On Sunday, November 3, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house. During the meal, Jesus instructed the people at the table to be generous when they throw a banquet, inviting those who are unlikely to be invited instead of those in their inner circle. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to keep an eye out for those who are considered “others,” to stop keeping score, expecting to be repaid, and to keep our focus on Jesus.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)