I love a good party! There’s nothing like gathering around friends and family, with good food and conversation. Maybe it’s a family dinner or a football watch party. There’s something about it that resonates with me.
Some families have weekly dinners where extended family get together. You get to see your uncles, aunts, and all your little cousins. I have fond memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Everybody was invited. You could even bring a friend or two. There was always enough food.
And when my mother hosted, I remember she would sit down and make her menu out weeks in advance. Paying attention to special needs such as food allergies and vegetarian folks. Then came the shopping. Going to four or five different stores to get the best price, and me snapping beans for hours or shucking corn or peeling potatoes. And while it was a lot of preparation, I could also see the joy it brought my mother to think about people sitting in her home enjoying a good meal.
I imagine that’s how it must have felt to God…
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God
moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
God set the table for the world in six days! The sun, moon, and stars set the mood lighting. The heaven, sky, land, and water serve as place settings, each having their own useful purpose. Then God brought humans into being, prepared by His own hands. And we are the vessels, the utensils, set apart to do what God asks us to do. Serve here, stir things up over there, be a covering in times of chaos.
Ever since the foundations of the world, the gracious Host has been preparing for you! It’s not by accident that you are here. You are not a mistake. No, you are part of God’s great party! And God has extended an invitation for you to come to the party!
This Sunday we will celebrate several things. First, it’s Back to Church Sunday! After summer vacations and two years of a pandemic, it’s exciting to come back into the house of worship. To come to the meal that God prepares for you week after week. It’s like one big family dinner!
It’s also Grandparents Day! We’ll celebrate the gift of grandparenthood and honor the grandparents among us. And in honor of 9/11 we will remember those who were impacted by the tragic events of that day, and celebrate the fortitude of a country stricken, but not destroyed. And guess what – you’re invited! That’s right. Gather your family, friends, neighbors, and invite them to the party, too!
Join us for worship this Sunday, for a new sermon series: You’re Invited! This week we’ll preach on The Gracious Host. We hope to see you in-house at 10:00am (masks optional), or you can also join us online. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Breakthrough Prayer Are you still praying? I hope so! Amazing things have been happening in my life and my family’s lives. I can’t wait to hear some of your stories of prayers answered and strength renewed!
The Word on Wednesday (WOW) starts in-house this Wednesday, September 14! This is when we gather together for dinner, then break out into small groups for discussion and fellowship. There will be something for the children too! We need a headcount for the caterer, so be sure to sign up here for dinner & the class of your choice on the website. Then bring your family and let’s have Food – Fun – Fellowship, WOW! Dinner 6pm, classes 6:30-7:30pm.
Take me out to the Ballgame! If you haven’t reserved your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? UM night at the Ballpark is on Saturday, September 17. We only have 9 tickets left, so don’t be left out in left field (LOL). Get your tickets on the website!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda