After a couple of years in relative lockdown due to the pandemic, many are now hesitant to join in large dinner parties, feeling that it would be “too peoply” there. This week, Pastor Linda considers Jesus’s parable of the feast. If you were invited to an exclusive banquet by a generous host, would you come? Or would you find an excuse and decline? If you declined, how would you feel if the host then invited folks off the street to attend? How exclusive was it, really? And how exclusive is God’s generous love for us?
Today’s service includes Holy Communion.
Our services are being held with in-person attendance at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Today’s service is provided below in its entirety in video format. Note that closed captioning is available when “CC” appears in white at the bottom of the video panel. Click the CC to see the text; as it is done with an automated service, there may be errors in transcription.
Our Scripture Reading is Matthew 22:1-14 NRSV. The author of the first gospel was writing to early Christians, many of whom were culturally Jewish. They would have understood how big a deal it was for a king to host a wedding banquet for his son, and how important an invitation to such an event was. All those invited declined the invitation, which was a great insult to the host. But the host wanted a party anyway, so after destroying the first group, he invited people from off the streets. Even they were expected to dress appropriately for the occasion, or be thrown out. This story was an allegory to God preparing heaven for the end of times, for all those who sincerely accept His invitation.
 The message today from Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook is “The Parable of the Feast.”
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Credits and copyrights
- “In Joyful Praise” by Laurence Lyon. © 1981 Swanee Press.
- “Let There Be Peace On Earth” words and music by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, harm. by Charles H. Webb. © 1955, renewed 1983 Jan – Lee Music. CCLI song #93690, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Sanctuary” words and music by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs. © 1982 Full Armor Publishing Company (Admin. by Peermusic III, Ltd.); Whole Armor Publishing Company (Admin. by Peermusic III, Ltd.). CCLI song #24140, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Love the Lord Your God” by Jean and Jim Strathdee. © 1991 Strathdee Music (Admin. by Desert Flower Music). CCLI song #1400093, CCLI License #2718708.
- “How Shall I Come Before the Lord” words by Dean McIntyre, music English folk melody, harm. by Dean McIntyre. Words and harmony © 2005 The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.
- “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” words by Thomas Ken, music from Geistliche Kirchengesänge. Public domain). CCLI song #1364029, CCLI License #2718708.
- “Trees of the Field” words by Steffi Geiser Ruben, music by Stuart Dauermann. © 1975 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). CCLI song #20546, CCLI License #2718708.
- All other text on this page © The United Methodist Church of Morgan Hill.