1. Welcome Morning Worship
Bishop Justus Church of England School
Today’s parable reminds us to be inclusive of all people. It also reminds us to join God’s party!
How should this parable inform us as a Christian Community? Why is this a good reading for our 2nd harvest Appeal?
Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Harvest Appeal 2—Bromley Borough Foodbank
Ordinary Time – Liturgical Colour Green
7th October 2014

2. Gather
The Lord be with you
And also with you

3. Receive
Jesus once told about a king who threw a party, but none of the people he invited showed up for his party. In Jesus' story, the king was going to have a party for his Son who was getting married. Since he was a king, and this was his only son, you can imagine that it was going to be quite a celebration and it was a tremendous honour to be invited! All of the plans had been made, the food was prepared, the invitations had been sent. The day of the celebration came, but no one showed up! The king sent his servants to see where the people were and why they had not come to his celebration. The people all began to make excuses about how busy they were. The king was very upset, so he told his servants to ...
‘… go to the main streets and invite to the feast as many people as you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, good and bad alike; and the wedding hall was filled with people.
Matthew 22:9-10
Watch—Try this modern take on the story
Full parable can be read here Matthew 22:1-14

4. Engage Food Bank Appeal…
Today’s story reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is a big party full of all sorts of people.
Contributing to the Foodbank is about us inviting others to share our food.
We are supporting the Bromley Trussell Trust Foodbank
Excuses
Share your best excuses
Watch a couple of TV licence evasion excuses... or
In this parable many people made excuses rather than go to the party…
How do you feel about someone who is always making excuses?
Other Ideas
Have a healthy feast—bring in some apples and dried fruit
Invite everyone to participate
Dinner party consequences
Create a fantasy dinner party using the game consequences…
Give each student a piece of paper—they write the answer to the following prompts then fold the paper over—pass the paper round for the next answer and so on....
Name of person invited
Another name of person invited
Where dinner party would be held
What would be on the menu
Entertainment
We would talk about
Ask a few students to read their dinner parties out....
Reflect on the story of the banquet
the kingdom of heaven is like a big random party
How does this party tell us how to be a welcoming and inclusive Christian Community?

5. Respond Dear Father, thank you for inviting us to join you
in your heavenly celebration.
Help us to be inclusive of all people
and to share with others
May we bring your kingdom of love
to our world
Amen

6. Go Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God Harvest Faith in Action…
Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God
Remember to collect
for the Foodbank – this will be collected at your Harvest Festival
Complete your fundraising
then hand the money you have made to student reception with your tutor group name