What Makes A Good Party
Think about a party you really enjoyed going to. What made it memorable? My mind goes to a “Friends-giving” Megan and I hosted during our college years. It was fun (we fried and spiced a whole turkey and played kickball in a field afterwards) and there was a lot of laughter. It was meaningful too. For some of our friends, that was their Thanksgiving, so it felt like we blessed them. These kinds of events are not only good, but even heavenly, if we consider that the image Scripture presents us of eternity is that of a marriage feast.
This is why we often say of events at Kitsap House, “Invite your neighbors!” Not because we hope to sell them on church (though that would not be a bad thing!) rather we hope people have an experience of heaven on earth. Even if a person were to never step foot in a Sunday morning gathering after coming to a Kitsap House event, I would hope they could not deny that there was a taste of something more in what they experienced. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about the events we are looking forward to hosting this Fall, events you can invite your neighbors to!
On October 28, we’ve been invited to partner with Port Orchard Bay Street in extending hospitality to revelers during this year’s Boo Bash. We’ll be painting pumpkins and making smiles on Bay Street.
November 5, we’re taking what we learned from the feasts of Israel and living it out through a Fall Feast, a celebration of abundance. We’ll be meeting at the Long Lake Community Building and enjoying a sumptuous meal together. Part of our celebration of abundance will include sharing the overflow with those who have lacked, by collecting and creating welcome kits for refugees through the ministry of World Relief.
We will celebrate Thanksgiving with a (very mild), Fun Run/Walk in downtown Port Orchard followed by hanging out and watching the Thanksgiving parade at the Ministry Residence. This is especially meaningful for those who may otherwise not have family to celebrate Thanksgiving with.
In the first weekend of December we’re bringing back Kids Night In, Parents Night Out (affectionately referred to as KNIPNO), a chance for parents to go on a date (or just get things done) and for their kids to have a blast and take over our Ministry Residence.
And finally, we’re revisiting the powerful Prayer Week event we hosted last year, an experience of prayer and meditation that lasts for 7 days, 24 hours each day, culminating on the darkest night of the year, Winter Solstice.
We will be sharing more details about these events through this newsletter, on our website, and at our Sunday morning gatherings so keep your ears open for that. I hope you come to some of these, and I especially hope you invite your neighbor (or friend, or family member) to all of them. May we, together, know something of God’s goodness and presence in the fellowship, joy, and feasting ahead of us this Fall.
- Pastor Larry
