COffee and Community

Coffee time is a starting place for today. And for that matter, most days. As I sit here at the breakfast table listening to my Amazon Echo play music by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band there are other sounds of community developing.

The rooster across the Way is sounding off and begging a reply from BotheDog. Laura is in the kitchen finalizing some green side dishes for this weekend. Another sip of coffee and a glance at the weather app on my phone, then thoughts and prayers for family traveling and gathering.

Mom will celebrate 90 years this weekend and we are hosting the party. Sister and brother and nieces and nephews along with G-children will gather to wish Anabel a happy birthday! Family is part of my community.

Community is also new friends in West Kerr County here in Hunt, Texas. It is an amazing place with its natural Hill Country beauty. The people here have welcomed us and opened their homes to dinner partys, group gatherings, lunch time conversation and pastoral visits. We feel very fortunate to be here.

When I begin to feel community developing in a fresh and exciting spirit, I am also compelled to consider those yet to come and the welcome that may await them.

A parable of Jesus in Matthew 22 speaks about the kingdom of heaven and a grand wedding feast given by the king in honor of his son. The invitation is sent by personal messenger across the kingdom - Come, the table is prepared! But the invited do not attend - they are busy with life and distractions, with travel and business, and some openly reject the invitation and kill the messengers.

Friends, Community is what is developing in the realm of God’s heaven and earth. Do we hear the invitation? Can we respond? Will we respond? Will we be party to the feast? Will we be party to the wedding? For Christ, the Son, has come as Union from God the Father to renew the relationship with God’s people,

It begins with coffee. It moves in the day in prayers of gratitude. It welcomes family into our home. It compels this pastor to preach: Come, the Table is prepared. It is love. It is peace. It is hope. It is that which comes as community develops in the invitation of the Lord.

Welcome! Bienvenidos!
Grace and Peace
Along the Way
Pastor Paul Harris