The Hub, Feb. 27, 2019
What was one of the simple things that people did to make me feel at home again at Christ Lutheran? They asked me my favorite color. The answer is blue, and this became a challenge to our flower team. They went out of their way to find blue flowers during a season when they are hard to come by. Those responsible succeeded (using hydrangeas mixed with other flowers and even blackberries from someone’s yard), and they were beautiful. This reminded me how all our worship services are cared for down to the smallest detail.
So often, it is the small things that matter most in welcoming others. Once, I had a couple join my congregation just because the altar guild had prepared to welcome them with gluten wafers. I have seen that if the sanctuary was too dark, too light, too cold or hot, perhaps the mic isn’t working just right, or in any other way things seem uncomfortable (even dirty restrooms), it proves a hindrance to worship and relationship. Thankfully, our property team stays on top of this. And when my friends and family shared their first impressions from my installation, they mentioned the spirit-filled music as well as the authentic friendliness of those in attendance. Everything that had been done and all who were there made them feel welcome.
In planning, preparing and attending worship, we don’t just do so for our benefit. We gather and serve to welcome others in Jesus’ name.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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