Fellowship - Use Hospitality

That which we have seen and heard

declare we unto you,

that ye also may have fellowship with us:

and truly our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son Jesus Christ.

-1 John 1:3 KJV

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

-Matthew 18:20 KJV

Use hospitality one to another ...

-1 Peter 4:9 KJV

A dear widow in our church shares her log home

for a nourishing soup and Bible Study gathering

(here where her family was raised years ago)

... we gather every other Sunday evening.

And because of her generous hospitality

to this day, here, children still play ...

prayers are prayed in commonality ...

lives are strengthened to meet coming days.

What a tremendous blessing she does not hoard,

offering this gift ... a place of fellowshipping

wrapped in the robust beauty of the great outdoors

... in which God is, to this day, creating.

Of course, we probably all realize that the first picture above represents the time that Jesus had been invited to Martha's house for fellowship around mealtime, and she, busy with preparations, became annoyed and complained to Jesus that her sister Mary would not help her in the kitchen. Jesus lovingly encouraged Martha to see it His way, that Mary was right where He wanted her...sitting there at His feet and listening intently to His every word.
Perhaps Martha would prepare a simpler meal next time, and she may even ask her guests to bring part of the meal. What do you think?...the origins of potluck?
Our Sunday evening fellowship begins at 5:00 p.m., otherwise known as mealtime. For approximately an hour, we delve into a delicious meal of soup, bread and dessert, all brought by volunteers from the group who prepared the food in advance, at their convenience. The hostess provides spread for the bread, utensils, coffee and miscellaneous other niceties. The children are served by their Mom and/or Grandma or other handy person...then everyone else is served, usually by the person who brought the food, or in some cases we help ourselves. Then we all sit down with one another and enthusiastically engage in the agreeable tradition known as visiting and eating.
After the meal, the children jump into their own activities in another room, while the adults gather in the living room for Bible Study and prayer. Bible Study may be led by, again, a volunteer for the evening or for a series of evenings. It is all very amiable. The presence of Jesus is indeed in the midst, and no one is left out.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

-1 John 1:7 KJV

Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers