Why does the Letter to the Romans exist? Why did Paul take time to write to this group of people, most of whom he had never, who lived far away from where he spent his time? One reason might be that Paul recognized that because of what God had done in Christ Jesus, Christians throughout the world were being knit together by God's grace.

As we dive into the Letter to the Romans, we borrow an idea from Scot McKnight and read it backwards, beginning with the greetings in chapter 16. What we discover is a diverse community—or even a community of communities—united by their shared allegiance to Jesus.

As we take our worship into the beauty of God's creation, we reflect on how we experience God through each of our five senses.

After a summer of talking all about food, Pastor Jon finally brings the real deal, demonstrating how we can make conscious choices to welcome everyone to the table—just as God in Christ welcomes us. (If you prefer a video version of this message, you can find it on YouTube)

After the resurrection, Jesus gets invited to another meal—and once again changes everything.

Around the table, Jesus offers the possibility to transform everything, even the very way we make sense of the world.

The second most famous meal Jesus attends is the miraculous feeding of 5,000 men, plus women and children. Right in the midst of a deserted place, Jesus invites everyone to God's great banquet and forms a new community that transcends every difference.

An unexpected—and uninvited—guest shows up at a meal with Jesus, turning the entire event on its head and revealing the surprising heart of the Gospel.