In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of hospitality and the mutual blessings it brings. We began by acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and celebrating the unique gifts each person brings to our community. Through the story of "Stone Soup," we were reminded that everyone has something valuable to contribute, no matter how small it may seem. This tale illustrates how collective contributions can create something beautiful and nourishing, much like our community when we come together in faith and love.

We also reflected on the importance of receiving as part of hospitality. Often, we find it challenging to accept help or gifts from others because it requires vulnerability and relinquishing control. Yet, Jesus exemplified the beauty of receiving, allowing others to serve Him and, in doing so, affirming their worth and gifts. This mutual exchange of giving and receiving blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served, creating a space where everyone feels valued and needed.

The story of a man offering his entire crop of string beans to a group of volunteers highlighted the significance of allowing others to give, even when they have little. Accepting his gift was an acknowledgment of his dignity and ability to contribute, reinforcing the idea that hospitality is a two-way street. This principle was further illustrated through personal anecdotes, such as the experience at the Murdoch Center, where the act of receiving brought unexpected healing and blessings.

As we welcomed new members into our community, we emphasized the importance of allowing them to share their gifts with us. This act of inclusion and participation is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. By embracing both the giving and receiving aspects of hospitality, we create a community where blessings flow freely, and everyone is enriched.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **The Power of Collective Contribution:** The story of "Stone Soup" teaches us that when everyone contributes, no matter how small their offering, the result is something greater than the sum of its parts. This reflects the beauty of community, where each person's unique gifts create a richer, more nourishing whole. [14:18]

2. **The Gift of Receiving:** True hospitality involves both giving and receiving. Accepting help or gifts from others requires vulnerability but also affirms the giver's worth and dignity. Jesus modeled this by allowing others to serve Him, demonstrating that receiving is as important as giving. [55:47]

3. **Mutual Blessings in Hospitality:** Hospitality blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served. When we open ourselves to both give and receive, we create a space where everyone feels valued and needed, leading to mutual blessings and a deeper sense of community. [58:39]

4. **The Dignity of Offering:** Allowing others to give, even when they have little, acknowledges their dignity and ability to contribute. This act of acceptance is a powerful form of hospitality that reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer. [52:55]

5. **Healing Through Openness:** Being open to receiving from others can bring unexpected healing and blessings. By viewing every encounter as an opportunity for mutual blessing, we invite God's presence into our interactions, enriching our lives and those around us. [01:03:48]

**Youtube Chapters:**

[0:00] - Welcome
[07:12] - Invitation to Worship
[12:18] - The Story of Stone Soup
[14:18] - Everyone Has Something to Offer
[15:25] - The Gifts We Bring
[16:35] - Prayer and Blessing
[26:18] - Welcoming New Members
[29:20] - Profession of Faith
[32:09] - Baptism Ceremony
[33:45] - Anointing with Oil
[39:24] - Community Involvement
[51:48] - Appalachian Service Project
[54:01] - The Challenge of Receiving
[55:47] - Jesus and Hospitality
[58:39] - The Gift of Mutual Blessing
[01:03:48] - Healing Through Hospitality

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Blessings of Hospitality**

**Bible Reading:**
1. Matthew 8:14-15 - "When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him."
2. Acts 20:35 - "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
3. Romans 12:13 - "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

**Observation Questions:**
1. What does the story of "Stone Soup" illustrate about the power of collective contribution? [14:18]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of receiving in the story of Peter’s mother-in-law? [56:40]
3. What was the significance of the man offering his entire crop of string beans to the volunteers? [52:55]
4. How does the sermon describe the mutual blessings that come from hospitality? [58:39]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does the act of receiving from others require vulnerability, and why might this be challenging for some people? [55:47]
2. In what ways does Jesus’ acceptance of service from others affirm their worth and dignity? [56:40]
3. How can the concept of mutual blessings in hospitality change the way we view our interactions with others? [58:39]
4. What lessons can be learned from the personal anecdotes shared in the sermon about the unexpected blessings of receiving? [01:03:48]

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to accept help from others. What made it challenging, and how can you be more open to receiving in the future? [55:47]
2. Consider the unique gifts you bring to your community. How can you contribute them in a way that enriches others, much like the villagers in the "Stone Soup" story? [14:18]
3. Identify a person in your life who might feel like they have nothing to offer. How can you encourage them to share their gifts and affirm their worth? [52:55]
4. Think about a recent encounter where you were either the giver or receiver of hospitality. How did it impact your sense of community and belonging? [58:39]
5. How can you create a space in your community where both giving and receiving are valued equally, fostering a sense of mutual blessing? [58:39]
6. What steps can you take this week to practice hospitality in a way that blurs the lines between serving and being served? [58:39]
7. Reflect on the story shared about the Murdoch Center. How can you be open to unexpected healing and blessings in your interactions with others? [01:03:48]

