Hospitality & Generousity - Rev Christine Fox

Methodist way of life February theme – we will practice generosity and hospitality

StF 331 - King of kings majesty – our response to the generosity of God.

Hospitality is one form of generosity – it comes from an openness to others, to learn about them and from them, to widen our understanding and be changed by the encounter – one story of hospitality in the Bible is that of sisters Mary and Martha who opened their home to Jesus and his friends to stay and to eat together. Let’s encounter that story now - 

That story was about true hospitality - Mary and Martha were both open to others, and both learnt different things from the encounter, and were changed by it. Are we ready to welcome such new opportunities? Jesus invites us to go with him into the adventure of a generous hospitable life – listen to his words in our next song inviting you - Come with me come wander

StF 462 Come with me come wander

StF 111  For I'm building a people of power

Message - Rev Christine Fox
Today we have learnt in different ways about generosity and hospitality. We have seen how Mary and Martha having opened their home to Jesus and his friends had their understanding widened and were changed by the encounter. 

Before this service a few of us met together to talk about why we thought this aspect of the Methodist way of life was so important. 

We realised that the link we have with the church in Karlsruhe Germany has been for many of us a great experience of generous hospitality – in opening our homes both here and in Germany to each other, we have widened our understanding of each other, we have been changed by the encounter. This is a great example of hospitality shown at a church level. 

We also talked about our individual acts of hospitality and generosity –how other people have reacted to our showing hospitality – and that it’s not always easy to share what we do  - be it befriending refugees from other countries or personal acts of giving generously in other ways.  

We don’t in fact need to know what generosity or hospitality other people are offering but I want you to be inspired to keep being open – not just your homes but also your hearts.

In our interactive time some of us have discussed generosity, others of you have made invitation cards, a team have made some plans for an event, others have prayed or found out more about what the Bible says about generosity. 
 There are some things though that prevent us from being generous or hospitable – Martha invited Jesus to her house, but then didn’t spend time with him.  Mary didn’t invite Jesus, but when he was there she sat at his feet and listened and learnt from him.  

When we think about who we might give time and space to, do we remember to give space and hospitality to Jesus still in our lives today?

I am going to lead you now in a meditation that challenges us to beware of what might prevent us making space for time with Jesus or stop us offering hospitality in our own unique way – we are asked to mind the gap – there will be moments of silence for you to think

Mind the gap - A Meditation

​Mind the gap. I’m looking, Lord, at the space where I must not tread; at all that I am tempted to do that puts me into danger; at all that would get in the way of true hospitality, all that might cause injury to myself or others.
 
Silence
 
Mind the gap. Help me, Lord, to be mindful of your teaching; to spend the time at your feet listening to your word, Scripture, with heart, ears and mind open. Teach me to make space for what is important.
 
Silence 
Mind the gap. Lord, keep my focus upon you and not on others. Help me to hear my name called by you. Open my heart to receive your call to me. Enable me to be mindful of what you would have me do and not resentfully of what you seem to be calling others to do.
 
Silence
 
Mind the gap. Be mindful. The Gap is a space, a mindful space of hospitality. This is where we are called to be.
 
Silence
 
Mind the gap.

Lord’s prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen

​Sing 477 - Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart -  - giving of ourselves generously “let all my movements express a heart that leaps to say yes a will that seeks to obey you...

Blessing
May I  enter into the flow of love that is at work in the universe.
Living God, show me how to discover that you are already out there, moving,
transforming, touching lives and all creation.
Lord Jesus the Christ, travel with me as I go and encounter the Spirit of God.
Amen.