September 7, 2010

Dear Church:

This past Sunday was such a meaningful start to our sermon series on the healing passages in Luke. Thank you for your openness to the movement of the Spirit. May God’s presence continue to rest on us in the days ahead. This Sunday we will focus on the healing of the demoniac in Luke 8:26-39.

Dear Church – we begin a new focus this month in the Gospel of Luke: we’ll be looking at the stories of healing we find there. We will also be praying for the healing that we need to experience in our own lives as well as in our community and our world. As we move from a focus on the spiritual discipline of hospitality to that of prayer, please continue your practice of inviting and welcoming people into your homes and into your heart. Consider this week who you might like to host at your dinner table soon! Also, you will have a chance to extend as well as enjoy the hospitality of others this coming Sunday as the lunch bunch heads to Bobby’s Dairy Dip after the service. All are welcome.

Friends – This coming Sunday we conclude our summer sermon series on hospitality. We turn this week to the familiar and beloved story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15. When you are able, take a look at that entire chapter this week, and may you be reminded of the lavish and extravagant love God has extended to you. (And may you be inspired to extend that kind of love to others in turn!)

We move to Luke 9 this week and reflect on Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 in verses 10-17. Take some time to read thru that passage this week in preparation for worship on Sunday. You might also reflect on our passage from last week, Luke 7:36-50, and consider how you can offer radical love and hospitality to someone this week when they least expect it (just as the prostitute in the story does for Jesus.)

We have begun our summer sermon series on the meal passages in Luke. Thanks to Brent McMillian for his good words this past Sunday about remembrance and communion (the place of ultimate hospitality.)