What fun words to hear!  Everyone loves to know that someone cares enough to include them, and when you are planning a party it is really the first place to start.  There are many parts to a great party-food, activities, decorations, theme, and more-but for us it almost always starts with “Who are we going to invite?”

Some of the easiest parties have only a few guests.  Including a new neighbor or a family that is moving away or busy with a project at your regular dinner time can be a blessing to them and a fun addition to your table.  Your guests will get a break from their day, a meal with friends and the great feeling that you want to spend time with them.  I have a large family with crazy kids and inviting single friends to join our meal gives them a whole new dinner experience and give our kids a chance to show off their manners (or more often, lack of manners) for someone new!

Some of the greatest guests are the ones you might not think of right away.  If you are celebrating Mother’s Day for example, consider including ladies you know that might not have children, or won’t be able to spend time with them that day.  Or perhaps a younger person who isn’t able to be with their own mom would really be touched by the opportunity share the celebration with yours.

When you can invite a few more guests, I really encourage you to stretch your invite list.  Include people from different parts of your life such as work, playgroups, neighbors, family, church, and anywhere else you spend time.  Watching your friend from high school having a conversation with the pastor of your church and your friend from work connecting with another parent from school is like watching colors of paint blend to form something new.

Lastly, when making your guest list, don’t forget to invite Jesus too.  When you include Christian and non-Christian friends, you multiply the chance of sharing Jesus with others.  It is possible that that couple you have been inviting to church, will respond positively when invited by someone else as well.   Or that someone else’s story will resonate in a way yours could not.

As Christians we have been invited to the ultimate banquet, and I would dearly love to see everyone around me accept that invitation as well!

Written by Melanie Mesojedec

Hey, I am Jess.

I wanted to share with all y’all, that I am leaving my position at Rock Hill on August 15th.

I have been quite blessed to have spent the last 3 years working for the church as an administrative assistant. The Lord [and the staff] has shown me much grace, as I have learned a great deal over the last few years.

Being a part of this church as a member and as staff has helped me establish a home here in Duluth. At first I was unsure of this woodsy city, but it was not long after I got involved with the church that I fell in love with the city and the community. I am beyond blessed to have had this church family invest in me.

It has been a joy to be a part of this church.

I am filled with much thankfulness to have called this body of believers my family.

Thank you for loving me well.