Extending Hospitality ~ A Home for Our Neighborhood
Leviticus 19:33-34; Matthew 25:31-40; Romans 12:12-13; Hebrews 13:2
This morning’s sermon is about the gift of hospitality. I have several scripture passages that illustrate this gift, defined in the dictionary as “the act of being friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors.” (Cambridge English Dictionary)
The Bible presents hospitality as a commanded virtue, a reflection of God’s love, and a practical way to serve others, encouraging believers to act with generosity, humility, and compassion in all interactions. I have experienced that gift of hospitality as a reflection of God’s love many times in my life. Three specific instances come to mind.
When I traveled to the former Soviet Union in 1984 as a peace emissary for the Presbyterian church, we were repeatedly extended hospitality by strangers. One of those moments I will never forget. We went to a church service at a large Russian cathedral in Moscow. It was packed, and when the head priest found out that a group of 27 Americans were there in worship, we were immediately rushed to the front of the sanctuary and given chairs, while the hundreds of other worshipers stood. People smiled at us, and we felt so welcome in that moment. I have a fond memory of taking communion from a single cup near the end of the service, wiped by the priest after each person took a sip of wine, hoping and praying that I would not get ill from partaking. (I did not)
Back in January of this year, I traveled to Ashland’s sister city on behalf of my Rotary club. We visited the tiny village of El Potrero, Mexico, where our club is working to provide clean running water to its about 150 residents. After meeting the community and showing them the plans to put in a water system using solar power and a nearby spring, we were fed a grand lunch provided by the village, which didn’t have much of anything to begin with- empanadas, tacos, sun tea, etc. I admit I was a little worried about making the food. We were in a small village in a very remote area of Mexico with no running water. But I knew what they had sacrificed in making that food for us. So, I said a quick prayer and dug in, saying “Gracias para todo.” The food was delicious, and thanks be to God, I felt fine afterward. God is 2 for 2 on protecting me when I am in remote places in the world.
The third experience of hospitality was just this past Wednesday at our first Advance Giving gathering for the Capital campaign. We were invited to Coz and Joanne Costantino’s home for the gathering. We were treated to a wonderful spread of yummy desserts and snacks, including fresh cherries and strawberries from their backyard.
As I reflected on that hospitality in their home, Coz was one of the folks who spoke up about what our church means to him and the importance of our congregation to the greater community. At some point, he talked about how many people in our Ashland community use our campus. He said, “Every time we walk by the parking lot, it seems like there is always someone there. This church is like a community center! We really do a lot to support our Ashland community!”
Coz is right. Our church has become a place of hospitality, a gathering place for many different groups who do so much good in our world. Let’s take a closer look at how places of worship have been called to extend God’s hospitality to others throughout the centuries, and then give thanks for how our congregation extends that same hospitality today.
Leviticus 19:33-34 commands the Israelites to treat strangers living among them with the same love and respect as their own people, reflecting God’s call for hospitality and justice.
The passage emphasizes that the Israelites must not oppress or mistreat foreigners residing among them. Instead, they are to treat them as native-born, showing love, fairness, and hospitality. The rationale is rooted in empathy: the Israelites themselves were once strangers in Egypt and experienced oppression, so they are called to extend the same care to others.
The command of hospitality links moral behavior to God’s holiness. By loving and welcoming strangers, the Israelites reflect the character of God, who is just and compassionate. The instruction also broadens the concept of “neighbor” beyond one’s immediate community, teaching that ethical treatment extends to all, including outsiders.
Next comes a passage most of us are familiar with from Matthew 25. The scene is the Last Judgment, when Jesus returns from heaven and sets the nations into two groups, the sheep at his right and the goats at his left. Author of the book Separation of Church and Hate, John Fugelsang writes, “You have probably guessed that this is not going to end well for the goats.”
Years ago, we agreed to become a Matthew 25 church, to follow Jesus’ call to extend hospitality by feeding the hungry, giving the thirsty something to drink, welcoming the stranger, clothing those in need, and caring for those in prison. Fugelsang comments, “That’s it. That’s what Christianity is supposed to be about. Not banning abortion, blocking care for trans kids, hating Muslims, fighting for tax cuts, or making people believe in a talking snake. Jesus asserts that his true followers are the people who care for the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the immigrants, and the incarcerated.” When we extend that hospitality, Jesus tells us we are extending it to him.
Next comes a brief snippet of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Much of this letter includes instructions on how to be a community shaped and anchored in the love of Christ. After encouraging the fledgling congregation to rejoice in hope, be patient in time of difficulty, and to pray regularly, Paul then tells them to contribute to the needs of the saints. Most Biblical scholars say that this is an instruction to help fellow believers in need. Then that instruction is broadened a bit, as Paul tells the congregation to practice hospitality (most translations. The word translated as “practice” here in Greek is diokontes (δίοκοντες), which means “to pursue, to press towards.” The word translated as hospitality can be rendered more accurately as “love of strangers,” philoxenia (philoxenia ). Paul wants the church to pursue the gift of hospitality outside its doors as well.
Our final passage is one I try to keep in the forefront of my mind, especially when I am at work in the church office. The book of Hebrews is a circular letter and was read to many Christian congregations in different regions. What instructions were given to these congregations? They should not become an insular community focused only on themselves. They can’t forget to love the stranger as well. Who knows? They might end up entertaining an angel who has been sent to serve humanity (Hebrews 1:14) just as Abraham did (Genesis 18:2, 16; 19:1, 15-16). Theologian Diana Butler Bass stresses that “hospitality is the practice that keeps the church from becoming a club — a members-only society .” This aligns with her view that the church should be a place of care, belonging, and mutual support.
