There is this great old Robert Earl Keene song called, “Feelin’ Good Again” that paints the picture of someone who returns to his hometown after some time away. The song begins in kind of a lonely place – the singer is alone, wearing worn out clothes, and standing in the chill north wind. But then, the lyrics take the listener in a completely different direction:
So I strolled across old Main Street
Walked down a flight of stairs
Stepped into the hall and saw all my friends were there
A neon sign was flashin’, “Welcome, come on in”
It feels so good feelin’ good again
Now, our church does not have a neon sign that flashes and reads, “Welcome, come on in,” but in my mind, these words paint a wonderful picture of what church can be – a gathering place where all are welcome and all are friends and no one need feel alone. There are so many times and places when we are at our best as a church and it simply feels so good. This good feeling isn’t something that we manufacture on our own. It is something that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Last Sunday, I invited a whole lot of people to my birthday party and I had a chance to sing this song. And, as I sang, I looked around the room and saw a whole bunch of friends, neighbors, and found family – this amazing extended village of people that have embraced me and my family in our years in New Hampshire. It was a very special afternoon and I was overwhelmed with the gift of so many people being present, together – including people who had just visited our church that very morning for the first time, along with other people who have been visiting our church for a while. I was so overwhelmed and it felt so good!
I remember that it wasn’t all that long ago that we were unable to gather in large groups and, ever since the pandemic, I don’t want to ever take being in-person with other people for granted.
I heard an interview this past week in which someone was asked what the antidote to Artificial Intelligence and social media might be. They responded by saying, “Real people, in-person, and real relationships.” Technology cannot replicate real relationships with people we love and people who love us. This is one reason why there is an urgent need for the church in this day and age – a place where the blessings of community can be experienced in ways that do not involve algorithms or artificiality. I know that church doesn’t always get it right, but in so many instances, church is way better than the alternative.
I hope that our congregation is always working on how we welcome others in. I’m not suggesting we get a neon sign that says, “Welcome, come on in!” but I am suggesting that – in the spirit of welcome – our hearts and minds would always be as open to welcoming others in as Jesus does.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “When We Talk About God – God is Faithful and Has Called You”
Read John 1:29-42
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Read or sing Hymn # 691 – “Lord, When I Came Into This Life”
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