Last evening was a good evening!! Last evening, Thursday evening, was Love Feast, and the youth of our church were the ones helping prepare and serve the meal, they helped lead a children’s activity, and also did the cleanup when all the guests had gone. 76 Guests were received. 140 meals were served (including meals for the volunteers and meals guests were able to take home because there were leftovers.) Actually, it wasn’t just a good evening…it was a great evening!
For me what was so great about it was the fact that this was an opportunity in which all present at Love Feast were able to witness the various generations working side by side and serving God together. We live in one of the most interesting and diverse times in our world. There are currently at least six (some say seven) distinct generational groups alive in our nation and each generation has its own unique and distinct characteristics, beliefs, and attitudes that help define who they are and what is important to them. Last evening we had at least 4 if not 5 of those generations present and involved in serving Love Feast. If you include the guests, we had all 6 generations present. It was fun to see the various generations working and interacting together, not focusing on our differences, but laughing, working, and serving a meal to all who came to gather around the tables.
Part of the reason I felt so much joy about what I was witnessing and experiencing is because of three things.
I was witnessing the living out of Jesus’ command that we love one another. “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 There were no questions asked about whether anyone, volunteers included, were worthy of being present at Love Feast. We were simply loving one another.
2. I was witnessing the example of the entire team feeding and caring for Jesus. Yes, he was here last night!! I was reminded of Jesus’ parable regarding what is referred to as the “final judgment;” “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Matthew 25:35 and then Jesus goes on to say in this parable, “‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
3. The final reason I was proud and joyful to be a part of last evening was that I saw young and older alike living out our church’s mission statement; “We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and grace to all we encounter, by living out God’s Kingdom together.” Yes, last night I saw the hands and feet of Jesus at work. I witnessed love and grace being extended to all, and through all of this, the Kingdom of God was expressed and furthered right here in Mitchell, South Dakota.
So, church…well done!! This is just one example of how we build the Kingdom of God and it is just one way we live out being the hands and feet of Jesus…and for that, I am grateful. May we keep on going, growing, welcoming, and serving, as followers of Jesus in our world. Yes, this is exactly what we are called to do!!
Pastor Keith