The gift of hospitality has been part of the Christian church’s history since the church's formation in the 1st century. Especially during the Middle Ages in Europe, churches and monasteries consistently practiced hospitality. I learned this from watching one of my favorite shows on YouTube, “Tasting History with Max Miller.” Max finds ancient recipes, makes them, and then talks about the history of when the food was popular. Have you ever wondered what travelers in the Middle Ages, going from town to town, or people on holy pilgrimages, ate on the road? Max made a kind of pine nut brittle, one of the staples for travelers in those days, and then spoke about how the best places to stay when traveling back then were churches and monasteries. Staying at an Inn was sometimes dangerous. People who came to Inns could become targets of robbers, or even of the innkeeper, as stories abound from this time of people being given something to make them sleepy, then being robbed blind and beaten. You didn’t have to worry about that if you were staying with a group of monks or nuns. So, since monasteries and churches were a bit like trusted Super 8 motels of the time, they constantly fed and provided sleeping quarters for travelers, many of whom would walk an average of 20-30 miles a day.
How do we extend the gift of hospitality as a church? Folks watching now at Central Point, take a look at the list of what you do and what groups you support. You too are a gathering place for your neighborhood! Consider how you extend hospitality to others on behalf of a loving and hospitable God.
First, we do charge some groups who use our facility, but our rates are more than fair. In many cases, we do not charge certain groups that regularly use our campus.
Here is our list
Prayers for Peace- a chance for our congregation and community to find peace, center their lives in peace, offered twice a week in our chapel, led by Miriam.
Red Cross Blood Drives- We let the Red Cross use our fellowship hall once a month, free of charge, so that blood can be collected and lives saved.
Soroptimists- a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, specifically those facing significant obstacles.
AA Morning-From the AA group leader. “I would like to let you know how grateful we are for the use of the space you have provided for us, for more than 30 years! So much healing has happened, especially over the past year and a half. I will ask that God bless your endeavors. (Meaning our Capital Campaign)” 1 of 6 Substance abuse help groups that use our facility regularly.
Safe Parking Team- Thanks to Cathy, Jill, and John, who continue to shepherd folks living in their vehicles to get their lives back in order!
Women with Wings Choir has used our space free of charge for years to rehearse and hold their annual concert here.
Death Café-is a welcoming, open gathering where people can come together to talk about life, death, and the experiences and questions that come with both. They began meeting once a month in Calvin Hall in April, and we do not charge them for being here.
Meditation Group- Comes every Wednesday afternoon to listen to Native American flute, to center themselves and find peace.
AA Evening-
Knitting Group-An OLLI knitting class that meets weekly. We take a free-will offering from them.
Men's Book Club met last night to discuss John Fugelsang’s book, Separation of Church and Hate.
AA Crack of Dawn
Realtors meet every Thursday to go over homes for sale in the Rogue Valley.
Siskiyou Violins-They rehearse every other Thursday in the sanctuary for free. The children and youth in the group learn to play the violin and viola and have performed once at Carnegie Hall. We ask them to provide special music for worship once a year.
Deacon's Ministry-Those who come into our office, asking for help, asking for a food card, a gas card, or bus tokens regularly, say this blessing: “God bless this church!” I personally believe that whenever that phrase is uttered, it is praise for faithful work done on behalf of Christ and goes right to God’s ear. We have been blessed thousands of times as a result.
Memorial Services: Comfort for those grieving, both inside the church and out in our community.
Little Free Pantry-LFP tender Donna Wright told me the story of an older woman who really wanted to wash her clothes but had to prioritize food. Donna put some laundry soap in the pantry, and the woman was there, said, “Thank you so much! Now I can wash my clothes!”
Jobs with Justice Holiday Meals- We let SOJWJ serve meals to hundreds in Calvin Hall at Thanksgiving and Christmas, free of charge.
Butterfly House Montessori- Hopefully coming soon to the downstairs of Calvin Hall. This Montessori school will provide childcare and instruction to families, a much-needed resource for Ashland. They will also become a much-needed source of revenue for our church. Hopefully, our congregation can put together a scholarship for the school for families in need.
Al-Anon Family Afterward
AA Keepin' it Real
Weddings- We just had the wedding of the century last Saturday, and I have had the pleasure of performing three weddings since I arrived.
Women's Book Club was part of the group that hosted last night’s gathering.
OLLI Theater Group-This group teaches seniors the art of theater. They have put on two musicals (including the one I was music director for in March) and have used Calvin Hall as rehearsal space for many years at a low fee.
Ashland Supportive House-They are across the street from us and are a supportive housing community for neurodivergent kids and teens. They have used our facility at a reduced rate for a cooking class, will be using Calvin Hall to teach theater arts beginning in June, and one of their residents cleans our Little Free Pantry every Thursday.
A.A.U.W.-Advancing gender equity through education and advocacy.
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Lithia Springs Rotary Club - Meets Tuesday mornings and does a lot of good here in Ashland and globally. Just awarded $35,000 in scholarships for Continuing Education and Technical training to AHS graduates. It was started in part many years ago by our own Dennis Slattery.
OLLI Watercolor Group- Meets every week to help seniors get in touch with their artistic side. We charge them a reduced rate.
20th-century Anglican theologian Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple wrote, “The Christian church is the one organization in the world that exists purely for the benefit of non-members. The church exists for those outside it.” We live those words into being by extending the gift of hospitality to our community and to those in need.
May God bless us and be with us as we begin to work on our aging campus, so that we might continue to be a place of hope, anchored in the love of Christ, extending the gift of hospitality and serving as a home for our neighborhood for many, many decades to come. Alleluia! Amen.
