November 2007
A
Greeting to Remember
It was a Thursday afternoon when I
heard the knock on the door. I looked through the window and saw a
woman in her seventies or eighties bundled up against the chill of a
Montana September. I opened the door and the woman introduced
herself as Arlene. She asked if Will Sappington was home because
she had a gift for him.
I had visited American Lutheran
Church the prior Sunday and had filled out the visitor information
box. And here, four days later, Arlene stood at my parent’s door
handing a freshly baked loaf of bread to a 16-year-old kid. Arlene
thanked me for coming to church and said she hoped to see me again.
I will never forget the welcome I
received from American Lutheran and since I have the word “outreach”
in my title I hope to have the same warmth radiating from Sammamish
Hills. I would like to lift up to you this month our very fine team
of first time visitor callers. If you haven’t heard of this group
it is because they largely work behind the scenes. When someone
fills out the worship registration form and identifies themselves as
a first time visitor, one of the members of this team calls them at
home.
This is not a sales call. This is
a thank you—in the way Arlene thanked me for visiting. It is a
welcome and an offer of assistance if there are any questions the
first time visitors have about the community here at Sammamish
Hills.
How were you welcomed the first
time you came to worship here? Do you remember the name of the
first person to say hello? If you do then you know the power of a
warm welcome. I ask that you pray this month for our first time
visitor callers. I also ask that you look at how you can be more
welcoming when we gather together. We are a community of disciples
always looking to share Christ’s love.
Peace,
Pr. Will
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