Day 1: The Beauty of Collective Contribution
In a world where individualism often takes center stage, the story of "Stone Soup" reminds us of the profound impact of collective contribution. Each person, regardless of the size of their offering, has something valuable to add to the community. When everyone contributes, the result is a beautiful tapestry of shared resources and talents, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts. This principle is a reflection of the beauty found in community, where each person's unique gifts come together to create a richer, more nourishing whole. As we embrace this mindset, we begin to see the power of unity and the blessings that flow from working together in faith and love. [14:18]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Reflection: Think of a small gift or talent you possess. How can you offer it to your community this week to contribute to a greater good?


Day 2: The Gift of Receiving
True hospitality is a dance of giving and receiving, where both actions hold equal importance. Often, receiving can be more challenging than giving, as it requires vulnerability and the relinquishing of control. Yet, in the act of receiving, we affirm the worth and dignity of the giver. Jesus exemplified this beautifully by allowing others to serve Him, demonstrating that receiving is as vital as giving. This mutual exchange blurs the lines between who is serving and who is being served, creating a space where everyone feels valued and needed. Embracing the gift of receiving opens us to the blessings and growth that come from allowing others to pour into our lives. [55:47]

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (ESV): "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, 'Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.'"

Reflection: Consider a recent offer of help or a gift you hesitated to accept. What held you back, and how might embracing vulnerability in receiving bring blessings to both you and the giver?


Day 3: Mutual Blessings in Hospitality
Hospitality is a sacred exchange where the lines between giving and receiving blur, leading to mutual blessings and a deeper sense of community. When we open ourselves to both give and receive, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and needed. This dynamic fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, as each person contributes to and benefits from the shared experience. By embracing this holistic view of hospitality, we invite a flow of blessings that enriches our lives and strengthens our connections with others. In this space, we find that the act of serving and being served is a divine dance that brings us closer to one another and to God. [58:39]

Romans 12:10-13 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you both gave and received. How did this experience deepen your sense of community, and how can you cultivate more such interactions?


Day 4: The Dignity of Offering
Allowing others to give, even when they have little, acknowledges their dignity and ability to contribute. This act of acceptance is a powerful form of hospitality that reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer. When we accept gifts from those who may have less, we affirm their worth and recognize the beauty of their generosity. This principle challenges us to see beyond material wealth and appreciate the richness of spirit that each person brings. By embracing the dignity of offering, we create a community where everyone is empowered to share their gifts, fostering an environment of mutual respect and appreciation. [52:55]

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV): "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'"

Reflection: Think of someone who has offered you something small but meaningful. How can you honor their gift and acknowledge their dignity in your response?


Day 5: Healing Through Openness
Being open to receiving from others can bring unexpected healing and blessings. When we view every encounter as an opportunity for mutual blessing, we invite God's presence into our interactions, enriching our lives and those around us. This openness requires a willingness to be vulnerable and to trust in the goodness of others. As we embrace this mindset, we discover that healing often comes through the simple act of being present and receptive to the gifts and love offered by those around us. By fostering an environment of openness, we create a space where God's grace can flow freely, bringing transformation and renewal to our hearts and communities. [01:03:48]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Identify a relationship where you can be more open to receiving. How might this openness invite healing and deeper connection in your life?

1) "This story reminds us that everybody has something to offer. Whether you're little or big or old or young or wherever you are, everybody has something to offer. And when we all put our gifts in together, we get a yummy soup. Maybe even New England clam chowder. Right? So, this week when you go out, if you have some soup, I want you to think about how you all came together to make that soup. You had to have a chicken farmer. You had to have someone who cooked the chicken. You had to have someone who made the noodles. Someone who grew the wheat to make the noodles. All these other things. But you guys also have something to offer." [14:53] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


2) "There's a piece of poverty that many of us don't know about. And that is the poverty of feeling like you have nothing to offer. And he said, I don't know. He said, it is so important for everyone to feel like they have something to offer. So even though, yes, this was his whole crop of green beans, he was offering to us. And by accepting, we were acknowledging that even though he's poor, he has something to give. And you know, that's a piece of hospitality that we don't often think about. When we think of hospitality, we think of one way. We give to somebody else. But a piece of hospitality is also accepting and allowing them to give back to us so that it's a mutual gift." [52:55] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


