Welcome to our table
Welcome to Community Dinner, where we build spiritual community with friends and family around a shared meal and care for our neighbors by living a life of welcome.
The “As we gather” and “As we go” prayers can be read by one person or everyone together. If together, one person can read the regular type and the group can read the italics in blue together. When you see a video, tap play and the file will open. To return to the guide, just tap the “x” in the top right corner.
As we gather…
We gather around this shared meal and these conversations
daring to hope that you are with us and for us.
We bring all that we are, our own stories, struggles and joys
to know more of your love for us and share it with each other.
May you bless the ones who prepared, packaged and organized this meal.
May their gift open the space for us to hear you welcoming us to the table. Amen.
Now take a few minutes during the greeting song “All Belong Here” by The Many to tell greet and welcome someone!
Dinner and Conversation
Today we taste the goodness of a meal together and connect our lives with God and one another.
- What are you doing for fall break?
- Funniest thing that happened to you this month…
Centering song
Listen to “Lean Back” by Maverick City Music to center your thoughts and emotions for tonight’s story.
Storytelling
Todays story is from Luke 18:1-8. The story of the persistent widow.
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
“He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
Conversation
As you imagine the characters in the story, think about these different pictures of persistence. What do you see happening in each picture and what do you imagine the corrupt judge in the desperate widow are thinking in each of these illustrations?:
- Where do you see yourself in this story? What do you think of Jesus choosing a corrupt judge and a widow as his main characters?
- What do you think about Jesus saying that God is a trustworthy advocate and doesn’t drag his feet?
- The widow is seeking justice for a wrong done. What are you seeking? Help, answers, healing, reconciliation with someone, rescue from an impossible situation? Or something else?
- What if trusting what Jesus says about God is where it’s hard for you to believe? Does the story give any encouragement or what hope do you hold onto?
Reflection
Pray together
Take turns sharing how the group can pray for each other in the coming week and after each person shares, say together:
Lord, hear our prayer.
As we go…
God, when we find ourselves in a time of doubt and questions
give us the gift of persistence that meets us where we are.
Inspire and empower us to not give up on praying
Hear us when we hound you with our requests for help and justice. Amen.
Credits:
Created with images by Riedelmeier - "river rocks stack" • Diggeo - "water reflections waterscape" • 12659751 - "waterfall longexposure volcanic" • petrrgoskov - "Healthy salad, leaves mix salad with mangold, spinach and vegetables in the plate over wooden background, top view. Food background." • Jon Anders Wiken - "listen think speak text engraved in wooden signpost outdoors in nature during sunset and pink skies." • Pok_Rie - "sunrise jetty lake" • Natallia - "Raking fall leaves with rake in the yard. spring clean in garden back yard. Autumn season. Seasonal work. Lawn Care in Winter" • 강춘성 - "road pavement woman"