Trinity by Kelly Latimore

Kindred in Christ,

Every ending carries within it the seeds of a beginning. As we come to the close of our Interwoven by Grace series this Sunday, we are reminded that God is always weaving something new among us — in our congregation, in our community, and in each of our lives.

This week’s scriptures invite us into that newness through the practice of hospitality. Hebrews calls us to “let mutual love continue,” to show kindness to strangers, to remember those in prison, and to offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus challenges the culture of status and self-advancement by telling his followers to choose the lowest seat and to invite the poor, the needy, and the blind to the banquet.

Hebrews even goes so far as to remind us that in welcoming the stranger, “some have entertained angels without knowing it.” That is the gift and the mystery of inclusion: when we open our lives to those who are different from us, we also open ourselves to God’s surprising presence. Hospitality is never a one-way street. It reshapes us, expands our vision, and makes room for the Spirit’s discernment anew. The stranger who comes among us may be the very messenger God is sending to lead us into deeper faith and new growth.

Making room at the table is not only an act of justice for those who have been marginalized or excluded — it is also the way God changes and grows those of us who find ourselves at the center of power or society at any given time. It opens our eyes to new perspectives, sharpens our ability to discern God’s voice, and reminds us that grace is always bigger than the boundaries we draw.

As we wrap up this season of worship, we will reflect together on how humility and hospitality become acts of faith — and how God continues to shape us into a community where strangers become friends and love takes root in action. Like Rublev’s ancient icon reimagined in Kelly Latimore’s Trinity (above), we are invited to see ourselves at a table where every face reflects God’s image, and where the colors of creation hint at a feast without end.

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we give thanks for all God has been doing among us, and as we look ahead with expectant hearts to what comes next. Your presence is part of the story God is writing here.

Alongside you,
Pastor Paul Ortiz