Week 5: The Table of Open Invitations
By Jennifer Humphrey, Director of Children’s Ministry
In Children Worship and Wonder, children learn all about the series of stories, called parables, that Jesus taught his followers. The children learn that parables are gifts given to us by someone special. The kids hear the words “once there was someone who said such amazing things, and did such wonderful things, that people began to follow him. As they followed him, he told them about a kingdom: The Kingdom of Heaven. But they did not understand. They had never been to such a place. So, one day he said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like being invited to a great feast.”
This is the Parable of the Great Banquet - a simple story that teaches the kids about the power of being invited to join in something greater than oneself. The children, as they listen to the story, realize that they too are guests at this celebratory dinner. They sit and listen as the host, the one providing the meal, is continually turned down for an offer to dine at a grand table and to eat an amazing meal together. The children listen as the frustrated host, unhappy with those invited friends for declining the offer to eat, requests that others get invited to the dinner table. The host invites the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to come to dinner. And upon realizing there's even more space at the table, the host opens the home to everyone that is able to come so that the table will be filled.
As a mom of adult children who either live in another home now or who are always off doing their own thing, a full dining table is a wonderous thing. It is so difficult to find a date and time that my entire family, and their loved ones, can come together to eat a meal. Yet, on those special occasions, once every 4 or 5 months or so, magic happens. Everyone can meet to eat dinner together, and it is everything one hopes for. Continuous conversation and occasional laughter ring out and this momma’s heart is full.
An open invitation to eat dinner turns out to be a great idea for sharing in community with others. God’s love abounds around a full table. Truly – it is the Parable of the Great Banquet come alive.
One wonders…how does it feel to be invited to the table? How does the host feel when the table is full? How do the guests feel about the host? How does the host feel about the guests? How many can really be at this table? One wonders…have you ever been near a table like this?
Prayer: God of the open invitation, gently remind us that inviting others to our table reflects Jesus’ expansive love. Open our eyes to those we’ve overlooked, give us courage to invite generously, and ready our hearts for the surprising community found at your table. For the gift of gathering, for meals shared, and for the chance to reflect your welcoming grace, we give you thanks. Amen.
Practicing Our Faith: Fast from exclusion to feast on inclusion
In the spirit of prayer, set aside an intentional quiet time to plan a meal around your table. Begin by writing a list of those you typically gather with—your family, your closest friends, or those you easily welcome. Now pause, breathe deeply, and reflect on who is missing from your table. Who haven’t you ever invited? Who might be quietly longing to be included or has felt overlooked?
Next, expand your list. Add at least two or three people you’ve never invited before—perhaps someone new at church, a neighbor you rarely see, or someone you sense might be isolated or lonely. Pray gently over each name, imagining the warmth of God’s hospitality being extended through you.
Bonus practice: take the courageous step and plan a meal and actually invite these new guests. As you prepare your home and your meal, meditate on how Jesus’ table was never limited by comfort or familiarity, but always stretched to welcome more. Notice how this expands your table—and your heart.
Sharing the Feast: Putting God’s Love in Action
Extend God's table into our community by supporting our community partners this April.
Help nourish local families experiencing food insecurity. This month we are collecting peanut butter and jelly for the HOPE Center of Edmond and boxed or bagged pasta and spaghetti sauce for Project 66. You can bring those to our donation drop box in the lobby.
Join our Project 66 Workday on Saturday, April 12 from 10–11:30 AM. Together we'll mulch, sort donations, clean shelves, and lend a hand wherever it's needed most. Kids 14 and under are welcome with a parent—making this a meaningful, hands-on experience for your whole family. Sign up to serve
Reflection Questions:
Recall a time when you received an unexpected invitation. How did it feel to be included? What did it teach you about hospitality?
Who are the people you tend to invite to your table, and who often gets overlooked? What would it look like if you extended a wider invitation?
What does this parable reveal about the nature of God's invitation? How does it challenge or affirm your understanding of belonging and inclusion?