3) "And when we're truly open to hospitality. It becomes a mutual gift. And both of us experience blessing. But why is it so hard for us? Why do we struggle receiving hospitality from someone else? There was a young girl named Rachel who was in college. And she had been adopted by a family in her church who wanted to kind of provide a home away from home for her. And she would go. And she would offer to drive the kids to their bed. And she would say, no, no, no, we have it. And she said, as much as they wanted to include me in their family, I felt like I was more of a project, that I was needy rather than need-ed." [54:01] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


4) "And it's hard for us, because what it requires is for us to be vulnerable. See, when we're giving to other people, we're in control. When we're receiving, we're no longer in control. And we have to be vulnerable. And it's hard for us. And yet, it was not hard for Jesus. Jesus allowed himself to be served. We see many, many stories. We see stories where Jesus allows himself to be served at people's houses for meals. He allows his feet to be washed. And in this story, we see that Jesus comes in, and he sees Peter's mother-in-law sick. And so he touches her, and she's healed. And then she gets up and serves him. And he allows that. He allows himself to be served by this person." [55:47] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


5) "And so Jesus. Jesus shows us a different way, where, yes, he heals us, and then he allows us to serve him. So in this beautiful gift of hospitality, it's a giving and a receiving. The blessings flow back and forth, and the lines are blurred about who is the needy one and who is the one who is serving. I remember when Bo and I were in divinity school. We are middle year. We're in the middle of the year. We had a duke graduate fellowship. And so this was for graduate students. We were interns at Duke Chapel. Worked under Will Willeman. And we had graduate students from the law school, from the medical school, from divinity school, from any, all of the schools." [59:30] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


6) "And here I went, thinking I had nothing to offer. And yet what Jesus wanted was for me to be healed. And that's what happens when we're open to these sorts of blessings, when we not only see hospitality as us offering to others, but we are open to see what others have to offer to us. We're open to seeing how every encounter can be a blessing. Can you imagine how different your day would be if you thought, every encounter I have today is going to be a flow of blessings. I can bless someone else, they can bless me, and God will be there right in the midst of it." [01:03:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

You, praise team, how awesome. We pray that God will pour out the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit on us today. So I welcome all of you, each and every one of you here to Epworth, where we continue to explore faith and embrace community. I thank God for the gift of every single one of you. God says to you, you are my beautiful daughter, you are my handsome son, and I am so glad you are part of this family.

We invite you, if you're joining us online or joining us in person, to give us the gift of your presence. If you're online, if you would say hello in the chat and tell us where you're joining us from, and if you're joining us in person, we invite you to sign in on one of the blue connection pads. This is a way that we say to God, we want to be fully present in this place, but it's also a way that we say to you, we want to call you by name, just as God calls you by name, so that you continue to be a part of this beautiful community.

And so, I invite you. I invite you as we transition into worship to rise in body or in spirit, and let's sing together.

You will the strength to rise.

Like soup. It's kind of soup weather, right? Sort of? Okay. What kind?

Chicken noodle.

Chicken noodle. What do you like? Anything?

New England clam chowder.

There we go. About you guys? Do you like soup?

Not really. Soup's kind of hard to eat, isn't it?

You can sometimes sip it, but sometimes it's hard to eat.

Well, I want to tell you a story about some soup.

So there were these people who were traveling. Can you pretend like you're walking? Traveling a long, long, long way. And they were hot, and they were thirsty, and they were hungry. So they came to a village, and they asked the people if they could have some food. And the village people said, "We don't have anything for you."

So they had a potter's table, and they had a pot that the travelers always carried with them. So they went down to the stream, and they drank some water, so they weren't thirsty anymore. And then they put water in the pot, and then they got a stone, and they cleaned the stone really well, and they put the stone in the soup.

So they go and they make a fire, and they start making stone soup. So the villagers came by, and one of them said, "What are you making?" And they said, "Stone soup."

"But I'm not making stone soup, but it kind of tastes off. It needs a little bit more."

So the villager says, "Oh, I've got some carrots. I'll run and get them." So they ran and got the carrots and threw the carrots in the stone soup.

Well, pretty soon another one came along and said, "What are you making?"

He said, "Stone soup."

"I've never heard of stone soup before."

"Well, it's got some carrots in it, but it still tastes a little off."

So they gave them a sip, and they said, "I've got some onions for it." They ran home, got some onions, chopped them up, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, put it in the soup, right?

