Peace” by Ann Weems
On the edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
I pray that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm’s way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.
I pray that all the “God talk”
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.
Some say there is no hope,
but then I’ve always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God……
that we can truly love one another.
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
Let us pray.
Holy One, send miracles. Amen.

Today we continue with our current worship series, “Come to the Table.”

The table of peace can take almost any shape. Our table this week is a conference table, perhaps depicting where two or more parties meet to negotiate the terms of a contract, a settlement, or a ceasefire. For Jesus, peacemaking was often found in the act of sharing a meal with people who would have been considered “outsiders.” We like to imagine Jesus in perfect harmony with everyone who gathered with him at the table —but perhaps sometimes even he held his breath when he brought people together with opposing viewpoints. Today we come to the table of peace, ready to practice patience and compassion, even when we disagree.

Scripture of the week – Colossians 3:9b-17 & Matthew 18:18-22

Later this week, on October 24, our sister Billie Kennedy will turn 99! If you’d like to send her a card, you can get her address from the church office or the latest directory.

Come to the table of grace
Come to the table of grace
This is God’s table, it’s not yours or mine
Come to the table of grace!

Welcome to our new worship series, “Come to the Table.” At the table of grace, there is always more than enough to go around.

Everybody makes mistakes, and we have all needed forgiveness at some point and gentle guidance to adjust and make amends.

Grace doesn’t keep track of how many times we’ve messed up, and it doesn’t hinge on the condition that next time, we’ll do better. Grace exists outside of time and says we are enough, right now and always, no matter what.

Weekly scripture – Matthew 20:1-16