A few months ago, I was going to a meeting in a new and unfamiliar place. I had checked out the building lay-out, entrance doors, and parking lot options online. I was ready! However, when I arrived and entered the door number given to me, I learned I was in the wrong part of the building. I followed new directions to get to the correct place, but lost track at turn number 3 and went the wrong way. I finally came close to where I needed to be but learned the office had been temporarily moved to another floor due to a current problem. Though late, I finally arrived where I needed to be. 

Have you gone somewhere for the first time and had a similar experience? 

Since then, each Sunday as I drive to church, I find myself wondering if we’ve done all we could do to be guest ready?  

Will we meet a young adult who just moved to the area to begin a new job? Could it be a newly married couple looking for a place where they can connect with other young couples? Maybe, it will be someone who hasn’t attended church for years, but a life event has them re-evaluating their future with a nudge that now includes worship attendance and a place to serve. Perhaps it’s someone deconstructing their faith, or someone interested in exploring what this “faith” is all about.  

Could it be that today will be the day a child or student will bring a friend who has such a good experience that in time, other family members will connect with St. Luke’s. Or, will it be the day we meet longtime churchgoers who, with a sense of grief and loss, have made the difficult decision to leave their friends of many years and are “trying St. Luke’s” to see if we would be a good fit for them?  

From experiences through the years, these possibilities are just the beginning of a long list of many reasons why new people come to St. Luke’s. Regardless of the reason, I remember that each and every person matters to God. Once again, I remind myself that our hospitality and New Here teams have come to believe that our encounters with our guests are not by accident.  

What saved me that day a few months ago were the people who saw me – I mean really saw me and helped me with a friendly smile and a willingness to help.  

I wonder, who you will see Sunday or the next time you’re at church that your smile and hello could make their day? Who will experience your “Hi, welcome to St. Luke’s. I’m glad you’re here” that acknowledges they are seen, valued, experiencing connection, and are indeed, truly welcomed here? 

~ Terri 

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