So then, as you can imagine, the story goes on. And they add potatoes, and someone had a chicken, and someone had some noodles, and pretty soon they have this big pot of soup.

You think it's still stone soup? It became something else because everyone added a little bit. And then the whole village came out, and they all ate this soup together.

And so, these travelers, even though they were the ones who were hungry, and they were the ones that ultimately got fed, too, by this soup, but they were the ones who gave a blessing to the people who were in the village because they helped them realize that when everybody puts something in the pot, it becomes something wonderful, and that every single person had something to offer.

Do you ever feel like you don't have anything? Do you have anything to offer sometimes?

So, this story reminds us that everybody has something to offer. Whether you're little or big, or old or young, or wherever you are, everybody has something to offer. And when we all put our gifts in together, we get a yummy soup. Maybe even New England clam chowder, right?

So, this week when you go out, if you have some soup, I want you to think about how you all came together to make that soup. You had to have a chicken farmer, you had to have someone who cooked the chicken, you had to have someone who made the noodles, someone who grew the wheat to make the noodles, all these other things.

But you guys also have something to offer. So, sometimes we're invited to offer soup to other people who are hungry, or food, or anything else. But one of the best things that you guys offer is you—your smiles, your joy, your energy. You guys are amazing! And I hope that you know that you're a special gift to everyone here.

And you know, we all love this time because we all love you guys. So, can you remember that when you think about eating stone soup or anything else that you eat this week? Think about the gifts that you bring to us so that you are a blessing to the world, okay?

So, let us pray.

Dear God, thank you so much for each of these wonderful people. Remind them that they have something amazing to offer. Remind them that they are beautiful and that they are gifts to our community. And help them as they continue to grow and learn to see where they can offer their gifts to the wider community so that they know they're an important part of the whole family of God. Remind them that they are blessed to be a blessing. Amen!

Amen! Thanks, guys!

This morning of welcoming new members into our midst. I've got a mic for you, Mike. If I can invite those who are joining us to come forward and join me up here, please.

Very good. So I'm going to get you all to step up on this step. Okay. And if we can just stay over on this side so we don't block the interpreter.

No, you're fine, you're fine. Come on over. Perfect.

If you all will pray this prayer with us. Thank you.

With God's help, we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust.

We will surround these persons with a trust of God and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.

Before we do our profession of faith, we also have Roy and Jane Oakma joining. I'm not sure if they made the list. I'm sorry.

It's fine. We have now recognized them. So that's, you know, this is part of being a community is we figure things out as we go.

A lot of people.

A lot of people. It is a lot of people. It's a wonderful gift.

So now I'm going to invite you all to profess your faith with us. This is a wonderful time to remind ourselves of our faith.

So if you will say with me, we are not alone, except those aren't the words on the screen.

Okay. So repeat after me.

We are not alone.

We live in God's world.

We believe in God who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word made flesh to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the church, to celebrate God's presence, to be grateful for the Lord's unending love, and in turn, to love and serve others unconditionally, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus crucified and risen, our redemption and our hope in life, in death.

In life.

In life beyond death, God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

So we have actually a baptism to do today, which is a wonderful, wonderful gift. So I want to invite Steve to come with me.

We're also remembering a baptism for Catherine. So if you'll come with me as well.

Steve has never been baptized, which is that he knows of or his family knows of. So we are baptizing him today, which is a wonderful gift.

Water is an amazing gift. Is that right? We can't live long without water, but it also cleanses us, and it refreshes us. And so water is a gift that reminds us that we cannot live without God, that God also cleanses us and refreshes us.

So let us pray.

Amazing God, we pray that you would bless this gift of water, and Steve as he receives it, and Catherine as she remembers it, so that it would be a reminder that you have forgiven us all, that you have refreshed their spirit, and that you are with them day by day.

May they remember you every time they drink water, or touch water, or feel water. May it be a reminder of your loving sustenance in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And so now, Steve, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

And Catherine, Katie, if you would put your fingers in the water, and then touch your forehead. Remember your baptism, that you are claimed by God, that God has called you a beautiful daughter, and that you are always with God. Amen.

So now, one of the gifts that we do is we anoint people with oil. Oil was used in the Old Testament as a sign of the Holy Spirit. And so when people were called to ministry or to leadership, they were anointed with oil.

But it's also a sign of royalty. When people were anointed king, they were anointed with oil. And so we anoint each of our new members, reminding them that they are now children of the King, that they are beautiful and precious part of our family, and that the Holy Spirit is continuing to work in their lives.

