As I write this during the last week of January, I have just watched a story on Good Morning America. It seems that a mom, a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan since 1976, was surprised by her son, Mike Harris, with 3 Superbowl tickets less than a week before the big game. Her reaction is shock, disbelief, and then utter delight. (You can see for yourself at: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/2014-super-bowl-son-surprises-mother-tickets-22295746).
You probably have received a few surprize invitations through the years yourself, and after the shock you too likely found yourself delighted. I can’t help but think that surprize was an understatement in Jesus’ parable about the wedding guests: those unsuspecting folks just hanging around on the streets who were invited into the king’s wedding banquet! (see Matthew 22).
Now, hopefully this invitation (from our Sunday bulletin) looks familiar to you. We’ve been using it since last Spring as a reminder that we are engaged in a Year of Outreach and Invitation.
Most of us have discovered that it is very hard for us to reach out and invite, yet it is essential to get anyone involved. Recently, one of our members remarked to me that even though she knows of all sorts of things going on around the church which she could or even should volunteer for, she doesn’t. In fact, she felt a bit ashamed by it. Yet at the same time, she “confessed” that when someone has personally asked her to do something, she accepts the offer, and not only that, is happy about it!
So, remembering that surprise invitations can be a delight, I would like to encourage you to think about the people you enjoy being around in our church community. Then consider “reaching out” to them with an invitation to join you in one of our Unbinding Your Soul classes being offered this Lent. It seems like a no-brainer to gather together with folks at church you already enjoy being around! There are only four weeks of classes beginning the week of March 9th. At this point we expect to have class options on Wednesday evening, Thursday morning, and Saturday morning. (If there is interest, we will also consider a Thursday evening class). “Sign-ups” will officially begin February 16th, but we encourage you to invite others right now you’d like to be with to join you at whichever class time you can make. (And, of course, you are welcome to extend such an invitation to others beyond our church family too!)
Perhaps by practicing inviting our friends at church to join us, we will find ourselves getting more comfortable and accomplished in Christian Hospitality, at least in the act of inviting!
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Jim