Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ Luke 15:23-24
Dear HBIC Family,
This Sunday is Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday (AWFS), where we join with other Anabaptist-related churches across the globe “…to use a common theme in a worship service to connect with our global Anabaptist family”. This year is especially special because we will be celebrating on January 21st, which will be the 499th anniversary of the first recorded Anabaptist baptism that took place in Zurich, Switzerland. AWFS is an opportunity to remind our communities of faith that we are all part of one body made up of many tribes, languages, and nations (Revelation 7:9).
In so doing, we proclaim that we are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and heirs according to God’s promise. In so doing, we remind one another that in Christ, through faith, we are now a new creation. In so doing, we accept the continual call from Jesus and empowerment from the Holy Spirit to love and support one another, to walk with those who suffer, and to serve our world as we all grow and learn together. Our world separates, but we are brought together as one by the blood of Christ, the love of God, and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
As part of our celebration, we will be continuing our Good News for the Lost sermon series through the book of Luke by looking at Jesus’ Parable of the Great Banquet. In this famous story, and throughout Luke 14, Jesus is asking, “Who does belong at the table of the Lord God? Who does belong to God?”
As you prepare for this week’s service, I invite you to read and meditate on Luke 14:15-24. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
Who belongs at the table of the Lord?
What does it mean for you to belong to your God? And for your sister and brother?
What does it mean to be ready for the blessings God has for you?
How is your busyness keeping you from God?
Who else belongs at the table of the Lord? How are you making space for them?
For AWFS, we have been reminded to think about God’s Mosaic community and what it means to become a part of God’s bigger picture. The story that God is telling…the good news… is for the world. The people being knitted together by God are from the world. And the Son of God, Jesus our Christ was sent for the world – and is still coming into our world.
Sisters and brothers, I love that God makes us together as one. I love that we need one another. I love that we’re called and commanded in Scripture to be unified, to work together, and to shine together. I love that we are all better together. I love that we are together Jesus’ body. I love that the Holy Spirit lives inside the people of God. May we, the family of God, live lives worthy of our God who has saved us. May we, the family of God, love deeply as God has loved us and our world. And may we, the people of God, be reflective of heaven to come and faith that is already here. God bless you all!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Luke 14:23-24)