Members of Pine M.B. Church invited the community to the church’s first community Christmas dinner Monday evening.

The congregation fixed enough for approximately 250 meals, according to Pastor Brent King, who has been at the church for 13 years.

“The ladies of the church talked about having a community meal. We talked about doing it at Thanksgiving where we invite the community to come and eat,” said King.

King said the community meal also is intended to teach the youth valuable life lessons.

“Our young people serve the lunch,” he said. “We want our children to have an attitude of service. Young people today seem to have a sense of entitlement.”

King said Monday’s dinner was a learning experience.

“We’re seeing how it goes and learning from it,” King said. “We want to make this an annual event.”