"Table Grace"
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Recently, my wife and I attended a Kiwanis Club picnic at a member’s house, where members brought dishes to share. Looking along the line of food, the variety was impressive and indicative of the variety of the people: different careers, different stages of life, etc. It reminded me of the many church potlucks and fellowship meals I’ve been at throughout my life (quick reminder: the fellowship meals at St. Andrew’s return beginning September 6).
As we move into autumn and prepare for World Communion Sunday on October 4th, our thoughts naturally turn toward tables. In our often frantic, fragmented world, the simple act of pulling up a chair together has become a radical act of faith and hospitality.
In the United Methodist tradition, we celebrate an "open table." We believe Holy Communion is not a reward for those who have everything figured out, but a vital means of grace for everyone who seeks Christ. As John Wesley emphasized, the Lord’s Supper is both a converting and sustaining ordinance—a place where God's grace meets us in our hunger and fills us with divine love.
When we approach the altar or our own kitchen tables with open hands, we step into a sacred story. Jesus spent a remarkable amount of his ministry around tables: breaking bread with tax collectors, sharing meals with Pharisees, feeding thousands on grassy hillsides, and washing his disciples' feet in an upper room. His table was never restrictive; it was expansive.
In many ways, sitting face-to-face across a table restores something essential in us. Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke once noted how advanced technology could connect the far corners of the world yet still leave individuals feeling utterly isolated. Passing a dish to someone sitting across from you forces us to slow down, look one another in the eye, and experience authentic community.
As we enter this season of harvest and gathering, here are three simple ways we can practice "table grace" with open hands:
- Create space for the unexpected guest: Consider inviting someone to your table who might be going through a lonely season or who comes from a different background. True Christian hospitality builds bridges where walls used to stand.
- Offer the gift of presence: Put away phones and screens during meals. Whether dining with a large family or sharing coffee with a friend, give those around you your undivided attention.
- Remember the global table: On World Communion Sunday, we remember that our family of faith extends far beyond our local building to every continent, nation, and culture.
May our homes and our church sanctuary be places where the table is always set, the welcome is always warm, and God's grace is shared without measure.
Pulling up a chair with you,
Pastor Brian
P.S. On Sunday, October 4th, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday with breads representing different cultures and traditions from around the globe. Join us as we feast together at God's expansive table!
Rev. Brian Lucas, Pastor | blucas@susumc.org
Be sure to check out this article in our full newsletter from Sept/Oct 2026 - Click Here!
