After a whirlwind tour to encourage the disciples in Macedonia, Paul and his companions head to Troas.
The church gathers for a fellowship meal the night before Paul is to leave town.
A strong case could be made that what the community of believers was doing that night was similar to our dinner church ministry, Red Stick Together.
The community would gather and share a common meal and for many of the poor this was the most substantial meal they would have during the week.
Known as agape meals or love feasts these meals were an important way the early church introduced new people to the abundance of the Kingdom.
Unfortunately, Paul kept speaking late into the night and a young man named Eutychus sunk into a deep sleep and fell out the window.
Fortunately (which is what the name Eutychus means), he did not suffer serious injury.
I take two important things from this passage. First, it is important for the church to reclaim the centrality of shared meals as a part of our common life and I am excited we are already doing this through Red Stick Together.
Second, I promise to never preach until midnight. ;)
