Sounds like good suggestions, and I second the roast idea (look up maple mustard pork roast on allrecipes, I recommend). Make sure you plan sides that don't require the oven! Salads, mashed potatoes, etc.
I also wanted to suggest rethinking the entire structure of the meal. When my family (parents) invite friends, the meal is typically mainly salads/sides. Potato salad, bean salad, fresh veggie salad, mushroom salad, etc. we also put out pickled foods (cukes, mushrooms, fish, bell peppers...) which is kind of a cultural thing, but easy to serve, and we'll frequently have cheese, salami, and bread. Basically just a smorgasbord with a lot of variety abd the expectation that not everyone will eat everything.