Come to the table. Make room for others.

In this series, we’ll pull up a chair at some of the most transformative tables and meals in the Gospel of Luke.

The Table of Jesus invites us to rediscover the radical hospitality of Jesus, a hospitality that reveals the loving and just reign of God. The invitation is simple: come and eat. And as we experience the grace and goodness of Jesus, we’re invited to make room for others and set tables where they can experience it, too.

"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

(Luke 4:14-21 NIV)

This summer, we’re embracing Jesus’ invitation to slow down—to live at the unforced rhythms of grace, become more attentive to the Holy Spirit, rest, worship, play, and connect.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and move faster, Jesus offers a better way. Slow Down This Summer is an invitation to create space for what matters most and rediscover the joy of being with God and one another.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?'

'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?'

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

(Romans 11:33-12:1 NIV)

"Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,”said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

(Mark 14:1-9 NIV)

This summer, we’re embracing Jesus’ invitation to slow down—to live at the unforced rhythms of grace, become more attentive to the Holy Spirit, rest, worship, play, and connect.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and move faster, Jesus offers a better way. Slow Down This Summer is an invitation to create space for what matters most and rediscover the joy of being with God and one another.

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?"

(Psalm 71:14-19 NIV)