And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

            Wednesday, at noon and 7 pm we gathered for worship. The Lenten worship was nicely attended, the sermon was well received (thank you) and then it happened. I introduced a few minutes of “heavenly chaos.” For the next three or four minutes I asked our worshipers to get up, find at least two people each of us didn’t know and greet them by name and say, “I’m glad you came to church.”

            It was wonderful! The nave echoed with voices and laughter as we extended holy hospitality to each other. The noon service was a bit more calm than the evening service where the choir left their seats and joined in our shared greeting. I think our organist, Sarah, even left her position before the organ and greeted others!

            Worship is a marvelous place for us to continue the wonderful warmth of our congregation. I thought of that and the text above. The intent of these minutes of heavenly chaos was to provoke one another to love and good deeds. This was a moment to engage in welcoming each other beyond the circle of friends and family we know well. My hope was that it would spill over into the hallways and Atrium – and it did!

            Thank you to those who were willing to risk a bit in worship. Thank you to our greeters and ushers, our staff and the disciples of Redeemer for the risk of meeting a person new to you – even though they may be long standing members of our congregation.

            When we reach out to one another, when we meet the stranger and welcome them, we become the visible heart of Christ. There is no community like the Church – and we want to invite and welcome everyone that the Holy Spirit sends our way. And who knows, like the author of the book of Hebrews says elsewhere, we may entertain angels unaware of it.

 Lord Jesus Christ, as you have welcomed us into an eternal fellowship, empower us to welcome each person who comes to our church with the same care, compassion and joy. Amen