worship preview

The Detroit News recently had an article that offered advice on how to dress for office Christmas parties.  The general advice was to dress conservatively.  It noted that for women, wearing low cut blouses and short skirts undermines the image of professionalism and can damage hope for career advancement.    In a story he includes in his gospel, Matthew tells of a man who was invited not to an office party, but to a wedding banquet.  Unfortunately for him, the man wasn't dressed appropriately and suffered consequences far worse than a career setback.  Matthew includes this story not because he is a fashionista, but a Christian teacher and evangelist.  His hope is that the story will encourage us to think not about what we wear to parties but about how we respond to the gospel of life.   We will be taking a look at this story this Sunday.  It is found in Matthew 22:11-13 and is included below.  As you read the story, you might ask, "why does the king respond so forcefully in this story?"  "what can we imply about the guest based on how he shows up for this feast?"  "what is the point of this story?"  "what does this story say to us 2000 years later?"  "what in particular does this story say to you?"   We will also be celebrating the Lord's Supper this Sunday.  Taking time to read and reflect on this passage would be a great way to prepare for worship.   In Christ,   --Bryan   Matthew 22:11-13   11"when the king came in to see the guests he had invited to his son's wedding feast, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.  13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'