God speaks this week through these scriptures:

Isaiah 25:1-9 – The feast of victory
Psalm 23 – You prepare a table before me, and my cup is running over.
Philippians 4:1-9 – Rejoice in the Lord always
Matthew 22:1-14 – The parable of the unwelcome guest at the wedding feast

In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever.

In Psalm 23 we are shown the table and the overflowing cup God has prepared for us to share.

Paul calls on the Philippians to rejoice and give thanks to God no matter what the circumstance. God’s peace is with us and binds together our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ, especially when things around us do not seem peaceful.

In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others.

In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.

Come…join us in worship. All are welcome!

—from SundaysAndSeasons.com and Gail Ramshaw—