And so as I anoint our new members, I invite you all to sing "He Touched Me" as a wonderful reminder of God's blessing.

So we're going to invite you all after worship to stand out in the foyer with us so that people can come and greet you.

One of the things that I love is that I'm looking at all of your faces, and you all are already involved in some way or other. And that just makes me so happy.

But we want you to continue to feel like you're part of this family. So if you don't know some of these people, please take the time after worship to say hello, to welcome them to Epworth.

And then we look forward to seeing the gifts that they have to share with us as we deepen our community and our service.

So can we welcome them to Epworth?

Okay. You all may go and be seated. Thank you.

When I was a teenager in youth group, we would take annual trips during the summer to Appalachian Service Project down in the mountains of the Appalachians.

And I remember one particular summer. We were building a front porch for a family who didn't have indoor plumbing, but who wanted the front porch because they always had family over and they wanted a place for all of their family to sit.

And so one day we were coming home from working on this porch, and the gentleman came out and handed us his entire crop of string beans. He had picked them and, you know, strung them and put them in a bag for us.

And I remember looking at our leader like, "We're not going to take this, are we? Like, this is his garden. This is his crop."

And the leader just was like nodding his head, "We're going to take it."

So we took it, and as we were driving home, I said, "Why did we do that?"

And he said, "There's a piece of poverty that many of us don't know about. And that is the poverty of feeling like you have nothing to offer."

And he said, "It is so important for everyone to feel like they have something to offer."

So even though, yes, this was his whole crop of green beans, he was offering to us. And by accepting, we were acknowledging that even though he's poor, he has something to give.

And you know, that's a piece of hospitality that we don't often think about. When we think of hospitality, we think of one way. We give to somebody else.

But a piece of hospitality is also accepting and allowing them to give back to us so that it's a mutual gift.

And so we're in this final session today of our first series on hospitality. And we're looking at how those lines get blurred between who is doing the serving and who is being served.

And when we're truly open to hospitality, it becomes a mutual gift. And both of us experience blessing.

But why is it so hard for us? Why do we struggle receiving hospitality from someone else?

There was a young girl named Rachel who was in college. And she had been adopted by a family in her church who wanted to kind of provide a home away from home for her.

And she would go, and she would offer to drive the kids to their bed. And she would say, "No, no, no, we have it."

And she said, "As much as they wanted to include me in their family, I felt like I was more of a project, that I was needy rather than needed."

And it is hard for us to accept help.

When I was going through my psychological evaluation before I got ordained, they wanted to make sure that I was okay. And you all can question that. I get it. That was a long time ago, right? I was okay then. So thank you.

But one of the words that the psychologist used to describe me was "fiercely independent."

And you know, we all struggle with that, I think. I got this, right? I don't need help. I can carry six bags and one on my leg. I can hop into the house, right?

And it's hard for us because what it requires is for us to be vulnerable.

See, when we're giving to other people, we're in control. When we're receiving, we're no longer in control. And we have to be vulnerable. And it's hard for us.

And yet, it was not hard for Jesus. Jesus allowed himself to be served. We see many, many stories. We see stories where Jesus allows himself to be served at people's houses for meals. He allows his feet to be washed.

And in this story, we see that Jesus comes in, and he sees Peter's mother-in-law sick. And so he touches her, and she's healed. And then she gets up and serves him. And he allows that.

He allows himself to be served by this person. And this was a really important piece in this story because women were not allowed to fully participate in Judaism during that day.

And so for her to serve him gave her a sense of belonging, a sense of power that she wasn't used to having.

Because see, this story is part of three stories here in this chapter of Matthew. The first one's about Jesus healing a leper. The second one is about Jesus healing a centurion who was a Gentile. And the third one's about Jesus healing a woman.

And a leper, a Gentile, and a woman were not allowed to participate in Judaism. They were only allowed to observe. They could go into the Gentile's court and observe. They could go into the women's court and observe. But they weren't allowed to fully participate.

So when Jesus allowed this woman, Peter's mother-in-law, to serve him, he was saying to her, "Not only am I going to let you serve me, but you are worthy of offering your service to others. You have gifts to offer."

And so he was offering her hospitality even as she was offering him hospitality.

And see, that's what Jesus does. He not only heals us and touches us. And I know there are some people in the congregation who feel like they need that touch today.

And I hope that you know that Jesus longs to heal us, body, mind, and spirit. He longs to heal us completely.

But he also longs to allow us to serve him. And so in his hospitality, he says, "Not only are all welcome, but all are free to offer their gifts and to participate in this beautiful community."

