Yesterday, we enjoyed a very powerful church service in which the "worship time" (I really loathe that term to describe the singing bit) was anointed by the Holy Spirit and I preached with a passion that surprised me and then the church spontaneously gathered around Margaret and me to pray for us.

Immediately after this awesome (in the true sense of the word) worship event, we moved into a barbecue lunch which my cell group had planned over several weeks. We invited a number of visitors to join us as a part of our outreach, and about 10 or so people came.

And we did lunch together.

People shared together over food. Some ate outside and others inside. Children played riotous games together.

Somehow food got cooked and dishes were washed without any rosters, plans or intimidation.

Everyone ate with lots left over.

The Kingdom of God was demonstrated.

When the people of God eat together we come together in peace and inclusive love…. well that's the aim at least, even if we don't always achieve that. When we invite those who aren't yet in the Kingdom to join with us we are demonstrating the openness and inclusiveness of God.

As John Piper points out, doing it outside draws us into a celebration of God's creation, and so churches have a responsibility to picnic together regularly.

I don't know if anyone was saved or not.

I do know that I and other people in our congregation had a chance to meet some new people and renew old friendships. Some people came into our building and enjoyed the experience.

The worship yesterday went beyond five songs, some preaching and some powerful prayers. The worship lasted all the way through lunch.

Now we pray that our guests saw enough of the Kingdom to make then hungry for more.