The Big Idea
Some parties are exclusive, like the coronation of King Charles III. You can only get in if you have an invitation and if you have dressed in the right clothes. This service explains how the banquet of King Jesus has an open invitation, everyone is welcome. We use the Parable of the King’s Feast to illustrate this.
Music
Songs at the start:
- Shine, Jesus, Shine (Graham Kendrick)
- We want to see Jesus lifted high (Noel Richards)
- As the Deer – use the Chorus, Verse 3, chorus (Martin Nystrom)
Song in the middle:
- King of me (Rend Kids)
Song at the end:
- I the Lord of sea and sky – Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte)
Other songs you could consider:
- King of my heart (Bethel Music)
- Love Divine (Charles Wesley)
- Crown him with many crowns
- All hail King Jesus (Dave Moody)
Activity
We interviewed Rachael who went to London for the coronation of King Charles III, but she couldn’t get into the ceremony because she didn’t have an invite… If you have a member who has a similar experience, perhaps they would be happy to share photos and to be interviewed.
You could also introduce the idea of a party by playing party games. Pass the parcel is a good one for a congregation, particularly if there is only one winner, as later we will explore how everyone is welcomed into the party, we all get to win.
Readings
Matthew 22:1-10
Talk
All are welcome at the banquet of King Jesus
- We are all invited to the banquet.
- Are you going to the banquet? What is stopping you saying yes?
- Who are you taking with you?
A full transcript will be coming later
Response
Opportunities to respond to the invitation:
(Play Crowns – Hillsong Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fyPQsizgmk)
- Return our crowns to Jesus – hand over our need to be “king” in our own life and put Jesus as king. Set up a ‘throne’ at the front of your church and invite everyone to return their paper crown to the throne as a sign of giving your crown to Jesus.
- Make an invitation – who do you want to invite? Use the template to write an invitation to take away and pass on to somebody who you would like to invite to church.
- RSVP to an invitation from Jesus – Offer people an invitation for the party and give them space to consider their own reply. Allow pens and RSVP cards for them to respond.
- Tea party set up for children - Set up a role play tea party, as the children are playing and interacting with each other, discuss how we have a great invitation to a party in heaven and we can invite our friends to it by telling them about Jesus.
Go to the banquet:
- Communion (‘foretaste of the heavenly banquet’) – if you have a minister present you can share in communion. When we do this, we like to make it a real feast, we get big bread bloomers and jugs of grape juice. Once the elements are blessed, we like to invite everyone around a table and to serve each other as a group of friends or a family. (Song: the feast is ready to begin – Graham Kendrick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izym6R3vlF4 )