And that's what real hospitality is all about. It ends up being a gift. It ends up blurring the lines. You offer a blessing, and in return, you are blessed.

And think about it. Can you imagine if we just said to our new members, "Hey, welcome. We're so glad you're here. You can't offer your gifts. We don't want your gifts, but we're really glad you're here."

They wouldn't really feel very welcomed, would they? They'd feel like, "Well, what's the matter with me? Why don't you think I have anything to offer?"

And so Jesus shows us a different way, where, yes, he heals us, and then he allows us to serve him.

So in this beautiful gift of hospitality, it's a giving and a receiving. The blessings flow back and forth, and the lines are blurred about who is the needy one and who is the one who is serving.

I remember when Bo and I were in divinity school. We were in the middle of the year. We had a Duke graduate fellowship. And so this was for graduate students. We were interns at Duke Chapel, worked under Will Willeman.

And we had graduate students from the law school, from the medical school, from divinity school, from any, all of the schools. There was someone getting a PhD in philosophy, in business.

And so at Thanksgiving, we were leading a class with them, and we said, "You know, let's share some of the gifts that we're thankful for."

Around the table, and they were stumped. And you don't go to Duke if you don't have a lot of money, unless you're a pastor, because they give us scholarships.

But go to Duke unless you have a lot of money, right? And so here were people that, you know, they had many, many, many blessings, and they couldn't even name one.

And so Bo and I thought, "Okay, we got to do something different." And so we decided that we would take these graduate students to the Murdoch Center.

The Murdoch Center was a state-run institution for people, adults mostly, who were profoundly developmentally disabled. Some of them were also physically disabled.

And we would go to the different cottages and bring them into the chapel, and there we would have worship with them.

And so Bo and I had gone several times and just fallen in love with this community, but we knew that somehow coming here would be a blessing to those graduate students because they would see that it was Phil who said, "I'm so glad I can tie my shoes."

You know, how many of us take that for granted? And so we thought that this would be a wonderful blessing for them.

Well, there were, you know, several of our favorites. There was Phil who could walk, and so he would always meet us there. And so we started calling it "Hair by Phil."

So, you know, if there are pictures of us with these, you know, hair sticking out everywhere, it was our "Hair by Phil."

And there was also a very tall African-American man who had the biggest hands I've ever seen, and his name was Richard. And Richard would go around singing, "He's got the whole world in his hands."

And he would sing, "He's got the whole world in his hands." And when you looked at those hands, you could just imagine that God did have the whole world in his hands.

And so we brought them there every week. We would gather at Duke, we would carpool over, we'd take some people to worship, we'd sit through worship, and then a lot of times we'd go and we'd have brunch afterwards.

And, you know, it was really a wonderful experience. But little did I know that God was going to bring us to a place where we could offer me some healing through this experience.

So the week after Easter in 1993, Bo and I had newly discovered that we were expecting probably like nine or ten weeks long, no, longer than that, ten I guess. But we hadn't told a lot of people yet.

And the week after Easter, I had a miscarriage and lost the baby. And I was really struggling with this, really struggling.

And I thought, "You know, I'm going to have to do this." And I thought, "I just don't want to go to Murdoch today because I don't have anything to offer. I don't have anything to give. I'm so sad. I just feel like I have nothing to give."

And, you know, Bo was like, "Come on, we got to go. You know, this is where we go to church."

Okay, we'll go. So I went, and there was Phil to do my hair. And then there was Richard standing there, and Richard stopped, and he looked at me.

And he said, "He's got the little bitty baby in his hands. He's got the little bitty baby in his hands."

And here I went, thinking I had nothing to offer. And yet what Jesus wanted was for me to be healed.

And that's what happens when we're open to these sorts of blessings, when we not only see hospitality as us offering to others, but we are open to see what others have to offer to us.

We're open to seeing how every encounter can be a blessing. Can you imagine how different your day would be if you thought, "Every encounter I have today is going to be a flow of blessings. I can bless someone else, they can bless me, and God will be there right in the midst of it."

And so I wanted to show you this picture. You all know that we offered hospitality to the church.

We offered hospitality to the church. We offered hospitality to the church. We offered hospitality to the church.

And in response, they collected all this food for our food pantry. So who was offering the hospitality? Was it us? Was it them? Or was it all of us?

And in that experience, we discover that God is present, longing to heal all of us.

And so I invite you to go out this week, not only willing to be hospitable to others, but being open to how they want to bless you.

And may we all discover Jesus in our midst. Amen.