October 11, 2020 - Pentecost Season Devotion - Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost - This Sunday, October 11, 2020

Join us for worship this Sunday, 9:30 a.m., "Signs of Love ... Answering The Invitation!"

Thanks be to God for those who have given their time and leadership as we now worship again in our sanctuary!

You will find more details below, including, signing up for worship, signing up to volunteer, what to expect, and children's activity sheets. You can also access these details on our website and on our Facebook page!

Worship each Sunday will be a 30 minute service including live music by our worship leaders, a children's message and a message from Pastor Jamie. Holy Communion will be offered as the service ends. If you prefer, if your timing is better, from 10:15-10:30 a.m., you are invited to drive up to the curb of the sidewalk in front of the building, and receive Holy Communion in your vehicle.

Each Sunday we will make every attempt to live stream the service for you at 9:30 a.m.

We hope you join us for worship this Sunday! We look forward to seeing you soon!

You can access the bulletin for this Sunday, October 11, here.

You can access children's activity sheets for this Sunday here.

You can sign up to attend worship this Sunday here.

You can access details and what to expect as we share indoor worship here.

You can access the signupgenius and ways to assist our indoor service here.

vs. 1
I will feast at the table of the Lord.
I will feast at the table of the Lord.
I won’t hunger anymore
At His table.

(repeat)

refrain:
Come all you weary,
Come and find
His yoke is easy,
His burden light.
He is able;
He will restore
At the table
Of the Lord.

vs. 2
There is peace at the table of the Lord.
There is peace at the table of the Lord.
I won’t worry anymore
At His table.

vs. 3
There is healing at the table of the Lord.
There is healing at the table of the Lord.
Oh, and I won’t suffer anymore
At His table.

(refrain)

bridge:
Oh, I know He has
A place for me.
Oh, what joy
Will fill my heart.
With the saints
Around
The mercy seat
Of God.

(refrain)

vs. 4
I’m invited to the table of the Lord.
I’m invited to the table of the Lord.
He says come just as you are
To His table.

“Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. … For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:1-10,14
”

What is your first response when you get an invitation?

"I can't wait!"

"I'm going to try and make it."

"I'm busy, but I'll see."

"There’s really no way I can go."
"I wish I could go. I really do, but I can’t."

"I don't want to go and be with so and so."

"I don't even know this person that well."

“Why was I invited?” vs. "I can't believe I was invited!"

When you get an invitation, what is your reaction? Are you excited? Do you wonder who you will see, what you will do?

Are you quick to RSVP? Do you wait and see how your schedule plays out? If nothing else comes up, if the time stays open, if nothing better comes your way, is that when you say you will attend?

Do you look at who the invitation is from? Maybe the invite comes from someone you do not know well? Maybe the invite comes from someone who is not your favorite person? Maybe you wonder why you were invited, how you made the list?

Do you know Jesus is inviting you, has invited you, has called you, has chosen you, is hoping you accept, wants to welcome you, is ready for you?

As we share the parable of the wedding banquet, as we continue our journey through God’s signs of love, we are reminded, God invites us every day:
To receive, come to, celebrate, trust, pass along, signs of love entrusted into our care!
To come to the table together, to build on our relationships, faith and spirit!
To believe anew, we are called, and we are chosen!
To come just as we are to the table of the Lord!
To come no matter how weary, to the One who is able!
To come to the One who has the feast, peace, and healing perfectly ready!
To come to the One who comes to us first!
To boldly say, yes, to his invitation, without delay!
To be blessed by the signs of love God gives to us, to feast on it all, and much more!

As we accept God’s invitation, let us not miss out, let us not say `maybe later,’ let us see there is no other place we would rather be than with Christ and God’s people, blessed with a table filled, a celebration filled, our hearts filled, with countless signs of love!

Let us pray: Loving God, today, we thank you for inviting us each and every day to be called and to be chosen, to receive, and to share in, your countless signs of love. By your Holy Spirit, open our hearts and our spirits, to be more accepting, to be more energetic, to be more engaging, to be more grateful, that we are on your list, that you have a place ready for each of us. Increase our faith to come just as we are to you and your table, to receive, to care for, to share, to celebrate with one and all, every sign of your love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.