Daily Dose of the Word of God - Beyond Sunday Ep. 107 Artwork

Elmhurst CRC

Welcome to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church! Here you will find the audio version of the messages from the weekend services taught by Pastor Gregg DeMey and Pastor Jeff Klein with occasional guest pastors, as well as our weekday devotionals. We hope you enjoy the messages and are encouraged by God’s Word.

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Elmhurst CRC

Daily Dose of the Word of God - Beyond Sunday Ep. 107

December 15, 2025 • Jeff Klein • Season 1 • Episode 970

Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach

Jeff Klein 0:06

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Monday, December 15. This is Jeff Klein reminding you to take your faith out of the church building on Sunday and into the world for the rest of the week.

Jeff Klein 0:18

We live in an age of the drive-through windows: food that is now fast and eaten alone in a hurry, the family meal, the neighborhood dinner party and the harvest feast are vanishing rituals. Having a meal together is really a vanishing art form. Jesus lived in a time when gathering around the table was an important value. He regularly ate with different groups of people. He ate with the Pharisees. Matthew and his friends had a meal with his closest friends many times - and especially the night before his death, Jesus seemed to believe that eating together could impact relationships and provide a place of belonging.

Jeff Klein 0:57

The table is the place of intimacy. Around the table, we discover each other. It's the place where we pray. It's the place where we ask, "how was your day?" It's the place where we eat and drink together and say, "Come on, take some more." It is the place of all the new stories. It's the place of smiles and tears. Taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it and giving it to those seated around the table signifies unity, community and peace. I wonder how the world could be impacted by people eating together. Hugh Walter points out that the table is one place where our differences are set aside. What would happen in our communities if more people simply had dinner together? What could happen in our world if we got around the table with different people than us and had a meal? Maybe we could change the world. How could you use your table this holiday season to bless someone and change their life? Can you think of someone you could invite over for a meal?

Jeff Klein 1:59

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, give us a heart that is willing to host someone at our table. Bring to mind someone through your Holy Spirit, Jesus. Lord, help us to use our tables as more than just places for our bills and whatever else, but to use them as places where we gather, connect and belong. In your name, Jesus we pray, amen.