“Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” – 1 Peter 4:9
It was May, 2005 we were preparing to take our first pastoral appointment in Fort Cobb, OK. I had gone through my initial training to be a pastor. Aimee and I were excited about this opportunity to serve a church. We had been appointed to serve at the Highland and Fort Cobb Methodist Churches. We had packed our house, and we were ready to move. To be honest, I was starting to get nervous.
It was late one evening, as we were preparing to move when our phone rang. I answered, and on the other end was Dale Repp. Dale was a member of the Fort Cobb church. Dale and his wife, Norma Lee, wanted to invite us to lunch at their house after our first Sunday. We eagerly accepted their invitation.
Our first Sunday arrived. We had beautiful worship at both churches. Afterward, we drove to Dale and Norma Lee’s house. When we entered their home, we were warmly greeted by their family. Dale and Norma Lee, their daughter and son-in-law, and their four children. We were ushered to the large dining room table, where we were treated as if we were already part of the family. It was a normal Sunday afternoon lunch and there were no strangers. We laughed and shared wonderful fellowship with one another. Norma Lee noticing that Aimee was not able to hold baby Ella Kate and eat, quickly wiped her hands on her apron and took our baby into her lap. In a very similar way, although the Repps didn’t know us, they extended their arms to us that day and brought us into their family, and they became a special part of our family, too. This was just the first of many cherished memories we made at Fort Cobb.
We had moved to a new community and new churches. We started new jobs. Our lives were changing quickly. The hospitality we were shown that day helped to ease our nerves and calm our anxiety. It was easy to see that our time at Fort Cobb would be blessed as we worked with people who understood how important it was to come together at the table.
As the people of faith, we are called to live the hospitable life. Active hospitality welcomes people in and provides a place for them at the table. Hospitality helps to calm nerves and alleviate stress. When we are committed to welcoming all to the table, you will find the opportunity to make meaningful connections, learn from one another, and find that our faith is strengthened in the presence of old and new friends. Our life was blessed when we were welcomed to the table. It is a reminder that we can bless others when we welcome all to the table.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
